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Frequently Asked Questions & Answers About Religious Science & Science of Mind
	What is Religious Science? Religious Science brings a fresh concept of  religion as a life philosophy and a science. It is available to people of all faiths. As a philosophy, Religious Science presents a practical, down-to-earth way of thinking about the nature of the Universe and our relationship to it. As a religion, it presents a philosophy that is both mentally stimulating and emotionally satisfying. As a science, it presents specific and definite ideas which you can demonstrate for yourself and directly experience the benefits in your life. “There is a power for good in the Universe greater than you are--and you can use it!” Ernest Holmes. Religious Science uses the expression “Science of Mind” to define a system of mental and spiritual principles, combined with a technique for the application of these principles into one’s life. Religious Science emphasizes the spiritual connection of all which in turn brings peace and greater harmony to us at all levels of our experience. Religious Science provides the tools so we can expand our consciousness in ways that lead to an even higher order of living. The consistent application of Religious Science results in health, satisfying relationships, enhanced creativity, and prosperity. Religious Science is an open system of thought that draws on the frontiers of knowledge and the wisdom of all the ages so we might continually grow and expand our consciousness. “Change your thinking and change your life!” Ernest Holmes
	What We Believe Religious Scientists believe that God is a loving Infinite Intelligence, operating through and in all of life. We are never separate from anyone or anything as we believe this Universal Intelligence is within us, as well as around us, and that we are conscious of it. The way of life we teach and practice is to learn how to live in accordance with spiritual principles which as reliable as the laws of physical science. Our beliefs are in harmony with the basic tenets of all the world's great religions. Through classes and study we come to understand our oneness with this indwelling Universal Intelligence which we call Divine Presence. In the scientific aspect of Religious Science, we believe there is a body of knowledge about spiritual laws which operates in the Universe as Cause and Effect. We teach that "It is done unto you as you believe." Our thinking and our expectations create our reality. It is in studying and applying spiritual laws that we can change our unconscious beliefs and create improved conditions in our lives. We believe that as a divine being, each of us are the master of our destiny.
	How is the difference between Religious Science and Science of Mind? Religious Science was founded in 1926 by Dr. Ernest Holmes. The teachings are called the Science of Mind. Science of Mind teaches a system of mental and spiritual principles, combined with a technique for the application of these principles into one’s life. Religious Science exists to facilitate the reawakening of each individual's awareness of the higher Self.
	How closely does the Science of Mind follow the Bible? Dr. Holmes felt that Truth was expressed in all the great religions and other spiritual paths. We respect all the spiritual paths. Students of Science of Mind read sacred texts including the Bible. Dr. Holmes wanted to combine those basic elements of Truth into a modern teaching that people could apply in their day-to-day living. We know that every spiritual path has Truth within it. Truth is expressed within many philosophies and even in modern science. The Science of Mind seeks to synthesize all of these elements in a way that we can understand and use to live more productive and beneficial lives. We strive to present the deep principles and unfold them for people to use without as much of the ritual, doctrine and the unique aspects of religion.
	What does the Science of Mind and Spirit say about Jesus Christ? We believe that Jesus was the greatest spiritual teacher to walk the planet. What's distinct and different about our belief about Jesus is that we do not believe that he was essentially different from all other human beings. He was different only in that he had awakened; and he, we believe, came here to show us the kind of lives we could lead when we are spiritually activated. He came to show us our divine potential. He said, “I and my Father are One." He said, "The things that I have done you will do, and greater things will you do." Now, we are not going to be doing greater things than Jesus unless we share the very same life and same potential that Jesus expressed. He was always saying, "Follow me," "Do the things that I do." He said that we had the power of faith. He said, "If you have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed, you'll say to that mountain, 'Remove hence' and it shall be moved and nothing shall be impossible to you." He was seeking to awaken in us the same spiritual power he was expressing, and to show us by his example that spiritual power expression. He was a great teacher of the Law. He said, "It is done unto you as you believe.' He said, "When you pray, believe that you shall receive and you shall receive." He knew that thoughts become things. Jesus spoke his word with spiritual authority and saw it brought forth into expression to heal mind, body and circumstance. So, Jesus was a great "way-shower", we believe. He was showing humankind the next step as we evolve our consciousness. We do not see Jesus as the great exception -- to be worshiped and for us to feel less than. We see Jesus as the great example, and we fulfill his ministry as we awaken what we call "Christ-consciousness", which is the realization of our own Oneness with God. We let those spiritual powers flow through our affirmative prayer work and through our constructive thinking. We aim to live a similar life and walk in the same path that that great teacher walked.
