“I’m gay!” “Oh yeah? Well, I’m a Christian Scientist!”
I remember the first time I really identified myself as a Christian Scientist. I was a residential advisor at my college during our summer team building exercises. We had to play a game called “The Circle of Life.”
We all formed a huge circle and people would come into the middle and yell out something they identified themselves with like “I am gay!” Then every other person in the circle who identified him or -herself as gay would run into the middle of the circle and dance around.
The exercise went on for about half an hour and I hadn’t gotten to dance once. My self-identification as a heterosexual white male had afforded me no opportunities to shake my booty.
Finally, someone came into the circle and yelled “I’m a Christian!”
“Well,” I thought. “This might be my only chance to dance. I AM a Christian – half Christian, half Scientist. I ran inside and finally got down.
It occurred to me during my dance that I could even identify myself in public as a Christian Scientist! And this was a big thing for me.
My freshman year I went to a different college, Principia, where every person there was a self-identified Christian Scientist. It was during this time, ironically, that I refused to really be a Christian Scientist. I was a musician, a student, a video game player, a dancer, an actor, but, my goodness, I wasn’t a Christian Scientist.
But now was my chance—with the added bonus that I would get to dance again. I ran into the middle and yelled, “I’m a Christian Scientist!”
The silence was deafening. It was the only time during the whole day that anyone was in the middle all alone. I didn’t so much feel like dancing anymore.
“Is that the Tom Cruise thing?” someone yelled. Everyone began to laugh.
I felt like I should’ve just said I was spiritual.
But even though I endured a few moments of embarrassment, my “coming out” as a Christian Scientist forced me to discuss it with others. I had several other RA’s approach me to learn more about Christian Science.
It forced me to answer questions that I had never even thought of, “Did Jesus die for your sins?” “Do you hate doctors?” “Are you against universal healthcare?” I had some good conversations. I may have been alone in the circle, but ever since, I’ve been united with other spiritual seekers (with plenty of opportunities to dance).
Posted on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 11:26 am | Follow responses with the RSS feedTopics: Sharing Christian Science | Tags: being different, dance, gay, self-identification
Hi Tobias,
I’ve been a Christian Scientist all my life, but was on medication for 8 years to deal with a challenge that hadn’t been met, after 7 years of relying solely on CS care. My family knew, they were all supportive, but I didn’t tell other CSts that I took medication. I struggled with it, and my CS study confirmed that it was not in line with what I was learning about CS. Anytime I did decide to share what felt like my ‘dirty secret’ with a CS friend, instead of getting judged I received nothing but love, warmth, and support. This is what CS teaches — to love one another, and not to judge another by their choices but to support them as best you know how. I eventually realized that other CSts were NOT judging me, but that I was judging myself, and incredibly harshly. Overcoming that self-judgment was one of the big things for me that ultimately led to healing, three years ago. I say, do what you are led to do, and never fear judgment by Christian Scientists, but recognize that they are your best support group on that path to radical reliance on God.
One day while returning to my dorm, I was feeling very distressed by the constant harassment of seven Born Again classmates, all of whom were praying daily for me to be “Saved” from the evils of Christian Science. They literally followed me around campus for months, saying how much they loved me. There were 40 of us who were Comparative Religion majors, and we all knew each others religious choices.
On this particular day, a fellow classmate noticed my downcast manner and asked me what was wrong. I told him that I couldn’t take any more of this badgering. My 6′ 5″ friend, stopped me, and said, “I can’t believe you don’t know why they won’t leave you alone! They know how secure you are in your faith, and it scares them. They’re afraid of their inability to share their faith with the conviction which you clearly possess.” I looked, way up, at my friend, and said, laughingly, “You sure are smart for a big, dumb Baptist.” He smiled, reached down and gave me the biggest, sweetest hug I’ve ever received.
As for my seven Born Again friends, well, I just had to learn to love them, like Jesus told me I needed to do. My formerly Catholic, now Baptist friend is a Minister, and I am a well-adjusted C. S. :))
Thank you, all, who are sharing your love, honesty, and insights into our shared walk in life’s journey.
