Christian Scientists

Background

Christian Science is a religious system of therapy and metaphysics founded by Mary Baker Eddy (1821 – 1910). It is one of the few religious faiths to have its origins in the United States.1, 2 The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist is located in Boston , Massachusetts . The Mother Church does not publish statistics related to membership. Over the past decade, membership has continued on a downward spiral and is now estimated at less than 100,000 members in 1,600 congregations worldwide.3, 4

Religious Representatives

• No specific religious titles are used. There is no clergy or priesthood. Religious services are conducted by Readers who read from the religious texts.5

Religious Beliefs

• Religious Texts: The Holy Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.5

• God is viewed as the divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love. He is superior to any other method of healing. Jesus is viewed as the ultimate Christian Scientist because He overcame sin, sickness, and death through his perception of the fullness of the Spirit and the nothingness of the body. Christian Science teaches that man was created in the image of God and must; therefore, be wholly spiritual. This spiritual man must be as incapable of evil as his Maker. Health, happiness, and wealth are the rewards for those that give up negative, limited thinking and accept their spiritual selfhood. It is believed that mind – not matter – constitutes what is real. An individual’s mind conceives and controls all things, including illness. “Illness” is not real, only a perception of the Mortal Mind.3, 6

• Health is not a physical condition, but a spiritual reality. True health is eternal. Disease is a delusion of the non-spiritual mind and can be overcome by prayer. Prayer is not focused on appealing to God for specific results. It is focused on bringing about thoughts that are in congruence with God’s – the Divine Mind. Once an individual gains the knowledge and understanding that everything is God’s reflection, illness and disease – manifestations of the physical and material world, cease to exist and are only illusions.3, 6, 7, 8

Special/Religious Observations

• Church services are held on Sunday. Wednesday evenings are dedicated to gatherings of members to share their experiences with each other about the healing nature of Christian Science in their lives. There are no outward observances of sacraments.3, 5, 8

• There are no formal holy days or celebrations. Twice per year, during regular Sunday services, the congregation is invited to kneel to commemorate the joyous morning meal beside the Lake of Galilee that was attended by the risen Christ. Christmas and Easter are not observed.2, 3

Health Beliefs/Practices

• Illness has a mental origin; prayer is the antidote to any illness. Children who are ill are seen as cured by the parents bringing their own spiritual lives together through prayer. Healing practices are most often done in the home. When an individual experiences healing of an “illness,” it is said that the individual has “demonstrated” over the illness.6, 8

• The Church approves members as “practitioners” after completing special training in prayer and consecration. They must demonstrate the ability to facilitate spiritual understanding in the destruction of human discord. These persons may be consulted when an individual’s prayers have not produced improvements in an illness. The practitioner then offers prayer on behalf of the individual.3, 7

• Private Christian Science nursing homes are available to adult members. They are unlicensed by government agencies and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Organizations & Facilities. Non-licensed “nurses” provide basic care such as feeding, bathing, etc. They assist in providing an environment that decreases the likelihood of outside intrusions of the mind, thereby facilitating in environment for healing. No technology or medications are used. Training is not based on mainstream nursing curriculua.3, 7

• Tobacco and alcohol discouraged because they are seen as drugs.

• No dietary restrictions.

• Members are encouraged to obey all public health laws and to comply with compulsory immunization schedules. Members may use the services of physicians/midwives for delivering babies, dentists, and optometrists. Bones may be set by physicians, but treatment is generally limited to application of a cast rather than surgery. Pain medications may be used for the alleviation of severe pain.3, 8, 9, 10

• Elective Pregnancy Termination: Generally not acceptable.

• Amniocentesis: Not likely to seek this type of testing.

• Birth Control: No restrictions.7

• Blood and Blood Products: Generally not used.

• Circumcision: Individual choice.

• Organ Donation: Not likely to act as donors.

Death

• Death is not God’s will; God is life. Life is eternal, changeless, and spiritual. Therefore, death is an illusion of the Mortal Mind and must be opposed through prayer.11

• The words “passed on” may be used instead of “death” or “died” because of this event does not mark the termination of an individual’s life. Death is seen as another phase of the belief that life is material. The immortal life lives on in a new state of consciousness.7, 11

• Outward signs of grief may be minimal.3

• Autopsy: Acceptable if required by law.

• Burial is based on individual preferences.