 Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:49 PM
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I think it's a question of interpretation, or perhaps misinterpretation.
One quote that comes to mind is where she says in Science and Health " When the ocean is stirred by a storm, then the clouds lower, the wind shrieks through the tightening shrouds, and the waves lift themselves into mountains. We ask the helmsman: ' Do you know your course? Can you steer safely amid the storm?' He answers bravely, but even the dauntless seaman is not sure of his safety; nautical science is not equal to the Science of Mind. Yet, acting up to his highest understanding, firm at the post of duty, the mariner works on and awaits the issue. Thus should we deport ourselves on the seething ocean of sorrow. Hoping and working, one should [b]stick fast to the wreck, until an irresistible propulsion precipitates his doom[b] or sunshine gladdens the troubled sea."
Some people hold tight to the wreckage, waiting for the sunshine that never comes. Sometimes the irresistible propulsion which precipitates his doom, is death.
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Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2007 3:22 PM
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| all in one, The passage you quote is about marriage, not physical healing! In fact, there is no statement by Mrs. Eddy anywhere that says it is better to die if you are not healed in Christian Science.
tmcl
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Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2007 7:53 PM
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| Well, TMCL, I venture that Eddy would apply her metaphor to matters of distress other than marriage, as well. We Fundamentalists want to be alert to the application of texts' larger principles. That said, I'd like to take this metaphor to an honors class in composition and see what they make of it! Whew!
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Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2007 11:20 PM
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TMCL,
I know that this statement comes from the chapter on marriage. But don't you see how it might be open to misinterpretation,
and how some people might think they are doing exactly what they should do, by holding on til the bitter end? This statement
has surely been taken out of context many times, especially since citations are assembled out of context in the Weekly
lesson sermons and on Wednesday evenings. Perhaps Mrs. Eddy didn't mean to suggest one should pray on even if death
comes before healing. But she also says 'either here or hereafter suffering or Science must destroy all illusions regarding life
and mind, and regenerate material sense and self.' Some may think they are losing a 'false sense' of life when they die before
they are healed.
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Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 7:40 AM
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| all in one, While I certainly agree that people have misinterpreted passages in Mrs. Eddy's writings, I still maintain that nowhere in her writings, if they are examined objectively and in context, can one find her saying it is better to die if one is not healed through Christian Science. And not only did she never say it, I also am convinced she did not believe it.
tmcl
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Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 9:07 AM
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| One reason so many end up dying may be because of their belief that things will get worse right before they are healed. I was taught that "error screams loudest....." I was told it was called chemicalization. I remember being told this as a child during the most excruciating pain. Then my ear drum burst. THAT was supposed to be a healing. So my point is, if they believe that, at the most dire points, they think their healing is right around the corner and end up dead or maimed. Has anyone else heard of "chemicalization'?
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Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 9:10 AM
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I would have to agree with you there. I'm sure she had nothing but pure intentions.
On the other hand, it is possible for followers (of MBE and of any doctrine for that matter)
to be sincere. And to be sincerely wrong.
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Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 9:13 AM
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Gentle Dove,
yes! That's just it. I remember too the passage about 'the louder truth raises its voice the louder error screams until its
inarticulate voice is forever silenced in oblivion.'
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Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 9:26 AM
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| Gentle Dove...the only 'chemicalization' that most here refer to and practice comes from the pharmaceuticals....
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Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 11:13 AM
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| Very funny, Anonymous. Actually, "chemicalization" is a very dangerous concept in CS. If I may borrow from page 139 of my book: "Believers are taught not to worry if their symptoms seem to worsen during Christian Science treatment or while reading Science and Health. They are taught that the emotional or physical discomfort is often caused by what Mrs. Eddy calls “chemicalization.” Chemicalization is “the process which mortal mind and body undergo in the change of belief from a material to a spiritual basis.” Mrs. Eddy compares it to an alkali destroying an acid and even suggests that the aggravation of certain symptoms is a sign of spiritual progress.10 Chemicalization is an extremely dangerous concept since it can suggest that a patient is improving when the disease is actually getting worse."
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