A regular reader sent me a link to this article (full text below the cut). As a former CS, I was horrified by the tone and language used, and by the commenter’s enthusiastic embracing of the ideas. The reader shared two paragraphs of particular concern:

If it weren’t for Christian Science, what would you do? Where would you go for help? How would you even begin to find the kind of quality spiritual healing you’ve known over the years?

I would like to turn the tables on those questions, and replace “Christian Science” with “your boyfriend” and “spiritual healing” with “an trace of self-worth you might have left.” Suddenly the note takes a very different meaning, would you listen to a friend who tried to convince you to stay in a failing/failed relationship?

He continues:

Do you trust the medical community to solve all problems? Do you believe the medical model has all the answers for health and healing?? I don’t think so. People are dying under medical care every day. Although doctors do their best, and we are grateful for their unselfish service, for the most part they do not know how to save people from the growing number of aggressive diseases spreading throughout humankind.

Minimizing the role of the medical community is not helpful to anyone. Yes, there are problems with our current system, and people do die while under medical care, but to write them off because “for the most part they do not know how to save people from the growing number of aggressive diseases spreading throughout humankind” is to do the entire medical establishment a colossal disservice.

He continues a little further down:

Yes, you and I have much to learn about how to be more effective Christian Science healers. I daily pray and yearn for greater success. But I KNOW beyond doubt that giving up is NOT an option. That would be the ultimate failure, and it would be the ultimate success for evil.

We “have much to learn” about Christian Science, is a cop-out if ever I heard one. Either you can heal yourself (and those who call on you in times of need) or you can’t there is no in between. Either heal yourself or get yourself to a doctor.

How is “giving up” the “ultimate failure” and “ultimate success for evil”? All this time I thought evil wasn’t real. Evil is just Mortal Mind, False Evidence Appearing Real. I do not see seeking medical treatment or questioning Christian Science as “giving up” or letting evil triumph. On the contrary, I see unnecessary suffering in the name of attempting a Christian Science healing to be evil (or at the very least seriously misguided). I see seeking out medical assistance when the need arises as necessary for the continued well being of both the movement over all, and individuals in general.

Yes, prayer can be a valid answer to many problems, but often, if the prayer does not “resolve” the issue, it can get out of hand and often drastic medical intervention is needed (or, as in the case of the patient in question, they die).

Jesus demands that we question those who seek to claim Godly authority (Judge not lest ye  be judged, but lookout false prophets), and I see no reason why Christian Science should attempt to exempt itself from such scrutiny.

I was always informed that not everyone is “at that spiritual level” where they could heal instantaneously, and it was my fault for not working hard enough, or praying “properly” enough for healing to occur:

All pioneering is tough work. There is nothing simple and easy about it. But it’s fulfilling; it’s exhilarating. It’s extremely rewarding if you stick to it and don’t give up prematurely before the work is finished.

I wonder what constitutes “giving up prematurely.” How far gone must one be before it is permissible to seek medical assistance (aka “give up”)? Must one be near death?

These concepts are not kind, or loving, or even Christian. Being bullied (no matter how sincere the pretenses) into sticking with a religion that isn’t working for you is wrong. In the case of the letter below someone “passed away” and the practitioner was considering quitting the practice – I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable calling a CSP with a death or two on their record (not that they keep track, after all, death isn’t real either).

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I do not know Mr. Mehlenbacher personally, nor do I follow his blog http://gethealed.blogspot.com. I am sure he writes with only the best intentions.

http://gethealed.blogspot.com/2012/12/dont-give-up-now.html

Thursday, December 06, 2012
Don’t give up now

The below is a letter I wrote in reply to a Christian Science practitioner who was very discouraged and disheartened after praying for a patient who eventually passed on. She was wondering whether to stay in the practice or not.

Dear Friend,

I’m glad you wrote, and I’m happy to answer your questions.

You are in work most needed in the world today! Don’t for an instant, let mortal mind tempt you to believe otherwise.

If it weren’t for Christian Science, what would you do? Where would you go for help? How would you even begin to find the kind of quality spiritual healing you’ve known over the years?

Do you trust the medical community to solve all problems? Do you believe the medical model has all the answers for health and healing?? I don’t think so. People are dying under medical care every day. Although doctors do their best, and we are grateful for their unselfish service, for the most part they do not know how to save people from the growing number of aggressive diseases spreading throughout humankind.

So, what are the alternatives? It’s Christian Science. Christian Science is the hope of humankind. And you are one of the early pioneers who has caught the vision of Truth sufficiently to help your fellowman through it, and lead the way out of mortal mind darkness into the Light!

All pioneering is tough work. There is nothing simple and easy about it. But it’s fulfilling; it’s exhilarating. It’s extremely rewarding if you stick to it and don’t give up prematurely before the work is finished.

Yes, you and I have much to learn about how to be more effective Christian Science healers. I daily pray and yearn for greater success. But I KNOW beyond doubt that giving up is NOT an option. That would be the ultimate failure, and it would be the ultimate success for evil.

You, as a Christian Science practitioner, bring the hope for humankind! There is no other greater hope than Christian Science. There is no other place for people to inevitably turn except to Truth to find their health and well-being. There is no other system of healing in the world that can do a better job of demonstrating Truth than the system you’re in now.

I encourage you to keep practicing the best you know, love the best you know, and keep responding to those who ask for help the best you know. That is what God asks of you. And keep praying to be a clear transparency for the love of God in the experience of the patient. You will bless every single person who asks you for help.

Patients call you because they sense something in you that can help them. And they are correct. Don’t doubt the hand of Wisdom guiding them. You can help them and will.

Your deep spirituality did your patient great good and she knows it.

As you and I keep growing in our understanding of the supremacy of Good and the unreality of evil, we are able to heal the more difficult cases faster and more ably.

Keep growing! Don’t give up now. I look forward to glowing reports.

Lots of love,

Evan

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Please note, there may be a guest-post on this topic at a later date!