Some Christian pastors embrace Scientology*

    * Story Highlights
    * Christian pastors borrow ideas from Scientology to preach
temperate lifestyle
    * Critics say Scientology is a cult, always looking for recruits
    * Pastor in Houston, Texas, claims 70 percent success rate with addicts

 From Diana Miller and Gary Tuchman

TAMPA, Florida (CNN) -- Some Christian congregations, particularly in
lower income, urban areas, are turning to an unlikely source for help --
the Church of Scientology.

Rev, Charles Kennedy uses Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's book
during a Friday night sermon.

Scientologists do not worship God, much less Jesus Christ. The church
has seen plenty of controversy and critics consider it a cult. So why
are observant Christians embracing some its teachings?

Two pastors who spoke recently with CNN explained that when it comes to
religion, they still preach the core beliefs of Christianity. But when
it comes to practicing what they preach in a modern world, borrowing
from Scientology helps.

The Rev. Charles Kennedy, of the Glorious Church of God in Christ, a
Pentecostal church in Tampa, Florida, and the Rev. James McLaughlin, of
the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas,
are among the theological hybrids.

They say they are not scared off by programs with ties to a church that
critics say has aggressive recruiting, secretive ways and rigid
theology. As men of God rooted in Christian values, they do not see
Scientology as a threat to their faith, but rather as a tool to augment it.

Scientology was founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, a science
fiction writer. Followers are taught that they are immortal spiritual
beings called thetans. Although the church says there is a supreme
being, its practices do not include worshipping God.

"I'm looking for solutions, and the people that I help, they don't ask
me who L. Ron Hubbard is," said McLaughlin, who works with addicts. "You
know what they say? 'Thank God.' "

Critic Rick Ross, a court-certified Scientology expert, sees something
more sinister at work. He warned that mainstream acceptance makes it
easier for the Scientologists to achieve their ultimate goal -- new
recruits.
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"Their hope is that through these programs, people will become more
interested in L. Ron Hubbard, what else Mr. Hubbard had to offer, and
this will lead them eventually to Scientology," Ross said.

The church has long been in the headlines for practices critics say are
little more than cult-like mind control. It is also known for its stable
of devout celebrity followers.

And according to published reports, Scientology has been recently
diversifying its outreach to include other religions and ethnic groups.

Kennedy, McLaughlin and a handful of other Christian church leaders --
no one can say how many -- are finding answers to their communities'
needs in Scientology's social programs.

For Kennedy, it began two years ago when he attended a meeting at the
Church of Scientology's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida.
He was introduced to a book called "The Way to Happiness" -- Hubbard's
64-page, self-described "common sense guide to better living."

In the book, which lays out ways to maintain a temperate lifestyle,
Kennedy found a message he believed could help lift his predominantly
lower income African-American congregation. He said the book's 21
principles help them with their struggle in an urban environment where
there is too much crime and addiction and too little opportunity.

Kennedy knew that before he could introduce any Scientology-related text
to his congregation, he would have to prove that it did not contradict
his Christian beliefs. And so, he found Scripture to match each of the
21 principles.

Now Kennedy uses "The Way to Happiness" as a how-to supplement to his
sermons. He believes it is easier to understand and clearer to follow
than ancient Scriptures taken from the Bible.

When asked whether Scientology's values contradict the religion of Jesus
Christ, Kennedy replies, "Sometimes yes. Sometimes no." But he says his
congregation can relate to "The Way to Happiness."

Kennedy admits other pastors have criticized him, but the disapproval is
not enough to discourage him. He insists that he has witnessed the
changes "The Way to Happiness" has inspired in people. He also maintains
that the Scientologists, many of whom he calls friends, are successful
at outreach and getting desired results.

At Kennedy's C. L. Kennedy Center, free tutoring based on Hubbard's
"study tech" philosophies is provided to dozens of children and some
adults. Kennedy's daughter, Jimirra, is one of the instructors. She said
"study tech" and the Scientology orientation classes she attended helped
her graduate from high school and become a poised woman.

Though Jimirra Kennedy insists she does not ascribe to the religious
side of Scientology, she still considers herself, at least in part,
Scientologist. "We say this all the time and I know my father says this,
but I am like a Pentecostal Scientologist, that's what we are."

Critics like Ross are alarmed by such a blurring of the lines. They
consider it a marketing win for Scientology.

In Houston, McLaughlin says he is not one to argue with success. Driven
by a need to address the rampant drug problem in his community,
McLaughlin spent years searching for a solution before he discovered
"Narconon," Scientology's nonprofit drug rehab center, in 2001.

McLaughlin trained at Narconon and brought the techniques back to his
community to launch "First Step Faith Step," a program that combines
Hubbard's methods with the teachings of Christianity.

He claims a 70- to 80-percent rehabilitation success rate.

Kennedy and McLaughlin said they have never lost a member of their
congregations to Scientology.

"I think that they truly believe that this may help their communities,
but in my opinion, they're naïve," Ross said. Scientologists, he added,
"have their own agenda."