Hubbard's error is found in the treatise regarding eternity, the origins of the universe, the nature of Divinity, and what many refer to as the human "soul" (which Hubbard has labeled theta, so as to remove his explanation from the wide array of definitions of "spirit" or "soul"). The truth of Hubbard's Scientology is extensive as regards the natural laws that govern the universe and human behavior.

Scientology's View of the Universe
The key components of the esoteric teachings of the origins of the universe, the nature of Divinity, and the composition of the living beings on the earth are thoroughly defined in Science of Survival Chapter 1 (pages 1 - 15) as follows:

• The following items are "eternal"
  • The physical universe
  • The theta universe
  • A divine entity or "infinite existence"
     
• The physical universe is composed of Matter, Energy, Space, and Time, and is given the descriptive name MEST (the first letter of each aspect of the physical universe)
   
• The theta universe is composed of ideas with its own energy, space of operation, and its own time. "Further, it computes, reasons, learns and retains what it learns."
   
• A divine entity exists and is recognized as the "Eighth Dynamic" toward which one strives to survive. Interpretation of this entity and its interaction and purpose is quite specious. From my study of Scientology, it is a presence seemingly disinterested in us as individuals, yet somehow interacting with the physical and theta universes by either its attempts to understand both or to confer upon theta an understanding of MEST. In the Ethics book, page 14, the definition of the Eighth Dynamic is more specifically defined as "infinity" and presupposes an intelligence in that realm. This lack of clarity is intentional according to Fundamentals of Thought (page 75) where Hubbard states: "It is not established how mutation and evolution occur (if they do), and the general authorship of the physical universe is only speculated upon, since Scientology does not invade the eighth dynamic." Refer to comments below in my Conclusion section.
   
• "The cycle of existence for theta consists of a disorganized and painful smash into MEST and then a withdrawal, with a knowledge of some of the laws of MEST, to come back and smash into MEST again." This repetitive nature is theta's intention to conquer the MEST universe. "Life is a manifestation of theta-conquered MEST." This faith system is similar to the concept of reincarnation, but not of an entire individual (as believed by many far-eastern religions), rather of the theta, occurring in part, in whole, or in greater measure than the previous iteration. Further, this is an "endless process" of impingement (birth) and withdrawal (labeled "death").
   
• The following assertions are foundational to the Scientology faith:
  • Theta plus MEST equals life
  • Theta and MEST have a natural affinity for each other and combine, linking the two universes
  • Theta and MEST, coming together too hard, get into a turmoil which we call pain
  • Turbulence of theta and MEST, under the duress of too much impact, gives us a Tone Scale
     
• Theta combined with MEST becomes "life" and the living entity has a mind of free theta and a mind of enturbulated theta. The freely functioning mind is the logical mind and the enturbulated mind is the reactive (unconscious) mind that is not logical. As one's theta becomes more and more enturbulated, the reactive mind becomes so prominent that the logical mind is deteriorated to the point that logical reasoning is diminished.
   
• As enturbulation occurs, the reactive mind causes illogical behavior and psycho-somatic illnesses, possibly so severe as to cause death.

• The Tone Scale is a measurement of free v. enturbulated theta and is predictive of behavior as well as the well-being of an individual, and is explanatory of past behaviors and conditions of mental and physical health. The three factors of theta determining one's position on the Tone Scale is the amount of theta within an individual, the quantity of that theta enturbulated, and the ratio between the analytical mind and the reactive mind. Enturbulated theta that is not chronic (i.e. cannot be released from enturbulation) can be set free by mechanisms of Scientology processing to improve the mental and physical condition of the person.

A Christian Answer to Scientology
While Scientologists assert that the faith of Scientology is compatible with every other religion, the Christian must disagree, for point 5 above is contrary to a key tenet of Christian faith found in Hebrews 9:27 which clearly states that we are all individuals and our consciousness exists only once in the physical universe and will then return to God for the moment of Divine Judgment. Thus the Christian faith is incompatible with the religious belief system of Scientology. See my Conclusion below for a more thorough explanation.