I have said this in other C/S posts, and I’ll say again in this one. I AM A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST WHO DOES GO TO DOCTORS WHEN THE NEED FOR HEALTH IS NOT MET! I am not a C/S who belongs to a club of hypocrites that belittles those who don’t follow the rules. My desire is to demonstrate God’s loving nature and that in itself is prayer enough to bring me to the point of expectation of total freedom as to the healing of disease. I have absolutely no doubt that God is preparing for that day when I can demonstrate healing through prayer alone. For one to feel embarrashed to admit what he/she believes in show immaturity and a desire to be “One of the boys” and not to be a genuine student of C/S. We are all working out our salvations, The Directors of the Mother Church as well as ourselves. Didn’t Jesus wash the Disciples feet? Showing no human being higher except God himself.
Hi Tobias,
I don’t know what your experience has been but I’ve been a Christian Scientist for a long time and only had 2 people question health care decisions that my family made. It was during a time when my mom was under medical care. One person, a good family friend, called my dad to talk about the decision to take my mom to the hospital. It made me mad, but my dad was more patient and had a long conversation with this person. I found out later that she was dealing with serious physical issues herself, so in fact, she wasn’t being judgmental, but she had deep questions. She didn’t share that she was dealing with a problem so it was easy for me to jump to conclusions (that she was being critical) instead of understanding the truth. The other person was in a similar situation as well.
As for your comments that feeling embarrassed about what you believe shows immaturity, well, maybe, but this is a youth site. ;) And the author *did* end up sharing…and is now one of the best sharers I know…and a Christian Science practitioner. :) It’s tricky to make assumptions about who’s a genuine Christian Scientist and who’s not. Like you said, we’re all working out our own salvation.
Do you care that some Christian Scientists think you shouldn’t go to doctors? I know there’s this “let’s be loving to everyone” push and I’m all for that but just because someone expresses an opinion that if you’re a Christian Scientist you should only rely on God doesn’t mean they’re belittling others. Maybe they are but even then, who cares about them? If someone expresses different political views than me, I don’t think they’re telling me that I should change my views to theirs. If someone tells me how they only eat organic food, I don’t think that means I have to run right out and only buy organic. I just think I’m learning something about THEM. Each person needs to make up their own mind about how to deal with healthcare problems. I don’t care if someone thinks I make the wrong choice — whether it’s someone who thinks I should go to the doctor or someone who thinks I should rely on God alone. I’m the one who has to live with my choices so I’m the only one I care about.
Thank you, Tucker!!! I love how you put it, I am sick and tired of hearing people say that Christian Scientists don’t go to doctors, that the church don’t let them. It’s not right and is not true. Mrs. Eddy never said don’t do it. She respected their profession and understood their point of view.
People need to know that we chose to go to God first. When people ask me I have no problem responding that if and when my prayer fails I will go to the doctor, so far so good… had my baby in a medical facility!
We each live the best way we know how and we each are in our own level of understanding in this journey.
Thank you for sharing. I know the feeling of knowing that you are a Christian Scientist but somehow you are scared to say it out loud when the opportunity comes.
It was until recently that I was able to openly admit and share that I am a Christian Scientist and this was after taking Class Instruction. I think that the fact that I had taken the commitment of taking this class gave me the strength since now I have a better understanding of what I stand for and today I certainly enjoy to share what Christian Science is when someone ask me with legit interest.
I have found my self sharing very openly and with assuring security what I know and the question I get to answer really make me go deeper into the study of de Science.
Thank you for sharing and I am glad that you can openly and freely say, I am a Christian Scientist and dance in joy.
Great article and riveting conversation. I work with a number people who identify themselves as gay and I love them all as God’s children, just as I love everyone. It would be much easier for me at work to come out and be accepted by saying I was gay than a Christian Scientist. On the other hand, it would be much easier for me around the neighborhood to come out and say I am practicing Christian Science than to say I was gay. Both have their challenges and consequences. The more I understand the unreality of materialism and the more I live in the mind of Christ the more insignificant both seeming challenges become.
And Love 2 You Mike Morgan for being such a Brave and Loving Example In Our Community! Got your message but lost your number again. Please call my home phone number you tried last time again. I’m waiting for your call Brother Man!!!
Lots of Love to you, too, brother. Thanks for bringing back this topic. It has come at an important time for me to look back and realize that the practice of CS is always rooted in how much we’re loving and how openly connected we are with God.
