Is Pro-Life Only for the Unborn?

[Jael]

I believe that Christian Scientists are Pro-Life? If this is true, is pro-life only for the unborn? What does pro-life mean for the living?

[goodwinh]

Great question! I love the wonderful support and expanding ideas that this forum is supplying ... a "mutual aid society" ...(see quote below from Prose Works by MBE).

"Communing heart with heart, mind with mind, soul with soul, wherein and whereby we are looking heavenward, is not looking nor gravitating earthward, take it in whatever sense you may. Such communing uplifts man's being; it makes healing the sick and reforming the sinner a mutual aid society, which is effective here and now." My 154:27

In CS "Life" and "Spirit" are two of the synonyms of the infinite, supreme, eternal, immortal, Father, Mother God... (Period) :)

Then, who would or could not be Pro LIFE in this spiritual sense of realty!?

That definition of Life (and by implication Life's expression) certainly begs more reflection! - perhaps more question - and more answers :)

[Courtenay]

Hi,

The Church of Christ, Scientist doesn't mandate or recommend any "official" positions on social and political issues like abortion. So individual Christian Scientists are free to leave it up to their own conscience and prayerful understanding to determine how they respond to such issues, if necessary. But as the previous respondent says, we are pro-Life in the spiritual sense - definitely! And we're all working to understand that no matter what seems to happen on the human scene, real Life is spiritual and never begins or ends in matter. :)

[adyer]

How important is it to be pro-life? Or pro-choice? Are we either one or the other?

What I'm asking is, can I be neither one? The thing is, these are political labels and if the theory is that Christian Scientists are pro-life then am I labeled politically as the result of being a student of Mrs. Eddy's teachings?

Is Christian Scientist not, in fact, a more valid "label" of who I am than those other two monikers?

I hope that makes sense.

[Courtenay]

Adyer, I find Christian Scientist a much more valid label (if I have to have one) too! :)

One of the things I most love about Christian Science is that it shows us how to step right outside the endless back-and-forth wranglings and this-vs-that dualisms of conflicting human opinions. This doesn't mean ignoring moral dilemmas, but it does allow us to lift our thoughts above the often very impassioned and divisive arguments and start to see things from a spiritual perspective. When we know that God is in control, no matter how things look on the human scene, we can feel less pulled about by political debates - less drawn into choosing "sides" and labelling ourselves or anyone else, and less afraid over possible outcomes. When we identify everyone as the child of God, we can look for and appreciate the good they express (even when we don't necessarily agree with them personally), and know that real resolution for these debates will come not as one "side" out-argues the other, but as we all come to know what God truly is and what we truly are - even if we don't quite see it yet.

(I'm writing as one who used to get really, really wound up over political issues and opinions... discovering what God knows about us is so much nicer!! ;))

[adyer]

Adyer, I find Christian Scientist a much more valid label (if I have to have one) too! :)

<...>

(I'm writing as one who used to get really, really wound up over political issues and opinions... discovering what God knows about us is so much nicer!! ;))
Courtenay, I feel the same way. I quoted only part of your comment. Re the last part: I have never been too hyped up about national politics...but I used to get all riled up about CHURCH politics! Spiritual growth has helped me leave (most of) that behind. I speak up when I need to but I always remember that my practice of Christian Science is my relationship with God, and not to try and live it vicariously through church. And on the few times that I get frustrated with church politics I'm learning how to turn from it and consider the issue apart from any emotional involvement in it. It's like removing a huge fallen log from the middle of the road, if you know what I mean. It makes my practice more productive and makes church more rewarding.