 Posted Wednesday, January 08, 2003 6:18 AM
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I've posted here before (about domestic violence) and I just read "God's Perfect Child" by Caroline Fraser. In fact, I read it twice --- in four days. I was really shocked. I expected it to be a vitriolic attack on TMC, MBE and CS, but I found it contained quite a bit of truth.
It's also left me with even MORE to think about. Actually, I loved reading it. Helped nail down some vague issues I'd been sorting to figure out.
Isn't it a violation of church bylaws to read this anti-CS literature? I'm thinking it is, but why would such a restrictive, controlling covenant be in place? Having escaped from an abusive, controlling man, I'm feeling PRETTY SENSITIVE to being told what I can and can't do (or read).
So my question is two-fold. Have you read the book and what did you think? Was it balanced and objective, or an all out attack? And why did the church condemn it so?
Secondly, is it against church bylaws to read books like this?
Thanks for the insights. I visit this site very frequently.
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Posted Wednesday, January 08, 2003 9:04 PM
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Dear Anonymous, I too very much enjoyed Carolina Fraser's book. I have read it twice as well, although not quite as quickly as you did.
It is most certainly against the Mother Church By-laws to read a book like God's Perfect Child. There is quite a bit in the by-laws about the duty to read only "authorized" Christian Science literature. For example, Article VIII, Section 11 says "A member of this Church shall neither buy, sell, nor circulate Christian Science literature which is not correct in its statement of the divine Principle and rules and the demonstration of Christian Science." Other similar admonitions can be found in Article VIII, Section 12 (duty to avoid "obnoxious books"), Article VIII Section 10 (duty to avoid adulterating Christian Science), Article VIII Section 17 (forbidding relationships with other denominations), Article IV Section 2 (duty to be free from other denominations), and Article XXXIII Section 2 (duties of the committee on publication to correct "impositions on the public in regard to Christian Science." )
As for why the church goes to such extremes to sensor critical material from both the public and church members, I believe the answer is quite simple. There is no way that the teachings of Christian Science can stand when viewed in a critical manner with all relevant facts available. If Christian Science is exposed to critical scrutiny, as it is in Caroline Fraser's book, then it is exposed for what it is -- a non-Biblical and very destructive heresy. If it were anything other than this, the church would welcome and encourage open debate and discussion. Just try and post a message on spirituality.com that seriously questions the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, and you will very quickly find that open debate and discussion is prohibited.
Thanks for writing.
Charles.
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Posted Wednesday, January 08, 2003 9:31 PM
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One of the things that's stuck with me from grad school is the Theory of Innoculation and Sterilization. It is based on Aristotle's work and is sometimes applied to studies of events like Hitler's takeover of Germany.
The Sterilization part of the theory states that holding a person or group to a particular idealogy is not especially difficult if you exclude access to opposing points of view. Innoculation says to allow limited and controlled exposure thus reducing the impact of the opposing points of view. I made the connection to MBE's prohibitions at the time I first studied it.
I read God's Perfect Child when I was still sympathetic towards CS though disillusioned. Perhaps the time has come for me to reread it.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Thursday, January 16, 2003 4:28 PM
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Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for opening up a good strand. Godspeed on "getting things sorted out." (Godspeed is actually a sea-going phrase, which means "good luck and prosperity"-it has nothing to do with acceleration!) And that was good research, Cab. Thanks.
I have a theory on why mbe started the cs monitor: christian science was getting a horrible drubbing in the popular press because of infant & maternity deaths (especially), along with other tragedies. mbe decried "yellow journalism," which was probably an accurate description of the situation. cs was very vulnerable to contempt and ridicule, as it was far from "denominational respectability." By starting up her own newspaper, eddy could control what her followers were exposed to, and have their "spirituality" contaminated by fewer cases of horrendous metaphysical failure. Does anybody have any thoughts or knowledge on this?
Anonymous, now that you've read Fraser's book, I recommend Linda Kramer's book ("The Religion That Kills"). For Christmas, I was given Mark Twain's book, "Christian Science" which is a lot of fun, although dated. For one thing, he was looking at the early growth curve of cs, and feared that it would continue to expand espoentially and take over all the Protestant churches. (Eddy prophesied that this would happen by the end of the Twentieth Century.) Except for Mormonism, cults have phenomenal growth in their early stages, only to tape off.