I don’t know how applicable my statement of being a “homo-sexual white male” is from the original article. I’m learning a lot about this whole spiritual identity thing. What a beautiful thing it is to look back and measure growth in grace!
I’m seeing how important it is to affirm and recognize the oneness of humanity aside from race or life style. The permanence of spiritual being and the beauty of qualities that appear to be superficial, but are truly unique expressions of Soul.
Has anyone else grown similarly in the last year or so about their identity? How?
Any official position the church takes on issues like one’s private life is about as official as the government demanding Christian Scientists paying for health care plans they neither want nor need. Even though it disappoints me to no end that in 2012 the Mother Church and its delegates take such a cryptic, unremarkable, vague, and rigid view of homosexuality, morality, decorum, etc I have learned first hand how important it is to be oneself no matter what they (or anyone else for that matter) say otherwise. If you are gay and want to practice Christian Science: AWESOME!!! As Ghandi stated ‘Be the change you want to see in the World.’ The more that Jesus’ and Mary Baker Eddy’s message of Love, Tolerance, Civil Rights, and Spiritual Liberty are shared/demonstrated for civilization…the more eyes will be opened to the Truth (We are all God’s children, sinless, pure, and blameless) and more limited thoughts will be expanded.
Clearly The Master would not have scorned someone for their sexual history or preferences. That’s a material/erroneous reaction (aka humans speaking in the name of God). When asked what the greatest commandment was Christ Jesus said ‘Love God, Love Your Neighbor, Bless them that curse you.’ Is there any room in there for castigating people from society or judging them harshly for their lifestyles? Obviously not. If anything those people who would look to make any other social group an enemy are not heeding Jesus’ message to ‘Love thy enemy.’
Mary Baker Eddy gets credited for making many statements about morality that she never made. Just like religious zealots use Biblical scripture to defend their various warped ideologies (think Westboro Church in Kansas with the God Hates F#%%s routine) I have met many so-called Scientists who try and convince me that MBE has numerous passages in the Bible that condemn all kinds of modern day lifestyle choices. These people are not following Mrs. Eddy’s admonishment to learn how to discern between the Absolute statements in her writings and the Relative ones. In other words: many of her statements in there are meant to be no more than a temporary indication of where thought is at vs. where it needs to go. Taking many of these statements literally would be just as ambiguous as taking every Bible quote literally (not to mention contradictory and confusing!)
I say EVERYONE is entitled to Christian Science healing. If there are branch churches out there who want to continue to discriminate against those who don’t think, dress, act, live, love the same way they do then that is truly their loss. Sadly I’ve heard of branch churches turning their backs on folks for far less hot button topics than being gay. However if ‘Jesus beheld in Science the Perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appeared to mortals’ than that is TRULY a Scientist’s job as well.
Much Love To All The Gays, Straights, Sober, Inebriated, Happy, Sad, Old, Young, Black, White, Believers, Atheists, and all the rest out there looking for Love, Healing, and Acceptance in the World.
I’m confused because first you say this “Any official position the church takes on issues like one’s private life is about as official as the government demanding Christian Scientists paying for health care plans they neither want nor need.” And then you say this “Even though it disappoints me to no end that in 2012 the Mother Church and its delegates take such a cryptic, unremarkable, vague, and rigid view of homosexuality, morality, decorum, etc I have learned first hand how important it is to be oneself no matter what they (or anyone else for that matter) say otherwise. ” They seem opposite to me. Like you’re disappointed that the church doesn’t have an offficial position, but if it did, you wouldn’t pay attention to it. ;)
I love it that TMC hasn’t come down with an official statement on how I’m supposed to think about homosexuality. I think this is something between me and God. Mary Baker Eddy was so smart how she set up this religion. It doesn’t impose rules you’d tend to follow without thought, but the spiritual laws it teaches do adjust personal behavior. Individually.
I love those 2 great commandments too. They adjust our behavior perfectly.
I don’t know how those statements seem opposite but let me try and be specific: The Mother Church has taken an official position on homosexuality and other moral issues….not okay. Recently they have backpedaled and made lukewarm statements about how everyone is entitled to C.S. healing (while delicately dancing around taking any official position on membership or whether they consider it sinful or not). I honestly am a middle of the road fence sitter on this and most issues. I believe that even if the behavior of an individual does not necessarily seem conducive to their spiritual growth I would much rather make them feel loved and included in my movement than castigate them as sinners etc.
