the church of christ, scientist a.k.a. christian science history: jessica mittelstaedt beliefs:...

The Church of Christ, Scientist

a.k.a.

Christian ScienceHistory: Jessica MittelstaedtBeliefs: Megan DaltonStruggles: Lexi Amundsen

Christian Science

History• Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science: Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910)• Founding Date: August 23, 1879• Scriptures: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Miscellaneous Writings,

Manual of the Mother Church• Organizational Structure: The founding church in Boston serves as headquarters and

is governed by a Board of Directors. All other churches are considered branches of the "Mother Church." Instead of preachers, Christian Science uses readers who read prescribed passages from the Bible followed by an interpretive reading from Science and Health.

• Unique Terms: Christian Science utilizes "practitioners" who pray for the sick. Eddy believed in "Malicious Animal Magnetism" (M.A.M.), which is negative mental energy or power, on the level of black magic. "Reading Rooms" are local Christian Science libraries where members go to read Eddy's works to aid their spiritual evolvement.

Early Years:

Mary Baker (1821- 1910)

• 1821 - Mary Baker is born on a farm in Bow, New Hampshire on July 16.• Childhood and teenage years: Mary suffered from health issues and

experimented unsuccessfully with multiple healthcare systems. • Her formal education was interrupted by periods of sickness.

• Picture: Baker farm at Bow, New Hampshire

Young wife, widow, mother:

Mary Baker Glover• 1843 - Mary Baker married a building contractor December 10th, George

Washington Glover, and moved with him to the Carolinas. He died six months later from yellow fever, three months before the birth of their son, George Glover, Jr.

• 1844 - Mary moved back into her parents’ home until her mother’s death in late 1849. In 1850, still suffering from recurring illness, she found she had no choice but to place George Jr. in the care of the family’s former nurse and her husband.

Mary Baker Glover, Age 22 George W. Glover (1 st Husband)

Broken Promises:

Mary Baker Patterson • 1853 - Mary Baker Glover married Daniel Patterson, a traveling dentist who

proved to be unreliable and unfaithful. - The couple moved to Massachusetts and occupied a second-floor apartment on Paradise Road.

• 1866 - Patterson abandoned her• 1873 - After years of living apart, she divorced him on grounds of desertion. -

She resumed the name of her late first husband, Glover.

Daniel Patterson (2nd Husband)

Search for Health• 1862 - Mary sought help from a popular mental healer P. P. Quimby

(1802-1866) from Maine, whose influence would shape her belief of Christian Science.

• She claimed that Quimby cured her; she suddenly improved, but later the symptoms returned.

• Mary returned to Quimby not only for treatment but also to learn more about his approach, thinking that he had rediscovered Jesus’ healing method.

• 1866 - Death of Quimby. Eddy was determined to carry on his work.

P. P. Quimby

Recovery, “all through prayer.”

Mary Baker Glover • 1866 - Feb. 1: Mary falls on an icy sidewalk; is

seriously injured in critical condition. Friends and a homeopathic physician who was called to treat her saw no hope for her recovery.

Feb. 4: Health not improving so she asked for a bible and, while reading an account of Jesus’ healing, found herself suddenly well. - “This is all through prayer,” Mary told friends - Experiences healing — Discovery of Christian Science.• 1866 onward - her discoveries were put to the

test, patient after patient being healed entirely through prayer. - She searched for the link between the healings she was experiencing and the spiritual laws of God.

• “…in the latter part of 1866 I gained the scientific certainty that all causation was Mind [God], and every effect a mental phenomenon.”

- Mary Baker Eddy

• Picture: Top - House on Paradise Road, Swampscott, Mass., where her healing took place Bottom - Mary B. Glover, 1867

Finding a Name:

Christian Science• At first she called her system “Moral Science,” emphasizing its mental

nature. In time she would name the religion “Christian Science,” emphasizing its Christian character. She later wrote:

• “I named it Christian, because it is compassionate, helpful, and spiritual. God I called immortal Mind. That which sins, suffers, and dies, I named mortal mind. The physical senses, or sensuous nature, I called error and shadow. Soul I denominated substance, because Soul alone is truly substantial. God I characterized as individual entity, but His corporeality I denied. The real I claimed as eternal; and its antipodes, or the temporal, I described as unreal. Spirit I called the reality; and matter, the unreality.” – Mary Baker Eddy

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures

• 1875 - “The healing” led to nine years of intensive scriptural study, healing activity, and teaching, culminating in the publication of Science and Health which is a best-seller, having sold over 10 million copies. The book reached its highest annual sales ever in 2000-2001.

• “One of the 75 books by women whose words have changed the world.” - Women’s National Book Association

• Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, is a 700-page book detailing Mary’s discovery of Christian Science, her system of healing, and her commentary on the Scriptures. The last 100 pages of Science and Health give examples of how people were healed by reading this book.

