How can I explain Christian Science to my friends?
Do you have a hard time explaining Christian Science? Sometimes it seems like it isn’t easy to help your friends understand it—at least, that’s how I used to feel.
In my fourth year of secondary school, I was in a small religious studies course. A few weeks in, our teacher asked if any of us were part of a religion or had any religious background and if we wanted to talk about it.
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Immediately, I raised my hand and said I was a Christian Scientist. This isn’t something I would normally share, but I felt compelled to talk about it. My teacher seemed very enthused and asked what Christian Science was. I was suddenly aware that everyone in the room was staring at me, and I felt my face turn bright red.
“Uh-oh,” I thought. “Where do I start?”
As I tried to explain, I started to feel anxious and spoke very fast. I could tell most people in the class were confused by what I was saying, and I was worried that they would view me as “different” now.
After class, I felt I’d let myself down. I wondered if I actually knew what Christian Science is, because I wasn’t able to explain it very well. I thought the best thing to do would be to talk to my Christian Science Sunday School teacher.
I was suddenly aware that everyone in the room was staring at me, and I felt my face turn bright red.
On Sunday, I shared what had happened at school and that I didn’t really know how to explain Christian Science—especially the Science part.
My Sunday School teacher had some really helpful ideas. She said a good place to start is with the idea that Christian Science is a religion founded on Love. And she shared with me this statement from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 113).
“OK, that’s a good starting point,” I thought.
She went on to say that when we talk about Christian Science, we don’t have to let fear get in the way of sharing something good. I realized that that’s what had happened to me—I’d let fear creep in when I realized that everyone was looking at me, and that made it hard to listen to God.
I saw that instead, I could let Love, God, guide me. This means that I can listen for good thoughts from God to help me express what’s most meaningful to me or the aspects of Christian Science that might resonate with my classmates or any person I’m talking to.
She also said that Science and Health explains how Jesus healed and how we can heal as he did. By listening for good thoughts from God, we are shown that we are the expression of Love, and that’s what brings healing.
I love showing people the last chapter in Science and Health, “Fruitage,” because it’s an entire chapter of letters from people telling how they were healed by reading Science and Health. This helps show the effectiveness of Christian Science. There are also thousands of recorded testimonies of healing in the Christian Science magazines that prove that prayer really does heal.
I realized afterward that I had been listening to God the whole time; the words flowed with ease, and I felt I could answer any question thrown my way.
After that Sunday School class, I felt I could talk about Christian Science with comfort and enthusiasm. I also knew that I could rely on God to help me answer any tough questions, because of what it says in Science and Health: “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (p. 494). This was a reminder that it wasn’t on me personally to answer people’s questions, but that Love would provide an answer and give me the words to share it.
A few weeks later, my religious studies teacher asked me if I would feel comfortable sharing more about Christian Science. I started with the fact that Christian Science is founded on Love and is really all about learning more about God’s love and loving one another as God loves us. I talked about attending church, about Mary Baker Eddy as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and about how we pray. This was a much easier approach for me, and many people in the class understood better. They even mentioned how interesting it was.
I realized afterward that I had been listening to God the whole time; the words flowed with ease, and I felt I could answer any question thrown my way.
I’ve learned that these experiences only bring us closer to God. When we feel flustered or like the odd one out, we can fully lean on God for the ideas, poise, and calm we need to respond.
Now when I’m asked about Christian Science, I welcome the conversation. Christian Science is a gift and something we can share with the world.