Article January 18, 1919 Issue

In a letter signed by a physician the teachings of Christian Science...

Samuel Greenwood—Vancouver, B. C., Canada

The World

In a letter signed by a physician the teachings of Christian Science are alluded to as "illogical, contradictory, and absurd." While the writer of the letter apparently wishes to speak kindly of Christian Science, he seems unable to resist displaying some of the dogmatism which he admits is a feature of the medical profession. The time has happily passed when the teachings of Christian Science can be summarily dismissed by a wave of the hand, even though the hand may be that of a physician. In the present case, of course, what the doctor means is that from his point of view these teachings are what he has stated.

But then, one would hardly expect a physician, educated to treat the sick on a material basis, to indorse Christian Science, which heals upon an entirely spiritual basis. From his materialistic standpoint, Christian Science would naturally appear illogical and absurd; but it is to be noted that at the same time he deplores the extent of materialism in his own profession, so there is still the hope that, as he reaches out for something better than matter or the human mind has to offer, he may come to view the purely spiritual teachings of Christian Science with less disfavor and more intelligent appreciation.

That the teachings of Christian Science, however, are "contradictory" is a statement that anyone might well hesitate before venturing to make. It is a comparatively simple matter for a critic to pronounce the teachings of Christian Science illogical and absurd, for that never amounts to anything more than that they happen to differ from the critic's own beliefs and opinions; but the charge that they are contradictory depends entirely upon whether Mrs. Eddy consistently adhered to her premise in stating Christian Science. That she did so is evident from the fact, which the doctor appears to have overlooked, that it is her very consistency to her premise which has irritated her clerical critics and has brought upon Christian Science the anathemas of the pulpit.

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