Picture: Top - Science and Health, 1st edition, 1875Bottom - The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Mr. and Mrs. Eddy• 1876 - Heals Asa Gilbert Eddy of a heart condition. • 1877 - Marries Asa Gilbert Eddy - Her husband was a strong support to her. He

researched copyright law to protect her writings and became her publisher for the next editions of Science and Health.

• 1878 - Preaches weekly sermons at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Boston.• 1879 - Disappointed that existing Christian churches would not embrace her

discovery, Mary Baker Eddy and her students form a church. - (Official Founding of Christian Science)

• 1880 - Publishes her sermon Christian Healing. - Mary Baker Eddy explains how the healings performed by Jesus and his early followers are possible today.

Picture:Left - Mary Baker EddyRight - Asa Gilbert Eddy

The Founding:

Mary Baker Eddy• 1881 - Founded the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, where

she taught her classes on spiritual healing until 1889, when she closed the institution to focus on a major revision of Science and Health. - Mary Baker Eddy ordained pastor by her church.

• 1882 - The Eddy’s moved to Boston, then, Gilbert passed away, leaving her to carry on, once again alone.

• 1888 - First Christian Science Reading Room opens in Boston.• 1889 - Mary Baker Eddy settles in Concord, NH. - Closes college

and disorganizes church.• 1890 - Publishes Christian Science Quarterly— Bible Lessons. -

This quarterly publication of weekly Bible Lessons is arranged for individual study and use in Sunday church services

• 1891 - Publishes landmark 50th edition of Science and Health. - A reordering of chapters, new chapter titles, and the addition of marginal headings makes this the first edition to contain many elements familiar to readers today.

• 1892 - Church of Christ (Scientist) reorganizes as The First Church of Christ, Scientist. – Mary Moves to “Pleasant View” home in Concord, NH.

Picture: Top - 569 and 571 Columbus Avenue, Boston, homes of Mary Baker Eddy and the Massachusetts Metaphysical College.Bottom - Mrs. Eddy’s house at62 North State Street, Concord, N.H.

The Founding:

The Mother Church• 1894 - Construction of The Mother Church completed. - The

Original Mother Church, built in 1894, is at the heart of the Christian Science Plaza and remains today as it was when first built. The building is Romanesque in style, made of New Hampshire granite, and contains stained glass windows depicting Bible events. However, it was only designed for a capacity of 1,000 people, which it soon reached.

• 1904 - Establishes Christian Science organizations for colleges and universities.

• 1906 - The Mother Church Extension completed. - The large domed Extension was completed in 1906, and provides seating for approximately 3,000. The building combines Renaissance and Byzantine architectural concepts. The organ, built by the Aeolian-Skinner Company of Boston, is one of the largest in the world; it covers eight divisions and has a total of 13,290 pipes.

• 1908 - Moves to Chestnut Hill, MA. Establishes The Christian Science Monitor Newspaper

• 1910 - Mary Baker Eddy dies, aged 89. Her last written words are: “God is my life.”

Picture:Top - The Mother Church under construction, 1894

Christian Science

Current Situation

• Introduction• Recognition•Negotiation – They are still compromising and

trying to rationalize what is necessary within the religion – Example: Faith Healing Vs. Medicine

• Establishment

Christian Science

Beliefs• What is Christian Science? http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD7FS0sqp1M&feature=player_detailpage• Basic Beliefs• Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost (trinity)• God is a spirit, he's invisible, no material body• Jesus Christ performed an atonement as evidence of His love• They acknowledge that man is saved through Christ as demonstrated by what he

did in the Holy Bible• Seeking and finding God is central to the practice of Christian Science• Medicine and Doctors• Study from the Bible and Science and Health book written by Mary Baker Eddy• No pastor, no ordained clergy, no organized creed• Don't have rituals• Sacrament is described spiritually not physically• No physical outward expression, rather it is shown through your actions• Extra assistance through practitioners and nurses• Belief in sin is punished so long as belief lasts

Political Perspectives• Mary Baker Eddy’s book was published in 1875• Much controversy towards it but was received by many Christians• Book was published at a time of social unrest, people were effected by Civil

War and the teachings of Darwin, Freud, Marx• Nonetheless, her teachings were still adopted by Americans but opposed by

other Christian authorities• Many were upset by the words “science” being connected with Christianity• The controversy didn't stop Eddy, she claimed her beliefs came from

interpretations of Bible passages• Claimed she discovered the science of the scriptures• Through a spiritual interpretation of the Bible she rediscovered its original

practiced by the early Christian church• Eddy promoted the founding of the Church of Christ, scientist in Boston; was

ordained by her students, and created the Massachusetts Metaphysical College and the National Christian Scientist Association

• She later disbanded the Association and concentrated on The Mother Church, or The first Church of Christ.

Firm belief in healing through prayer

• #1 - The church feels that the term “faith healing” does not

accurately describe its methods of healing. They state that its methods do not rely on miracles. Rather, they are believed to be the same natural methods that Jesus used to cure people.

