https://www.deseret.com/2009/10/11/20377069/debunking-myths-about-christian-science
Debunking myths about Christian Science
By Deseret News
Oct 11, 2009, 2:14am EDT
Lynn Arave
Christian Science is a small, young church with deep roots in early Christianity.
Its members tend to be very devout, prayerful and believing people,
whose prayer-based healing practice draws them closer to God.
However, it should be stressed that this religion is not related or
connected to Scientology, a separate faith. Other than a similarity in
name, the two have nothing in common.
"Some people think that Christian Science is faith healing, but in
fact, Christian Science teaches that it is never God's will for anyone
to suffer or die," said Elizabeth Beall, with the Christian Science
Committee on Publication for Utah.
Christian Science thrives in Utah. The first Utah congregation,
called First Church of Christ, Scientist, Salt Lake City, was
incorporated in 1891.
Some of these churches are local landmarks, Beall said.
"Architect Walter E. Ware designed the Christian Science church in
Salt Lake City, among other historic buildings, such as the Old Masonic
Temple.
"More churches were established in Utah between 1909 and 2006.
Today, you can find them in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Park City, St.
George, and an informal group in Kanab," Beall said.
Salt Lake City has three churches, at 1165 S. Foothill Drive; 1303 E. Spring Lane; and at 2309 S. Highland Drive.
Christian Science has about 2,000 branch churches and societies worldwide, in more than 80 countries.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, also known as "The Mother Church," is located in Boston, Mass., and was built in 1894.
In addition to praying daily for the health and welfare of their
local communities, Christian Scientists host regular public events.Public talks on current topics are sponsored by local churches. An
international group of speakers known as the Christian Science Board of
Lectureship is appointed by The Mother Church, headquartered in Boston.Recently, one of these lecturers, Ron Ballard of Ashland, Ore., talked
in Salt Lake City about prayer and the economy. In Park City, he spoke
about prayer and the environment.
As their core beliefs, "Christian Scientists believe in one, infinite God who is all and all-good," according to Christianscience.com.
"They believe that God is not distant and unknowable, but that God is
all-encompassing and always present, and that each individual is loved
by God, cared for by Him, and made in God's image — spiritual, not
material.
"Christian Scientists believe in the Bible and in Christ Jesus as
the son of God, or promised Messiah. And they believe that Jesus'
teachings and healing work expressed scientific Christianity, or the
application of the laws of God — laws which are still practical and
provable today, by anyone, anywhere. Christian Scientists consider the
Commandments, as well as Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, to be central to
their lives and practice of Christianity.
The Web site continues: "Above all, Christian Scientists believe in
the saving, healing power of God's love — that no one is beyond
redemption, that no problem is too entrenched or overwhelming to be
addressed and healed."In other words, Christian Scientists don't
believe that salvation occurs at some point in the future, but that the
presence of God's goodness can be experienced here and now — and by
everyone."
Perhaps most singled out are the church's beliefs on healing.
Generally, a Christian Scientist's first choice is to rely on prayer
for healing. In most cases, this means that a medical remedy is
unnecessary, the church's Web site states.
"There is no Biblical or church mandate to forgo medical
intervention, nor do Christian Scientists believe that it's God's will
that anyone suffer or die. A Christian Scientist's decision to rely on
prayer comes from trust, not blind faith, in God, and from a conviction
that God's care continues under every circumstance," Christianscience.com says.
Church members hold no antagonism toward medical practice, but
usually rely completely on faith-based healing, because they've found
it works best not to mix medical treatment with Christian Science
treatment.
"What would you do if you found yourself in sudden pain, unable to breathe normally for several hours?" Beall asked.
"In January 2007, a relative faced this decision and considered
going to the local medical emergency room. Instead, though new to
Christian Science, he decided to call a Christian Science practitioner
— professionals who give prayerful treatment to others. After the call,
he went to take a nap, slept quietly, and woke an hour later completely
well. He told me later, 'It was a deep and profound experience ... and
cost-effective! I'd have spent thousands at the E.R. I paid the
practitioner just $20."'
Beall continued: "What happened? Christian Science, based on the
teachings of Christ Jesus, says that anyone can be healed spiritually
and that proving God's deep love for man is not a miracle. Skeptics
might say prayer didn't heal him, but I also have been healed of
physical and situational difficulties, including an 'incurable' skin
condition called eczema."
The church operates more than 25 Christian Science nursing
facilities; has 1,500 Christian Science practitioners and 600 Christian
Science nurses.