As far as your conclusion that I am disappointed about the church’s position but regardless I would not pay attention to it: not true. I am disappointed any time The Mother Church or a branch church instantly rules people out of the mix due to their social/racial/religious/sexual background. This is not always the case and I acknowledge that. If they did take a more official, less wishy-washy stance on these issues I would consider it (as I do my best to consider any point before deciding if I believe or not) and then go with my conscience. Plain and simple.
I’m grateful that TMC isn’t rigid on these issues too. I also love the 2 great commandments. They definitely adjust behavior accordingly.
I’m with you on this Tucker. It’s very likely better for TMC not to take a position on issues of individual growth and demonstration. Only God sees what our hearts are struggling with. Thank you for what you said. Jesus criticized the Pharisee for being unmerciful, he commended the Magdalene for her affection.
Thank You Stephanie! It’s not that I’m saying everyone should be in moral alignment with homosexuality or any other social issue. But to exclude people due to their status doesn’t seem like C.S. to me. Much Love and Support to You and Yours in Istanbul. tdb
I am with you too, Stephanie, how else could we save and be saved? I am sure that if Mrs. Eddy were here today she would love to include everyone, no matter culture, political choices or sexual preferences. She knew God will direct, guide and correct anyone if He/Her considered it necessary. We are way too judgmental.
Thanks for this wise post. It’s amazing how hypocritical, tiny minded, judgmental, and Pharisee-like the church can sometimes be. Even though they think only other churches/religions are like that. Let’s be inclusive, embracing, loving instead. Thank you for all the inclusive posts here.
Amen Gaia!!! Amen!!!
“Much Love To All The Gays, Straights, Sober, Inebriated, Happy, Sad, Old, Young, Black, White, Believers, Atheists, and all the rest out there looking for Love, Healing, and Acceptance in the World.”
We don’t need an official church decree to allow us to love our fellow man as just children of God, reflecting all that He is. Perhaps dancing in circles might be left to kindergartners? We don’t need labels anymore, we just need to remember that we are all God’s children, Period.
Why do we have to leave the dancing in circles to kindergartners? It sounds like fun…. :)
Amen to that, Dawn!
I had to smile at Amy’s comment though, because I thought the exact same thing :) If more people danced in circles like Kindergartners – just think of the joy that would bring!
Dawn: did you really just liken these thoughts to that of kindergartners? I concur that labeling people is not the way to go….however you must have missed my statements about the Relative vs. the Absolute. Relatively speaking the world is made up of all kinds of different folks, different social, financial, sexual, moral, ethical backgrounds. I merely mentioned some of the ones that came directly to mind when considering the current state of intolerance in the c.s. church. If you consider that dancing in circles: Help To Heal It!
Semantic debates don’t solve problems. They merely create new ones. Also, if you’re going to quote me directly please don’t take my thoughts out of context. I was making a pitch for EVERYONE to be welcome and acceptable in the eyes of the Mother Church. You are the one getting hung up on labels. I go to a church where anyone who walks through the door is treated with the same love as any member of ours. That is how we roll.
The United States needed an official decree so that minorities and women could enjoy the same freedoms and dignity that their white male counterparts enjoyed. Why wouldn’t we want our church to stop making publicly condemnatory statements about gays? Of course we treat our fellow human beings with love and respect always. But this whole we don’t need an official decree defense sounds passive aggressive at best. I’m sure Mrs. Eddy was a big believer in the abolition of slavery and the institution of a woman’s right to vote. Think if back in 1964 the best answer we could come up with was….’We don’t need a Civil Rights Act…we just need to be loving to everyone’ and then sat idly by while the country continued to make blacks and whites eat in separate restaurants and drink from different water fountains. The world surely knew the Truth back then too. But they also needed to TAKE ACTION and HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE for injustice and hate crimes. That’s why the Civil Rights Act was passed. That’s why suffrage occurred. And that’s why eventually the administrators at the Mother Church will need to stop driving away those from different social backgrounds and become more publicly inclusive of the world at large. Not just straight laced, middle-upper class WASPs.
