Article August 8, 1908 Issue

Does Christian Science come within the protection of the...

Judge Septimus J. Hanna

Government

Does Christian Science come within the protection of the laws of our land? If it is based upon the teaching of the Founder of the Christian religion, it not only comes within the protection of human laws, but is sanctioned by that law which is above and beyond human statutes and constitutions. Christian Science is a religion. Its Founder, Mrs. Eddy, confidently claims that it brings out, in its larger and ultimate meaning, the spiritual sense of the Bible. She claims, moreover, that it puts into practice in a larger sense than the prevailing systems of religion, the teachings of the Nazarene, both in the way of healing sicknesses and diseases and of elevating, transforming, and purifying character. Her many thousands of students and followers are fully persuaded of the correctness of her claims in this respect. That persuasion comes from actual experience, and from facts within their own cognizance. ...

What, then, is the legal status of the Christian Science Church? In what respect does it differ in its legal standing from any other religious movement? What is there to place it outside the protection guaranteed to religions of any kind or of all kinds? There is but one possible limitation upon its right to full and complete recognition and protection. Only on the ground that Christian Science as a system is inherently immoral or otherwise dangerous to the community, and that immoral or injurious effects would follow its practical application, would it come within any constitutional inhibition. Inasmuch as the whole purpose of Christian Science is to inculcate the highest morality and the best health, it is difficult to conceive how it could be construed as immoral, dangerous, or injurious to the public. Those who have made the most careful study of the teachings of Christian Science, and who are therefore, the most competent to pass upon it, have become convinced that it is based upon the Scriptures, as interpreted from the highest ethical and spiritual standpoint; that it is more especially an amplification of the Mosaic Decalogue and the Sermon on the Mount; and that, in their own experience, they have been able in wonderful and gratifying ways to prove the truth of such teaching. For many years have the adherents of this faith been proving their faith by their works. The facts relating to these works are as susceptible of proof as are any other facts. Indeed they are now so well known that they are quite generally admitted, the only question being as to how they are accomplished. In some instances committees of Legislatures having before them proposed bills for the restriction or prohibition of Christian Science practice have heard testimony of healing by this method, with the result, so far as I am aware, that the proposed bills have never passed the committee. They evidently became convinced of the truth of the Christian Science claim of ability to heal disease.

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