Contending for the Faith

 

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Contents

A comparison chart of several Cults and their basic teachings - with Biblical Christian doctrines.    

Jehovah's Witnesses
Mormonism
Christian Science
The Way International
Islam
Armstrongism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Scientology

 

            Jehovah's Witnesses                                                   Biblical Christianity
       

-Concerning-
-They teach-
-Refutes-

Who is God
One person God, called Jehovah.
There is no Trinity. Jesus was created		 John 1:1-3,14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2.  The same was in the beginning with God.
3.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Vs.14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jesus is not God
Before Bethlehem birth Jesus was Michael the archangel 		Hebrews 1:5,13  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

13.  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Jesus was created
Jehovah created Jesus 		Hebrews 1:8-10  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10.  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

His death
Jesus never died on a cross		 Matthew 27:32   And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Mark 15:32  Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him

His Resurrection
Jesus was raised only as a spirit, his body was destroyed.		 Luke 24:37-43  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38.  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39.  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40.  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41.  And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42.  And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43.  And he took it, and did eat before them.

The 2nd coming of Jesus
Jesus returned "invisibly" as a spirit in 1914		 Mark 13:32  "But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Revelation 1:7  Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

The Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is God's Active Force, not a person		 Acts 13:3  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4.  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
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                     Mormonism                                                    Biblical Christianity
            (Church of Jesus Christ Latter day Saints)

-Concerning-
-They teach-
-Refutes-

Who is God
God the Father was once a man, but became God, He has a physical Body as does his wife.
Psalms 90:2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.


John 4:24   God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Numbers 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie;

Who is Jesus
Jesus is a separate god from the Father, He was created as a spirit child by the Father and his heavenly wife and is a spirit brother of Lucifer, who became Satan.
Jesus was never created, He has always been with God the Father as God the Son, the 2nd. Person of the trinity.


John 1:1-3,14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Vs.14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Lucifer is a fallen Angel.

Jesus was never an angel.

Hebrews 1:5,13  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
 

13.  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy

The birth of Jesus
Elohim, the father God came to the earth and had sex with the virgin Mary, who was no longer a virgin		 Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luke 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 
If Mary had physical sex with God then she would have been committing adultery. God's word says thou shalt not commit adultery. If God has commanded us not to commit adultery, then He is not going to break His own commandments and cause another to do so.

Salvation		 The death of Jesus on the cross, does not provide full atonement for all sin, it does provide everyone with resurrection.
There is no salvation outside of the Mormon church (church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints).
Salvation is by works, including faithfulness to church leaders, baptism, tithing, ordination, marriage, and secret temple rites.
The shed blood of Christ is inadequate to atone for all of the sins of man.		 Ephesians 1:7   In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Ephesians 2:8-9   For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9.  Not of works, lest any man sould boast.
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            Christian Science                                            Biblical Christianity

-Concerning-
-They teach-
-Refutes-

Who is God
God is an impersonal principle of life, truth, love, intelligence, and spirit. God is all that truly exists
(matter is just an illusion)		 Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Psalms 102:25  Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

Genesis 1:16-18  And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17.  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
18.  And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Who is Jesus
Jesus was not the Christ, but a man who displayed the Christ idea. Christ means perfection, not a person. Jesus was not God the Son.		 Matthew 16:20  Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:1-3,14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2.  The same was in the beginning with God.
3.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Vs.14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

16.  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The suffering of Jesus
Jesus did not nor could not suffer for sins.		 1 Peter 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

1 Perter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit:

The death of Jesus
Jesus did not die on the cross. 		Matthew 27:35  And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Matthew 27:50  Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up His spirit.

The resurrection of Jesus
Jesus was not resurrected.		 1 Corinthians 15:3   For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4.  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The return of Jesus
Jesus will not literally return.        		 Acts 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:           (see Revelation 19:11-16)

Salvation
Humanity is already eternally saved. Sin, evil, sickness, and death are not real.		 Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11.  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell are states of the mind		 1 Peter 3:22  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Luke 6:23-24  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
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       The Way International                                          Biblical Christianity   

-Concerning-
-They teach-
-Refutes-

Who is God
God is not a trinity, they deny the deity of Christ and the third person of the God Head the Holy Spirit.

