Posted by:
caffiend
(
)
Date: April 16, 2019 08:58PM
CateS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They think scientific medical discoveries are
> temptations from satan.
I never heard a CSist say any such thing. They look at medicine condescendingly, saying medical professionals are "acting according to their highest understanding of the good." (The CS understanding is higher, you know!
> They think matter and by extension disease is an
> illusion and a temptation from satan.
Although CS'ists use the term/name "Satan" occasionally, they do not think of evil as a personal being or source. Rather, evil (e.g. disease, other problems in life) is "error," "mortal mind," "carnal thought," etc. which must be corrected or elevated by "Immortal Mind," "God," "Divine Mind," the Christ idea, etc. (Multiple terms for the same concept of deity)
> If you’re sick, satan is tempting you. If you
> pray fervently enough, Christ will cure you.
That's not quite it. As noted, Satan is not a personal being to tempt you but your own corporeal consciousness.
> Otherwise you didn’t believe strongly enough.
"Believe" is only part of it. True, the CS'ist must "believe," but this has to be fused with the correct metaphysical understanding and thought to accomplish a healing.
> A former member once told me they have lifespans
> comparable to non members.
No, they do not. They die at earlier ages than peer groups who utilize medical care. One study compared graduate cohorts of a Christian Science college (Principia College in Elsah, IL, near St. Louis) with a midwestern state college, and found that at every age group, Christian Scientists had a higher mortality. Your friend's claim is based on hearsay and anecdotal evidence (e.g. "faith affirming myths," common to cults.