It seems to me that you want the Church to come out with an official stance…as long as the official policy embraces what you believe. ;) I get that, I wish the whole world would follow my lead, but so far, it hasn’t happened. ha ha ha
I have always been grateful to be a member of a church that doesn’t tell me how to think or act. I don’t think that’s passive aggressive in the least. I am free to support any societal issue any way I want. I could and have gotten involved in issues that matter most to me in a variety of ways.
I’ve united with this Church because I believe that Christian Science explains how to heal like Jesus did. I’ve worked for The Mother Church professionally for a long time. I don’t always agree with the politics or views on homosexuality or abortion or gun control etc., etc., of my coworkers. And that’s OK. The thing I do know that we have in common is that we’re going to keep on praying about this stuff until everyone lives a life of real freedom.
Since I’m a transgender Christian Scientist, this is an interesting discussion to me. I don’t feel like being trans has anything to do with CS. I’ve prayed about it deeply, and sought CS treatment with no apparent physical or mental changes – just a greater feeling of peace in living in my female gender. I’ve had physical healings as a trans woman, and I’ve seen my kid healed after giving him a treatment for flu symptoms. Perhaps most convincing to me was then I was praying most deeply, truly seeking an answer with all my heart, I heard a voice say, “You are My beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased.” It brought a lot of peace and comfort, and I don’t think it was either insanity or the devil saying it. The really confusing part for me is, I know I need healing, because I treat this condition medically. But what is healing? Would it be to somehow transform myself into a man? That seems impossible – I don’t see how that could happen without me becoming someone else, someone I currently am not, and I don’t want that anyhow. Would it be to transform my body to match sex with my gender? That sounds right, on one hand, but on the other, it seems like a demonstration somewhat more advanced than walking on water – something along the lines of raising yourself from the dead. I’m not even close to that. Is it just finding peace with who I am, in the body I have? That seems at once both impossible and already done; in one sense, I’ve got that peace. In another, I can’t envision it happening at all. Or is it to transcend sex and gender altogether? That resonates, but again, not something I feel is doable from my current situation.
Anyway, what I wanted to mention was the Church – and it’s silence. I have never seen any CS publication address the issue of transgender in any way or capacity. I can understand that in the case of MBE, because so far as I know it wasn’t an issue that would rise to the level that she would have recognized it in her time. But that lack leaves me feeling lonely in my own search for answers. While my branch church welcomes me with an open heart, and I’ve had many deep and meaningful conversations with certain members on the subject, the silence from the Mother Church leaves me feeling left out. It makes me feel invisible. I would love to see this subject come up in a testimony, or confronted in an article, but so far as I can tell, the Mother Church thinks I don’t exist.
If being loving and inclusive of All Gods children is my slanted view then what is the church’s? Exclude others who don’t size up? How is that Christian or Scientific?
I was just thinking about being a Christian Scientist and the view of needing to be liked. If CSists use these words instead of the ones in Science and Health or pretend it is okay to go to doctors, we’ll be more accepted and liked. I remember the conversations in college when others would find out I was a CSist. Sure I had to explain words or phrases, but those asking appreciated it.
There will always be exaggerated statements or the circle of gossip misinformants, but how glorious it is to be able to correct all of those incorrect views by standing up and identifying oneself as a Christian Scientist.
In the words of St. Paul,
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (II Timothy 4: 8).
Amen, brother!
it is okay to go to doctors. it is also okay to not go to doctors. i know you probably didn’t mean to make a polarizing statement gemariah but that one about ‘pretend it is okay to go to doctors’ sure sounds like one. many scientists go to doctors or use medical care. that does not mean they are all not following the science and health. it means they are relatively making the best choices they can in each moment. the same way that we need to eradicate homophobia, racism, sexism, etc from the c.s. church is the same way we need to finally put this whole ‘you people hate doctors’ stereotype to rest. otherwise people will continue to associate c.s. with scientology (a church that actively discriminates and judges the medical profession). judge not lest we be judged. especially doctors. though we may not always seek their help they are doing their best to be practitioners too and their goal is to help people heal. god bless them for that. god is in the operating rooms too. i apologize if this is all common sense to you. don’t mean to patronize. just know how often people leave the c.s. church because of being discriminated against/ousted from branch churches for seeking medical help. in my opinion that is very wrong. and it is still happening in the movement. let’s change that. asap!!!
