Concerning Use of Drugs and Medicine

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in the chapter entitled "Science, Theology, Medicine," our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, devotes many pages, beginning on page 142, to the topic of medicine. A careful study of these pages makes clear to the reader that the only real medicine is Mind, not matter. It emphasizes the fact that the Christian Scientist must rely on Mind, not drugs. Material medicine has no place in the life of a Christian Scientist.

Should Christian Science churches accept as members applicants who use medicine, drugs, or material means for healing? The teachings and works of the great Master, Christ Jesus, and our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, clearly indicate that they should not. The members of Christian Science churches should accept fully the teachings of Christian Science and attest in their lives that Christian Science is adequate to meet and master all human ills and to usher them into the harmony and health of the divine nature. Jesus did not use drugs and did not recommend them for human use. He knew that drugs could not possibly heal, because there is but one healing agency—even God, the divine, infinite Mind. Our beloved Leader gained the spiritual import of the Master's words and works, and she, too, was able to heal all manner of diseases, many of them incurable according to human law, and, with the exception of Christ Jesus, she proved herself to be the greatest spiritual healer the world has ever known.

The Christian Science movement is built on the spiritual fact that God is ever present, has all power, and is available to heal humanity. We utilize this power when we joyfully acknowledge God's supremacy and refuse allegiance to any other power. Disease is human error, which must be conquered before we can advance far into the kingdom of heaven. On page 167 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "It is not wise to take a halting and half-way position or to expect to work equally with Spirit and matter, Truth and error. There is but one way—namely, God and His idea—which leads to spiritual being. The scientific government of the body must be attained through the divine Mind. It is impossible to gain control over the body in any other way. On this fundamental point, timid conservatism is absolutely inadmissible. Only through radical reliance on Truth can scientific healing power be realized."

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