Category: outside of Christian Science

Why’d you gotta go & get Educated?

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This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support of kindism.org. When Educated, A Memoir, by Tara Westover first came out, several of my former Christian Science acquaintances recommended it. I made a mental note to consider looking into it, but the story of a young woman who was home schooled in rural Idaho … Continue reading Why’d you gotta go & get Educated?

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Return of the Mormons Part 1: Saint Kat of the Sparkling Water

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Long time readers know I have a long and complicated history of relationships with Mormon Missionaries. They are one of the reasons I stopped calling myself "sort of Christian" and embraced Secular Humanism, they were one of the early influences of this blog, and in some ways, their optimistic faith reminds me a little of me … Continue reading Return of the Mormons Part 1: Saint Kat of the Sparkling Water

Parenting Beyond Our Past: A Resource Guide

Very glad to have found this resource guide! I’ve already read How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk and Siblings Without Rivalry and found them to be helpful. Look forward to exploring the other things listed as well!

Homeschoolers Anonymous

Simple Things

Photo Credit: Darcy Anne

“Train up a child in the way he should go……”

I have yet to meet a religious homeschooler who can’t finish that scripture from memory. If you’re like me, you grew up in a very authoritarian, punitive family environment. Punishment and pain, both physical and emotional, were believed to be the best means to teach a child “the way he should go”. Spanking and instant, cheerful obedience to authority were the norm, with many other kinds of punishments used as retribution for a child’s wrong-doing. Parents were the ultimate authority, and children had no choice but to obey or be punished, sometimes very harshly. I honestly didn’t know there were any other ways to parent. Either you spanked and “trained” your children, or you let them run wild and that meant you didn’t love them.

We were the generation influenced by “child training” teachers like the

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What I’ve been reading: Faith Healing & Court Scrutiny

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A Judge Makes Critical Decisions In 'Children Act' via NPR (http://www.npr.org/2014/09/06/346299231/a-judge-makes-critical-decisions-in-children-act) Faith-healing comes under court scrutiny via The Freethinker (http://freethinker.co.uk/2014/09/05/faith-healing-comes-under-court-scrutiny/) Tenn. Supreme Court Hears Faith Healing Case via ABCNews (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/tennessee-supreme-court-hear-faith-healing-case-25247427) CHILD's Press Release on the Tennessee Case (http://childrenshealthcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/TNpressrelease2.pdf) CHILD's Crank amicus brief / Tennessee Case

California Mystery Worship Three: Matter is Mortal Error

An outsiders account of a Christian Science Service. Very insightful.

The Thoughtful Pastor

Mary Baker Eddy's seminar work“Matter is mortal error.” I’m seeking to understand this phrase after attending worship at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Thousand Oaks, CA.

I arrived early, accompanying the friend of a friend who serves as summer vocalist. I had the opportunity to observe the two lay readers, the organist and the vocalist, all female, put final touches on the 10 am service.

I sat in the small, unadorned worship center, which would seat 100 comfortably, and thumbed through the hymnal, noting that two of the songs for the day were not in the hymnal. I saw no other song book available. Although I was eventually greeted by an usher, the only person who spoke with me while I sat there, she did not offer a different hymn book or an order of service

I finally went to the back of the worship area and found a hymnal supplement. I asked…

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It’s All in Your Head: A Statement on Which Both Christian Scientists and I Can Agree

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Another wonderful perspective on Christian Science from an outsider. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This one is worth the read!

Cracked Science

Out of curiosity, I ask the woman I have been speaking to for a minute about the “Science” in “Christian Science”. She approached me at the end of the talk because the presenter had asked everyone in the room to introduce oneself to a stranger and talk about one’s inner qualities.

I don’t remember if this particular woman got around to enumerating her inner qualities, but I do remember her talking to a fellow attendee before the talk started. She was saying she has only had good tenants in the building she owns. Of course, she immediately added, she prayed for this to happen.

The reason this particular Christian sect claims to be scientific is because it purports to have uncovered Jesus’ laws, truths so powerful and immutable, they are said to be scientific.

I am reminded of something the speaker said earlier. “The body can’t resist great ideas.” Mine…

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