Thanks for this, Tucker, I think this posting of yours is incredibly informative, is time for people to realize that Christian Scientists are not in a cage, although some ‘old school’ Scientists don’t seem to get out of that rot. Mrs. Eddy wasn’t a tyrant, she allowed for each of us to work out our own salvation at our own pace. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
One of the reasons why we admire (and NOT adore) Mary Baker Eddy is because she understood human nature -she saw it God derived.
MBE understood that we all take in errors that we shouldn’t, and every one deals with these problems differently. Hopefully we’ll all get to the point when doctor visits are obsolete, but until then, should we be put down by others who probably already made it?
Imagine being gay and a Christian Scientist. Yes, we are OUT there. No pun intended.
This is a subject very important to me, since a very good friend from Sunday School (in the ’60s) committed suicide due to any lack of support from church or family.
I left the church for many decades due to that and other seeming unloving bahaviour on the part of church members, but have come back and have had some thoughts on the subject come somewhat clearer since then.
The first thought being that it really doesn’t matter what other church members think about that or anything else. We are each trying to practice and demonstrate to the best of our ability, and we should be growing in our ability to practice and demonstrate each day. We need to use our energy and time to push our own growth, not to monitor the growth of others. Go to the Source and try to understand that, and act accordingly.
The second thing is that, straight or gay, what is important is that we demonstrate purity and chastity. It seems that too many believe that gay humans are (more) incapable of demonstrating these qualities.
The third is that perfect man, as God’s reflection, has no ‘sexual’ qualities, but is the perfect combination of the masculine and feminine attributes. ‘Sexuality’ of any kind is not really a Godly quality, but that demonstration is one that we humans seem to be mostly very (very, VERY) far from demonstrating.
John said “It is better to marry than to burn” which is why most denominations choose to sanctify marriage. I think as Christians in general come to realise that gay people are as able as heterosexual people to demonstrate the spiritual qualities necessary for Christian and Christ-led matrimony, they may be willing to understand that perhaps John’s dictate is a good intermediate step for gay folks as well as for heterosexual folks.
We will all, eventually, “neither marry nor be given in marriage” but until that time, I think we owe ALL our fellow mortals support in trying to live a Christly life, to church, to love and to the confidence that we can overcome all through prayer, practise and perseverance. That includes the support of the bond of marriage and the spiritual lessons that can be learned therein.
Hello Rob Scott,
I can say that as someone who’s family has been involved with the church for over 4 generations, I am always amazed at the progressive thought and direction, that a new generation will take. Yes we are OUT there! God has created us in his image and likeness. Therefore we are not material….we are spiritual. (We have a heard that before)? When we love, we do not judge because it does not serve the purpose of love. We accept and embrace. I’m glad that everyone is here speaking openly. This is what we would do weekly at TMC Sunday School each week. That is why I am a Christian Scientist. I’m able to question, understand, and demonstrate. Keep sharing. The words and thoughts are healing. For me and others.
Nice one there Mike. I loved every bit of this piece. Yea rite but you are not half a Christian and half a Scientist cos you are a full Christian and a Scientist.
Glad you brought that up, George. We are definitely Christians and can dance in the joy of that fact.
Your story really touched me, Mike. I so applaud your willingness to declare your faith, it is certainly not always an easy thing to do. I have been reluctant at times to “put it out there” being afraid of being judged. I have never thought about equating it to “coming out” as a homosexual and although I am sure it is quite different, it certainly gives me a new perspective on that.
Thanks for sharing your story!
Wow~! So much love! Thanks for all of the comments folks!
Glo – since you asked a specific question I should respond! In a way I am saying that coming out as a Christian Scientist has the same gravity as coming out gay – maybe even more! I mean…we don’t believe in matter. We say we’re living in the mind of God and anything that’s different is an illusion from a thing called mortal mind. I think that’s way weirder/less accepted than being attracted to the same gender.
I didn’t consider myself a Christian Scientist because I didn’t live like one. I thought far more of myself than others, and I didn’t treat others the way I wanted to be treated.
