WHAT IS CHRISTIAN SCIENCE?

By M. M Mangasarian

London:

WATTS & CO.,

1922

In this brochure the author makes an earnest endeavour to understand Christian Science and define its mission. He scrupulously verifies all his citations and references, and appeals to the judgment of those who are willing to hear both sides of the question.

"The blood, heart, lungs, brain, have nothing to do with life."

"The daily ablutions of an infant are no more natural than taking a fish out of water and covering it with dirt would be natural."

"Christian Science is more safe and potent than any other sanitary method."

"The condition of food, stomach, bowels, clothing, etc., is of no serious import to your child."

"Gender is also a quality or characteristic of mind, not of matter."

"Until it is learned that generation (birth) rests on no sexual basis, let marriage continue."

"To abolish marriage and maintain generation is possible in (Christian) science."

CONTENTS

What is Christian Science?

Why I Discuss Christian Science

Mrs. Eddy's Mentality

"Mortal Mind"

Mrs. Eddy's Prayer

Is Christian Science Scientific?

Is Christian Science "Christian"?

Arrested Mentation

Do Christian Scientists Use their Minds?

Examples of "Reasoning."

Do Christian Scientists Practise what they Preach?

Christian Science Cures

Christian Science Testimonials

Get-Well-Quick

Christian Science Fashionable

Christian Science and Witchcraft

Marriage and Death in Christian Science

"Suffer it to Be So Now"

The New Autocracy

The Menace of Christian Science

Christian Science and Morals

What is Christian Science?

You do not understand Christian Science" is the usual reply of the followers of Mrs. Eddy to any one disputing their claims, or trying to point out the many inconsistencies in their creed. If it is impossible to understand Christian Science, how does it expect to propagate itself? To answer that one must accept the doctrine before one can understand it would be like asking a man to see before he opens his eyes, or to think after he has made up his mind. It is just as useless to try to understand Christian Science after it has been accepted as true as it would be for a judge to examine the evidence after a verdict has been pronounced. And if Christian Scientists can understand the beliefs which they reject, why may not other people have intelligence and honesty enough to understand Christian Science without believing in it?

But can a person who is not a mathematician understand or discuss profitably the intricate problems of mathematics? No; hence no one but a Christian Scientist may discuss its doctrines and interpret its metaphysics. Neither has that defence any value. We do not have to be expert mathematicians to know that twice two make four. It is possible to detect an error in an example of addition, multiplication, or subtraction presented by the greatest mathematician without possessing equal knowledge or ability. Mrs. Eddy may be more advanced in metaphysics than any of her critics, but twice two make four in "Divine science" as well as in human science. Square your statements with the facts, and you disarm criticism. Ignore, suppress, or tamper with the facts, and you will have the universe against you.

Why I Discuss Christian Science

If asked why I devote time and labour to the discussion of such seemingly foolish propositions as those propounded by Mrs. Eddy, my defence is that I am very much interested in the people who accept Christian Science, and would like to be of service to them, even though they may hold me and my motives in derision. Then, again, I feel that if we stand idly by while the Christian Scientists are concentrating all