 		 1 John 5:7   For there are three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2.  He was in the beginning with God.
 
John 1:14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 1:8-9   But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is holy spirit, a gift to replace man's spirit which was lost at the fall of man.		 Acts 5:3-4   But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4.  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Ephesians 4:30.  And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Acts 16:6  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

 

Who is Jesus
Jesus Christ's existence began when He was conceived by God's creating the soul-life of Jesus in Mary."		 John 6:38   For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him     
that sent me.

John 8:58   Jesus said to them, verily verily. I say unto you. before Abraham was, I am.

John 17:5   And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory   
which I had with thee before the world was.

 

Salvation		 Rather than emphasizing salvation through faith in Christ, Wierwille artificially separated "faith" from "believing." He taught a very mechanical view of faith in Christ - a mere intellectual or mental assent to biblical, historical facts. He also redefined repentance as just confession and belief. Thus, salvation does not involve repentance of sins but only doing "the will of God" (The Bible Tells Me So, p. 18; Jesus Christ Is God, pp. 238-57).
Like Jehovah's Witnesses, the Way also teaches that the soul is the body's life force which is in the blood and that the dead cease to exist (Ibid., pp. 258-90).

 		 Acts 20:21  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
 
Not of works, lest any man should boast.


Revelation 6:9-10  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Matthew 17:3.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. ( Moses died hundreds of yrs. before Jesus). Elijah went to heaven in a chariot, alive.
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                      Islam                                                              Biblical Christianity
 

-Concerning-
-They teach-
-Refutes-

Who is God
God (Allah) is one. Allah is a severe judge (though sometimes merciful) and is not depicted as a loving Father		 I John 4:8-10  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9.  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10.Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

2 Peter 3:9   The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Matthew 5:44-45  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45.  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

What a contrast between the god of the Muslims, which teaches to hate your enemy and the God of the Christian which teaches to love your enemy.

Who is Jesus
Jesus was one of 124,000 prophets sent to various cultures, not the Son of God.		 John 3:16-17   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 20:31   But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Hebrews 1:1-2  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2.  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;


 

The Deity of Jesus Christ
Jesus was not divine or God Himself		 John 1:1-3  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2.  The same was in the beginning with God.
3.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Vs. 14   And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 3:16   And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Hebrews 1:8-10   But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10.  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

The death and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus was never crucified. He went to heaven without dying.		 John 19:16-18   Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17.  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
18.  Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

Revelation 1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

John 19:32-33  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33.  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4.  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The 2nd. Coming of Jesus Christ.
Jesus will return in the future to live and die.		 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17.  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Revelation 1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Salvation
Humans are basically good, but fallible and need guidance. The balance between good and bad deeds determines eternal destiny in paradise or hell.		 Romans 3:10-12   As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11.  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
 
They are all gone out of the way
they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.


John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 John 5:11-12  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
 

12. He that hath the Son hath life; and
he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.


 

The Holy Spirit
The Qur'an refers to Jesus as the spirit of God. Muslim scholars see the angel Gabriel as the Holy Spirit.		 Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4.  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Matthew 3:16-17  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17.  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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           Armstrongism                                               Biblical Christianity

-Concerning-
-They teach-
-Refutes-

Who is God		 Herbert Armstrong defined God as a family of individuals.
Armstrong denied the trinity		 Deuteronomy 6:4  Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord:

Who is Jesus
Armstrong suggested that Jesus would return in 1975. Some groups that still follow Armstrong's original teachings, say that Jesus was not resurrected physically and that He is the only one who has been born again.		 John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:23   Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever

Luke 24:37-43  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41  And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42  And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43  And he took it, and did eat before them.

 

The Holy Spirit
Armstrong taught that Holy Spirit is an impersonal force.		 John 14:26  "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Salvation
Armstrong followers must recognize Old Test. Sabbath days, feast days, and dietary prohibitions - no pork, shell fish etc.
Romans 10:3-4  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9.  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Anglo-Israelism
The book, "The United States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy" outlines the teaching that Britain and the United States are the lost ten tribes of Israel. In this teaching of "British Israelism", the tribe of Ephraim becomes Great Britain, Manasseh is the United States, and the throne of David is the throne of England.


