Christian Science

WASILLA — Based on Bible teachings and a belief in spiritual healing, Christian Scientists often find themselves mistaken for Scientologists.

While followers of the Church of Scientology incorporates a belief that peoples’ souls have lived before on other planets, one of the basic practices of Christian Science is spiritual healing.

Christian Science was founded by Mary Baker Eddy, a Massachusetts resident, who was healed of a critical condition while reading Bible accounts of healing. Beverly Smith, a member of the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Alaska, visited the Frontiersman office last week to answer questions about Christian Science and its place in Alaska.

Frontiersman: What’s Christian and what’s science about Christian Science?

Smith: Christian is because we are followers of Christ. We follow his teachings. The reason for science is we believe Jesus did what he did through the laws of God, a set of laws that can be understood.

F: What is spiritual healing and how does it happen?

S: Spiritual healing is applying those laws of God to our everyday lives and getting results that heal. If you have a physical challenge, pray. Listen to God. What is God saying about the situation? Harmony results. That does work on Earth as it does in Heaven.

F: Do you often get confused with other religious ideologies, like Scientology?

S: Yes, with anything with the word “science.” Christian Science is Bible-based. I think it’s just a matter of when people say “I’m Christian Science,” people respond, ‘Oh, you know Tom Cruise.’ It’s nothing of the sort. The names have the word “science” in them, and that’s about all they have in common.

F: Christian Science is probably best known for its Pulitzer Prize-winning publication, the Christian Science Monitor. How does this promote Christian Science while remaining an objective news outlet?

S: Back at the turn of the century they had what was called “yellow journalism.” The mission of the Monitor was — and is — to “injure no man.” There is in any Monitor publication and article that is the Christian Science perspective on the news. People will say, “I don’t read their views on such and such, but I sure like their paper.”

F: Physical health and well-being is central to your philosophy. Why?

S: I would think it is for everybody. Healing, yes, is a focus. Mary Baker Eddy, all her life she had physical problems. She schooled herself and she really cared about people and wanted to find answers and cures. She investigated, and the more she read about healing (in the Bible), the more she understood.

F: What’s the difference between “members” and “practitioners” of Christian Science?

S: A member is someone who says, “This has meant a lot to me and I support this theology. I practice it in my daily life.” A practitioner is someone who devotes their full time, who is available to the public. They are not considered clergy. We are lay-church. They give prayerful Christian Science treatment, if it’s wanted.

F: How many practitioners are in Alaska? Are there any in the Mat-Su?

S: Not a lot. I’m thinking there are two that I know of. There is only one that I know of in the Valley. His name is Ron Mangelsdorf. He is a Christian Science teacher, so he has gone through additional training. Anyone can call him for anything.

F: How many members are in Christian Science?

S: It’s always been a policy that the church does not give that information out.

F: Does Christian Science have organized congregations that meet weekly like most conventional religions?

S: Yes. It’s called the Christian Science Church. Here in Wasilla, it’s called First Church of Christ, Scientist. The main church is in Boston, where the publishing house is.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.