I read with interest the piece on the Falun Gong in the Nov. 3 Daily. Although I have no basis to question the conclusions about the Falun Gong, I can speak as a lifelong Christian Scientist in addressing some of the incorrect assertions about the Christian Science movement.

Speaking first about cults, it should be noted that Christian Science is not a cult. Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science in 1866, wrote the textbook “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” and went on to found The First Church of Christ, Scientist, admonished her students against worshiping her.

In “Message to the Mother Church” in 1901, she writes ” … brethren, wait patiently on God … abide and abound in faith, understanding, and good works; study the Bible and the textbook of our denomination; obey strictly the laws that be, and follow your Leader only so far as she follows Christ.”

The statement that Christian Scientists refuse modern medicine misrepresents the reality that individual Christian Scientists are free to choose their preferred method of treatment. The Church does not make this decision for its members.

But bear in mind that many families have practiced Christian Science healing for several generations and have learned to rely on its efficacy through experience.

Hundreds of testimonies of healing, many of them documented by medical diagnosis, have been published in Christian Science periodicals throughout much of this century.

Christian Scientists are obedient to the law, engage in “spiritual healing” rather than “faith healing” and may well be considered “out there” as far as some elements of “mainstream society” are concerned, but this label no longer carries the stigma that it once did. Pioneers cannot, by definition, be part of the mainstream.

In 1998, PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly named Mrs. Eddy as one of the “most significant religious figures for Americans in the 20th century.” In 1992, she was selected by the National Women’s Book Association as one of 75 women “whose writings changed the world.” Her textbook is still a bestseller.

In the ground-breaking research on spirituality and healing in medicine sponsored by the Harvard Medical School and Mind-Body Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Christian Scientist has consistently been an invited faculty.

Eddy’s foundational work in the area of mind/body medicine and prayer-based healing, “Science and Health,” is listed reading for participants of their symposium.

Our services are open to the public, and visitors are welcome. Sunday services are at 10 a.m. with Sunday School for pupils up to the age of 20 at the same hour. Wednesday evening testimonial meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.

The church is located at the corner of Ninth St. and Kellogg Ave. in Ames.

Perhaps your readers will appreciate this clarification regarding Christian Science.

Wayne P. Davis

Resident

Ames