Christian Science

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Definition

Noun: 1. A religious system and denomination: A Protestant Christian denomination and system of religious thought founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866. Its teachings, as set forth in Eddy's book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, emphasize spiritual healing and prayer as the primary means of achieving health and resolving problems, viewing physical illness and sin as errors of the mortal mind that can be corrected through a spiritual understanding of God's perfection.

Usage
  • As a proper noun (denomination): The term is used to refer to the organized church, its members, and its practices.
    • She has been a lifelong member of the Christian Science church.
    • The Christian Science Reading Room is open to the public.
  • As a system of thought: It is used to describe the beliefs and principles themselves.
    • The core tenet of Christian Science is that disease is a mental error, not a physical reality.
Advanced Usage
  • "Christian Science practitioner": A person who devotes full time to the ministry of spiritual healing through prayer, as understood in Christian Science.
    • When she was ill, she called a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful support.
Variants and Related Words
  • Christian Scientist (noun): An adherent or member of the Christian Science church.
    • A Christian Scientist relies on prayer for healing.
  • Scientist (noun, when capitalized in this context): An informal term for a Christian Scientist.
    • As a Scientist, she subscribes to The Christian Science Monitor.
Synonyms
  • Church of Christ, Scientist: The official name of the denomination.
  • Eddyism (historical, sometimes used pejoratively): A term derived from the founder's name, Mary Baker Eddy.
Notes on Meaning
  • Not a branch of science: It is critical to understand that "Christian Science" is a religion and not a field of scientific study. The word "Science" in its name is used in the sense of a system of knowledge or principles.
  • Distinct from Scientology: Christian Science is entirely unrelated to the religion of Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the 20th century.
Noun
  1. religious system based on teachings of Mary Baker Eddy emphasizing spiritual healing
  2. Protestant denomination founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866

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