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Edwin Perkins Christian Science Committee on Publication for Colorado of Boulder writes:

It’s good to see the Rocky give religious items space on the daily news pages. So many papers relegate such material to a weekend page. I’ve enjoyed reading the Jean Torkelson church items. However, the recent article, Church group takes a dramatic turn (7/30) regarding an experimental discussion group in a Christian Science Reading Room leaves some misimpressions.
It will be helpful for your readers to know that Christian Science, a system of prayer-based healing, as discovered by Mary Baker Eddy, over a hundred years ago is derived from the Bible. Much research and thought go into publishing the weekly Bible lesson sermons which are the basis of the Sunday services and daily study around the world. Each lesson focuses upon profound Bible teachings. Beyond that regular Bible perusal is the norm for most adherents.
While Christian Science may best known for physical healings of all types, based on an increased understanding of man as inseparable from an all-good God, students of this religion also learn that now, as in Biblical times, their prayers enhance their total experience. Perhaps this is the “good part” for which Jesus commended Martha’s sister Mary when, instead of meal preparation, she “sat at his feet and heard his word.” (Luke 10:40-42).

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS

Regular science has a similar technique to Christian science. It's called "the placebo effect."

Regular science has a similar technique to Christian science. It's called "the placebo effect."

Scientist: Brilliant comment.

I think the religion column would be better placed in the funny pages.

Glad to hear that you are pleased about a religion piece being in the paper Edwin, I assume that you'll also be pleased when they run a page for Islam, Jewish, and Buhdism pieces eh?

Sharon B is easily impressed.

Charles B rarely has anything of value to contribute.

Come to think of it, they are probably the same person.

Before any others get on the religion-bashing band wagon and disregard what Edwin has written, there is a lot…no make that a ton to be gained from the power of positive thinking. That is basically what Religious Science does. But because it has the word "religious" involved, some instinctively cast if off as something to either be chastised or mocked. That mentality comes mostly from the folks who think they are in favor of diversity and tolerance.

Don’t knock it if you never tried it. Never criticize it if you don't know anything about it.

I have more than 3600 reasons (body-bags) to thank Judeo-Christian (Bible-thumpers)evangelical goons. Our kids are dying in Iraq-NAM, solely to satisfy the warped and perverted needs of the God-squad and oil companies.

Since I do know a little about it, I hope 4:42 won't mind the following:

Mary Baker Eddy, like many religious leaders, was an illiterate, shameless monster who didn't "discover" the precepts of Christian Science--she stole them from Phineas P. Quimby (and then accused Quimby of having stolen them from her!). A career houseguest, she would sponge off people until they actually paid her to leave. She accused anyone who criticized her, disagreed with her, or was no longer useful to her as using "malign animal magnetism" against her, holding them responsible for her chronic ill health.

This is what so many people now consider a saint; it's no wonder that there are still people who defend Bush. As another Phineas (Barnum) once said, there's one born every minute.

4:42, Christian Science isn`t either.

Posted by on August 2, 2007 04:42 PM

"Don’t knock it if you never tried it. Never criticize it if you don't know anything about it."

I have, I do. It's bunk.

"there is a lot…no make that a ton to be gained from the power of positive thinking."

The power of positive thinking? You don't need some bark at the moon religious bullsh*t for that.

Q: What is Christian Science?
A: An Oxymoron

Charles B;
For once I agree!!! "I think the religion column would be better placed in the funny pages." Along with Doonesbury, where they both belong.
SO, was it Christian Science you tried? or self healing? Either gives me insight into your inane postings. Or do you practice the power of positive thinking? Suppose they gave a war and nobody came? ( Truth posted the words to Kumbaya in commenting on another letter, I refer readers to that post for enlightenment).
AF

my comment is re the answer Hans wrote in regards to 4:42. I noticed the 4:42 wrote Religious Science and not Christian Science. These are 2 different beliefs. Hans, you probably know more about Christian Science and are probably correct in your assestment.

