Article May 13, 1916 Issue

In a sermon recently delivered in Vancouver, which appeared...

Samuel Greenwood—Vancouver, British Columbia

The World

In a sermon recently delivered in Vancouver, which appeared in The World, Christian Science is denounced as false teaching, and classed with Mormonism, spiritualism, theosophy, and the like. As the statement given in the synopsis of the sermon is entirely unsupported by either argument or evidence, one must infer that the preacher intended his judgment to be accepted as true and final, without the formality of confirmatory evidence.

Now, while I have no reason to question this clergyman's motive in thus condemning the religion of other people, I do most emphatically question his authority to pronounce such judgment. I have no doubt that he finds it impossible to reconcile Christian Science with his own particular viewpoint, but that is not conclusive evidence that Christian Science is false, nor does it justify him in attacking it. One who understands Christian Science at all would never classify it as of like lineage with the isms with which it has been—no doubt thoughtlessly—associated; and one who does not understand Christian Science in some degree is hardly in a position to render a decision as to its teachings.

Christian Scientists are as a class quite as earnest, sincere, and practical in their understanding of Christianity as are other Christians, a fact which should command an honest critic's respect, even though he may disagree with their views. It can also be said that Christian Scientists never preach against the religion of others, and the exercise of Christian charity would accord them the same courtesy. Surely those who demand religious liberty for themselves should be willing to grant it to others, and to let the religions of which they may not approve live or die on their own merit.

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