Haven’t you always wanted to go into a Christian Science Reading Room? I have. And today I did.

I have always been interested in the idea of a Christian Science, for one thing. For another, what do they need a reading room for? Is it the same thing as Scientology? They do both have “science” in them…well, this afternoon I needed to head down to Milwaukie to pick up my checks at BofA, and that’s a cute little area so I thought it’d be fun to walk around a bit before my bus came. I noticed a Christian Science Reading Room and thought, what the heck, now’s as good a time as any to go in and inquire. I’m not looking to convert or anything, but the desire to know what their religion was all about overpowered me and I found myself walking into the air-conditioned little store front. A nice woman greeted me. I explained that I really just wanted to know what they were all about. She sat me down and explained. Here’s basically what I learned, Wikipedia-style, if you’re interested.

I’m not sure how I feel about the doctor thing, but there is nowhere in their religion that says they can’t go to doctors, they just usually don’t due to their belief of why we get sick (caused by fear, ignorance or sin) and different methods of healing.

Overall, although it’s not a religion I myself would be interested in, I think there are some appealing aspects to it. Plus, I like the idea of a woman starting something in the late 1800’s, including a highly respected periodical, The Christian Science Monitor, when she was in her 80’s herself. I was glad I went in and asked about it. I’ll leave you to ponder their version of the Lord’s Prayer, which she gave me. The bolded parts are the standard version of the Lord’s prayer included in Eddy’s text, while the italicized are the interpretations written by Mary Baker Eddy in her book that serves as part of their text (along with the Bible), Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. (The ‘regular’ Lord’s Prayer isn’t even exactly what I’m used to, but whatever.)

Our Father which art in heaven,
Our Father-Mother God, all-harmonious,
hallowed be Thy name.
Adorable One.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy kingdom is come; Thou are ever-present.
They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, –as in heaven, so on earth,–God is omnipotent, supreme.
Give us this day our daily bread;
Give us grace for today; feed the famished affections;
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And Love is reflected in love;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation,
but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
For God is infinite, all-power, all Life, Truth, Love,
over all, and All.


After my adventure to get my checks and to investiate Christian Science, I bought some Chips Ahoy! at Safeway. 2 for 1, baby! 🙂