What is Christian Science?

Christian Science is a nontrinitarian Christian new religious movement founded in New England during the late 19th century. Its official organizational name is the Church of Christ, Scientist. The religion emphasizes the absolute goodness of God and relies on a system of spiritual healing through prayer, viewing the teachings and healings of Jesus Christ as supreme, practical, and scientifically verifiable laws of the universe.

The Christian Science religion was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts. Eddy established the church following a dramatic personal recovery from a severe spinal injury in 1866, which she attributed to reading a New Testament healing account. In 1875, she published her foundational textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which remains the definitive companion guide to the Bible for all Christian Scientists.

Christian Scientists traditionally choose to rely on systematic prayer rather than modern medical intervention to treat physical and mental illness. They believe that sickness is rooted in a spiritual misunderstanding of reality rather than a purely physical cause. However, the church does not have a formal doctrine of excommunication for seeking doctors; members are free to make their own healthcare decisions, and they routinely obey public health mandates like quarantine laws and vaccinations.

A Christian Science Practitioner is a church member who devotes themselves full-time to the ministry of spiritual healing through prayer. They act as professional spiritual healers available to the public, praying specifically for individuals seeking relief from physical disease, emotional distress, or life challenges. Practitioners do not provide medical advice or physical treatments; their work is strictly confined to spiritual, mental treatment based on the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy.

While Christian Scientists respect the motives of medical doctors, their religious framework teaches that relying on material medicine can obscure a person's total reliance on spiritual truth. Consequently, they generally abstain from taking drugs, undergoing surgeries, or using standard healthcare services. However, they routinely use non-medical aids that do not introduce drugs into the body, such as eyeglasses, dental work, and orthopedic assistance for broken bones.

No, Christian Science is completely unrelated to Scientology. Despite sharing a similar-sounding name, they have entirely separate origins, scriptures, and core theological beliefs:

* Christian Science: Founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, it is a Bible-based, non-trinitarian Christian movement focused on the healing ministry of Jesus.

* Scientology: Founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard, it is a secularly derived system of self-improvement and spiritual auditing that does not recognize the Christian Bible or Jesus Christ.

Yes, Christian Scientists fully celebrate traditional Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, but with a distinct spiritual focus. Rather than emphasizing the material aspects or secular traditions, they use these times to deeply contemplate the spiritual meaning of Christ Jesus’ birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. They do not hold special communion services with physical bread and wine, preferring silent, internal communion with God.

Christian Science Sunday services are highly unique because they do not have ordained clergy or preaching pastors. Instead, the service is conducted by two elected lay members called Readers. The sermon consists entirely of specific readings from two books: the Holy Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The church also hosts Wednesday evening testimony meetings, where congregants publicly share stories of physical and mental healings they experienced through prayer.

Christian Scientists do not believe that heaven and hell are literal physical places where souls go after death. Instead, they define heaven and hell as present states of consciousness. Heaven is interpreted as a state of harmony, spiritual understanding, and closeness to God. Hell is viewed as a state of mortal mind dominated by fear, sin, ignorance, and the false belief that life is purely material.