Article June 8, 1929 Issue

Christian Science is classed with "mind cure" and "newthought"...

John Murray Burriss, Committee on Publication for the State of Kansas,

Fort Scott Tribune

Christian Science is classed with "mind cure" and "new-thought" in an article by "a Layman," published in a recent issue under the conspicuous heading, "How to Avoid Sickness." The article deals entirely with the so-called human mind as the mental agency through which beneficial or baneful effects are produced in the human body, and as he apparently has no accurate understanding of Christian Science it is not surprising that the writer of the article considers "mind cure," "new-thought," and Christian Science as closely related methods of healing. Will you, therefore, kindly grant me space to correct this erroneous reference to Christian Science?

It is God, divine Mind, upon whom Christian Science radically relies in its healing work; and this complete reliance upon God distinguishes Christian Science from all other mental means of healing, so-called mind cure and new-thought included. All such systems of so-called mental healing rest upon the belief of a mind which is supposed to be dependent on a material brain. The Apostle Paul calls this supposed mind in matter the carnal mind; and further defining it he says it "is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Hence, Christian Science wholly disregards the so-called human mind as a factor in its healing work; for it is plain that if the carnal mind "is enmity against God," it could by no possibility have any part in the healing work of Christian Science, which is based entirely upon the understanding of the divine Mind, God, as the only true healing power. The Christian Scientist, therefore, in destroying disease utilizes the truths of immortal, divine Mind to eliminate from the human mind its false, mortal beliefs, which are the procuring cause of all discord and disease.

As to the "unorthodox theologies" attributed to Christian Science by this critic, it may be said that whether a religious teaching or doctrine is unorthodox or not depends upon the standard by which it is judged. Christianity, as Jesus taught it, and Christian Science are one and the same thing, for as Mrs. Eddy says on page 126 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she founded her system entirely on "the teachings and demonstrations of our great Master and the lives of prophets and apostles." She further writes (ibid., p. 145), "The theology of Christian Science includes healing the sick." So did the theology of Jesus; and judged by the standard of his teaching and practice, to which it uncompromisingly adheres, Christian Science is the most orthodox exponent possible of the religion established by the Master.

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