converts

[NancyJ]

If anyone converted to CS from another denomination, would you explain how that was for you?

Thanks,
Nancy

[adyer]

I grew up a Southern Baptist and began my study of CS at age 21. I was entering my senior year in college and was searching for better answers than what I had. A friend introduced me to Science and within about 4 months I "officially" took up the study.

I won't go into it at length right now because it's really the story of how I was born and it's multifaceted.

But I'm not being disrespectful or facetious when I say it was sort of like falling in love. I had my ins and outs with Science for a short while but when I realized it was my true love I had that wonderful experience of giving myself to it.

It was very painful dealing with my parents not because they believed I was wrong but that they believed the lies about CS AND they took my change as an afront to THEIR religion...as if I was saying THEY were wrong.

But it had no -- ZERO -- effect on my decision or determination to go forward. So it was a pretty big event as you can see.

What I'd like to ask you is if you have any particular questions. I can probably talk about it from a dozen angles.

[NancyJ]

To be more specific (to answer your question) I am wondering if people experienced cold feet.
I think MBE was correct in asking for documentation showing that prospective members have left their denomination officially prior to joining CS.
This (officially leaving one's prior denomination) requires that this is what you really want to do. It cuts down on church hopping, too, when people think if it doesn't work out they will just resume attending their former church.
CS is the only church I attend now, and the only spiritual reading done is about CS...but I find it difficult to sign away my Catholic years even though I'm not actively involved.
Thanks for talking about your path, adyer. I was so glad to read it.
Nancy

[adyer]

NancyJ,

I find it difficult to sign away my Catholic years even though I'm not actively involved.I guess I don't understand. Do you feel some attachment or obligation to the Catholic church? Are you struggling with things that are at odds between Catholicism and CS?

[NancyJ]

I think 'change' can bring about mixed feelings, even if it's for the better.
Although I can understand the purpose, officially leaving something that has been a part of me for a long time isn't easy. So, I go back and forth on it.
I guess this thread was to see if that's odd. :o

[adyer]

NancyJ,

Nostalgia is what I'm hearing in your message. It's a vague feeling, and sort of a sentimental one, but you should beware. Mrs. Eddy uses animal magnetism as a term to refer to any false concept that comes as if we thought of it. That's why its message is not you are sick but I am sick. It has no entity or intelligence...it's just a false view. Only in human belief can it be personalized.

So the issue is not what to do about your attraction to your former church but the false view that claims you could be subject to conflicting loyalties. The equation 2+2=5 is obviously false and doesn't frighten us. But we can use it to understand that any other lie, which seems real, is no more true that 2+2=5. So the problem -- the animal magnetism of it -- is the suggestion that 2+2=5 could be an original thought, a valid alternative, a cause or an effect of reality. When, in fact, it's just a mistake. ("We should blush to call that real which is only a mistake." from S&H)

So if you feel any conflict at all between CS and the Catholic church, your freedom is the fact that error cannot hide, cannot replace truth, and cannot control your life. You do not have to do anything about error except to demonstrate that it, like 2+2=5, is an impossibility.

[chismith]

Religious institution is an organization that gathers like minded people to learn what they need to learn. They all serve certain purpose to certain extent as far as it needs to go. For some people, they have 'outgrew' that tradition and a deeper level of
understanding will have to happen. To me personally, I find CS gave me that kind of satisfaction. It is truth revealing. It transcends religion. It is not about building a blind faith but about knowing and experiencing what is the REAL.

How liberating it is to know that we are not SINNERS but the exact image of 'GOD'. This is the truth that CS has shown to us, actually it is from the Bible. Unfortunately, so many religious institutions created so many dogmas that have long forgotten the original meaning.

No religious boundaries can block our access to love, truth and life, only our own fear and narrow mindedness can do us own harm. I view CS as a principal and guiding force, but that does not mean you have to forsake your previous religious affiliations, nor does it mean you become a regular church member in CS. I personally grew up as Catholic and have tremendous respect for those saints in their tradition, as well as having personal affinity with Virgin Mary (besides Jesus), I also encountered Buddha's teaching. I have concluded that they are all about compassion, purity, peace and harmony. They all support each other to the highest degree. Only when we become judgmental, differentiating and narrow minded is when we divide, separate and create conflict -- this is the product of a mortal mind not that of a divine MIND.