But Twain's book is a fun read.
I have Fraser's book on order from christianbook.com, which is a good source for things. They still have Linda's book for $11.99. They carry a huge inventory, so there are a few suspect titles here and there, such as Benny Hinn and the "prosperity gospels." Type in "Christian Science" and check out their titles!
Keep sorting things out!!
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Posted Friday, January 17, 2003 9:01 AM
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Thanks for the comments. I've read these books now. Blue Windows (Barbara Wilson), The Unseen Shore; Memories of a CS Childhood (Thomas Simmons), The Religion that Kills (Linda Kramer) and even Suzanne Shepard's article in the 10/94 Redbook Magazine.
Gives me a lot to think about. I'm still pondering all this and still reading the Lesson Sermon and still asking God to lead me.
I've been visiting churches all over the area and wow, what an experience that has been!!! They're so alive and dynamic and spirit-filled!!!! It makes me sad in so many ways -- that our CS churches are so stiff and formal.
Thanks for the posts. I come to this site frequently.
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Posted Friday, January 17, 2003 10:55 AM
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Dear Anonymous,
I would like to gently suggest you consider taking a break from studying books about CS, while continuing to read the Lesson-Sermon, and instead just read the Bible. My experience was somewhat parallel to yours, and it took me a long time to get clear in my thinking about spiritual things, because what I was hearing in other churches was so different from what I was getting in CS. Finally, I just made a commitment to read the Bible from cover to cover. (I am doing that again this year, and finding it so rewarding.)
As I read your posts, it seems clear that one of the big issues is one of authority...people telling you what to do, trying to control what you think, what you do, what you read...and then telling you what the meaning is of the things you read. Certainly CS is huge on that aspect of things. I believe if you will just immerse yourself in Scripture, you will be able to figure out for yourself what it says and what it means without CS or anyone else trying to TELL you what it means. (I believe you will find the process easier going if you choose a more modern translation than the King James, such as the NIV, New American Standard, or even the New King James, but that is up to you.)
I am in a Bible Study with about a dozen other businessmen, and we have jointly committed to reading through the entire Bible this year. We are using a version called The Daily Walk Bible (New International Version), and by making a joint commitment to doing this, we are encouraging each other as we go.
My experience, and my conviction, is that if you will search God's Word then you will have the confusion which accompanies CS teaching cleared away. As you go through this process of studying the Bible, you will have moments where what you read in the Bible will be in direct contradiction with what you have been taught in CS. I suggest that when this happens, the question becomes - Which has the greater authority: the Bible, or CS? Which will you believe? I pray the Holy Spirit will provide you with the peace and conviction and faith to believe what God's Word has to say.
I would be very interested in your thoughts, comments and responses. What do you think?
In Christ,
Carl
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Posted Sunday, January 19, 2003 12:27 PM
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Hi Carl,
I appreciate the suggestion. I used to spend 75% of my time on MBE's writings. Now I spend 90% of my time with the bible, so there has been a definite shift. I've been listening to the Bible on tape for a couple hours each day in the car, with a new "ear" toward the true message.
All this has helped.
Thanks for the responses. I've bee visiting new churches and made appointments to talk with THREE ministers but none of them have called me back. Is it against protocol for a non-member to visit with a pastor? I wish they knew my purpose: I feel they might be more willing to help, but truthfully, I do wish there was a paster I could talk with.
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Posted Sunday, January 19, 2003 3:23 PM
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Anonymous,
No, it should NOT be against protocol for pastors to meet with non-members! I'm not sure why your calls aren't being answered.
I hope you'll keep trying. Did you talk with church secretaries to try to set up the appointments, or did you leave voicemail messages? It might be good to talk to a real person instead of leaving a message. Most churches of any size have people in the office during the week, and a secretary could help you set up the appointment or could at least make sure the pastor gets the message.
AJ
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Posted Sunday, January 19, 2003 6:09 PM
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It should not be against protocol for a non-member to meet with a pastor. In fact, that would be a touchstone for me. If a pastor refused to meet with a non-member that would indicate to me a reason to look elsewhere.
You might also investigate via the Web. Most denominations have well-done, informative web sites and even many local churches maintain web sites where you can learn about their staffs, special ministries, copies of sermons, etc. Before I ever visited the church I now attend I was able to read and learn a lot.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Monday, January 20, 2003 9:56 AM
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