• #2 - Healing is accomplished not through blind faith but through a

growing understanding of God and a recognition of one's identity as God's reflection. This can be gained through the study of Christian Science. It is the result of drawing closer to God through coming to know the loving kindness of His divine laws and the perfection of His spiritual creation.

 Acculturation or Assimilation?

• Do Christian Scientists hold strong to faith healing as they did in Mary Baker Eddy's time?

• Are they assimilating faith healing into mainstream culture?

• What do you think???

Membership• Church went through rapid growth in the 1st half of

the 20th century. Membership leveled out and has since declined.

• Estimated 400,000 people follow Christian Science teachings, but many are not affiliated with a congregation.

Famous Christian Scientists• Marilyn Monroe - actress (Top)• Audrey Hepburn - actress (Middle)• Ellen DeGeneres - comedian; actress (Bottom: Left)• Mickey Rooney - actor (Bottom: Right)• Shannon Miller - American gymnast• Robin Williams - actor, comedian

Christian Science

Broadcasting • The mid-1980s, church executives undertook a controversial and ambitious

venture into electronic broadcast media• Weekly half hour television program, The Christian Science Monitor Reports• A show, The World Monitor-broadcast by the discovery channel replaced the

Monitor Reports• Also purchased a Boston cable TV station and short wave radio station• Revenues fell short of optimistic predictions• In 1991 a series of conflicts of over the boundaries between Christian Science

teachings and John Harts, anchorman and journalist, journalistic independence and forced him to resign

• 1992 the Monitor channel went off the air• Most other operations closed within in the decade• The church lost approximately $250 million on these ventures and brought the

church to the brink of bankruptcy

Broadcasting (Cont.)• In 1991 the publication of The Destiny of The Mother

Church by the late Bliss Knapp, (the successor of Eddy)• Inheritance of $90 million from the Knapp trust• The church censured Knapp for deviating from Eddy’s

teachings and refused to publish the work• The church archivist wrote to inform of the books history• Many Christian scientists thought the book violated the

church’s by laws- and resigned in protest• In the end beneficiaries sued to contest the church’s claim it

had complied fully with the will’s terms, and the church ultimately received only half of the original sum

• The fallout of the broadcasting also triggered a minor revolt among prominent church members.

• In 1993 a group filed suit against the board of directors, alleging a willful disregard for the Manual of the Mother Church in its financial dealings.

• The suit was thrown out in 1997, although lingering discontent with the church’s financial matters still persist to this day.

Picture: Top - Bliss KnappBottom – The Destiny of The Mother Church

Membership Decline & Financing• Church membership has declined greatly over the past eight decades• 1971, the number of practitioners in the US has fallen from 5,000 to

300• The number of churches in the U.S. has fallen from 1,800 to 900• In 2009, more new members came from Africa than the U.S.• 2005, the church considered consolidating into fewer buildings in

Boston• 2004, staff reductions and 125 jobs cut• The church denies any financial problems and claims that the financial

situation right now is excellent and did not face any financial problems

Controversies & Criticisms• 1907, Mark Twain published an attack on Christian Science• The church and Eddy were subject to significant criticism and public controversy for

prayer healing and Eddy’s cult of personality• Today the biggest controversies are over the issue of medicine• Christian Science church members charged with murder or manslaughter after their

children died of curable ailments without being medically treated, in the 1990’s • Twitchell vs. Massachusetts case• Since these episodes the church has been accused of attempting to silence

dissenters by delisting them as practitioners or excommunicating them• Christian Science is rooted in Christianity• Many claim that Eddy’s interpretations of the Bible diverge too much from

Christianity, especially when it comes to the existence of evil or sin, the divinity and resurrection of Jesus, and the trinity

What do you think??

• Have they won a place in the mainstream?• Has this religion flourished due to the

secular nature of America?

Questions?

Photos of our Visit!

Left: Lexi Amundsen Right: Megan Dalton Taking Photo: Jessica Mittelstaedt

Christian Science Reading Room

2309 Highland Drive

Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Bibliography• Bliss Knapp, CSB. Updated 2012. retrieved from

http://blissknapp.org/page/3/Christian science official website.• Christian Science official website. http://christianscience.com/• Church of Christ Scientist. (N.D.). Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ,_Scientist• Daschke, D. , Ashcraft, M. (2005). New Religious Movements. New York,

London: New York University Press.• http://www.google.com/images• Longyear museum. http://www.longyear.org/. Update 2012• Prothero, S. (2006). A Nation of Religions. Pg. 256. Chapel Hill: The

University of North Carolina Press. • Robinson, B.A. (1996). Last updated 6/15/2009 . Retrieved from,

http://www.religioustolerance.org/cr_sci.htm • Truth above faith website. http://www.truthabovefaith.com/. update 2009