The demonstration of Christian Science practice, which results in
improved health, morals and physical and mental healing, is more in
line with primitive Christianity as practised by Jesus and his
disciples than orthodox Christianity, but we admire the orthodox
church and the entire history of inspired Christianity. The first
tenet of Christian Science states 'As adherents of Truth, we take the
inspired word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal life'.
This quite firmly establishes the authority of the Scriptures as the
basis of our religion. I would suggest that any contention otherwise
is due to a misperception caused either by an association with
someone not who doesn't fully understand Christian Science, or a
personal bias.
As for the use of the word cult, like I said, I have no problem with
it's usage when the proper definition is applied, but the word has
been sorely adulterated, and despite your noble intentions, it is
used very much outside of this list, which is the arena I am more
concerned about. Is it too much to ask for others to adhere to the
Golden Rule. If I was using a term for yor religion that I knew had
the potential to be harmful, I would refrain from using it. But,
then, that's just me.
Stuart Kirkley
--On Sat, 27 Apr 2002 18:25:02 Kamilla Ludwig wrote: >Well, I refuse to give up a perfectly good word because some misuse it! >(I refused to do the same thing when I presented my paper to ETS this >past fall on another hot topic within evangelicalism) Since this is a >highly specialized list, I don't think we need fear the popular mind and >ignorant reaction to use of the word. Also, please note that I >specifically referred to the theological definition and use of the term >"cult" and not to the uses that might be common among the populace at >large. > >I'd beg to differ with you on what most of your co-religionists are >devoted to. Every Christian Scientist I have ever met and conversed with >was more devoted to Mrs. Eddy's peculiar teachings (not meant >pejoratively, mind you) on Scripture and the person and work of Christ >than to Scripture alone or Christ alone. Again, you would likely contend >that these do refer to the true Christ, but the weight of 2000 years of >orthodox Christian teaching and practice are against you in that. > >Kamilla > >On Sat, 27 Apr 2002 20:04:41 -0400 "Stuart d Kirkley" ><stucandu@lycos.com> writes: >> Well stated and factual. The problem lies with the pejorative, or >> popular notion of what a cult is, which connnotes that word with >> evil, mind control, and fanaticism. This definition has become so >> universal and pervasive, in light of Jonestown, Manson, and a host >> of others I can't think of right now, that you should be able to >> appreciate why it is considered an offensive term. I do not have a >> problem with the words usage in it's pure form. But like so many >> things, it has become seriously adulterated and the popular mind >> does not understand this,such that concessions should be made to >> protect groups from undeserved malice ignorantly directed at them. >> >> To be referred to as a sect might be a more acceptable, if not as >> precisely accurate, term. >> >> Also, my Webster's defines 'cult' thusly: >> 1. A system of worship of a deity; as, the cult of Appolo. 2. Hence: >> A.- the rites of a religion. B.-Great devotion to some person, idea, >> or thing, esp. such devotion viewed as an intellectual fad. C.- a >> sect. >> >> In light of 2 A. this definition would include any and all religions >> which performs rites or rituals as a cult. >> Christian Science has no rites or rituals, therefore, by this >> definition, it cannot be a cult. >> I know some might say that we fall under the definition given in 2 >> B, but the only thing we are greatly devoted to is the Christ, or >> Immanuel, the Divine manifestation of God to man. >> >> Stuart Kirkley >> >> >> On Sat, 27 Apr 2002 15:26:00 >> Kamilla Ludwig wrote: >> >Stuart wrote: >> > >> >"I must again voice my objection to the use of the word 'cult' >> when >> >describing any religion. The word has such negative connotations >> that >> >it can't help but negatively influence those who don't know the >> >difference, but might just accept this as being gospel and hinder >> >their own objectivity to decide for themselves. It is patently >> >unfair, and decidedly unchristian." >> > >> >On the contrary, it is the essence of Christian practice and >> history to >> >define orthodox practice and belief versus that which is not. What >> else >> >where the church councils about? I am sure Arius didn't take too >> kindly >> >to being called a heretic, but such he was. >> > >> >Aside from the connotations you might object to, the word cult has >> a >> >fairly well accepted theological definition which might be stated >> thus: >> > >> >A cult is any religious groups which differs significantly in one >> or more >> >respects as to belief/practice from normative expressions of the >> >religion. A cult is frequently gathered around a specific person >> and >> >their unique teachings. >> > >> >Christian Science is properly called a cult and its followers >> cultists >> >because they are specifically bound together by Mary Baker Eddy's >> >teachings which do not fall within the pale of historically >> orthodox >> >Christian belief or practice. It's an accurate term which should >> not be >> >given up because some use it pejoratively. Just so with the >> followers of >> >Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, commonly referred to as Mormons and >> the >> >followers of Russell and Rutherford, known as Jehovah's Witnesses, >> and >> >many other groups and their followers who would like to be >> considered >> >Christian but are not orthodox in their beliefs and practices. >> > >> >Kamilla >> > >> >________________________________________________________________ >> >GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! >> >Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! >> >Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: >> >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. >> > >> >> >> See Dave Matthews Band live or win a signed guitar >> >http://r.lycos.com/r/bmgfly_mail_dmb/http://win.ipromotions.com/lycos_020 >201/splash.asp >> >> > >________________________________________________________________ >GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! >Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! >Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. >
See Dave Matthews Band live or win a signed guitar http://r.lycos.com/r/bmgfly_mail_dmb/http://win.ipromotions.com/lycos_020201/splash.asp
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Apr 27 2002 - 23:59:10 EDT