 Posted Saturday, January 16, 2010 11:29 AM
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| Hi, I am a 19 year old Christian Scientist, i found this forum by searching 'Christian science forum'. I am already on two official Christian science forums (Christianscience.com and the Christian science youth forum, TMC). Iv had a brief look around on this forum but i see this is not a Christian Science forum? Either way greetings everyone. I look forward to discussing CS with you all.
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Posted Saturday, January 16, 2010 6:56 PM
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| Welcome to the forums, CabinInTheForest. You're right -- this isn't a Christian Science forum although CSists are welcome to post here. Most of us are former CSists or have a loved one in CS. Some of us spent decades in CS and loved it but left for a variety of reasons. Some of us have been Mother Church members, been through class instruction, attended Principia College, etc., so we have a lot of collective experience in CS. Other participants never had any love for the religion. I look forward to getting to know you better. Linda
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Posted Sunday, March 07, 2010 1:33 PM
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Hello,
I too am a new visitor to this forum. I thought it was interesting to find and view a forum of former Christian Scientists, and those that (it appears) to be troubled by CS and some that are ambivalent towards CS. Is there a place on this forum where the directors/moderators have posted their experience and past history with CS?
For myself, I have studied and practiced CS for about 40 years, my family brought into CS through a wonderful healing of my mother and myself. After being given up by medical science, my mother, in her desperation and love, turned to prayer for help. 6 months later I was healed and have been in excellent health ever since, having experienced some wonderful healings through prayer and study of the Bible and the CS Textbook, including broken bones, a major motorcycle accident, and many healings of business situations. I have raised two boys in CS and continue to study and practice it daily, depending upon it more and more each day.
It is interesting to watch the decline of some many friends and family who had similar backgrounds to mine, as well as those that have been 3rd and 4th generation students of CS, have fallen away and gone another route in their study of God and their search for health. Many of them have been formally taught in CS. I have never judged anyone, nor will I ever with regards to each person's choice for their lives, esp. when it comes to their relation to God, religion, health care, etc. But it is interesting to note that so many have left for the same reasons.
Anyway, thanks for listening. Hope to get some time to read and possibly respond to some of the posts. Thanks.
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Posted Sunday, March 07, 2010 7:29 PM
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| Hi twright, Nice to have you here.
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Posted Monday, March 08, 2010 3:30 PM
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Linda, what is your background in relation to CS? Are you one that started this site? Thanks.
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Posted Monday, March 08, 2010 7:58 PM
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| twright, Welcome to the forums. You can find biographies of some of the former Christian Scientists connected to these forums at Personal Stories. You read mine by clicking on my name then selecting "View Member's Profile" then "View members biography...". Do Go Be Man
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Posted Monday, March 08, 2010 9:00 PM
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| twright, You can read my "personal story" using the link that Do Go Be Man provided above. It's called "From Christian Science to Freedom." I wrote it 12 or 13 years ago. I didn't put the original Christian Way web site together, but I helped a lot with this site which we launched in about 2002.
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Posted Friday, March 12, 2010 7:27 PM
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Thanks Linda. It was interesting to read your story. I have had several relatives go through a similar childhood condition to yours. I guess one experiences everything through the lens that we are given when young. I know of several people who, although not quite in the same way as you had with CS, had a terrible experience with math in school, and developed quite a dislike for it, due to the teachers, the circumstances and the times in which they were exposed to it. I don't think math was the problem in those instances. I guess I would never try to persuade anyone that is involved with mathematics to move away from it just because of the terrible experience that I may have had with math. So, it seems odd to me that a portion of your site is dedicated to persuading those of us who are under the influence of a cult.
While I don't share your views of CS, or had the experience you had growing up, I fully capable leaving the CS church, join one of the fundamentalist or evangelical churches that I attend once a month to watch my son play drums in their praise bands, and never study or look at anything to do with CS again.
It is too bad that so many have left CS with similar and differing views of it as you. And yet, the traditional Christian churches are actually moving more in the direction of spiritual healing than ever before. Many cutting edge medical organizations have been considering the mental state of the patient as a central aspect of their healing work for many years now (look up the Harvard School of Medicine annual seminars on the state of medicine). While many churches are beginning to see the brighter sun of spirituality, they still are silent when it comes to describing and explaining the mechanics behind the wonderful and unequaled healings of my savior, Christ Jesus. Other than saying, "Well, it was a miracle. That's all you need to know or understand." or "He was able to do those things because he was God", many pastors that I know and talk to are quite lacking in their understanding of how spiritual goodness and power can effect material conditions. I guess one could say, how can one do a problem in calculus, when one does not understand the science behind the work. I guess you would have to say either, I don't understand calculus or that calculus is bad thing to try and get into because it only causes problems for those who try it. Hmmmm.
While they have a tough time explaining the healings of our Master, they have a tougher time explaining the ancient prophets, and their healing spiritual work, from Elijah and the raising of the dead boy, to having an ax head float, to seeing the holy ghost as chariots of fire around Elisha, to the miracles of Moses. And these, some 300-500 years before Christ Jesus showed up. Were they all merely magicians? Were they just imitators of the Master?
My continued study of CS has answered so many of these questions, in a practical way, not in an academic way, or not in a way that leads to " Don't ask those questions!" Instead, my study of CS has led me to ask better questions, more probing questions, about my relationship to God. Yes, I spend a lot of time with many translations of the Bible, besides the KJV. Science & Health has always been a key to the Bible, never replacing it, since the key can never replace the door.
I feel bad that you went through so many years of struggle, psychotherapy and pain. I am not here to convince you of anything. It's just like those that never enjoyed math. I loved math and calculus, but I will never try and convince anyone that math is or isn't for them. They have to discover that for themselves, or else they (hopefully when they are young) might be lucky enough to find a great teacher that can inspire them to love the subject. I am sorry you did not.
Thanks for listening.
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Posted Saturday, March 13, 2010 6:07 AM
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twright,
I guess one experiences everything through the lens that we are given when young. I know of several people who, although not quite in the same way as you had with CS, had a terrible experience with math in school, and developed quite a dislike for it, due to the teachers, the circumstances and the times in which they were exposed to it. I don't think math was the problem in those instances. I guess I would never try to persuade anyone that is involved with mathematics to move away from it just because of the terrible experience that I may have had with math.
Thank you for your respectful responses.
Your analogy could have some attraction for those who disliked the subject, were not very good at it, had poor instructors, or had poor texts. I don't feel, however, it applies to me in any way. I liked Christian Science, was generally successful, had excellent instructors, and had good texts. My instructors seemed to agree including one who is currently a teacher and member of the board and many others along the way. I dare say that my departure from the movement caught many by surprise.
I think it was the quality of my texts and instruction that probably made the difference. I learned in Christian Science class instruction to extend my Bible study beyond the limitations of the Lesson-Sermon. When I did so, I found I could no longer reconcile Mary Baker Eddy's teachings with the texts upon which she allegedly based her teachings. As the claimed foundational text of Christian Science, I found that the Bible superseded anything offered by Mary Baker Eddy. Over the years since leaving Christian Science, I've continued to find that God's word is greater than any human's word.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Saturday, March 13, 2010 1:40 PM
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Thanks, Man, but I can't click on your story without knowing your name. I would like to read about your background. Thanks.
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