I just read a biography of Tom Cruise (it’s summer). Naturally there was a lot about Scientology, and the biographer gleefully mocked its teachings. As I read, I thought to myself, “I could make Christianity sound just as silly.”
For example, we Christians believe that God is big enough to create the universe yet small enough to enter that creation as a baby. The baby was God, but he was also the Son of God. We believe that God is actually three distinct persons but just one being, though not one Christian in a thousand could explain how that works.
While God as Son was on earth, he acquired several followers. They all ran away, though, when he was arrested and then killed. Three days later, the author of life came back to life. After calming their fears, he directed his reassembled crew to spread the good news. Then he disappeared.
His followers got organized and took their story to other lands. Time passed, but the Son didn’t come back. His first disciples were dying off, so various versions of his story and several letters of advice were copied down and put together with similar Jewish material in The Book.
Billions have belonged to this organization. They’ve had some violent disagreements. Each faction tries to recruit new members and often warns that those who don’t join their particular branch — or who quit — will suffer agonies forever.
I could go on; I haven’t even gotten to the Treasury of Merit. However, I have a couple other points to make. The first is, you can make fun of anything. I could do a similar riff on the Electoral College or chemotherapy.
Secondly, the unlikeliness of Christian doctrine actually supports our belief that these truths come from God. If I had to create a religion that would appeal to everyone, I wouldn’t create Christianity. The rules are too hard, and the miracles require too much faith.
Indeed, Christianity’s unlikeliness has tempted some scholars to dismiss Scriptural miracles as simply myths intended to convey spiritual truths. They even reject Jesus’ resurrection appearances as ecstatic visions, not historical fact. Interestingly, this more rational Gospel has made few converts. Those Protestant denominations most influenced by liberal theologians lost over half their membership in the 20th century. In contrast, the fastest-growing denominations (Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostals and evangelicals) are quite conservative in doctrine and practice.
Neither belittling other faiths nor watering down our own is an effective way to spread the Gospel. The way to promote Christianity is to be a Christian. If we are kind to others, joyful in adversity and peaceful in times of confusion, people will want to know why. I once asked a friend who was raised Buddhist what attracted her to Christianity. She said, “When my mother died, they were the people who helped without being asked.”
It’s not easy to be a Catholic Christian today. Our belief in absolutes conflicts with today’s culture of “tolerance.” Our prolife commitment and teachings on sexuality offend many people. Our present scandals overshadow our good works. Overcoming these obstacles requires personal holiness and an ongoing effort to understand and explain our faith.
I don’t know if Scientology is a religion, a business or a scam, but it doesn’t worry me. Nor do other unusual philosophies. I recall the words of the rabbi Gamaliel in the Book of Acts. He said of Christianity, “If this endeavor is of men, it will destroy itself. If it is of God, you will not be able to destroy it.” Two thousand years later, I believe we Christians stand on solid ground.
Kathleen welcomes comments. Send them to Kathleen Choi, 1706 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720, or e-mail: kathchoi@hawaii.rr.com.
