Article March 4, 1922 Issue

It has been pointed out that if Christian Science were...

Brigman C. Odom

El Paso (Tex.) Morning Times

It has been pointed out that if Christian Science were really what its critics would have us believe, then Christians would have no more to do with it than our critical friends. Misconceptions of the fundamentals of Christian Science give rise to ill-advised strictures; as, for instance, the repeated statement by a contributor, in the columns of your paper, that a certain much commented on moving picture met with his disapproval because of "the strain of Christian Science which was very manifest throughout." Now this far famed picture in question certainly does point to a sustaining faith in God, but at this point departs from the basis of Christian Science, for it depicts nothing more or less than "faith-cure" and its operation, and faith-cure cannot be associated with Christian Science by any one who really understands the one or the other.

Concerning faith-cure, Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has written on page 54 of her little volume "Retrospection and Introspection" the following: "The faith-cure has devout followers, whose Christian practice is far in advance of their theory,"—a statement from an article, which, while differentiating sharply between Christian Science and faith-cure, shows her charity and appreciation for all whose labors for mankind seek expression and varied channels.

The most unfortunate statement made by your contributor, however, is the implication that Christian Scientists are seeking to cast slurs on the medical profession. Nothing could be farther from the truth, since for the conscientious medical practitioner and surgeon, Christian Scientists have nothing but respect; and as the play in question, as has been pointed out, is not founded on Christian Science, to assume that it casts a slur on the medical profession shows the self-evident error of the premise. We are not in a position to judge of the motive of the writer of the play, though it hardly seems that an affront to practitioners of materia medica was intended. It might well be, however, that the danger attending the use of poisonous drugs was pointed out. Concerning the real attitude of Christian Science toward the medical profession, we will quote from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, from which source authoritative information relative to Christian Science may be had by any one interested in learning the truth regarding the teaching. On page 151 we find the following: "Great respect is due the motives and philanthropy of the higher class of physicians," and on page 164 of the same book we find: "It is just to say that generally the cultured class of medical practitioners are grand men and women, therefore they are more scientific than are false claimants to Christian Science." In fact, Mrs. Eddy's entire writings are replete with appreciation and commendation of physicians of the old school; and if any students of the teaching depart from her instructions, it is they that are in error, and not the teaching.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

It has been pointed out that if Christian Science were...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access