Editorial December 11, 1943 Issue

Do Christian Scientists Countenance Hypnotism?

John Randall Dunn

In a recent issue of the Reader's Digest, prominence is given to excerpts from an article in Liberty Magazine under the title "Hypnotism Comes of Age." Since uninformed critics from time to time have characterized Christian Science practice as a form of hypnotism, or mental suggestion, it may be well to set forth clearly just what Mary Baker Eddy teaches on this subject. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," under the chapter heading "Animal Magnetism Unmasked." with great clarity and without rancor she shows the wide gulf between the spiritual teaching and practice of Christian Science and the working of the carnal mind through mental suggestion. In this chapter, after sketching the history of mesmerism, or hypnotism, she writes (p. 101), "If animal magnetism seems to alleviate or to cure disease, this appearance is deceptive, since error cannot remove the effects of error." And she continues: "In no instance is the effect of animal magnetism, recently called hypnotism, other than the effect of illusion. Any seeming benefit derived from it is proportional to one's faith in esoteric magic."

An interesting and comforting fact in connection with the theory of hypnotism is that one cannot be hypnotized without his consent. This point appears to be generally conceded by the votaries of hypnotism and the encyclopedic writers. This coincides with the teachings of Christian Science, which hold to the inviolability of individual spiritual consciousness, the reflection of God, which is the real and only man. In the opening chapter of the Bible, at the first mention of man, it is recorded that he is given dominion over all the earth. Christian Science, amplifying this fundamental fact, shows that in truth man's sacred mental precincts can never be invaded by mesmeric intruders. Again it has been averred that one cannot be hypnotically controlled if he is able to cling to some simple truth— such as, for instance, two and two are four. If this is true from a purely relative standpoint, how much more secure may one feel when he is environed in spiritual truth, and clings to the consciousness of man's oneness with invincible Principle!

The Christian Scientist will probably be the first to see the danger, the pitfalls, involved when one yields his thought to the mental manipulations of another. In the matter of Christian Science treatment the wise Scientist should choose for his helper only one who is striving to exemplify pure and undefiled religion. Mrs. Eddy devotes the first six pages of the chapter "Christian Science Practice" in Science and Health to the portrayal of the practitioner who will be able to heal the sick. Here she shows the need of first Christianizing, spiritualizing the thought of the healer, if he with Christly compassion and divine wisdom would reach and transform the thought of his patient. In another place in the textbook, in strong, unmistakable language, she warns against the danger of opening one's mental door to any but those whose morals are above question. She writes, "Better suffer a doctor infected with smallpox to attend you than to be treated mentally by one who does not obey the requirements of divine Science" (ibid., p. 235). Says the wise Shakespeare.

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