Church of Christ, Scientist facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Christ, Scientist |
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The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, the church's administrative headquarters
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| Classification | Christian new religious movement |
| Orientation | Nontrinitarianism |
| Scripture | Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and Bible |
| Region | United States |
| Founder | Mary Baker Eddy |
| Origin | 1879 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Congregations | approximately 1750 worldwide (1,153 in US as of 2010) |
| Members | estimates range from around 400,000 to under 100,000. |
The Church of Christ, Scientist is a Christian religion founded in 1879. It was started in Boston, Massachusetts, by Mary Baker Eddy. She also wrote an important book called Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
The church was created to remember the teachings and actions of Christ Jesus. It also aimed to bring back early Christian practices, especially healing through prayer. In the early 1900s, Christian Science churches grew worldwide. While membership has changed in recent years, it has seen growth in Africa. The church's main office is in Boston.
Contents
Discovering Christian Science
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The Church of Christ, Scientist was officially formed by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. This happened after she experienced a personal healing in 1866. She believed this healing came from reading the Bible.
The Bible and Eddy's book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, are the main sources of the church's teachings. These two books are seen as the church's "dual impersonal pastor" or spiritual guide. The church also publishes a weekly newspaper called The Christian Science Monitor.
What Christian Scientists Believe
Christian Scientists believe that prayer can help heal illnesses. The church has collected many stories of people who say they were healed through Christian Science prayer alone. These stories are published in official church magazines like the Christian Science Journal. For a story to be published, three other people must confirm it.
People interested in Christian Science can take special classes. These classes teach them more about the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's writings. Some people choose to become "practitioners." These are individuals who dedicate their time to helping others heal through Christian Science prayer. If they have a record of helping people, their names can be listed in the Christian Science Journal.
Those who become practitioners can also train to become teachers. These teachers then lead classes for new students. All classes focus on understanding the Bible and the teachings in Science and Health.
How the Church is Organized
The First Church of Christ, Scientist is the official name for the main church and its administrative center. It is often called The Mother Church. The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity is also part of the church's headquarters. It is a place where people can learn more about Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science.
The church also publishes an international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor. Mary Baker Eddy started this newspaper in 1908. It has won several awards, including Pulitzer prizes, for its reporting.
Church Leadership
The Christian Science Board of Directors manages the church's daily operations. This board has five members. Mary Baker Eddy created this group to run the business of the Christian Science Church. Their duties and rules are set out in the church's Church Manual.
See also
- Christian Science Reading Room
- Reader (Christian Science Church)
- Jewish Science
- List of Christian Scientists (religious denomination)
- List of Former Christian Science Churches, Societies and Buildings
- Principia College, a college for Christian Scientists in Elsah, Illinois
