Article June 26, 1915 Issue

Though the criticisms of Christian Science by the Binghamton...

G. S. Paine—Winnemucca, Nev.

The Humboldt Star

Though the criticisms of Christian Science by the Binghamton (N. Y.) clergyman, as reported in a recent issue, seem intended in a not unkindly spirit, they show a thorough misconception of what Christian Science actually teaches, and therefore misrepresent the subject. Would it not be wiser, then, for a Christian pastor to refrain from public criticism of any religious doctrine until he has some real understanding of its teachings? A real understanding of Christian Science would involve the ability to demonstrate its effectiveness. The fact is, of course, that thousands who have been troubled in the past by the very points which this pastor brings up, have gone on and studied until these points have been completely cleared up for them; then they have had no criticisms to offer.

Instead of being convinced that there is a "supernatural power outside of man," Christian Scientists understand that this power is supremely natural. God is infinite intelligence, Spirit, Love, and the true man is His image and likeness, or expression. Proceeding logically step by step from this basis, Christian Science presents the truth that God, or intelligence, could create only good or the expression of intelligence, since God is "of purer eyes than to behold evil." Therefore good is all that is absolutely real—"real" in the sense of "eternal." Certainly this is the exact teaching of the Bible and in no sense a perversion.

This, however, is very different from any mere dictum that there is no evil, no sin, no death, as our critic would have us believe that Christian Science teaches. On page 14 of her Message for 1901, Mrs. Eddy says: "Do Christian Scientists believe that evil exists? We answer, Yes and No! Yes, inasmuch as we do know that evil, as a false claim, false entity, and utter falsity, does exist in thought; and No, as something that enjoys, suffers, or is real. Our only departure from ecclesiasticism on this subject is, that our faith takes hold of the fact that evil cannot be made so real as to frighten us and so master us, or to make us love it and so hinder our way to holiness." The Christian Scientist is in some measure proving the truth of these statements by overcoming sin, sickness, and death, and he is a Christian Scientist only in proportion as he is so overcoming what may seem very real relatively in human experience, with the understanding gained from the study of Science and Health, and Mrs. Eddy's other writings, of what is absolutely real and true of God and man in His image.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Not an Exclusive Privilege