Hold On To What Is Good
However, this incompatibility of Christianity and Scientology does not require the Christian to dismiss the entirety of Hubbard's philosophy. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Christians are instructed to "test everything and hold on to what is good." There is actually much good in the writings of L. Ron Hubbard. The man was brilliant in his detailed analysis and comprehension of human behavior, one's physical health, and the accuracy of his tabled Tone Scale. In fact, just as the Periodic Table is arranged such that the known elements and their characteristics are commonly recognized, so also the Tone Scale table provides an ordering of characteristics according to commonality as observed in human experience. The general acceptance of the scientific periodic table is widespread because it was created on the basis of observation, testing, and proof. The accuracy of Hubbard's table is stunning, for it is compiled on that same basis, yet not only explains one's past mental and physical condition, but provides the means of predicting one's future condition.

Many other essays and extensive writings are of high value as well, for L. Ron Hubbard endeavored to thoroughly understand all aspects of life -- both personal and business -- and he wrote extensively on these matters. His Management Series is the basis for business conduct among very many of the Fortune 500 companies. His medical studies have advanced proven, natural healing methods that stimulate the body's own self-repairing systems. And his insight into psycho-somatic illness is pure brilliance (given that over 80 percent of illness observed in human beings is actually due to the reactive mind negatively impacting the body), and his method of "auditing" to correct the causes of psycho-somatic illness, as well as what we often refer to as "mental illness", is pure brilliance.

One of the most useful volumes is a book he wrote entitled The Problems of Work. This book has limitless applications for it explains the concepts of order, chaos, confusion, and clarity in both our business activities as well as our personal lives and interactions with family, friends, and others in our community. In this book, the simplest "technologies" are identified, such as the "stable datum" (pages 14-20), and other concepts, such as "take a walk" and "look them over" (pages 80-82). We would not think of walking as a technology, yet in addressing exhaustion, it actually is a technology. The word technology is defined as "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes". The scientific knowledge in this matter is clearly defined on page 80 of the book The Problems of Work. It is so brilliant that we miss it, and dismiss it. "Take a walk" is not about exercise, rather it is about "unfixing" the cause of exhaustion, and the body responds to this "technology" by becoming refreshed.

What I have found useful is everything L. Ron Hubbard has written regarding the segment of the Tone Scale between the levels of zero and four. Everything below zero and everything above four on Hubbard's Tone Scale is theoretical and it is the basis of approaching the Scientology religious belief system, but between zero and four, the Tone Scale is entirely observable in the physical universe and is extremely accurate. This is why Scientology, as a religion, focuses the vast majority of its efforts in this portion of the range of Hubbard's Tone Scale.

Another incredibly useful item is the ARC Triangle. The ARC Triangle is the keystone of living associations. This triangle is the common denominator to all of life's activities and it correlates to Hubbard's Tone Scale. Below my conclusion is a discussion of ARC and Hubbard's Tone Scale. Its brilliance will at once be obvious to a high toned individual, but will be nonsense to a low toned person.

Conclusion
Scientology, as a religion, offers no salvation, no heaven, no hell, no betterment of one's self except as regards this iteration of the impingement of theta (your "spirit") upon MEST (your body), thus the only real benefit the religion of Scientology offers anyone is for one's current existence in the physical universe as one attempts to survive, or as one dwindles away toward death. Yet in that offering, extremely valuable tools and understanding has been documented by L. Ron Hubbard.

The lack of clarity regarding the supposition of a Supreme Being is intentional according to Fundamentals of Thought (page 75) where Hubbard states: "It is not established how mutation and evolution occur (if they do), and the general authorship of the physical universe is only speculated upon, since Scientology does not invade the eighth dynamic." Accordingly, the value of Scientology as a religion, is specious, for it only offers understanding for the experiences of life in this physical universe and intentionally avoids offering insight into any greater purpose or Divine presence.

For a Christian, the Scientology faith regarding the nature of the universe and its Supreme Being is incompatible with Judeo-Christian doctrines, but for understanding human behavior (without recognizing the influence of the spiritual forces of the universe), Hubbard's Tone Scale and the associated ARC Triangle are invaluable. In fact, when one well-versed in Biblical wisdom literature (e.g. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc.) endeavors to learn the Hubbard Tone Scale and the ARC Triangle, one readily recognizes the utility of Scientology's primary focus between zero and four on Hubbard's Tone Scale. In holding on to what is good, a Christian can learn much from L. Ron Hubbard in understanding human behavior and the health of one's mind and body.

