"Change No Man’s Religion" is a prime policy of Scientology

Here is the full text of a letter published in the Asian Tribune. The letter was written by Jon von Gunten of the Scientology Parishioners League

"Change No Man’s Religion" is a prime policy of Scientology, written by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. I know Scientologists who are also Catholics, Baptists, Jews, and Muslims. There are Scientology missions in Nepal and India that conflict with no religion there.

" Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others " is another directive about religion. Some religions-not Scientology-demand that one renounce all former religious ideas. Some religions-not Scientology-use the word "converts," meaning "to change a person from one thing to another." We do not "convert" people from any religion. We "disseminate" our knowledge, which means to spread the wisdom that we have learned. We do not change people's religions; we add to their knowledge and abilities to ethically help themselves and others.

"Scientology " Demands No Belief For Faith And Thus Is Not In Conflict With Faith," Mr. Hubbard wrote in 1959. This is because Scientology is a religion built upon practical knowledge. If you knew a way to shorten a child's fever from two days to a few hours, would you tell others how to help their children? As a good person, when you learn something new that helps you, you of course want to tell people you love and like so your new knowledge can help them. People telling people how Scientology helped them is primarily how Scientology has survived and grown so rapidly to so many countries for 50 years.

That is why a devout Christian, Jew, Hindu, Muslim, or Buddhist can deliver a Scientology "Assist" to speed the recovery of a wounded person, then can immediately and faithfully attend the religious service of their chosen faith. The person remains faithful to his/her own religion, but has opened his mind, without prejudice, to learning proven new ways to help others.

Scientology is a group of discoveries about the human mind and spirit that people of any religion can use to increase their abilities to deal calmly with situations that previously upset them, to accomplish more in their day, and to peacefully communicate ideas to others. Scientology counseling increases one's own spiritual awareness, and coexists with the peaceful beliefs and practices of other religions.

Jon E. von Gunten
Director , Scientology Parishioners League