46. I work in a Christian Science Reading Room and it's a spirtual sanctuary. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the C.S. Church never said "Don't go to doctors" she did say that true healing is spiritual and as possible now, as in Jesus' time. Her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" explains how to heal spiritually.

Deb at 7:23PM on Mar 7th 2008

47. Hey you gotta show a little more respect for Ron l. Hubbard. He conned a bunch of people & got away with it. Then he was smart enough to declare it a church. No tax! Wow, I can't belive so many people can find fault with a guy like that. All ya gotta do is find a couple of Idiot movie stars to give yourself a little credibiity-you know-like Tom, Ain't I Wonderful,Cruz,and you can get rich-pay no tax-maybe even get to meet Cruz!!! Wow!!

Bob Wilkinson at 7:58PM on Mar 7th 2008

48. You can read Science and Health--and see for yourself--online at http://www.spirituality.com/dt/toc_sh.jhtml
Or check it out on wikipedia...During a long discussion I had with a prominent Jesuit monk recently he shared his perception modern Catholicism and most modern religious thought has begun to catch up to--and accept--CS thought as valid...and in line with modern physics too..Mary Baker Eddy was ahead of her time but her ideas were rejected out of hand because she was a woman in a misogynous world...

Angell at 7:59PM on Mar 7th 2008

49. Deb - what is the reading room? Can you tell us about it? Is it a job you get paid for (I don't mean that to sound condescending:)? I've seen them, and I always figured they were just libraries full of religious books and information. Can you enlighten me? Also, as a nurse, I am interested in their views on medicine and blood tranfusions, transplants, etc.

When I was in FL there was a huge case where the Scientologists got in trouble for not giving medical attention for a critically ill woman who died. I know they think they can heal themselves, but its been so long since I read Dianetics, and I've slept since then...

Gabrielle at 8:06PM on Mar 7th 2008

50. Deb - I didn't mean that to sound like I thought you were Scientologist....I just had run-on thinking! Happens quite a bit nowadays....

Gabrielle at 8:07PM on Mar 7th 2008

51. I hope that everyone realizes that LRH is dead and is not getting all that money people pour into whatever it is that they do there at the Scientology factory (teach "evil cackling"?). Even LRH himself freely admitted Scientology was nothing but a hoax. But people don't care, I guess.

Christian Scientists may be "crazy" in the same way I think anyone who doesn't love macaroni and cheese is "crazy", but they do follow a legitimate faith.

mo-NEEK-a at 8:11PM on Mar 7th 2008

52. In case Deb is not here, I also worked in Reading Rooms for many years..Yes, they have paid staff, Christian Science literature, Bible study resources and Concordances to the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's substantial written works. Most importantly they each house a full compilation of documented healings from the founding of the Christian Science movement to present day in the CS Journals and Sentinels that come out monthly and weekly. They also have computers and the Christian Science Monitor newspaper as well as helpful staff to answer questions or help with problems. To find a Reading Room near you, try http://web.filemaker7hosting.com/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=Churches&-loadframes

Angell at 8:17PM on Mar 7th 2008

53. Can you explain the healings? What were the illnesses, how were they diagnosed and how were they treated? Just an example. (Not trying to sound confrontational - I really am curious.)

Also, what makes Christian Science different from Protestant?

PPS - How come no Scientologists are weighing in here?

Gabrielle at 8:37PM on Mar 7th 2008

54. Neek-

no one cackles more evilly than Tom Cruise! They MUST teach it there....Although Jerry O'Connell does pretty good...

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/3f716ffebe

Gabrielle at 8:41PM on Mar 7th 2008

55. Gabrielle, In the C.S. Reading Rooms I've worked in, only the Librarian got paid. The Librarian generally takes care of the daily duties and the staff, which are also members of the church, work part-time, maybe once a week or whatever their schedule allows. It's a church activity that needs to be filled and those who have the time, work the hours. I've worked in them because it's been a blessing for me and when people come in asking questions, it's great to talk with them about Christian Science. There are a lot of misconceptions about what Christian Science is, but I've found the best way to know something is to find out for myself, rather than taking someone's word for it. There are literally thousands and thousands of healings documented in the Christian Science Journal, a monthly magazine also available in the Reading Rooms. As far as blood transfusions and things like that, Mrs. Eddy covers that and other medical issues in her work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which can be borrowed from the Reading Room or purchased, if you like.

Deb at 8:49PM on Mar 7th 2008

56. Thanks, Deb and Angell - I appreciate your replies.

And now, on to the next hilarious post.......

Gabrielle at 9:01PM on Mar 7th 2008

57. Gabrielle, In response to your other questions, Christian Science is a Protestant religion, meaning it is not Catholic. Many diagnosed illnesses have been healed through Christian Science treatment, which is prayer. However, it is not the kind of prayer that begs God for a healing, but rather it is prayer that acknowledges God's constant love, care and protection of His creation, His child, meaning everybody. It's more of a realization of the Truth of who we really are, rather than an imploring to make some physical condition better. The "Truth" as Jesus said, sets us free. So, whatever the problem, be it a physical illness, or inharmony of any kind, knowing the Truth,
resolves the issue, brings physical healing, and gives us our freedom. That's sort of a short
answer, but I hope that helps. I don't know much about Scientology, but I think some people confuse it with Christian Science only because of the "Science" part of both names.

Deb at 9:09PM on Mar 7th 2008

58. One little addition on Christian Science: I've personally known people who have been healed of cancer and diabetes through Christian Science, but also if a quick healing isn't realized through prayer and the help of a healing practitioner, a Christian Scientist is free to choose medical care.
We never pray for others in specific Christian Science prayer without someone's asking for help because, for someone relying on material means, the acknowledgement of his or her pure spiritual identity may impede the medical cure--and vice-versa..the two methods are antithetical. We would use one or the other and the individual makes his own choice through his free will. But I've used both methods and usually find I have a quicker, more permanent healing through Christian Science.

Angell at 9:28PM on Mar 7th 2008

59. Angell, Those are really good points you made. Thank you!

Deb at 9:31PM on Mar 7th 2008

60. You too, Deb! Thanks!

Angell at 9:35PM on Mar 7th 2008