Some Questions and Answers about Christian Science

1. Who are Christian Scientists?
   Ordinary people. They include parents, single people, auto mechanics, students, teachers, secretaries, astronauts, business people, farmers, musicians, diplomats, elected officials, Perhaps your neighbor.
2. Is a Christian Scientist a Christian?
   Yes, and working to be a better one every day. Christian Scientists are expected to live their Christianity seven days a week. One tenet of Christian Science reads: "And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also In Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, and to be merciful, just, and pure."
3. How widespread is Christian Science?
   There are about 2,600 Christian Science churches in more than 68 countries. Local churches are branches of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts; however, each branch church is locally and democratically run by its members. All church services are open to the public.
4. Who established your church?
   Mary Baker Eddy was the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. She established the church in 1879 in Boston to "commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." Mrs. Eddy was born in New Hampshire, grew up in a devout Congregational family, and always had a great love of God and the Bible.
5. What is the Christian Science view of God?
   He is our Father-Mother God. He is only good. He is all power and ever present. Nothing can be added to Him or taken from Him. He cares for all of us. As stated in Psalms, "God is our refilge and strength, a very present help In trouble." The Apostle Paul said: "In him we live, and move, and have our being."
6. What place does Christ Jesus have in your teachings?
   His words and works, as described in the New Testament, are the very basis of Christian Science. Jesus furnished humanity with the perfect example of what it means to be the Son of God.
7. What is Christian Science healing?
   A distinctive part of Christian Science is its healing of physical disease as well as sin by spirltual means alone, as Jesus himself taught and practiced. Christian Science draws its authority from the Bible, and its teachings are set forth in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
8. Is a Christian Scientist allowed to go to a doctor?
   Like anyone else, a Christian Scientist is a free moral agent. When an individual joins the Church of Christ, Scientist, he or she makes a voluntary choice to rely on God instead of medicine for healing, as did Christ Jesus. We have found that this method of healing and way of life is consistently effective and deeply fulfilling. There have obviously been occasions when individual Christian Scientists have chosen to depart from reliance on Christian Science. Certainly no one is condemned or ostracized by the Church for making such a choice.
9. What is your record of success with spiritual healing?
   It is exceptionally good, but not perfect. Many families have relied on Christian Science healing successfully for several generations. In some cases there are hospital records, X-rays, insurance reports, and other types of medical evidence that corroborate the nature of the healing.
10. Why not combine Christian Science with medical treatment?
    Christian Scientists certainly appreciate the humanitarian work of doctors. We respect the choice made by those who avail themselves of that form of treatment, which depends on drugs, surgery, and other types of physical therapy. The distinctive Christian Science method of prayer for healing disease is purely spiritual. From the Christian Science standpoint, material and spiritual means are incompatible. The practical experience of Christian Science has demonstrated that relying completely on God is the most effective approach, and for us it works.
11. Isn't your reliance on spiritual healing of physical ailments outdated, as we enter into the 21st century?
    We have to answer that question with a question, and it's this: Could working every day to get closer to God ever become outdated? From the Christian Scientist's perspective, the healing work accomplished by Jesus continues to be as effective today as it was almost 2,000 years ago.
12. What public recognition has Christian Science healing received?
    Directly or indirectly, the right to rely on Christian Science treatment is recognized by various federal laws and by laws in virtually every state in the United States. Christian Science healing is also covered under the health-care policies of major insurance companies. That is a very clear recognition of our record of healing.

In summary, what is Christian Science?
To its adherents, Christian Science is a way of life, based on the laws of God. It is devoted to lifting the burdens of suffering and sin from all humanity. Christian Science is an established denomination, and a deeply committed Christian church whose theology rests on a profound belief in the inspired teachings practiced by Jesus and his disciples.

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy is the complete statement on Christian Science. Copies of Science and Health may be borrowed, or read at any Christian Science Raiding Room throughout the world and at most public libraries.