Understanding ARC
(pronounced as individual letters "A-R-C", not pronounced as the word "ark")

1. The first corner of the triangle is called affinity. The most basic definition is the consideration of distance, whether good or bad. The word affinity is used with the triangle to mean love, liking, or other emotional attitude with the context: "degree of liking". Under affinity we have the various emotional tones of the Tone Scale which is integral to a person's behavior and to their degrees of "liking".
2. The second corner of the triangle is reality. Reality could be defined as "that which appears to be". Reality is fundamentally agreement. What we agree to be real is real.
3. The third corner of the triangle is communication. Communication is the solvent for all things--improving affinity and reality OR dissolving and destroying same.

The ARC Triangle is conceived to be very spacious at the level of serenity and completely condensed at the level below apathy (the level of inanimate matter--nothing, no affinity, no shared reality, no communication).

Affinity, Reality, and Communication are the basis of Hubbard's Tone Scale.. The ARC Triangle is not equilateral, rather affinity and reality are very much less important than communication. Among the ARC Triangle laws, a communication to be received must approximate the affinity level of the person to whom it is directed. If there is a wide variation of affinity and reality, the communication will be ineffective because A, R, and C rise and fall in unison. It is impossible for a "conservative" or "enthusiastic" personality to effectively communicate with a "covert hostility" or a "fear" personality, and vice-versa. There must be a common affinity and reality for communication to be effective.

A serene person has large capacity for life and great affinity for all of life--recognizing things as they truly are (reality) and communicating easily--both comprehending and effectively (without misunderstandings) sharing thoughts with others who are high in tone.

A conservative person typically has some skepticism and may even "reserve judgment" in dealing with some people, but generally is able to share the "reality" expressed by others at or above his tone using fairly effective communication.

At antagonism and below, a person, to varying degrees, will not trust others and may even invalidate them or may work against affinity by lying (the lowest form of communication, promoting an irreconcilable difference in realities).

Descending "down tone" is the result of a "dwindling spiral"--a phenomenon of the ARC Triangle whereby when one breaks some affinity, agreement in reality goes down a little bit, and then communication goes down (perhaps as an argument:ANGER--or even lying:FEAR or COVERT HOSTILITY). This break in affinity makes it impossible to get affinity as high as it was before... thus a little more loss of affinity with further reduction in reality (radically different perceptions of the same situations) and further reduction in communication (yelling and lying). This is the dwindling spiral in progress until it hits the bottom which is no positive affinity (no love), no communication (silence or via non-verbal), and no shared reality (no relationship).

People who are low in tone (including liars and manipulators of facts) become incapable of communication, even though they may "talk". They do not understand the reality that a higher tone person is attempting to share (perhaps so fearful as to be incapable of comprehending reality or so insidious as to be trying to manipulate circumstances). They also are ineffective in communicating their own thoughts such that their statements may invalidate the other person or may suddenly "change the subject" ("Oh yeah, well what about..."). These individuals may seem erratic, and their "talk" be peppered with bizarre references or lies trying desperately to avoid the obviousness of their wrongness. The worst examples of this can be seen in neurotic or even psychotic persons intermingling wildly irrelevant chatter in any attempted discourse (such people may be labeled schizophrenic, or worse).

Another key characteristic of such a low-toned person is that they expect they always should be forgiven without any requirement that they correct or amend their wrongs and their promises are not typically trustworthy. Additionally, the high-toned person has an expansive and far more accurate view of reality while the low-toned person has a distorted, very limited view of reality, drawing conclusions that they would not deduce if their understanding of reality was not aberrated. Since A, R, and C rise and fall together, the ability to communicate and share a common affinity is impossible between such persons and a correlated gulf exists between them in perceptions of reality.

A key factor is the lower toned person's desperate attempt to be "right" (see other essay at right) in the face of what they perceive to be an "attack". In this case, the higher tone person must diffuse the situation, perhaps even by complete withdrawal, so that the lower tone person can be "right" without further degradation. With the end of communication and irreconcilable realities, there may be the loss of any positive relationship. Repairing such damage can only occur with a rise in tone, though a future repair may never restore the original level of ARC nor the original relationship.

As people or whole nations descend down the tone scale, effective communication becomes more and more difficult and things with which they can find agreement become more and more solid (perceptions and concepts are nearly impossible to agree, only borders and clinched fists). Thus we have friendly discourse high on the tone scale, with arguments/penalties as we go "down tone", descending to fights/skirmishes, ultimately arriving at war at the bottom of the tone scale.

