I believe the thought "world" of Christian Science remains in our minds to some extent, despite leaving it...especially if one was brought up from early years in CS.... Christian Scientists may rejoice at this but to those of us who would like to be free of that way of thinking, it may be troubling, alienating and depressing.
I wonder if anyone would like to share how CS ways of thinking have remained with them, despite their having physically "left" it. For example, does listening to the news (especially about accidents and distress in the ice and snow) automatically remind you of the days of "correcting your thinking" when an ambulance could be heard or when feeling/having a cold?!
Could the uncontrollable desires from the past, of being alone and silent to do your "mental work," be something which is preventing you from looking outwards and joining others in a similar situation?
Despite having left Christian Science, it is not incorrect to debate it, criticise it or explore its effects! Any thoughts? Expressing them is good; making them known will not harm you but strengthen you!
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3 comments:
I struggle with the mental world of CS everyday. Raised in CS, class taught and having raised my own children in the CS Sunday School and then leaving the church at 40 -- left it's own scar. It feels like a mental default which becomes less of a draw as time moves on but always there!
I'm not in the UK but can relate to everthing said on this site!
My story is rather different from others'. I converted to CS when I was about 15, but eased out of it when I was around 25. I was much influenced by my best friend and her family, as they seemed so fearless and always tried to express love, even in situations that would test the resilience of others. For me, they really did represent people who put their claim to love God on the line with totally trusting Him with their health.
Obviously, I had some issues, or I wouldn't be out of the religion today. But, by-and-large, I have a lot of positive feelings.
In answer to your question, though, my biggest CS mental habits are that I tend to minimize things that are bothering me, sometimes to a ridiculous extent. There have been several times when I will tell my husband, "I have had a headache all day, and I don't see an end in sight. But I guess it's not that bad." And he'll ask me, "Have you taken an Ibuprofin?" And I'll just be aghast and say, "What a genius! I never would have thought of that." Basically, it just never automatically occurs to me that there might be a simple answer to my pain. I also have a low tolerance for people who who brag about their various ailments.
I feel incredibly worldly if I have a shot of wisky when I get the flu. But not drinking has been a blessing in my life; so I am happy I was associated with teetotalers.
I am sure that Christian Science was very, very good for me, but only because I had been exposed to the medical world (and all its bad features) before. I was searching for something that would put some of the power and responsibility back in my hands instead of the doctor, and I got that. But it was a free choice for me, and I could quit at any time. I could decide at any moment that I had had enough and that I wanted medicine or other treatment. I am sure I would have felt helpless and in danger had I grown up in a situation where the people who were supposed to be my caregivers had pridefully ignored my pleas for help all in the name of being consistent. Because I think when it all comes down to it, the most horrifying tales of Christian Science gone wrong have boiled down to pride -- not being able to admit that the system is not working and being able to throw it out the window and get medical help for one's child when it is so obvious that CS is not working. Just my two cents.
Yes, I agree with the pride comment. Relying on CS often was all about what I'm doing or not doing right... do your work etc.
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