Negative Press
Malicious Media, Personal Attacks, Misinformation and Negativity from ex-Christian Scientists examined.
"Christianity in its purity was lost by defaming and killing its early defenders. Do not let this period repeat that mistake." Mary Baker Eddy
"No human pen nor tongue taught me the Science contained in this book, Science and Health; and neither tongue nor pen can overthrow it. This book may be distorted by shallow criticism or by careless or malicious students, and its ideas may be temporarily abused and misrepresented; but the Science and truth therein will forever remain to be discerned and demonstrated."
Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health Page 110
"Students of Christian Science, who start with its letter and think to succeed without the spirit, will either make shipwreck of their faith or be turned sadly awry. They must not only seek, but strive, to enter the narrow path of Life, for "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat."
Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health Page 451
The spiritual idea of God, as presented by Jesus, was scourged in person, and its Principle was rejected. That man was accounted a criminal who could prove God's divine power by healing the sick, casting out evils, spiritualizing materialistic beliefs, and raising the dead, — those dead in trespasses and sins, satisfied with the flesh, resting on the basis of matter, blind to the possibilities of Spirit and its correlative truth. Mary Baker Eddy Science and Health page 316
When Christ Jesus was here, he taught by demonstration (healing sickness, sin and death) and parables. "Show Me, Don't Tell Me" is a common attitude held by men and women in all ages. His works proved his words. No Christian doubts Jesus' words of instruction, in fact we take his Word as Gospel. And why wouldn't we? He earned his place in history.
Christ Jesus said "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do" John 14:12
And "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." John 5:30
Jesus made it clear that he was not the power or authority responsible for the works.... "I of my own self can do nothing", meaning God, Spirit is solely responsible for the healing and saving power Jesus demonstrated.
And Jesus states as Gospel that you and I shall also do these works, and greater.
Questions and Answers
Question: Who since Christ Jesus has performed these works and greater?
Answer: Mary Baker Eddy
Question: Where is the proof?
Answer: The documented healings found in Science and Health from 1866 to present day can be found in Science and Health and a Century of Christian Science healing. Listen to a selection here: signs following
Question: How is this possible? By what authority do you make your claim? Give us a sign.
Answer: The Pharisees asked Jesus a similar question. Although many miracles had been given, they refused to believe that a man from Nazareth claiming to be the Son of God was a prophet chosen by God to preach deliverance. The same criticism is made about Mrs. Eddy. But her work is done and the Science proven. She discovered the Science of Christianity which Jesus demonstrated. There are thousands and thousands of documented healings, moral uprisings and lives changed. But many ex-students to this day turn against her and publish falsities on Facebook, YouTube etc.
Question: I have seen on social media, including YouTube, videos from former Christian Scientists and Practitioners attempting to discredit Mary Baker Eddy's discovery and authority by citing books from those who knew Mrs. Eddy, newspaper articles and quotations from Science and Health. Are these claims at all true?
Answer. Mary Baker Eddy endured 40+ years of slander and libel from ex-students who turned against her and accused her falsely. The claims leveled against her today are the same arguments as then, but the faces and media are different. I present two examples for examination:
Throughout history, God's messengers have been persecuted. Moses was hunted by Pharaoh. Judas turned against Christ Jesus. William Tyndale was executed for translating the Bible into English. Is it any different today? Christianity will never be accepted by evil and those who preach Truth are the target. Discredit the person to discredit the message. It's an age old tactic that is still in use.
Mrs. Eddy's fame was worldwide. Newspapers and reporters were constantly searching for a story to publish, be it true or false. Nearly every city and town had a story of someone who was healed. Ask yourself why was Jesus persecuted? Jesus advanced a nation to worship in Spirit and Truth Who or what was offended by His divinity and teaching? History repeats itself. Christians are persecuted today! Those who uncover evil and sin and seek its destruction must endure the blowback. Does any Christian doubt Jesus Christ? We know the criticisms are false and misguided.
Question: If healing is possible, why is the Christian Science church failing? It should be growing. Instead, churches are closing and former members are speaking out against the organization and Mrs. Eddy.
Answer: The modern Christian Science movement including the Mother Church, branch churches, and periodicals bear little resemblance to her spiritual church organization prior to 1910, the year of her passing.
Many of the modern day Christian Scientist are unaware of the true and complete history of Mary Baker Eddy. The central organization reversed Mary Baker Eddy's bylaws and rules after 1910. Those changes have placed a veil over the eyes of the Christian Scientist which prevent, in large part, the correct practice of Christian Science. Many people have "shipwrecked their faith" in Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science as a result. These are those who turn against her.
Question: How did church politics alter the course of Christian Science?
Answer: Mary Baker Eddy established her church on a spiritual foundation. In order to protect her discovery after her passing, she established a Deed of Trust in 1898. This is best explained by Herbert Eustace. "By this act Mrs. Eddy undoubtedly hoped to thwart the intent of evil to bury Christian Science in ecclesiasticism and materialism as it had previously buried Christianity. It was another evidence of her distrust in church organization as a possible channel for metaphysics..." Rather than trusting in God's Wisdom and Mary Baker Eddy's Manual for governance, after 1910, the central church rewrote, illegally, several important manual bylaws to allow the central church to retain complete control over all the branch churches.
Question: But that was over 100 years ago. People used to just read Science and Health and were healed. What happened?
Answer: When Mary Baker Eddy was here providing spiritual guidance, her church and those who read Science and Health did experience miraculous healings. However, these men and women wanted to know God and feel His Love. Most did not think healing was possible. Christ Jesus tells us "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33. The healing was a byproduct of an uplifted faith.
After 1910, the church became extremely wealthy, materialistic and was controlled by human desires. Healing life's problems became the focus and most important feature. But if the Christ spirit is not present, the Science is dead.
"A wrong motive involves defeat" Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health Page 446. A better motive is summarized by Christ Jesus: "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'" Luke 18:13
Failing to be healed or losing a loved one under the care of Christian Science has driven many people from Christian Science. In their anger and frustration they turn on Mary Baker Eddy, slander her, discredit her discovery and mar her rightful place in history.
The negative news on social media is a direct result of the failures committed 100+ years ago. The central church and it's branch locations is not Mary Baker Eddy's spiritual church any longer.
Question: Is Christian Science gone?
Answer: "Beyond the frail premises of human beliefs, above the loosening grasp of creeds, the demonstration of Christian Mind-healing stands a revealed and practical Science. It is imperious throughout all ages as Christ's revelation of Truth, of Life, and of Love, which remains inviolate for every man to understand and to practise." Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health Page 98
"The time for thinkers has come. Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity. Contentment with the past and the cold conventionality of materialism are crumbling away. Ignorance of God is no longer the steppingstone to faith. The only guarantee of obedience is a right apprehension of Him whom to know aright is Life eternal. Though empires fall, "the Lord shall reign forever."
A book introduces new thoughts, but it cannot make them speedily understood. It is the task of the sturdy pioneer to hew the tall oak and to cut the rough granite. Future ages must declare what the pioneer has accomplished." Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health Page vii
When Christian Science and animal magnetism are both comprehended, as they will be at no distant date, it will be seen why the author of this book has been so unjustly persecuted and belied by wolves in sheep's clothing. Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health Page 104