Monday, September 6, 2010

Department Of Amplification (Q And A Desk)

Question. You keep repeating like jungle drums that some sinister influence is, and has been for years, slowly and surreptitiously insinuating itself into the Church and the consciences of many of its members, but what evidence do you offer that such an alarming activity is actually taking place?

Answer: I'm glad you asked. The most vicious argument many Christian Scientists are being subjected to--and in unguarded moments submitting to--is that Christian Science does not heal, or if it does it takes more time to reach a conclusion than "Lost" did and one that isn't any more satisfying. The inspired "Christian Science Standard of Healing", which originally appeared in the November 1957 Journal and oft reprinted, was given a sellout Ken and Barbie makeover in tweedledum and tweedledee versions, though tweedledum, or was it tweedledee, was hastily sent to detention for bad behavior, i.e., for still asking too much of what was already much too little. Those who found the original 1957 V-12 engine too souped-up and demanding for their limited metaphysical budgets got as a response to their complaints a sporty 4-cylinder put-put that promised all the power and performance of the 1957 model without its onerous "costs".

The apostate notion that Christian Science is just another mind/body healing system securely corseted in the bone stays of musty Victorian rules unfortunately seems to have gained footing. Christian Science is not some spinster wallflower at the mind/body healing cotillion, nor is it like the child's game of tiddlywinks, where only he who somehow gets the most prayer chips in the cup gets the healing, like a winner at the pool of Bethesda.

There has also been, I believe, a subtle and very harmful effort for years to wean Scientists away from their textbooks and encourage them to venture into an up-with-the-times Brave New World and its soma of contextless exerpts. Without limpet-like adherence to the Bible and writings of Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Scientists could allow Science to disappear for a time or lapse into obscurity.

Then there are the recently discussed attempts to relegate Mrs. Eddy, our Leader, and her superannuated Church Manual to the rumble seat of the Mother Church roadster, where they can ride along out of sight and out of mind. And kudos to the Gill book, which was a terrific opening kickoff in this ongoing enterprise.

Several other unfortunate "progressive" initiatives could be added, but space does not permit, and they have been highlighted in many previous entries.

Question. I'm tired of all that cat and mouse about who the villian is and what the clue is in that dopey poemlet. Is it Mr. Plum with the pipe wrench in the conservatory or who or what?

Answer. Remove the indentation of lines 2 and 4 and align them to the left with lines 1 and 3. I don't surrender easily--but neither does the Adversary alluded to.

21 comments:

L. R. said...

You do turn out the most fascinating blog postings. This one is a gem!

Thank you - Helen said...

Your blog posts always show such devotion to our dear Leader. At least they do to me. And some even cause me to chuckle. Like this one did.

London (UK) said...

This one has a bite to it, but I couldn't agree with you more, Christian.

Anonymous said...

Good job, blogger. A strong stand for pure Christian Science.

New England regular said...

You do have a most knack for presenting solid metaphysical points in a creative, fresh way.
Always a pleasure, Christian.

Anonymous said...

Yes, we must stick like limpets to our textbooks. Where else are we going to find refuge from all that comes at us every single day? Mrs. Eddy says we must find refuge in Truth in these days, and I believe her. And our books contain all the Truth we can handle.

Friend in AZ said...

As any car salesman would tell us, "If you have to ask how much it costs, you couldn't afford it."

Anonymous said...

Previous commenter: what??? Didn't grasp this at all.

Still impressed said...

Such informative essays, often inspiring and almost always entertaining.
Keep it going!

New England practitioner said...

Despite all the waffling and watering down of pure CS we've seen these past few years, you know what? there are more of us out here who are determined to stand up for the pure divine God-given metaphysical healing our dear Leader left us. Just look at you, Christian, and all you've been doing for so many, many months.
No wonder people love this blog.

Nameless (for now) said...

This has spark to it. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Glad a friend awhile back mentioned I should check you out.
I'll be back -

Supporter (Southwest) said...

Dear Writer,
I've been thinking of something for some time and this is not meant as a criticism of your website, but a suggestion. You obviously write well (that's clear to see). You study CS and have a deep understanding of it, I'm sure. But why do you not share any demonstrations? You must employ CS for your problems.
Just wondering...

E. J. said...

With all the Founder of Christianity and the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science have given us, why would we be bothered by what a current crop of officials do?!

Jan said...

I second the above. My sentiments exactly.

Thanks from Ohio said...

You certainly are working to uphold the high standard of Christian Science, and I commend you for your ongoing efforts.

Nancy said...

Christian, this is one of your best blogs yet. I hope you'll forgive me, but I have a project I need to alert people about ASAP, and I'm sending a note to everyone I know. I think some of the readers of The Broken Net might like to see this. I quote my letter:

Watching PBS Newshour tonight, I felt I needed to register some kind of protest at what Pastor Terry Jones is planning to do this Saturday, namely burn copies of the Quran. The upshot is, I activated a blog I set up two years ago but have never used. It is through WordPress, and it's rather byzantine in operation, and so for it to make the best sense, scroll to the end of the page where you will find the first post, "NO BOOK BURNING!" Going up the page, the posts and directions are numbered 1-2-3.

http://lowlywise.wordpress.com/

Please make this spread like wildfire. Forward this to everyone you know. By Friday I should know how to get this letter and the signatures to Rev. Jones, but right now I haven't a clue.

You might also look at PBS Newshour on pbs.org. This is one serious matter.

Nancy Charlton

Apropos of the subject matter of Christian's blog, you have an advantage is you know your enemy. That way it's not delusional like Holmes' Dr Moriarty nor frivolous like A.A. Milne's "bears" who wait to "eat/ the sillies who step on the lines of the street." I'd still like to see some irrefutable evidence, something that would hold up n court, of all the alleged conspiracies out there against CS. But a blatant return to the Dark Ages in this book-burning, that's a threat to all! Please support this project. It's serious.

Regular visitor said...

Love your writing, Christian. And so admire all you are doing to uphold pure and adulterated CS. We need you!

Anonymous said...

Love your blog, Christian. Always so much in it to take away and think about.

Anonymous said...

Most interesting website. I'll try that last para. to see what you were driving at.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

You are such a clear thinker and wonderful writer. Keep up the good work, Christian.

Anonymous said...

You have correctly pegged the internal 'sinister influence', as you called it, in your description.

North American and European culture in 2010 would be the external 'sinister influence'.

Oh, take us back to the 1957 that you cited, please.