Like Mormonism, Christian Science started in America in the 19th
century. Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) started Christian Science. She was
an influential American author, teacher and religious leader — noted
for her groundbreaking ideas about spirituality and health, which she
named Christian Science.
She articulated those ideas in her major work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," first published in 1875.
Four years later, she founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, in
Boston, Mass. In 1908, she launched The Christian Science Monitor, a
leading international newspaper and the recipient, to date, of seven
Pulitzer Prizes.
Struggling with chronic illness, compounded by personal loss in her
life, she was preoccupied with questions of health. Like many in her
day, she avoided the harsh treatments of conventional 19th-century
medicine and its dangerous side effects.
While investigating new cures, she continued to seek comfort and
insights in the Bible, still drawn by the healing record contained in
its pages.
A turning point occurred in 1866, when a severe fall on an icy
sidewalk left her in bed in critical condition. She asked for her Bible
and, while reading an account of Jesus' healing, found herself suddenly
well. Eventually, she referred to this as the moment she discovered
Christian Science.
This led to nine years of intensive scriptural study, healing
activity and teaching, culminating in the publication of "Science and
Health" in 1875.
Eddy's life was filled with accomplishments — discovering a
religion, founding a worldwide church and, when she was 88, starting an
international newspaper called The Christian Science Monitor. In 1995,
she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Christian Science churches now provide "Reading Rooms." There, the
public can find the Bible and Christian Science literature. Often,
computers are available to research and study online, at www.christianscience.com.
Reading Rooms in Utah are in: Ogden — 780 E. 24th St., call
801-394-2432; Park City — 605 Main St., call 435-940-0224; St. George —
373 S. 100 East, call 435-628-3454; Salt Lake City — 2309 S. Highland
Drive, call 801-466-3518; and 1165 Foothill Dr., call 801-582-2995.
- Here is a sample of some of the history, beliefs and doctrines of the Christian Science denomination:
Christian Science name — The faith is
based on the Bible, and Christian Scientists follow the teachings and
ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, the virgin birth, the crucifixion,
the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, and so on, are all
central to Christian Science theology. It's called Science because it's
based upon a set of spiritual principles — laws relating to the nature
of God and his creation — that can be applied with expected, consistent
- results.
Government — Local branch churches are
democratically run, while The Mother Church and its activities are
stewarded by a five-person Board of Directors. Guiding the Church's
global ministry is a simple 100-page Church Manual which reflects
founder Mary Baker Eddy's vision of a church living by the Golden Rule
- and unencumbered by too much human organization.
Heaven and hell — Christian Scientists
do not believe these are places or part of an afterlife, but are states
of mind. Christian Science theology does not include a final judgment
day. Every day, each individual can make a new choice that determines
- the path he or she is on — a path away from God or towards him.
- Health insurance — Some Christian Scientists have health insurance. Every Christian Scientist makes his or her own financial and health decisions.
Jesus Christ — Christian Scientists
believe that Jesus stands alone in his mission and purpose as the
promised Messiah. Christian Science teaches that Jesus embodied the
divinity of God but that he himself was not deity — in keeping with
Jesus' own words that he was not the Father, and that God, the Father,
- alone should be worshiped.
Homosexuality — Christian Science
accepts the Ten Commandments and teachings of Christ Jesus on these
subjects, that sex should be limited to marriage, and that marriage is
"the legal and moral provision for generation among humankind."
However, it also encourages members to be as free as possible from
judging each other, while still supporting each individual's moral and
- spiritual progress.
Medicine — Generally, a Christian
Scientist's first choice is to rely on prayer for healing, and in most
cases, this means that a medical remedy is unnecessary. However, there
is no biblical or church mandate to forgo medical intervention, nor do
Christian Scientists believe that it's God's will that anyone suffer or
die. A Christian Scientist's decision to rely on prayer comes from
trust, not blind faith, in God, and from a conviction that God's care
- continues under every circumstance.
Meetings — Christian Scientists'
gatherings include familiar elements — hymns, prayer, readings from the
Bible, a warm sense of fellowship. One unique feature is that they
don't have personal preachers or pastors conducting the services.
Instead, two lay readers conduct services that are based on Bible
- lessons published in The Christian Science Quarterly.
Vaccinations — Christian Scientists
care about their neighbors and fellow community members and gladly
abide by city and state laws or mandates regarding quarantines,
vaccinations and the like. The Christian Science Journal, Christian
Science Sentinel and The Herald of Christian Science also contain
documented healings of communicable diseases.
Sources: Christianscience.com and the "Media Guide of Christian Science" publication.
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