In media, literature, and pop culture, it’s not uncommon to see religion and science presented as mutually exclusive concepts. Christianity, in particular, has had a strong cultural impact as one of the world’s most practiced faiths. This religion, like others, emphasizes a belief in the supernatural and things unseen, which is often diametrically opposed to science, which emphasizes facts and observation of physical evidence. Given the binary of religion and science throughout history and society, the term “Christian Science” might seem paradoxical; however, it refers to a modern religious movement. Here’s what you should know about Christian Scientists and their beliefs.
What Is Christian Science?
Christian Science describes the tenets and practices of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Followers of this faith are collectively known as Christian Scientists or students of Christian Science. This denomination was founded in the nineteenth century by American religious leader and author Mary Baker Eddy. Her 1875 book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, along with the Bible, make up the key religious texts of this faith. According to Eddy, Christian Science is a return to “primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.”
This denomination distinguishes itself from others based on the foundational principle that matter does not exist and everything is spiritual. A type of philosophical idealism, this guiding tenet holds that sickness and death are mental illusions that can only be resolved through prayer. Generally, Christian Scientists aren’t anti-medicine, especially when required by law and policy, but prayer is the only effective means of curing these mental illusions.
What Do Christian Scientists Believe?
Although Christian Science is viewed as falling under the umbrella of Christianity, other denominations consider it to be a cult. Their tenets sometimes differ from and align with other mainline faiths on various spiritual concepts:
- God: Christian Scientists view God as less of an entity, but as an all-in-all who is synonymous with the mind, spirit, soul, life, truth, and love.
- Jesus Christ: While adherents see Jesus as a divine Messiah, he is not a deity to be worshiped. He is a guide and an example of man’s unity with God. Christian Scientists believe in the virgin birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus and consider these to be evidence of divine love.
- Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit or Ghost is Christian Science.
- The Bible: Adherents affirm the Bible as truth and a guide to eternal life.
- Prayer: Although prayer is central to the faith, it is not an act of supplication. Rather, it is a silent argument that affirms that matter is unreal, and healing is achieving a state of mind where physical problems are recognized as illusions.
- Baptism: Whereas baptism is a sacrament in most Christian denominations, it is a daily spiritual purification ritual in Christian Science.
- Communion: This ritual doesn’t involve visual or physical elements. It’s about communicating with God in spirit silently.
- Afterlife: Heaven and Hell are not parts of the afterlife but states of mind formed when practitioners do right and wrong, respectively.
- Golden Rule: Followers believe in mercy, fairness, and purity, and that it should be freely given and received.
Within Christian Science communities, men and women are considered equals. Adherents believe that sex should be performed within marriage. They also advocate that judgment of others should be avoided, especially since spiritual identity can only be affirmed by God alone. There are no ordained ministers in Christian Science. Services are led by one of two readers who read from the Bible and Eddy’s Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
While some Christian beliefs and science may be at odds in pop culture, media, and literature, the two terms mean something different when used together to refer to adherents of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Christian Science is yet another relatively young patch in the evolving quilt of religion and spirituality.