Christian Science

American religious movement (1866-)

Christian Science (formally called "The First Church of Christ, Scientist") is a Christian restorationist religious movement.[4] It was founded in 19th-century New England by Mary Baker Eddy.

Christian Science
Aerial photograph of a triangular lot between roads and their sidewalks. The lot contains a small, Romanesque church filling the front point to the sidewalks, connected to a much larger and impressive domed, Neoclassical building behind it, filling the lot to the sidewalks to the left and right.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Christian Science Center, Boston, Massachusetts. The original Mother Church (1894) is in the foreground and behind it the Mother Church Extension (1906).[1]
FounderMary Baker Eddy (1821–1910)
TextsThe Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
MembersEstimated between 400,000 and 100,000 worldwide in 1990; [2][3]
Beliefs"Basic teachings", Church of Christ, Scientist
Website
christianscience.com

One of the religion's key beliefs says that practicing Christian Science can heal illnesses.[5][6] However, there are no rules against seeking medical care.[5]

The name "Christian Science" can be an informal name for the church, or it can describe what Eddy called the "Science" or "Law" of God.[7]

Christian Science's official website states:[5]

[Our] practice is Christian—living according to Jesus’ teaching and example. And [our] practice is scientific—living according to the spiritual laws of God that can be learned, understood, and proven through healing and regeneration.

Beliefs

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Mary Baker Eddy said in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1875) that prayer is effective and can heal disease.[6] She described God as "Principle, Mind, Spirit, Soul, Life, Truth, Love".[8]

Other websites

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References

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  1. "Christian Science Center Complex", Boston Landmarks Commission, Environment Department, City of Boston, January 25, 2011 (hereafter Boston Landmarks Commission 2011), pp. 6–12.
  2. Rodney, Stark. "The rise and fall of Christian science". Journal of Contemporary Religion.
  3. Judy Valente, "Christian Science Healing", PBS, August 1, 2008.
  4. Farhadian, Charles E. (2015). Introducing World Religions: A Christian Engagement. Baker Academic. ISBN 9781441246509.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "How can I be healed?". Christian Science. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Eddy, Mary Baker. Science and Health. CSPS. p. 1. ISBN 9780879524371.
  7. Eddy, Mary Baker. Rudimental Divine Science. CSPS. p. 1.
  8. Eddy, Mary Baker. Science and Health. CSPS. p. 587. ISBN 9780879524371.