Christian Science Revealed

Christian Science is a highly debated, and often misunderstood topic, and there are several ideas circulating about it. This often leads to the basic question, "What is Christian Science?" According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Christian Science is "a religious denomination founded in the United States in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), author of the book that contains the definitive statement of its teaching, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1875). It is widely known for its highly controversial practice of spiritual healing." But this simple definition doesn't clear up most of the questions surrounding the religion. This article will review a few common questions about Christian Science.

Christian Science Is Known to Heal

True
Since the discovery of Christian Science there have been countless reports of healings within the church.

People die from Christian Science

True
It's true that people in Christian Science have died due to lack of proper health care. But this only due to the radical Christian Scientists who themselves edit what Mrs. Eddy's book says. In her book she writes "Until the advancing age admits the efficacy and supremacy of Mind, it is better for Christian Scientists to leave surgery and the adjustments of broken bones and dislocations to the fingers of a surgeon, while the mental healer confines himself chiefly to mental
reconstruction and to the prevention of inflammation."

Science and Health is Canonical

False
The Christian Science faith is based on the book "Science and Health with Key to The Scriptures," but this work is not judged to be canonical. Science and Health only serve the same practice a preacher or minister of another church would, to help explain the Bible to the congregation.

Christian Science and Scientology are the same

False
This is a common misconception due to the similarity of names. But these are, in fact, two completely different religions.

Christian Science is a cult

True
Technically Christian Science is a cult, in fact it fits the definition in Webster's dictionary perfectly.
"1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents"

But by this definition all Christianity is a cult. The term cult is often applied to Christian Science by those who oppose it. The word cult has been given a
negative connotation, but because it is technically true, people have been able to get away with it.

Christian Scientists don't get baptized

True
The First Reader, at the First Church Christ, Science, Willoughby, explains that Christian Scientist don't go through the ceremony of baptizing because they believe it should be between the individual and God, and that the ceremony itself isn't important.

Christian Scientists don't take communion

True
Mary Baker Eddy, in Science and Health says, "Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread, 'which cometh down from heaven,' is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers." In Christian Science the simple act of eating bread and drinking wine isn't what is important. It's what Jesus the Christ taught that must be remembered and followed.

Class Instruction is secretive and exclusive

False
There seems to be a rumor that Christians Scientists go to a class where all the secrets and ceremonies of the religion are taught. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Christian Science is a religion with no ceremonies, and class instruction is not secretive. Any Christian Scientist can take it. It is a simple twelve day course in which the students work with a teacher to learn how to use prayer more effectively in their daily life. Science and Health, which is available to everyone in their local bookstore, and the Bible are the only texts for the course.

Christian Science is no doubt a complex religion, but the misinterpretations, from many seemingly reputable sources is absolutely shocking. It is the authors personal hope that this article has cleared up some of the misunderstandings caused by those misunderstandings and that there can now be a better understanding and respect for this religion.

Merriam-Webster Online Search. Definition of Cult. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from the
World Wide Web: http://webster.com/dictionary/cult.

Eddy, Mary Baker. (1875). Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures. Boston,
Massachusetts: Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy.

Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Article Christian Science.
Retrieved April 12, 2007, from the World Wide Web http://www.britannica.com/
eb/article-9082420/Christian-Science.