 Posted Sunday, February 16, 2003 8:35 PM
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Were you afraid of something terrible happening? Of having a car wreck? Sickness? Or other tragedy? And did anything happen?
What about all the guilt and burden of "being responsible for your own thoughts." How did you deal with that?
Thanks.
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Posted Wednesday, February 19, 2003 9:04 PM
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Hi Anonymous,
CS quietly teaches that leaving it will make a person vulnerable to the "false beliefs" that he or she guarded against while practicing Christian Science. So people leaving CS often do fear that bad things will happen to them. Many are also told that something awful will finally drive them back into CS. I know many former Christian Scientists who struggle (or have struggled) with unnecessary fear and false guilt.
I don't have time to address your other questions right now, but want to let you know why other people aren't posting answers to your questions. Most people come to this forum through the Christian Way web site (www.christianway.org), but the site has been offline for almost a week. The web host is having technical difficulties that we thought would be resolved several days ago.
I hope the site will be online again VERY soon. When it's up, I'm sure that several people will respond to your questions!
Linda
(Moderator)
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Posted Saturday, February 22, 2003 10:51 AM
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Thanks, Linda. I've been so scared lately. I still rise each morning and study the Bible and pray, but I'm feeling more than a little lost. And then I had my FIRST car accident a few days ago. Ran a stop sign.
Now there are 101 CS explanations as to why that happened - but I'm feeling more than a little scared that I have brought this on my self by not doing those 13 daily prayers - day in and day out - as I so faithfully did for so long.
Thanks again for listening.
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Posted Saturday, February 22, 2003 1:37 PM
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Anonymous:
When I first left CS in college, I definitely felt like disaster was just lurking around the corner, and I was surprised that I didn't immediately come down with some incurable plague. So I can relate to what you're feeling. Like Linda said, the website has been down for a week or so, and it seems like some other questions you posted are missing. It sounds like you left CS recently, and are a new Christian. If that's the case, your fear is because you have stopped using one set of armor (CS) and traded it in for a new set (Christianity). These sets of armor are radically different, because the CS armor isn't true armor. You haven't really figured out, or trust this new Christian armor, so it feels like you have no protection at all. But be assured, if you're born again, you're quite well protected, even if car accidents have you thinking otherwise. It's kind of like David in 1 Samuel 17:38-40. When David went to face Goliath, King Saul gave David his (Saul's) personal armor. But it didn't fit David. So, David ended up setting all of it aside, and using the armor he understood best, the Lord and his slingshot. As a new Christian, you haven't really got to the point to where you really feel comfortable that the Lord and a slingshot can protect you from evil. David recognized that armor that appears to provide tremendous protection may in reality be destructive. If David had gone ahead and used Saul's armor, I suspect Goliath would have won. Christian Science in effect says, use Saul's armor, it's way better than a silly little sling shot. As you learn about Christianity and mature in your Christian walk, you'll start feeling more comfortable with God's armor, and less worried that heavenly lightning bolts are going to zap you for leaving CS 
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Posted Sunday, February 23, 2003 4:11 AM
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A thought occurred to me as I read these messages - CS denies error, imperfection, evil, etc. unless trying to claim malpractice, animal magnetism, or to otherwise explain why bad things happen to good people. So it would seem that for those who predict disaster for leaving CS that error is real just held in abeyance by CS. Such predictions are a classic technique used by cults and other groups to ensure organizational loyalty.
Be careful of self-fulfilling prophecy. There could be a tendency to explain ordinary occurences as punishment for leaving CS.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2003 9:45 AM
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I left CS plainly and simply because after many years of practicing it, I did not find healing. CS tends to make a person feel a failure for leaving and yet also state that God is Love and Universal. The latter is of course correct. I have not felt any guilt whatsoever since “leaving” although I still enjoy their periodicals, I never could get on with Science and Health, I actually found it very heavy going.
Don’t take on this guilt – if God is love and universal – which he is, you cannot leave God by leaving this organisation.
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Posted Saturday, April 05, 2003 7:12 PM
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| Hi all - I haven't written in a while - this is C. I have had a difficult week. I had a slight stroke and found myself in the hospital. It resolved itself quickly and I am fine but am in need of prayerful support. As you might imagine as a former CS I am dealing with quilt feelings for not 'handling' this the proper way and 'knowing the truth'. I am also dealing with a bit of depression and fear that by telling you this I am making it more real. Thanking you in advance for your prayers.
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Posted Sunday, April 06, 2003 3:22 PM
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Hello C,
It's good to hear from you. I'm sorry you've had a difficult week. But I'm glad you're recovering well from the stroke!
I understand your feelings of guilt and your fear that telling us about your stroke will make it more "real." A lot of people who have been in CS (or are still in it) struggle with this false guilt and with the "talking about it makes it real" issue. Please be assured that the stroke wasn't the result of your "faulty thinking" and that it was real whether or not you talk about it.
The wonderful thing is that you got the help you needed and are recovering well. THAT'S that reality of your situation!
You have my prayers.
God bless,
Linda
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2003 3:33 PM
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Hi C,
Sorry to hear about your stroke. I'll certainly pray for you. And talking about problems does not make them more real. Sometimes silence can actually help the Devil more. What would have happened at Jericho if the people were silent and didn't shout as they marched around it? The walls wouldn't have fallen, and those walls would have continued to be a barrier to the Hebrews.
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Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2003 10:46 PM
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When I left CS, far from feeling foreboding, I felt the greatest sense of relief and joy. You see, if CS is true, God knows nothing about human pain and suffering. God in fact has no compassion. How could he? He doesn't see anything to be compassionate *about*! The god of CS is living in a dream world. He has nothing to do with the experience of human beings.
The *real* God, however, knows all about the trials and sufferings of our daily lives and He cares about every bit of it. He even became a human being to share our suffering. We don't have to choke it down because it's not spiritual to talk about it, or it gives others power over us or whatever. We can share it. He knows all about it and He cares. He met me where I was -- I was a wreck (thanks MBE) and He loved me anyway. I am so happy! Life doesn't have to be perfect to be happy -- it doesn't have to be pain-free to be happy -- it just has to be REAL!
Catherine
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