On the personal level, the dwindling spiral leads to differences in objectives, arguments, invalidation, lies, and loss of affinity and reality such that no relationship can exist.

On the national level, when the affinity level equals hate, the agreement of reality is limited to solid matter and the communication is bullets and bombs.

You see, lively and endearing communication exists at the highest level of the tone scale where affinity is a grand degree of "like" and reality is nearly perfectly shared with other people's perceptions of the universe in which we live. And at the other end of the tone scale, communication occurs even in the absence of spoken words. Non-verbal communication is also communication, and on the personal level can be a divorce proceeding handled by lawyers or on a national level can be weapons handled by soldiers.

What is needed for improving ARC? A rising tone level. One must rise above FEAR in the direction of SERENITY seeking the most spacious and beneficial ARC Triangle. This may take a long time and is impossible without assistance, but the benefits can begin immediately because along the way, one will find improving happiness in life, better understanding of reality, and more accurate reception of other people's efforts toward communication as well as one's own continually improving methods of communicating.

The Creed of the
Church of Scientology

We of the Church believe:

• That all men of whatever race, color, or creed were created with equal rights;
• That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance;
• That all men have inalienable rights to their own lives;
• That all men have inalienable rights to their sanity;
• That all men have inalienable rights to their own defense;
• That all men have inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist or support their own organizations, churches and governments;
• That all men have inalienable rights to think freely, to talk freely, to write freely their own opinions and to counter or utter or write upon the opinions of others;
• That all men have inalienable rights to the creation of their own kind;
• That the souls of men have the rights of men;
• That the study of the mind and the healing of mentally caused ills should not be alienated from religion or condoned in non-religious fields;
• And that no agency less than God has the power to suspend or set aside these rights, overtly or covertly.

And we of the Church believe:

• That man is basically good;
• That he is seeking to survive;
• That his survival depends upon himself and upon his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.

And we of the Church believe that the laws of God forbid man:

• To destroy his own kind;
• To destroy the sanity of another;
• To destroy or enslave another's soul;
• To destroy or reduce the survival of one's companions or one's group.

And we of the Church believe that the spirit can be saved and that the spirit alone may save or heal the body.

Fearing Terminology

Much of the confusion and "fear" of Scientology is simply a misunderstanding of terminology. Some examples I have observed in media reports and other forums are noted here. When understood properly, there is no need to fear.

Getting Ethics In
Everyone is born with a conscience. Over time, the conscience is polluted by perversions of truth and bias. Scientology encourages a restoration of the conscience to an unpolluted state--a personal journey to discover who one truly is and what each person will understand when truly listening to their own conscience. When one's ethics are "in", they will conscientiously and correctly diagnose situations without the polluted filters of our present society.

Theta and "The Thetan"
Everyone uses various terminology for "soul" or "spirit", but there is much confusion over the use of those words. People say, "soul mate" to mean a person they are presently "in love" with, yet over time that "soul mate" moniker is lost. Also, to some the word "soul" means one's spirit, while to others the word "soul" means the spirit that has been combined with flesh to create a sentient being. Given this inconsistency of definition among mankind, Scientology has incorporated two new words. The first word is "thetan" which represents a person aware and conscious of their spiritual aspect, as opposed to a person who goes about life unconscious of their spiritual aspects. The second word is used for the flesh, which is referred to as "mest". It simply means the matter which is organized into the form of one's body, as well as many other forms (including rocks, birds, etc.). The union of "theta" and "mest" brings about a being. Humans have a sentience due to a higher degree of "theta" present in them as opposed to other creatures, such as our pet dog or cat. Use of this terminology should not be a concern since it is intended for, and successfully achieves, distinction from terms that have been muddled by various secular and religious definitions. Very simply, "theta" is the non-corporeal component of a human being while "mest" is the corporeal component. The "thetan" is the one who recognizes these important aspects which have merged to create a "being", human or otherwise. 

Tech
This simply means "technology" (think of the word "technique"). The "technology" is an applied process to solve a problem. It is that simple. Take one example and consider: When one finds oneself exhausted at work, one "tech" (procedure to apply) is called "Take a Walk". Does that seem strange? It should be common sense, but unfortunately it is not. What happens when one applies this "tech"? One walks about until they feel better. It is that simple. Why should anyone fear "tech"? Simply because the terminology is different and one has been told to fear Scientology? Where is the logic in that? The real question should be: Does the "tech" work? or Does employing the "tech" provide the stated benefits? Consider the "Take a Walk" tech. What is the benefit? One is now no longer focused on the problem of work but is actually "taking a walk" and observing many other things, relieving their mind of the problems of work, and finding themselves refreshed. It should be "common sense", not something of which to be afraid.

