Christian Science: erroneous beliefs about it.

  • Thread starter Thread starter JK8619
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
cajunhillbilly said:
The book Kingdom of the Cults has a great chapter on the fasle doctrines taught by this religion.
Click to expand...
It is pretty well known that “The Kingdom of Cults” mainly just trashes religions that it does not agree with. It refers to several religions, that are accepted as legitimate, as cults. Just because you disagree with a certain religion’s doctrine, that does not make it a cult.
 
Chiltepin said:
I don’t even have enough conceptions about Christian Science to have misconceptions about it. Now that you metnion it I know very little of Christian Scientists.

I wonder if the people talking about medication are thinking of Scientologists? Very different groups, but one could see how they could be nominally confused.
Click to expand...
No, I think you actually have to be on medication in order to be a Scientologist.
 
JK8619 said:
It is pretty well known that “The Kingdom of Cults” mainly just trashes religions that it does not agree with. It refers to several religions, that are accepted as legitimate, as cults. Just because you disagree with a certain religion’s doctrine, that does not make it a cult.
Click to expand...
I am not here to defend the book. Only to report that it gave me a good understanding of what the JWs, Mormons, Christian Science, etc. actually taught. It quotes quite extensively from documents from those groups. Read it and make up your own mind.
 
Hi, JK,

Actually, I had never heard of the book until it was mentioned on this thread.

I am guessing that you read the book so, what do you base your criticism on?

God bless
JK8619 said:
It is pretty well known that “The Kingdom of Cults” mainly just trashes religions that it does not agree with. It refers to several religions, that are accepted as legitimate, as cults. Just because you disagree with a certain religion’s doctrine, that does not make it a cult.
Click to expand...
 
Hi, SteveVH,

Do you have an official link on that? I was not able to find anythig specific to medications.

God bless
SteveVH said:
No, I think you actually have to be on medication in order to be a Scientologist.
Click to expand...
 
tqualey said:
Hi, JK,

Actually, I had never heard of the book until it was mentioned on this thread.

I am guessing that you read the book so, what do you base your criticism on?

God bless
Click to expand...
I have not read the entire book, but I did check it out once when someone had recommended it to me. The first thing I noticed is that it listed several religions that no reasonable person would ever claim were cults. I am pretty sure Islam and Hinduism were in there. The author’s personal definition of a “cult” is rather flawed. He claims that he is not using it in a derogatory way, but clearly is. There are a lot of good facts in the book, but there is also plenty of garbage. I would not use this book as my first source on any cult or religion.
 
Hi, JK8619,

The problem with any book that you find mistakes in - along with the author’s bias - is that there will be errors in it you don’t catch … and that begins a process of leading you in the wrong direction.

Best to just file that book away … maybe ‘File 13’ would be appropriate. 😃

God bless
JK8619 said:
I have not read the entire book, but I did check it out once when someone had recommended it to me. The first thing I noticed is that it listed several religions that no reasonable person would ever claim were cults. I am pretty sure Islam and Hinduism were in there. The author’s personal definition of a “cult” is rather flawed. He claims that he is not using it in a derogatory way, but clearly is. There are a lot of good facts in the book, but there is also plenty of garbage. I would not use this book as my first source on any cult or religion.
Click to expand...
 
My mother was a devout Christian Scientist, a reader in the church, and ran the reading room for the church in her hometown. I have attended CS churches with her in Seattle, N.Y. and Az.

I was never a member of the church, but through speaking at length about this very issue to my mother and her friends in many states, I can say that yes- the Christian Scientists I met and I have met quite a few, did not take any drugs or medical treatments for illness. They even discouraged my mother from taking vitamins. The church membership I met did actively encourage members to use only the prayers of a C.S. practitioner for medical issues.

My mother would feel horrible guilt when she became ill, because she was sure that manifesting illness proved that you were failing at your prayers.

An interesting aside to any music buffs- Metallica singer James Hetfield wrote the song ‘Until it Sleeps’ about his memories of watching the long and painful death, from untreated cancer, of his Christian Science mother.
 
Hi, Candescent,

Let me welcome you to CAF! 🙂

A question that I have always had - but, never got around to asking… is: what does the term ‘Science’ mean in Christian Science?

