Article July 28, 1906 Issue

"A critic insinuates that Christian Science cures..."

Alfred Farlow

Indianapolis (Ind.) Star

A critic insinuates that Christian Science cures only imaginary trouble, or hypochondria, but neglects to add to his assertion that the same troubles which are healed by Christian Science had been treated for years by reputable physicians who had diagnosed them as being “real” and had been doctoring them with “real” medicine. If it is true that Christian Scientists have been fooled in this respect, what shall we say of the physicians and the many thousands of intelligent people who have applied to them for help? Moreover, if the Christian Scientists have succeeded in driving away these imaginations which have baffled the efforts of the physicians, why should they not be praised for their good work? Usually, in the medical field, an individual who discovers a remedy which is followed by such remarkable success as is effected by Christian Science, is praised as a public benefactor.

Our critic ridicules Christian Scientists for claiming to destroy disease which they assert does not really exist. To be fair he should more fully present the teaching of Christian Science on this subject. While Christian Scientists realize that sin and disease do not belong to the divine economy and are, therefore, not eternal entities, yet they recognize that these exist in erring, mortal experience and must be grappled with and overcome intelligently. To illustrate: If a false charge is brought against an individual in court, notwithstanding it is false, the judge must give it attention, the witnesses, pro and con, must be heard, and eventually a decision must be rendered on the right side before the judge declares “there is no cause for action.” Even a ghost must be explained away. It may seem to be very real to the child but it is understood by the adult to be simply an illusion.

The critic declares, “In asserting the superiority of mind over matter, the Christian Scientist asserts no new truth.” This statement is misleading because it first assumes that Christian Science is a mere assertion of the human “mind over matter,” which is incorrect. Such teaching, we admit, is not new, but we would assert in unmistakable terms, neither is it Christian Science. This Science teaches that God is omnipotent Mind, infinite Spirit, and that it is this omnipotent Mind, not the human will, which governs all things. Jesus’ practice was mental, but it was spiritual, for he prayed, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

"A critic insinuates that Christian Science cures..."

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access