However, Religious Science is based on the teachings of Ernest Holmes. We believe that God is the spark-the power-within each of us, we believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ and all the Masters out there including Buddha, the Dali Lama, etc . Religious Science is not a religion, we have no dogma. We just can not come along with the belief that we are all sinners.
I believe that God is within me and in everyone. I believe that God gave us free will and that the choices we make are ours. God doesn't condemn anyone-we do it to ourselves but with Gods love, we can change ourselves, to strive to become as Jesus said that we can.
Some people don't want to acknowledge that they are responsible for their own problems, it is so much easier to blame God for all their troubles, instead of looking to see what path they chose to bring them where they are.
Namaste'

Edwin Perkins is correct: “prayer-based healing,” derived from the Book of the Demon and Martha’s sister sitting at the feet of a foul-smelling Jew with his appendages so large, allegedly millions will sit there on judgment day unless W. Bush is able to convert billions to Christianity: Must get a dig in on Bush.

Christian Science, One accepts polygamy because it is our religion, All ten thousand mutations of Christianity, Religious dogma as described by Chuck Colson bearing in mind that atheism is not a religion is not limited to dog (god spelled backwards):

Deicide Corner: Islam is a vicious evil. Islamofacism is evil incarnate. We’re up against a vicious attack by neoatheists…a virulent of [sic] strain of atheism that seeks to destroy our belief system. Watergate felon Chuck Colson

Thanks to O.G. for the hue in blue by filling in Web address.

DMW,

Very good explanation. There is a gigantic difference between Christian Science and Religious Science.

I haven’t gone to church for many, many years, and I must admit that it doesn’t require religious beliefs and church sermons to learn right from wrong. I’m not a particularly religious person. However, I did attend the Mile High Church of Religious Science at Alameda and Garrison for a couple of decades off and on; actually, more off than on. But, it was always a really cool experience. The sermons don’t get preachy in the sense that Lutheran or Southern Baptists are where they made you feel like crap by the time you leave. They don’t scorn people with shame. Religious Science gives positive input by giving people great ideas for thoughts of encouragement.

Many on this site commenting on this thread think it’s bunk, etc. But no matter what they think, they just don’t know how it could help and it doesn’t matter much to me from where the help comes as long as it’s a positive influence.

It’s unfortunate that so much has been made about George Bush’s religious feelings. For some reason, as can be seen on this thread, many people think that his beliefs have guided him to start the war in Iraq; as if to say that if he didn’t have those religious beliefs he would not have done so. The hatred for Bush has created hatred for Christianity; as if it’s a doctrine that starts and ends with Bush. That seems to have lead to an absolute distain for Christians, and a mind-set that makes some people see red every time the subject of religion comes up.

Could be you have me, DMW; I believe there is a difference between Christian Science and Religious Science. However, since the topic based on the original letter is Christian Science, specifically the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, I can't think why 4:42 would bring up Religious Science unless he/she did so erroneously, now knowing the difference.

How about it, 4:42?

AF:

"SO, was it Christian Science you tried? or self healing? "

Not so much tried as studied (just long enough to dismiss the nonsense).

And if you've never done self-healing then you must be dead. They're called antibodies.

AF, you try so hard but swingandamiss!

MountainCat,
I've been to Mile High (in fact going this morning) but it is too far for me. I was blessed to find a church of Religious Science down here in Parker. Since starting there almost 2 years ago, my life has taken such an amazing path. Being raised Catholic, it has been an extension and enhancement of beliefs that I was raised without buying into being a sinner.
As to GWB's belief in God...I believe that the man has a strong faith in God however, so many people who are so called christians truly hate the man and place blame for everything on him. I believe in the laws of the Universe one of which is the Law of Attraction and what you put your energy towards is what you receive. So if you really feel that the man is making the wrong choices then pray for him and then constructivly work towards a solution that you want. Hate is destructive.
Didn't Jesus say it is easy to pray for your friends...it means more when you pray for your enemies.
And Hans, sorry to get off on the religious science topic.
dmw

DMW, you are so right one, Religious Science has nothing to do with Christian Science. If any of these people would check Religious Science out, they would be much happier, less judgemental people, BUT since it has the word "religious" in it, it is already judged as crap. What you cause someone else to experience, (good or bad) you cause yourself to experience. Thanks for your comment.

Religious Science is awesome (especially the Mile Hi Church). Very accepting of all faiths & ideas - and uses aspects of all in their services.

I am leery of Christian Science since I have read too many accounts of children being denied medical care & allowed to die because prayer was "all that was needed."

Christian Science is 'Science Fiction' since Jesus Christ is a SUN god, personified as a real person who never actually existed. Christians are worshipping the SUN.
God is imaginary and prayer is superstition.
All of this superstitious belief fits in well with religion, which is mental illness.

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