Scientology has been the victim of rumormongering and prejudice, said Ed Dearborn, executive director for the Orange County Church of Scientology, who spoke Tuesday at Mayers Auditorium. The lecture was hosted by AS Religious and Academic Relations.

Dearborn spent 12 minutes talking about the history of Scientology and describing some of its key objectives. He spent the next hour answering questions from an audience that was a sea of raised hands. Though many students pressed him about a Scientology’s foundation for truth, Dearborn continually asserted his belief that truth is different for everyone.

“In Scientology, what’s true for you is true – the perceived truth. Sometimes a person has to perceive something for awhile before they get the ultimate truth,” Dearborn said.

Here are some highlights from the lecture:

At the beginning of Dearborn’s lecture:

“I find it amazing how many people still want to follow a spiritual path in today’s world. And so I want to congratulate you on making what I feel is the right choice… I think it takes courage to be here. I think it takes courage to be a Christian. I think it takes courage to be a man or woman of faith in this world.”

Regarding Scientology’s compatibility with other religions:

“One of the things that’s very unique about Scientology is that you don’t have to give up your belief or give up your faith to do Scientology. Scientology is not something that requires believing in or faith. Scientology is something that one studies and one applies to a result…. It is directed toward an actual result and improved condition. The question is: does Scientology believe in God? Yes…. Does that mean that we define God? No, that is left up to the individual. You can have a Buddhist, Muslim and a Christian studying Scientology in the same room and not once have to give up their faith in what they believe in.”

While sharing how he became a Scientologist, he talked about a woman who first introduced him to Scientology. She handed him a brochure:

“It said ‘Church of Scientology.’ I thought ‘oh man, a church.’ You see, I had religion crammed down my throat, so religion equaled pain. [But] I signed up for the course, and I got myself off drugs, and I haven’t been on drugs since. I went back to school, I had a family, I’m starting my own business, and I’ve helped thousands of others lead a better life. And that is my personal testimony.”