6) Don’t want to Proselytize
6. People will think I am proselytizing or trying to convert them.
Seriously, when was the last time you met a proselytizing Christian Scientist? We just aren’t wired that way. Jesus didn’t run around telling everyone to be Christians. He knew the truth and the actuality of Spirit, and he said so, and his works proved it. That was more than enough to attract the hungry hearts. And that is the model for Christian Scientists. If we know the truth, we are to say so and to prove our words. After all, Jesus did teach us not to hide our light (which is so needed in this world) under a bushel.
Scott Preller, CSB, Massachusetts, USA Alum, University of Colorado, Boulder and Boston U. CSOs—
When I look for the Christian (the expression of Christly qualities) in others, I realize that the expression of those wonderful qualities (Science) makes everyone a Christian Scientist. That thought brings respect into our communication, turning into nothingness anything that would try to separate us. This attitude takes the fear of being “preachy” or trying to “convert” out of the relationship and all that is left is mutual love and respect.
If you were walking behind someone and they dropped a $100 bill and you picked it up and ran after them waving it in the air saying, “Hey this belongs to you,” would they be angry with you? No way! They would be soooo grateful and you would feel wonderful. That’s how it is with sharing Christian Science. It’s like returning something to someone even though they never knew they had it.
I like to think of Christian Science as an intervention of spiritual ideas that free us from limits and fears. Everyone is grateful for more freedom, even students of Christian Science.
Ginny Luedeman, CS, Oregon, USA Alum, College of Marin CSO—
Christian Science is the Comforter promised in the Bible. (John 14:16). It is the law of God “….in [everyone’s] inward parts … [written] in their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31) In other words, Christian Science is not something that’s foreign to people, but something that embraces everyone and is native to everyone. Everyone has an innate desire to love and be loved, and love is the essence of Christian Science. If you express this Comforter by loving people and by wanting to share this Science of Love (by seeing it as being native to everyone), you won’t give people the impression that you’re trying to convert them. Rather, you’ll honor, love, and bring healing to them.
Lyle Young, CSB, Ontario, Canada Alum, Ball State U. CSO—
I first received Science and Health in 1975. At that time no one knew about this book and its availability in this part of India. There was no Christian Science church in my area.
As I started appreciating the new ideas given in Science and Health, I wanted to share it with the whole world. We formed a group in Chandigarh which became a Society and is now helping to open up Christian Science to the community. Even now, I tell my Sunday School pupils and church members that each one can serve his or her neighbors and community by sharing just one single idea from Science and Health because it gives them solutions to the problems they are facing.
Our objective is not to convert anyone but to provide them with solutions which make their burdens light. I love this line from the Bible: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8) It reassures us about Christian Science’s efficacy in re- establishing the freedom of anyone who is held in bondage by a belief. With this faith in our heart, let us go ahead and share the liberating ideas Mary Baker Eddy has given us in Science and Health.
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As you live Christian Science and keep your great love of God at the forefront of your college experience, you will find so many blessings in your own life. Your own talents and spiritual individuality will come out in wonderful ways. People will want to know what it is about you that is different. If you ask God to help you share your love of Christian Science, He will. If you speak based on your love, people will respond.
Martha Moffett, CS, Minnesota, USA Alum, Smith College CSO—
Remember, proselytizing means to induce someone to convert to a specific faith or denomination. A campus lecture is designed to reach mainly people who haven’t heard about Christian Science, or those who are interested enough to engage in a public discussion about it in an informal setting. That’s all. No conversion involved— just honest, authentic dialogue! The Science of the Christ is universal; it is available to everyone. Lectures are public events that bring a spiritual message to the community— one that offers healing ideas based on the teaching of Christian Science.
Kevin Graunke, CSB, Wisconsin, USA Alum, U. of Wisconsin, Whitewater CSO—
Christian Science challenges you to think from a different perspective. Science means knowledge. CS provides knowledge about what governs our experience, society, the world, and the entire universe.
It is important first to sit down and see divine Science as universal and not just one of many religions to choose from. Nobody can claim ownership to truths, and the teachings of Christ Jesus. Churches don’t own a “key” to salvation. We need to rethink what we are practicing and sharing.
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When I traveled in India, a knowledgeable Hindu told me there were 330,000 gods in the Hindu religion. He then proceeded to explain basic beliefs and myths, giving our group handouts. Was he trying to convert us? No. He was informing us. To not inform people about Christian Science is to misinform them. No information is misinformation. Actually, it is a Christian duty to reach people not just with the letter, i.e. information, but with the spirit.
“To convert” in the Hebrew means to turn back or return to God. One Bible dictionary (Vine’s) says it’s the movement back to the point of departure. I definitely pray to help everyone return to God, return to an original spiritual view of God, creation, and identity. Materiality departed from the original view. Why not substitute the phrase “return to God” when you think “convert” or the Bible says “convert” and see if that doesn’t give a new view? (James 5; Miscellaneous Writings, p. 279)
Elise Moore, CSB, Tennessee, USA Alum, Michigan State U. CSO—
One of the reasons Christian Science has a legitimate place in a university is its scientific basis. When an academic scientist starts a society to facilitate interest in their new research, or gives a paper on a new finding, no-one thinks about being converted. They come to listen or to join because they want to explore new ideas. Christian Science is ideas-based, and college orgs can emphasize that it’s about discovery (not creed) in the fullest sense of the word.
Abigail Mackay, Victoria, Australia Alum, University of Cape Town CSO
