Northern California Democrat, Woodland

In a recent issue of your paper, a report was given of remarks made by an assemblyman to the Yolo County teachers' association regarding Assembly Bill 687.

This bill would provide in effect that pupils may be excused from instruction in such subjects as anatomy, physiology, and the symptoms, cause, and cure of disease, when such instruction is in conflict with the religion of the pupils' parents. As Christian Science is "the particular denomination" to which the assemblyman referred as sponsoring this bill, I should appreciate your giving space for this letter in order that points raised may be clarified.

The assemblyman is reported to have said such a bill as Assembly Bill 687 would introduce a religious practice into the schools, and he thinks that we should keep religion and schools separate. Christian Scientists most heartily agree with the assemblyman in his desire to maintain such separation. This bill, however, instead of introducing a religious practice into the schools is necessary for the very purpose of helping to keep religion and schools separate.

The question is, What is religion? Healing by spiritual means alone was an essential part of the religion of Jesus, and it is an essential part of the doctrine of Christian Science. Healing and religion go hand in hand, and most religion go hand in hand, and most religions have accepted healing by material means. The Christian Scientist is not asking that the doctrine of healing by material means be kept out of the schools but is asking that his children not be compelled by the state or by school authorities to be taught this doctrine, since it is the direct opposite of the teachings of their own religion.

Freedom from being compelled to receive such instruction is guaranteed by the provisions in our state constitution and in the Federal Constitution relating to freedom of religion. In a recent decision, the Supreme Court of the United States said: "Probably no deeper division of our people could proceed from any provocation than from finding it necessary to choose what doctrine and whose program public educational officials shall compel youth to unite in embracing" (West Virginia State Board of Education, et al. v. Barnette, et al., U.S. Reports, Vol. 319).

The assemblyman says that he feels that a child should at least have an opportunity to become exposed to the scientific facts of life and health. What are these facts? Are they the theories of medicine, which are constantly changing? Are they vagaries of the human mind, the outgrowth of fashionable psychology? Christian Science teaches that Life is God, and in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes, "Mortal beliefs can neither demonstrate Christianity nor apprehend the reality of Life" (p. 353). Jesus said (John 17:3), "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Many school boards and school officials throughout California recognize the constitutional guarantees which protect pupils from the necessity of receiving instruction which protect pupils from the necessity of receiving instruction which denies the religious teaching given in their homes, churches, and Sunday Schools. The purpose of Assembly Bill 687 is only to make it clear that all pupils shall have this protection. Although the bill is sponsored by Christian Scientists, it stands for a fundamental right of every citizen and may well be supported as such.

Northamptonshire, England
Independent, Northampton

In the article "Good Health" in a recent issue, the time-worn epigram is repeated that Christian Science is neither Christian nor scientific. I do not believe this was meant unkindly, but, as in many epigrammatic sayings, verbal dexterity disguises truth.

A teaching which makes those who accept it devoted followers of Christ Jesus and enables them, in the measure that they understand it, to fulfill his command not only to preach the gospel but to heal the sick, is certainly Christian. Christian Science is scientific because it reveals the fundamental and immutable laws of God, which were exemplified in the healings of Christ Jesus.

Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 123): "Christian Science differs from material science, but not on that account is it less scientific. On the contrary, Christian Science is pre-eminently scientific, being based on Truth, the Principle of all science."

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.—I Corinthians 13:4-8.