I would not allow any theological theories, dogmas, believes,...,etc to steer away my rights for clearly seeing and experiencing what compassion, purity, peace and harmony turly is. This is much much more meaningful than what church that you belong to.

[imjim]

If anyone converted to CS from another denomination, would you explain how that was for you?

When I first read your post I thought it didn’t have much to do with me.

I had attended a CS church as a child, but hadn’t attended since starting Jr. High School. I very much questioned the existence of any kind of God and my teen years were filled with mostly an atheistic evolutionary type thinking.

As a young man, I found myself drawn to a particular person at work who, unbeknownst to me, had an interest in CS. We got to talking about God one day and when he said “God is Mind” things just clicked. I suddenly had a new understanding of what God was/is - I’d had a “conversion” of thinking.

Thinking on these things, and in rethinking your question, it occurs to me that everyone who comes to CS is a convert of some sort. Although the manifestation of it varies widely, even those born into CS, at some point, have to convert their thinking in some form or fashion.

In speaking of gaining a truer sense of God and “breaking this earthly spell” Mrs. Eddy says, “This thought is apprehended slowly, and the interval before its attainment is attended with doubts and defeats as well as triumphs.” (S&H39:18)

I have found that no matter where a person comes from, there are doubts and fears needing to be overcome.

So, I go back and forth on it. I guess this thread was to see if that's odd.

You sound pretty normal to me. ;)

Jim

[adyer]

For sure I had doubts and fears for YEARS to overcome. It was largely due to the superstitious nature of doctrinal theology that derives from the Nicene Creed. But I found that as my understanding of Truth grows, the aggressive fears of material religion diminish.

This from Science and Health (p.265) means a lot to me:

The universe of Spirit is peopled with spiritual beings,
and its government is divine Science. Man is the off-
spring, not of the lowest, but of the highest qualities of
Mind. Man understands spiritual existence
in proportion as his treasures of Truth and
Love are enlarged. Mortals must gravitate Godward,
their affections and aims grow spiritual,--they must near
the broader interpretations of being, and gain some proper
sense of the infinite,--in order that sin and mortality
may be put off.
It helps me to realize that this gravitation is not governed by human will or matter but by the Christ conscious within me.

[NancyJ]

Thanks for your replies, I am grateful to you.

I guess the dilema is (being totally honest) the difference in how CS view Christ, and how I've thought of Christ. It seesaws from 2 + 2 = 5, and then other times it equals 4.
I've had in my past years of learning: Christ is the mediator between man and God. Prayers being, 'through Jesus Christ we pray.'
Other times, (when I am studying CS), I enjoy the fact I can have that closeness with the Father, and no mediator is necessary, that Christ came to show the way.
So, I'd say I have a long way to go! :confused:

[Marthell]

I grew up practicing Buddhism and was quite involved and devoted, even teaching Sunday School when I encountered CS. Up to that time, I had always thought of Christianity as superstitious and idolatrous, since most denominations equate Jesus with the Christ, and then equate Jesus with God. Although I didn't believe in God at the time, it simply never made any sense to me.

When I came to CS I learned of the distinction between the Christ and Jesus it seemed so natural and common sensical. I kept my study of CS to myself for awhile, until I realized that although I appreciated many of the things I learned as a buddhist, I just didn't identify with Buddhism anymore and I wanted to devote my energy to the study of CS. Every now and then I'll smell incense or see a buddhist shrine and feel some nostalgia. Then, however, I remember how my life has improved and how many times I've felt drawn to God and away from material worship and the mesmerism disappears. I also find that the more I understand of CS, the more apparent the materiality in most religious expression - not that's it's evil or the followers are "lost," but it's not spiritual. Mrs. Eddy went out on a limb to make this fact known and suffered for it, and I'm more and more grateful that she did and I can tell the difference because of her honesty and courage.

I try to see the commonalities that are good and true between the various religions and I love spiritual art, but I also try to be careful to not let material religion creep into my thought and present itself as "spiritual," which is a common misunderstanding. Simply put, I haven't lost anything, but I find that the more I study and pray, the more rewarding CS is.

