Article April 5, 1941 Issue

In a recent issue of Der Freidenker, opinions are ascribed...

From Letters, Substantially as Published

Meinrad Schnewlin,—Berne (translation)

Der Freidenker

In a recent issue of Der Freidenker, opinions are ascribed to Mary Baker Eddy which are not to be found in any of her writings, and which contradict her teachings. She writes in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Resist evil—error of every sort—and it will flee from you" (p. 406); "Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good" (p. 393); "Seeking is not sufficient. It is striving that enables us to enter" (p. 10).

This textbook is not a Bible, nor is it referred to as a "special Bible." On the other hand, Christian Scientists earnestly study the Bible, the Bible known to all Christians. It is a great error to imply that adherents of Christian Science employ prayer to kill, and that they pray to God to punish doctors and physical scientists with death. This is the very reverse of Christian Science teaching. Besides, no one would find a hearing if he prayed that way, for God is not an accomplice of criminals, but unchangeable Principle, a God of justice and truth. Men's views on religion are manifold. Everybody should have the liberty to solve his religious questions to the best of his understanding and conviction. Mary Baker Eddy writes (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 270), "I would no more quarrel with a man because of his religion than I would because of his art."