With faith, anything is possible
Faith with understanding unfolds great possibilities.
The greatest nation on Earth stands alone as one nation under God. There is no confusion that this nation takes a very firm stand on religious freedom. In reading an opinion in this paper by Diane DePriest, I had to wonder if in fact she knew what country she lives in. I, too, was raised by a mother who is a Christian Scientist, as were my four siblings, but the biggest difference I'm beginning to see is that my mother clearly explained to us what she was saying about Christian Science and we clearly listened. Whether you want to continue in Christian Science or not is your prerogative, but your opinion of Christian Science is just that, your opinion.
The founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, during the years around 1866-1910, was directly or indirectly responsible for thousands of recorded healings based on an understanding of Christian Science. These healings were the same type of healings we read about daily in our King James Bible. In fact, they are the same type of healings that were recorded for some 300 years after the ascension of our Lord, Christ Jesus. Mrs. Eddy insisted that the purpose of Christian Science was to take away the sins of the world and to reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.
When it comes to the children, anyone's children, I believe firmly that if you cannot bring about the healing based on your understanding, then you seek alternate methods. You do not represent yourself in a court of law if you don't sufficiently know the law. It is no different in Christian Science except this law is the law of God. Without an understanding of the most important law we remain unprepared to meet the need. Since you have referred to Christian Science as a form of abuse, I would like to present a healing here by Mrs. Eddy. A mother of a 6-year-old boy called for a doctor to come to her home because her son was ill. The doctor gave his diagnosis and told the mother the child only had about a month to live. Remembering that she had heard about a woman who had done great healing work, she immediately put her child in her arms and went to the home of Mrs. Eddy. After explaining the problem, she handed the child to Mrs. Eddy, who told her to return in one hour. With the child laying on the floor resting, Mrs. Eddy's thought turned to God in earnest prayer knowing without doubt that this dear child was first and foremost the perfect image and likeness of our one and only heavenly Father. After one hour had passed, there was a knock at the door and Mrs. Eddy told the young boy to answer the door because it was probably his mother. As he opened the door to reveal his mother, she saw her child perfectly well and almost fainted. This would not be the end of the story, however, because only after the mother was able to collect herself, was she able to reveal that her child who had just opened the door for her had been a cripple from birth.
Impossibilities never occur. My dearest Diane, every one of us should be learning every day new and wonderful things, reaching toward grander views. I have always had the greatest respect for all the doctors and nurses in this nation doing their highest sense of right. They can only be blessed for that. Won't you please refrain from faulting students of Christian Science from doing their duty to God in seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?
Peter Sievers is a Coeur d'Alene resident.