 

 Philippians 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

2 Corinthians 11:22  Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

Acts 21:39  But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city:

Matthew 27:37  And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Vs.42   He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

Hebrew-Israelite-Jew, all mean the same.


 
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                   Hinduism                                                              Biblical Christianity
         No one founder-many sects     

-Concerning-
         -They teach-
-Refutes-

Who is God		 God is “the Absolute” a universal spirit. Everyone is part of God
(Brahman) like drops in the sea.
People worship manifestations of Brahaman - gods and goddesses.
People are God but are unaware of it.

Who is Jesus
Jesus Christ is a teacher, a guru. He is a son of God as are all the others.		 John 3:16,   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

Concerning the death and Resurrection Of Jesus
His death didn't atone for sin.
He died and never rose from the dead.		 Matthew 26:28   For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Romans 5:8-9  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8   For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4.  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5.  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6.  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7.  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8.  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Salvation
Released from the cycles of reincarnation. Achieved through yoga and meditation. Can take many life times. Final salvation is absorption or union with Brahman		 John 3:16, 36  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

36.  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

At death		 Reincarnation into a better status
(good karma) if one has behaved well in life. If one was bad, they can be reborn and pay for past sins
(bad karma) by suffering.		 Hebrews 9:27   And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Other beliefs and practices		 Some disciples wear orange robes, and have shaved heads.  Many Hindus worship stone and wooden idols in temples. Gurus demand complete obedience. Disciples meditate on a word, phrase, or picture. Yoga involves meditation, chanting, postures, breathing exercises.  Foundation of New Age and Transcendental Meditation
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                    Buddhism                                                              Biblical Christianity

-Concerning-
         -They teach-
-Refutes-
Who is God Buddhism is mostly atheistic.  Many buddhists do not believe in a God or Supreme Being of any kind. Others speak of the Buddha as a universal enlightened consciousness or as a god. Hebrews 11:6   But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 1:19-20  since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

20.  For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Who is Jesus Jesus Christ is not a part of this belief.  Buddhists in the West generally view Jesus as an enlightened man John 3:16, 36  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

36.  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Salvation Goal of life is Nirvana, to eliminate all desires or cravings, and in this way escape suffering. The Eightfold Path is a system to free Buddhists from desiring anything John 3:16, 36  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
36.  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
At death People do not have a soul or spirit. However, one's desires and feelings may be reincarnated into another person. No heaven or hell. Revelation 6:9-10  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Luke 16:23-24  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

 
Other beliefs Eightfold Path recommends right knowledge, intentions, speech, conduct, livelihood, right effort, mindfulness, and meditation. Some Buddhist groups talk about an eternal Buddha (life force). Some Buddhist offshoots include Zen, Nichiren, Shoshu, and Tibetan (occultic) Buddhism.
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              Church of scientology                                                Biblical Christianity

-Concerning-
         -They teach-
-Refutes-
Who is God Does not define God or Supreme Being, but rejects Biblical description of God.  Everyone is a "thetan," an immortal spirit with unlimited powers over its own universe, but not all are aware of this.. Genesis 1:1   In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Romans 1:19-21  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
21. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
22.  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Who is Jesus Jesus is rarely mentioned in Scientology.  Jesus was not the Creator, and not an "operating thetan" (in control of supernatural powers, cleared from mental defects). Did not die for sins. Hebrews 1:1-2  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2.  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

1 Corinthians 15:3-5  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4.  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5.  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is not a part of this belief.
Salvation No sin or need to repent. Salvation is freedom from reincarnation.  One must work with an "auditor" on his "engrams" (hang-ups) to achieve the state of "clear," then progress up the "bridge to total freedom." Acts 20:18-20  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19.  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20.  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 
At death Hell is a myth. People who get clear of engrams become operating thetans Revelation 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Luke 16:22-24  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23.  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.


In Christ's Service 
E.L. Davis