Three Examples:

1. Human relationship, whether individual or corporate (including national) are governed by certain principles in the universe that should be common sense. The "triangle" of Affinity, Reality, and Communication is a formal tool for understanding this "common sense" principle.
2. One of the most basic principles governing human behavior is the necessity to be "right"--correct in one's actions and views. Again, this is another common sense principle but is regularly ignored in our daily interaction with others, with businesses, with nations.
3. Psychiatry is a dangerous approach to human sanity. There are no "cures" in psychiatry, only "treatments" which actually further damage the individual. Rather than actually curing a mental illness, psychiatry "dopes" the illness--so instead of healing a problem once-for-all what we have instead is a perpetual "doping" of symptoms with dangerous drugs all for the profit of the psychiatrist and pharmaceutical companies--that is, creation of a "dependent" class of people, addicted or convinced of their "need" for continued medication with no "hope" of "recovery". Click here to see the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights (CCHR's) exposition of the horrors committed by modern (and historical) psychiatry.

"Why" the Distortions of Scientology:
There are very many reasons for these distortions, but let me just make one observation that not only provides a significant part of the answer to this particular question, but also addresses many other aspects of all of our lives about which we often wonder "why"--MONEY. Anytime something does not make sense, if you "follow the money" you will eventually find the truth, no matter how carefully those with the financial interest may hide that truth. Why is there such strong opposition to Scientology when the primary effort of this discipline is to improve man's life generally (across-the-board) by eliminating turmoil, freeing individuals from various traumas, and providing a means of living without fear, victimization, or the need of drugs? Well, lets follow the money. How much money does the pharmaceutical industry make for selling vitamins? Very little since there is nothing to patent and thereby control high levels of pricing. Yet proper diet, vitamin supplements, and a healthy lifestyle (including exercise) can eliminate all psychosomatic illnesses, which represent over 70% of every illness experienced by all of humanity. Niacin alone has incredible benefits for blood flow and elimination of toxins including radiation. Vitamin C in the bloodstream boosts the human immune system and attaches itself to impurities, bacteria, and viruses so as to expel them through the kidneys. There is a very long list of these... but in spite of their great effectiveness, these are low cost, low profit solutions nearly never recommended by anyone in the medical or psychiatric professions. Where is the money? In the "doping" of patients with patented treatments, and even generic medications that remain highly priced and still controlled until some other "new and improved" patented treatment can be advanced. Doctors and psychiatrists receive financial incentive (that means they are paid money!) to prescribe "new" medications--wonder drugs created to treat some obscure symptom. New "illnesses" are discovered and given special and lofty names, promoted in television commercials, and reported in the media to create a sense of urgency that people should go see their doctor for a "treatment". These actions are for the purpose of making these invented illnesses seem legitimate (giving them names which often end with the word "syndrome", as if it is some serious problem for which we should all immediately seek "treatment") and thereby justify charging high fees for "treatment" of these "newly discovered" illnesses--a fabrication and invention of money-hungry doctors and pharmaceutical companies. Look at exactly where the money is going. Since the turn of the millennium:
   > the drugging of adults--and especially the exponential drugging of children--has rapidly advanced for both physical illnesses and mental illnesses, all of which have been "invented illnesses"--invented by doctors/psychiatrists and pharmaceutical companies
   >insurance costs have sky-rocketed, and "healings" have been replaced with "treatments" (drug regimens) that cause other problems (often affecting the liver, heart, or other major organs) requiring even more drugging of the populace to "treat" new problems that were previously non-existent and could have been avoided entirely.

Conclusion
These few examples and this singular explanation of "why" (the money) provide adequate cause for us to pause and consider. Don't be fooled by those who have their own, reserved agenda. Don't blindly accept what you are told to think by the media, or doctors, or psychiatrists, or politicians, or clergy, or anyone else. Find out for yourself. In this amazing "information age", anyone can easily and anonymously learn about any topic, including this discipline. Become educated about every topic before speaking or relaying rumor and innuendo. It is easy. Use Google to search out the "money trail" or to find out about illnesses or philosophy, etc.