To be clear, I was raised in Christian Scientist by one of my parents and wore a “Christian Science cape” for most of my life. But that didn’t make me a real Christian Scientist.
And, for the record, I almost never had conversations about religion or Christian Science (in a real big way) while I was at that CS school. That was MY experience there… I’ve heard from lots of people who have had beautiful, spiritual experiences at the school.
Christian Science is a daily watch and focus, moment by moment mental control and a life totally dedicated to humility and love that requires us to see others as ourselves. That makes it one of the most challenging lifestyles I’ve ever heard of. I think if you’re really doing that – everyday! – that you DESERVE a coming out party!
:),
Michael
You seem like a really fun and smart guy Michael. That moment by moment mental control seems like a lot to me. Does it to you?
Deep question, Jordie.
It is a lot…
A lot like learning to walk.
I think I’m only a baby in this whole “spiritual reality” thing. And I guess learning to walk was a lot for all of us. We kept falling, but we always had people who loved us to help us up and encourage us. That’s kind of like learning to be spiritual, I guess. And we’ve all learned how to walk – and so much more.
:)
Thanks for being honest!
This question of coming out as CS or as gay resonates for me. As a transgender CS, I’ve come out as both. Sometimes it takes more courage to come out as trans, sometimes as CS – it depends on the context. In some cases, I didn’t know if I’d lose friends or family members when I came out as trans – and I did lose some friends. (Fortunately, I made lots more new ones than I lost!). But while coming out as trans automatically made me welcome in queer circles, coming out as CS in them often feels pretty scary. So I agree with Michael, that there is a similar gravity to both. And with both of them, it gets easier the more you do it! :-)
Tucker Booth, I appreciate your viewpoint! I have enjoyed a number of CS healings as a trans woman. CS healing is for everyone who will open to it. Yet the issues I deal with often seem invisible or non-existent in the CS periodicals, and sometimes I feel very alone. Thank you everyone who voiced support for us queer Christian Scientists! I sometimes think that if I weren’t so confident that MBE expressed the Truth, I would choose another place to worship. Yet for all the challenges of CS, the rewards are greater – and I have been very blessed by acceptance both with TMC membership and welcoming in my branch church. I’m really grateful I found this!
MUCH LOVE SEDA!!! :)
I don’t know that coming out as a CS is the same as coming out as a gay (maybe you’re not even saying that Michael) but I used to change the subject whenever religion came up. I didn’t want people to think I was weird or worse, ask questions! Brave of you to share who you are and brave of you to dance alone in that circle! I am curious why when you were attending a CS school you didn’t consider yourself a Christian Scientist. What did you do/think when everyone else was talking about their religion? If they even did.
Thanks, Michael. You’re brave! Oh, the feelings your story brings up!!! And memories of when I did, and didn’t, act so bravely. I really respect that you seized that moment to “come out.” Way to go. This will inspire me the next time I’m in that situation. :-)
Micheal, thanks for sharing! It takes a lot of guts to be different in a crowd and probably to share this story as well. But it sounds like, and looks like from all the responses, that the rewards are great for being proud of who you are.
I love your boldness, Michael. I live/work in a big university town and this question of how I identify myself is pretty big. I am learning that I do have a purpose- my spiritual clarity and work as a Christian Science healer is needed. I celebrate you and thank you for your great music. Keep it coming!
Love these words-
Let all that now divides us
Remove and pass away,
Like shadows of the morning
Before the blaze of day.
Let all that now unites us
More sweet and lasting prove,
A closer bond of union,
In a blest land of love.
CS Hymnal 196
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LOVE THESE WORDS!
Thanks for that post. And thanks for be willing to stand up and be identified as a Christian Scientist. I too used to be quite apprehensive about publicly admitting to being a Christian Scientist. I think I was afraid of being seen as different. But I’m starting to see that difference as something that is memorable and potentially positive in the eyes of others. In many cases, the benefits of going out on a limb and being open about CS are better than the alternative of staying hidden.
Michael! I just realized that “Christian Scientist” is the best label in the world!!! :) Thanks for sharing your inspiring story!
Thanks TMCY for setting these blogs up. I haven’t read one before today and was just curious how young people are responding. I’m happy about the TMC outreach.
