Can a religion exist without a physical world? The radical theology of Christian Science.
In short: Founded in 1879, Christian Science rejects the reality of sickness, sin, and death, viewing them as mental errors rather than physical facts. By replacing medical intervention with a unique form of silent prayer, this movement sparked intense debate, legal battles, and a legacy that continues to challenge conventional medicine.
Christian Science was established by Mary Baker Eddy, who published her central text, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, in 1875. Following a personal history of chronic illness and a pivotal 1866 recovery after a fall on the ice, Eddy developed a theology rooted in philosophical idealism. She argued that the material world is an illusion and that God, or Divine Mind, is the only true reality. Consequently, adherents believe that disease is not a physical disorder but a mental state that can be corrected through prayer, which seeks to affirm the unreality of matter.
The movement grew rapidly in the United States, reaching nearly 270,000 members by 1936. Eddy structured the church through the Manual of The Mother Church, which she ordained alongside the Bible as the movement's pastor. Her teachings diverged significantly from traditional Christianity, rejecting the Trinity and viewing the atonement as an 'at-one-ment' with God rather than a sacrifice for sin. While the church maintains that it does not forbid medical care, it asserts that prayer is most effective when not combined with medicine, a stance that has led to significant controversy and legal prosecutions regarding the treatment of children.
The church's reliance on anecdotal healing testimonials—over 53,000 published between 1900 and 1989—has been criticized for ignoring factors like self-limiting conditions. Despite this, the movement persists, with its newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, earning seven Pulitzer Prizes. While membership has declined from its early 20th-century peak, the church remains a distinct example of 19th-century metaphysical thought, continuing to operate through a network of practitioners and Reading Rooms worldwide.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Christian Science
- Also: Christian Science | History, Beliefs, & Facts | Britannica
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