Article March 22, 1900 Issue

The "Science Religion"

Evening Times-Republican

Editor Times-Republican:—While listening to Dr. Munhall, in his discussion of Christian Science on Saturday evening last, many reflections were occasioned by statements made by that gentleman. Having no affiliation with the doctrines of Christian Science, we were in a frame of mind to weigh, as well as our judgment would permit, the arguments presented both for and against this "new religion," as orthodox Christians generally term it. Upon the assertion of Dr. Munhall that Science and Health teaches that "God does not forgive sin; that there is neither heaven nor hell; that they deny Jesus; don't believe in prayer," etc., we then and there resolved to investigate "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" on these points, and learn for ourself what Mrs. Eddy taught on the subject.

For our own satisfaction, we have diligently sought among the tenets of this faith, and find that, unless we have different books, we have drawn very different conclusions from the same statements—a thing, however, not much to be wondered at, since from the Bible, which Dr. Munhall holds is the source of all Christian faith and practice, have grown faiths and creeds many. Among what Mrs. Eddy designates as a brief exposition of important points or religious tenets of Christian Science—six in number—we find the following, marked No. 3: "We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin, in the destruction of sin," etc. Glossary, page 578, 147th edition of Science and Health, we find the definition of heaven to be "Harmony; the reign of Spirit; ... the atmosphere of Soul." Second in consecutive order, we find the definition of hell to be "Mortal belief; error; lust; ... that which 'maketh and worketh a lie.' " Thus we see that Science and Health recognizes both heaven and hell. "Kingdom of heaven" is also given in this especial elucidation (glossary) as "The reign of harmony in Divine Science; ... the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme."

As to the fundamental belief of the so-called divine and human organization of Jesus, believed by Christian churches, Science and Health, page 228, edition 147, says, "Jesus was the Virgu's son. In the flesh he was appointed to speak God's word to human flesh, and appear to mortals in such a form of humanity as they could understand as well as perceive.... He expressed the highest type in that age which a fleshly from could express of manhood.... Thus it was that Christ born of the Father illustrated the coincidence, or spiritual agreement, between God and man."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Christian Science and the Cure of Disease