History
Upon publication of his
seminal book in 1926, The
Science of Mind, Holmes
established the Institute
for Religious Science in
Los Angeles. This
organization would later
become the Church of
Religious Science. Holmes
had no intention of creating
a new denomination. Holmes
also published a magazine
called The Science of Mind.
In 1953 the Church of
Religious Science split into
two organizations, known
today as the United Centers
for Spiritual Living, or
UCSL (formerly the United
Church of Religious Science,
or UCRS), and Religious
Science International, or
RSI. RSI cites the cause of
the split as "differences in
approach to corporate
structure and church
administration." UCSL is
based in Burbank, California
and currently led by Rev.
Kathy Hearn. RSI is based in
Spokane, Washington and
currently led by Dr. Candice
Becket. RSI is more
decentralized. Global
Religious Science
Ministries, or GRSM, was
founded by former RSI
ministers who envisioned an
expanded definition of
ministry. GRSM is based in
Silver Spring, Maryland and
currently led by Rev. Lisa
Marks. In addition, there
are some smaller branches,
as well as independent
Religious Science churches.
The teachings of the
branches are generally
similar and the
organizations collaborate on
events.
Teachings
The Science of Mind (SOM)
teachings generally have
idealistic and panentheist
tones. SOM teaches that all
beings are expressions of
Infinite Intelligence, also
known as Spirit, God, or the
One Mind. SOM teaches that
thought is creative, and
people can learn to more
consciously create their own
experience. A slogan used by
some Religious Science
churches is "Change Your
Thinking, Change Your Life."
People can achieve more
fulfilling lives through a
process called spiritual
mind treatment, or
affirmative prayer.
Spiritual mind treatment is
a step-by-step process, in
which one states the desired
outcome as if it is already
known that it has happened.
Each step flows logically
from the last one. Treatment
is to be stated as personal,
positive, powerful, and
present. The goal is to gain
clarity in thinking that
guides action to be
consistent with the desired
outcome. The treatment sets
off a new chain of causation
in Mind that leads one to
act according to the good
for which one is treating.
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One of the most popular
treatment processes includes
the following five steps:
- Recognition: There
is one Spirit. Spirit is
all there is. (God is).
- Unification: Spirit
and I are one. I live,
move, and have my being
in God. (I am).
- Realization: A
series of statements
affirming/declaring the
outcome desired. (I
accept).
- Thanksgiving: Being
thankful that we have
received the desired
outcome, or something
even better. (I am
thankful) or (I Give
Thanks).
- Release: Giving it
over to the Law and
letting the Law do its
work (Let go and let
God) or (And So It Is).
Someone who is certified
to conduct treatments during
church services or to assist
people through treatment is
called a practitioner. A
professional practitioner is
available for spiritual
counseling by appointment
and performs some
ecclesiastical functions in
association with the
minister, such as giving
treatments during church
services or making
announcements. The way that
each practitioner conducts
treatments may be very
different. The training of
practitioners varies a bit
in each of the branches, but
licensed practitioners (who
carry the designation RScP)
are thoroughly trained in
professional courses and
required to maintain an
ongoing education and
service to their
communities. Ministers are
also carefully trained, and
other members are also
encouraged to take Science
of Mind classes. Everyone is
also encouraged to do
spiritual mind treatment on
their own to solve various
problems in their lives.
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The Science of Mind also
states seven main attributes
(or Seven Verities) of
Infinite Intelligence, or
God: love, light, life,
power, peace, beauty, and
joy. It describes God as a
"triune unity" (Holmes's
phrase) of Spirit, Soul,
Body. God is viewed as
Omnipotent, Omniscient, and
Omnipresent.
The mental healing work
of Dr. Phineas P. Quimby was
a source of inspiration to
much of the New Thought
movement, including
Religious Science. Although
some of the teachings are
similar, Religious Science
is not to be confused with
Christian Science, founded
by Mary Baker Eddy. Former
Christian Scientist Emma
Curtis Hopkins developed her
own method of "Scientific
Christian Mental Practice,"
which she taught to Holmes
and founders of several
other New Thought
denominations (including the
Fillmores, founders of
Unity, and the Brooks
sisters, co-founders of
Divine Science). Her work
was later published as a
book by the same name.
Ernest Holmes was strongly
influenced by Ms. Hopkins
and by the writings of Judge
Thomas Troward and Ralph
Waldo Emerson, as he
developed his synthesis
which became known as
Religious Science.
While UCSL, RSI, and GRSM
have standardized Science of
Mind curriculum and course
materials, the approach to
the teachings may vary from
church to church. While some
churches have ministers who
bring a more Christian
influence, others focus on
influences from other
religions, such as Buddhism,
Hinduism, or Taoism. Many
Religious Science churches
and centers have active
Youth Groups and Young Adult
programs.
