Christian Science v Morman

1849 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Similarities and differences between science and religion

Introduction With the advancements in the study of social sciences, there has been a somewhat parallel growth of cults which though have their foundations in the original Bible and the Christian teachings, yet one may observe that the majority of the present day cults not only deny the essential doctrines, they openly emphasize and present their own personal reinterpretations of the biblical scriptures. The following paper will present two such cases, those of Christian Science and the Mormons, and strive to present some of the comparative elements, their beliefs, customs, religious ceremonies and leadership aspects. Christian Science - Leadership Founded by a woman named Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) in 1879, the cult of Christian Science primarily bases its beliefs on the personal healing experience of its founder, after suffering from various illnesses. Eddy later embarked upon a detailed study and research mission of the Bible, paying particular attention to the various healing methods mentioned in the Biblical Book of the Christian followers. Perhaps inspired by a healing method, which Eddy dubbed as Christian Science, she authored a book titled "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures". The launching of this book provided for the emergence of this new cult, which she duly named "Christian Science", followed by opening of a college, a church, a publishing enterprise and a newspaper, "The Christian Science Monitor" that later found considerable fame amongst the followers of Christians as well as believers of other faiths. Though the faith did not emerge until after 4 years of the publication of the first issue of "Science and Health", it was only in 1879 that a proper metaphysical college was opened followed by the opening of the first Church for the followers of Christian Science. (Slick, 2003; Kramer, 2004; Meyer, 1961) Christian Science - The Faith The primary set of contradictions present in the Christian Science are that though God's creations including human beings are flawless and appear to be the spiritual likeness of the Divine, yet evils such as disease, death, and sin are not a part of fundamental reality. The faith further teaches that the said evils are the result of staying away from the original teachings of God. To overcome such a dilemma, the Christian Science offers prayer as the primary and... ... middle of paper ... ...ritual sense of existence. (Stevens, 2004) Virgin Birth The characteristic of Virgin Birth and that of Virgin Mary is disputed by the Mormons, yet the Christian Science followers have a somewhat similar set of beliefs as believed by the Christians the world over. The Mormons are of the view that Jesus Christ was born out of sexual intercourse between God the Father and Mary, totally rejecting the concept of the Holy Spirit. The followers of the Christian Science, on the other claims that Jesus Christ was born out of Mary's Spiritual thoughts. (Stevens, 2004) Heaven and Hell The concepts of Heaven and Hell too have totally different perceptions in both the cults of Christian Science and Mormons. For example, the Mormons are of the view that each human being will be assigned to any of the 3 heavens as preached in the Mormon set of beliefs. The Christian Science in rejecting the concept of both heaven and hell preaches that sinners make their own hell, while saints make their own heavens, each according to their actions. Furthermore, the Christian Science also rejects the judgement day as preached by Christians, and claims that it is one event occurring all the time. (Stevens, 2004)

Show More
Related

  • The Impact Of The Kingdom Of Matthias On Gender Roles

    1651 Words  | 4 Pages

    This event changed the role of American religion during the early nineteenth century. Non-traditional religions such as Mormonism resulted from this religious revival movement as well. The religious revivals that emphasized individual choice of humans over predestination of God continuously shook New England Calvinism. The “cult of Matthias” was unlike any other religious groups during the time period.

    Read More

  • Analysis and Reflection of Square Peg: Why Wesleyans Aren't Fundamentalists

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...dance camp, and that I always had wanted to try and make the Bible fit within the framework of what we knew scientifically. Then I reread chapter three closer a second time and realized that the Cosmology of Genesis position, that Biblical scholars recommend for the studying of the Bible, is really the position I need to take for me to enjoy my reading and understanding of the Bible. For someone else like me who has always had those unanswered questions about how the Bible and science correlate, reading this book can help them put the studying of the Bible into a different prospective. “Let Wesley's words to a Catholic Christian characterize our disposition toward one another: “So far as we can, let us always rejoice to strengthen each other's hands in God. Above all, let us … take heed … (not to) fall … short of the religion of love.”” (loc 138 Kindle, Truesdale)

    Read More

  • Integrative Approaches to Pyschology and Thelology by David Entwistle

    1096 Words  | 3 Pages

    One focal point in this book is to discuss “integrative approaches in a well-conceived Christian world view” (p.63), with concentration on the history of psychology, the relationship of faith and science, and controversial matters in science and psychology. He states “in many ways the foundations of science were paved in part by a Christian world view that allowed for the universe to be seen as an orderly place in which laws could describe the regularities found within it, based on the premise that the world was created by a powerful, rational, and personal Being” (p. 33). The book introduces the assorted integration models, the five paradigms, or ways of relating psychology to Christianity. The first one being enemy paradigm, meaning psychology and Christianity cannot be integrated in any way, “the belief that ps...