With no disrespect intended, the mental picture I had when hearing this name was Christ dressed - not in robes, but in a while lab jacket (like the medical specialist) followed by the 12 Apostles - also in lab coats (like medical residents). This is probably a background item for me, rather then anyone else! 😃

God bless your efforts to learn about the Catholic Faith - I think you will find CAF to be an excellent place to learn, find intersting links and further develop your love of Christ.

God bless
Candescent said:
My mother was a devout Christian Scientist, a reader in the church, and ran the reading room for the church in her hometown. I have attended CS churches with her in Seattle, N.Y. and Az.

I was never a member of the church, but through speaking at length about this very issue to my mother and her friends in many states, I can say that yes- the Christian Scientists I met and I have met quite a few, did not take any drugs or medical treatments for illness. They even discouraged my mother from taking vitamins. The church membership I met did actively encourage members to use only the prayers of a C.S. practitioner for medical issues.

My mother would feel horrible guilt when she became ill, because she was sure that manifesting illness proved that you were failing at your prayers.

An interesting aside to any music buffs- Metallica singer James Hetfield wrote the song ‘Until it Sleeps’ about his memories of watching the long and painful death, from untreated cancer, of his Christian Science mother.
Click to expand...
 
Let me welcome you to CAF!

Thank you!

A question that I have always had - but, never got around to asking… is: what does the term ‘Science’ mean in Christian Science?

I am not now and never have been a Christian Scientist, with that in mind- I believe that they are using the definition of Science ; knowledge attained through study and practice- of what Mrs. Eddy considers ‘spiritual laws’. There is often reference to matter being an illusion, sickness and strife being error… reinstating the healing element from 'primitive Christianity, ect. But, I’m no expert on how it all works.
 
JK8619 said:
I know a lot of people do not know much about the Christian Science church. It seems most of what people think they know about it is way off. It reminds me of the ignorant and untrue things we here about the Catholic Church. Even here I’ve noticed some bad info people have posted.

The main thing that I hear from people is that they think taking medication or getting any kind of medical treatment is against CS doctrine. This is not true. To put it into as few words as possible, they believe that God’s will is more effective than medicine, so people should try prayer first. If that doesn’t work, there is nothing wrong with medical treatment, especially in emergency situations.

The founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, never put any restrictions on medicine and the official church position has never prohibited taking meds. There is a minority within the CS church that has taken some of the churches views to the extreme, but that is very uncommon.
Click to expand...
We shouldn’t spread false witness against fellow christians but at the same time I wouldn’t put too much stock in trying to legitimize their claims (unless I misunderstood your intent?)
 
Candescent said:
I was never a member of the church, but through speaking at length about this very issue to my mother and her friends in many states, I can say that yes- the Christian Scientists I met and I have met quite a few, did not take any drugs or medical treatments for illness. They even discouraged my mother from taking vitamins. The church membership I met did actively encourage members to use only the prayers of a C.S. practitioner for medical issues.

My mother would feel horrible guilt when she became ill, because she was sure that manifesting illness proved that you were failing at your prayers.
Click to expand...
In any faith are those who take teachings to fanatical levels that were never intended, but Christian Science in no way prohibits taking medicine.
 
SaintPatrick333 said:
We shouldn’t spread false witness against fellow christians but at the same time I wouldn’t put too much stock in trying to legitimize their claims (unless I misunderstood your intent?)
Click to expand...
I’m not trying to legitimize Christian Science. My reason for posting was because I hear a lot of Catholics who are upset with anti-catholic propaganda (and rightfully so), but some of these same Catholics will perpetuate lies about other faiths (Judaism, Protestantism, etc). Christian science came to mind because I have a few relatives that are/were into.
 
Candescent said:
A question that I have always had - but, never got around to asking… is: what does the term ‘Science’ mean in Christian Science?
Click to expand...
I’m really not sure about this. I think that it may have to do with the medical part. There are Christian science practitioners that you can see that are covered by insurance. I’m guessing they consider their stance on illness a science. I only have one living relative that I know of that still practices CS. I may ask about this because I am curious if the science part falls into any other beliefs.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top