Hum130

World Religions Report

Catherine A. Johnson

HUM/130 Religions of the World

October 5, 2014

Roy Shaff

World Religions Report

Religion has changed over the past 2000 years. It changes by acts and beliefs of people, places, experiences, and time. However, religious beliefs or values each of us come to discover do not change; it becomes part of us. In 1875, Mary Baker Eddy began her discovery in New Hampshire; “after the publication of the first edition of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” (Peel, 1991). Mary Baker Eddy's life included the triumph of Christian Science over some of the harshest criticism and severest crises during the new religious movement. The Mother Church in Boston, “saw her movement spread to Europe and around the world, wrestled with the problem of spiritual authority in an increasingly secular society, and in her 88th year founded The Christian Science Monitor” (Peel, 1991).

Church and Services

My first visit to Christian Science Church (Reading Room) was on September 28, 2014, located at 142 S. Harvard Street Hemet, CA 92544. I met with Iris, who told me "the reading room is a place for people to come and study church materials and literature.' At that time, Iris provided with the information about main church services, location, and times of service. The main church is located at 875 E. Acacia Ave Hemet, CA 92543. On October 5, 2014, I attended the 10:00 am service. The building surroundings are beautiful and landscaping very refreshing. The building is approximately 2500 square feet with a large room for church services. The reading room was smaller approximately 300 square feet; considering the services offered at that location. Christian Science services included hymns, prayers, and warm fellowship among individuals from various backgrounds.

The Interview

After services, I spoke with Greg Dunlap; a practitioner of Christian Science. I asked; “Why there was no pastor?” Greg replied “Christian Science does not have...