    Read More

  • Teaching Religion and Science In Public Schools

    990 Words  | 2 Pages

    Charles Krauthammer was the author of Let’s Have No More Monkey Trials that was in TIME. This article gives the statement that to teach science and religion together would be a wrong choice because doing so “undermines” both subjects (Krauthammer 40). For example, liking ice cream and sour candy because they are both delicious might be why a person eats them....

    Read More

  • Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith

    2526 Words  | 6 Pages

    8 Jerald Tanner and Sandra Tanner, Mormonism: Shadow or Reality (Salt Lake City: Modern Microfilm Company, 1972), 277

    Read More

  • Jonestown

    2195 Words  | 5 Pages

    Cults have existed throughout history since the beginning of time. A cult is defined in Webster’s dictionary as a “system of religious worship with a devoted attachment to a person, principle, etc.” Over the past thirty years numerous religious cults have caused “ tens of thousands to abandon their families, friends, education’s, and careers to follow the teaching of a leader they will never meet”(Beck 78).

    Read More

  • Mormonism Research Paper

    1681 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...For Mormonism only being over 200 years old, it already has over 10,000,000 followers. But with every religion come the non-believers, and the non-believers and ex-Mormons believe that Smith was a fraud. There was also a sense of fear of Mormon take over and power. There was fear that Mormons were trying to undermine the American institution of marriage. Americans persecuted the Mormons because they believed that if the Mormons gained too much power that polygamy would be allowed and monogamy would no longer exist. Bushman is a believer who wrote the book for other believers to read, but there is little effort on Bushman’s part to fling Smith in a flawless light. Instead, Bushman sees the controversial issues of Mormonism with polygamy, and Bushman tries to provide information and explain Joseph Smith’s notions in a way that is acceptable by the Mormons’ terms.

    Read More

  • Kingdom Of Matthias Sparknotes

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...leased from prison, Mathews continued his quest for religion by seeking Joseph Smith of the Mormon society, under the alias Joshua the Jewish Minister. The two had a heated discussion of resurrection and reincarnation. On the other hand, Matthews claimed to be both God and the reincarnation of the apostle Matthias. However Matthews his meeting with Smith was unsuccessful because both prophets believed the other was of the devil. Matthews’ s religious journey albeit chaotic and aberrant now serves as subconscious guide for how new religious movements and cults in present day America.

    Read More

  • The Mormons

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mormonism is a way of life that is practiced by members of the Church of Jesus

    Read More

  • History Of Scientology

    1376 Words  | 3 Pages

    Scientology is a religion that was created in 1952 by L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology teaches that people are immortal beings who have forgotten their true nature, and aims to bring humans back to that nature. (What is scientology, 4) This religion aims to give you tools and ways to find out more about who you are as an individual. Scientology has since grown into a world wide organization/religion. Due to the fact that it is a newer religion they do not have any branches (Scientology.org, Official Church of Scientology: Beliefs & Practices) so this paper will discuss scientology as a whole. One of the most interesting things about this very complex religion is that you can be both Scientologists and another religion. Scientoligest can often relate most to the ideas of Budidsum but are open to you being any religion that you choose. (Kuchman, May 14)

    Read More

  • What Is The Difference Between Religion And Religion

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Church of Latter Day Saints otherwise known as the Mormon Church is very different from the Catholic Church. The Mormon Church origin goes back to the 1800’s in Fayette, New York. The founder of this religion is Joseph Smith; the

    Read More

  • Mormonism and Christianity

    590 Words  | 2 Pages

    By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302).

    Read More

  • A Brief History of Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

    1260 Words  | 3 Pages

    “I am not learned, but I have as good feelings as any man.” – Joseph Smith Jr. It was Joseph Smith who brought the Mormon religion about again. It was about while Christ was alive but fell away as people only took part of what he said and created their own religion. As time passed it was forgotten and only came about again after God prophesied to Joseph Smith and told him what to do. Joseph Smith became the first prophet and brought the Mormon religion back to the surface. Now the Mormon religion relies on their history to teach of Joseph Smith, the Mormon trail, and of Mormons today.

    Read More

  • Mormonism Research Paper

    2591 Words  | 6 Pages

    Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world today. When it first was founded in 1830 there were only six members. A month later this number had grown to forty members. Currently there are estimated to be over 13,824,854 members in the entire world ("Newsroom "). After observing the belief systems of Mormonism one could argue that it contains more similarities to that of a cult compared to that of a new religious movement.

    Read More

  • The Relationship Between Science and Religion

    1381 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stenmark, Mickael. How to Relate Science and Religion. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004.

    Read More

More about Christian Science v Morman

Open Document