Thanks Margaret for checking out the site. We hope you’ll come back soon–and often!
holla!
It made me laugh out loud too!
Michael, your article made me laugh out loud! Thanks for sharing :)
Good one there Morgan. There were times I used to be shy about my religion. It is very familier with some Christian Science youth. You have done a wonderful job. Funny indeed. I could imagine you in the middle of the circle.
In the words of Wendell Phillips, “one with God is a majority,” baby. Love to you for standing up, brother.
WOW what a great blog! So sweet and real and FUNNY!
And yes I must admit I jumped to read it because the title said “GAY.” I’ve been on the edge of my seat for years, waiting to read something reasonable and positive and metaphysically sound about homosexuality on TMCY…..
Well, Violet, I think you should write something then!
Spread the love! Spread the good!
What a startling title! And what a great example of comong out and blessing others!
Today, I thought about this post and just knew I needed to respond.
You know, being gay and being Christian Scientist have a bit in common: They are both labels, there are arguments in some circles that both are against the Bible, and again, in some circles, they are both perceived as being strange.
Michael, I love that you were brave enough to announce that you are a Christian Scientist - you had to face up to some stereotypes and had the moral courage to do so. So anyone who is stuck with a label that has been maligned or misunderstood has had to have that same moral courage and to show themselves as God knows them.
The bottom line is that we are not all running around in scared and isolated little categories! We are all the children of God.
A friend of mine was going to Brazil for the first time and was a little nervous about fitting into that culture. I had gone to Brazil a number of times and told her so. “And you know,” I shared, “the Christ is already there! In fact, the place is crawling with children of God!” We laughed. And that certainly broke any mesmeric sense of being an outsider. She went and had a wonderful time.
What was healing with my traveling friend and what I got was healing in Michael’s case is that there is an understanding that we are spiritual, not material. And because we are all the spiritual image and likeness of Love, we have something profound in common with everyone – we are all children of God.
This is the healing idea that lifts stereotypes we have of others, dissolves fears that others are bad influences, it reverses prejudices and false assumptions. We can get a better glimpse that we “… are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus….. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”* We can add there is no human category: neither Brazilian, nor gay, nor Christian Scientist, etc…..for we are all have one Father-Mother God!
*Galatians 3: 26, 28
Thank you Kim for your wonderful reply … just love it
I’m so delighted with Kim’s beautiful words of wisdom. Thank you so much! And I’m tempted by Michael’s encouragement to write something along the lines of what Kim says for TMCY or the periodicals.
But a friend of mine who KNOWS tells me that in recent years only the “official viewpoint” about homosexuality is allowed to be published as a blog or article. Anything more positive, like what Kim wrote, is only allowed deep down in the comments, which few people read.
If anyone knows differently, boy would I love to hear about it!
Thanks for these thoughts. I thought that maybe the writer was saying something negative about gays with the title, but I can see that’s not true. Good to have your comments here too.
Violet,
You can definitely submit an article to tmcyouth.com as a potential blog! We will look it over and talk with you about whether or not it can be posted. After all, Mary Baker Eddy says very clearly that “The time for thinkers has come” (S&H vii:13)!
Feel free to email me at stephensona(at)csps(dot)com and we can talk more about this. I love your enthusiasm for positive discussion!
Amanda
Thanks Kim for expanding on this article. Made it fell more complete.
I laughed out loud!! I’ve been in a few situations like that myself! I think it’s interesting how many time we don’t really understand or know about another person’s religion. Even those mainstream religions. Like what is the difference between a Methodist and a Presbyterian? I should know but I don’t know for sure. I’m happy anytime I see an opportunity to discuss our religious beliefs.
Such a good and funny story! Love how your strength and confidence to talk about Christian Science made it known to other people and cleared up misunderstandings they had! Way to go Michael! ;)
Thanks for sharing this, Michael! I love how you pointed out that this action of announcing your faith ended up unfolding further opportunities-to unite with other spiritual seekers–and rejoice!
Very well written! I think many of us have been in that circle alone, but it’s awesome how you pointed out that by identifying yourself as a Christian Scientists, you were able to open the door to have conversations with people about it - to clear up some misconceptions and maybe even help someone out in the future.
So funny. Thanks for the laugh.