In response to the woman who recently referred to Christian Scientists as right wingers who don’t take their children to doctors:
I was raised in Christian Science. My mom took me to doctors, dentists AND optometrists. This was no big deaI. My mom never expressed any concern about God being mad at her, or her church excommunicating her, or losing her CS friends over this. She just did what she felt she needed to do to for her children to keep them safe. I raised my own sons in Christian Science and didn’t hesitate to take them to doctors, dentists, and optometrists, either, when I felt the need. Again, no big deal.
Happily, the need didn’t arise very much, though. I learned, as a youngster, the healing power in knowing God as Love, and learned early in my life how to apply the power of Love to meet the challenges in my life (physical, mental, emotional, financial, professional, social, and etc.). Among the healings I’ve, personally, experienced: bronchitis; a puffed-up hand (blood tests my doctor took indicated rheumatoid arthritis – but the hand deflated to normal size in a couple days and I never needed to start medication or see a specialist); sprained ankles; what my optometrist saw as a melanoma on my eyelid; and a massive mental depression.
As for the “right-wing” part: I have voted for a Democrat for president every year since 1984 (well, except for that one year when I voted for Ralph Nader because I knew William Clinton didn’t need my vote to win, and I really liked Ralph Nader). I was a delegate for Obama to the state convention in 2012. I do not think I could be referred to as a “right winger.”
I’ve learned it’s best not to stereotype whole groups of people and try to stick them under a monolithic label.
Please do not tell me what I believe, feel, and think.
– Do not assume because I am a progressive and tend to vote for Democrats that I don’t believe in God, “hate the Bible,” and want to kill babies and take away your guns.
– Do not assume because I believe in God that I am anti-science, believe the earth is flat and the world was, literally, created in seven days.
– Do not assume that because I’m white, middle-aged and named “Karen” I am racist and want to talk to your manager.
– Do not assume that because I identify as a “Christian” I am conservative, opposed to LGBTQ rights, opposed to women’s rights, travel heavily armed, and voted for Trump.
– Do not assume that because I’m a Christian Scientist, I “don’t like doctors.” Some of my favorite people are doctors: my niece is an anesthesiologist; my brother-in-law is an anesthesiologist; my sister-in-law is an RN; and my nephew is an osteopathic doctor. I love them all. They are good people and I know they work very hard to give their patients the best care possible.
I think if we see others in terms of stereotypes we miss out on some beautiful friendships and kinship with our fellow humans.
-Karen Molenaar Terrell
Adventures of the Madcap Christian Scientist 
What a perfect response! I read and enjoy your blog so much. Thank you for your positive loving energy. You are a healer!
Thank you so much, Malinda! This means a lot to me! ❤
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Today is 6.27.2024. A debate between presidential candidates happened this evening. I attended Sunflower Music Festival at Washburn University, a 3 block walk from my home, refusing to give my attention to anything polarizing. CS has flooded my thoughts over the past 2-3 weeks. No single reason except I am a self-driven student of CS & waves of desire to understand the CS God, come & go. Reading Room volunteers have been very generous with the back-room pocket-size publications. I cherish each one. As I walked to the concert tonight I read What Am I? (1951). During the concert I re-read it. When I returned home I Googled Are Christian Scientists Political? Google offered other statements along this theme. One, Are Christian Scientists Politically Biased?, caught my eye. For a split second I thought about clicking it. Instead I continued with my original query & it took me directly to your blog. I’ve read & own your books & think about you often wishing you were my neighbor. One Sunday I overheard CSers discuss Hillary & T***p after a church service. One was my CS practitioner. They were bashing H. & promoting T. I have never told anyone, except you. I attended this church while generously supporting it monetarily for 2-3 years but abruptly stopped after learning that the ONLY person who talked to me about being raised by CS parents & about her personal CS experience disappeared from Sunday service for weeks because her body died & no one told me. I was told outside of church by someone who knew someone. I’m still heartbroken, hurt, embarrassed. The church only had 8-10 attend on Sundays & every one of them knew Mrs. D & I were buds. That was 10+ years ago. On 7/1 I’ll be age 74. What are the odds you may read this & know how much I respect you. Barbara ‘Barbie’ Lewis, bd.lewis@cox.net
Oh Barbie! Thank you so much for this! Your dear comment means so much to me. And I’m so sorry about your recent experiences at the CS church you attended. The world needs you. The world needs your clear thought and prayerful dedication. Let’s not give up hope, okay? Let’s keep praying and watching and working for healing in our nation and our world. Peace! Love! Joy! Karen