[adyer]

Marthell, that is a beautiful reply. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[chismith]

Hi Marthell,
The terminology 'Conversion' can only apply to change in external form of practice to whatever spiritual awareness a person is undergoing. I myself have learned a great deal to the wisdom of spiritual awakening both in the Eastern and Western tradition and have never considered myself as converting from one way to the other. how can there be any conversion within the same spiritual essence?

True, a lot of Buddhists utilize ancient heritage of rituals, incense burning ,bowing, repentance ceremonies,..., etc to help them to cultivate in their spiritual practice, as well as helping them to see their true essence. Underneath all these seemingly 'nonsense' doings, there is a profound and deep reasoning of which I can fully respect and understand. Everyone's spiritual cultivation is different due to each own's cultural, educational, environmental or put it in a foreign tone, karmic differences. That's why there are some many 'religions', even among the Christian world there are many many different sects, even beliefs. Whatever works best for each individual's salvation is probably the most suitable. Remeber underneath all that differences is the common yearning for all of us for the same salvation (please don't get too uptight on this terminology), that is PEACE within and among us.

As a matter of fact it is through Buddha's discovery is when I can gain confidence in CS teaching. It is through diligent devotion to meditation practice is when I can KNOW for myself what it means to be the perfect 'image of God'. Maybe for a lot of CSers, they don't need to venture outside their comfort zone in order to know the truth that MBE was voicing. But, as a doubter I had to go out on a limb to verify it. I did not have to go through 'conversion', but felt doubly blessed in both traditions. And thanks goodness, through Buddha's discovery is when I can connect with CS. Now, I have absolutely no doubt in MBE's conviction. How ironic that some of the fundamental Christian fanatics do not appreciate Buddha's discovery. Well, that's another topic I would not contaminate because this CS forum is on a holy ground.

It is my sincerely hope that we, on the path to spiritual awakening like MBE always emphasized on, not be so hung up on the external appearances of other 'religion'.

[Marthell]

Hi there,
Thanks for your comments about my post. I probably didn't emphasize enough how grateful I am for my upbringing, even though I don't practice Buddhism anymore.

You're right that behind the rituals and ceremonies there are often very profound meanings and reasons. I'd venture to say that's the case with Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Islam, etc., but I also think that as CSists it's good for us to recognize that ceremonies always imply that we need to work toward or up to something, be it heaven, enlightenment, liberation, etc... The fundamental basis of thought is that we are physical, material beings with a spiritual dimension and in the case of Buddhism, we are simply destined to suffer since there is nothing immutable about us, no essence. CS takes the exact opposite view, that we are entirely spiritual, already perfect, whole, holy, beloved and no cultivation is needed. A simple, yet unwavering acceptance of this fact allows us to practice CS healing. Buddhism, as well as Hinduism, share many things with CS, in particular a focus on thought and individual endeavor. We do a disservice to all of these faiths to look at similarities at the expense of recognizing fundamental differences in outlook.

I'm with you in my admiration for the Buddha. I think that he and Jesus would be like brothers were they to be here now. Buddhists, at least in my experience, often demonstrate Jesus' core teachings better than christians themselves - non-judging, universal compassion, patience and I can think of some other qualities. Thus, there's a lot to be shared and gained from understanding each other and I'm deeply grateful for my experiences in Buddhism, while being unspeakably grateful for having found CS.

Peace to you and everyone, Buddhists, Christians and all of our other brothers and sisters.

[adyer]

The Bible says, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

I have found it important over my many years of CS study to discard even a "vestigial" superstition involved in the false concept of conversion from one sect or doctrine to another. But there is a conversion of thought; it would fly in the face of everything Mrs. Eddy taught to try to homogenize her teachings with any other teaching, be it Buddhism, New Age, materia medica, or any orthodox doctrine.

We're not speaking of some vague spirituality or philosophy. We're talking about Science, which is divine. We cannot discuss Science without distinguishing error from Truth. If we're not prepared to do that we cannot claim an honest scientific pursuit. So when we look at Christian Science as taught by Mrs. Eddy, we are not simply adhering to a doctrinal platform. There is no such thing in CS. We are students of Science.

Any student of mathematics must be converted from a wrong understanding of math to a right understanding. There is no in between. And there is no mingling of Truth and error.

So I'm a firm advocate of conversion...but not the kind that is normally meant.