| − | '''Christian Science''' is the name for a religious denomination formally known as ''First Church of Christ, Scientist,'' and for that denomination's system of beliefs. It was established (or, as its adherents prefer to say, discovered) by [[Mary Baker Eddy]] in 1879, and presented in her book, ''Science and Health, With Key to the Scriptures.'' | + | '''Christian Science''' is the name for a religious denomination formally known as ''Church of Christ, Scientist,'' and for that denomination's system of beliefs. It was established (or, as its adherents prefer to say, discovered) by [[Mary Baker Eddy]] in 1879, and presented in her book, ''Science and Health, With Key to the Scriptures.'' |
| | + | Christian Science lays emphasis on curing disease through faith. It holds that disease is contrary to the will of God and therefore represents a "state of error" which can be corrected through prayer alone. Like [[Hinduism]] Christian Science maintains that all of this material Universe is simply illusion, and that underlying all reality is Mind, the Universal Soul of God<ref>[https://mbeinstitute.org/SAH/SAH_XIVb.html Science and Health with Key to The Scriptures, Chapter XIV—Recapitulation (mbeinstitute.org)] and [https://mbeinstitute.org/SAH/SAH_XVa.html Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Chapter XV, page 528 (mbeinstitute.org)]</ref>. |
| | Christian Scientists maintain that the denomination is Christian in every sense of the word, despite some idiosyncrasies in its practices ("non-material" celebration of Baptism and the Eucharist) and terminology (Christ Jesus is referred to as the "wayshower.") | | Christian Scientists maintain that the denomination is Christian in every sense of the word, despite some idiosyncrasies in its practices ("non-material" celebration of Baptism and the Eucharist) and terminology (Christ Jesus is referred to as the "wayshower.") |