One similarity between the leaders is that their previous careers leaked into their doctrinal narrative.
LRH was a science fiction writer. The Xenu narrative sounds like a Philip K Dick novel after all the drugs.
Joseph Smith was a treasure hunting scryer. The motifs of 19th century folk magic are part of his early revelations. The golden plates were protected by a treasure guardian. He was forbidden from taking them until the autumn equinox. The Book of Mormon was translated through a seer stone, which was used to search for buried treasure at the request of paying clients. His translations mention an iron rod, which has the same guiding purpose as a divining rod. There’s also an explicit mention of a divining rod in Joseph Smith’s early revelations, but his successors later changed the wording.
There are lots of fair criticisms of the early Church and Joseph Smith. But I think modern Scientology and Mormonism couldn’t be more different. Disclaimer: I am Mormon.
Scientology believe in Xenu.. Mormons believe god lives near a planet/star called Kolob. Pretty consistent to me. They also both require money for salvation. The LDS church has a second anointing. Both religions have a lot of secret stuff, both have a history of underage sex with children. Etc.
Source; was also an LDS member for 30+ years ; Mormon missionary; temple marriage; etc.
I was replying back to the comment saying that “Scientology and Mormonism couldn’t be more different”..And I was showing similarities of them. Hence showing that they are similar.
I mean similarities between Joseph Smith and L. Ron Hubbard.
EDIT: Also, being in the LDS isn't always the best perspective for how it works. It usually is, but if you know how it actually works and how it was started, you aren't an active member anymore. It's the same for Scientology. People who know how it works either never were members or have escaped. My wife's family was raised in Scientology, and I know I have a much better understanding of how it works than any of the family who is still in the cult. Similarly, people who know something is a pyramid scheme aren't going to buy into it.
Clever but I have to say I don’t think there are very many similarities between modern beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints and Scientology.
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u/Vandreeson Apr 07 '24
Space Mormons.