	What is the Science of Mind and Spirit position on immortality and the afterlife? We believe that every individual, being an expression of God-life or of the One life, is already immortal. The one life in each of us is not subject to what we call "death." We hold that death is a change of form to another. The essential spirit of us does not die; rather it puts on a different form. We believe that life is an on-going continuum. The spiritual principle of life in each of us already has eternal life. You’re not waiting to die. You are here to live right now. At some point, the life inside of us will let go of the physical body and manifest another form suitable for the next stage of your journey. As Paul said in the Bible, "Oh grave, where is thy victory. Death, where is thy sting." So, we come to realize that we are spiritual beings. Paul also said in the Bible, there is the body terrestrial -- this physical body we're so familiar with. There is also the body celestial. Paul is talking about the real spiritual essence, and that's what lives on and continues to evolve. That is a beautiful thing to know.
	Are you optimistic about the future? Science of Mind is very life affirming. We're not a real somber kind of group. The Science of Mind is a very joyous thing. We have much to be joyous about. There are times when life is painful. We all hurt, and we see a lot going-on on this precious planet Earth that hurts us. Basically, what we understand about life and the will of life, or the will of God, is that life is here to be celebrated. Every one of us possesses the potential to transform our own life and to help transform life on this planet. We are a very optimistic teaching. We believe that we are all awakening. We believe that humankind is on an endless journey of becoming a spiritual realized creation. We have great belief in our individual possibilities. We have great belief that things can be changed and that we can make a difference on this planet. Our own personal awakening serves the greater awakening and the healing of conditions on this planet. The more we realize what we are capable of, the more motivated we become to make a difference. This is a teaching of joy and possibilities. As you discover that in yourself, then you gift it to life around you.
	Spiritual Mind Treatment, Practitioners, and You We know that with God all things are possible. Whatever the problem, there is always an answer. A Practitioner can help when a problem defies our imagination or when we cannot see what went wrong.
	What is Spiritual Mind Treatment? Spiritual Mind Treatment is our form of affirmative prayer. The use of treatment in our daily lives gives us the privilege of choosing the direction of our thought. It is a very powerful and positive tool that brings us into alignment with the Divine Presence.  “TW! Treatment works!”
	Once I decide to seek the services of a Practitioner, what do I do next? Request an appointment by telephone or email or in person at Sunday Celebration. Call the church at 317-345-2803 and leave a voice mail message. Email your request to indysom@yahoo.com. Practitioners are available after Sunday Celebrations as our gift to you.
	If you would like IMMEDIATE PRAYER, you may reach a Science of Mind Practitioner at United Religious Science World Ministry of Prayer, now! From within the United States or Canada call: 1-800-421-9600; From all other countries call: 303 298-1575
	Must I be present in order for treatment to work? You need not be present for treatment to work. Treatments are just as effective if the Practitioner is in your presence, on the telephone, or on the other side of the world. There is only One Mind, God's Mind and that Mind is everywhere present. This is the Universal Subjectivity or Creative Medium to which Dr. Holmes refers, and within which Spiritual Mind Treatment does its work.
	What is the cost to work with a Practitioner? The work of the Practitioner is a professional service. The suggested fee for Practitioner work: Single Treatment $35.  Recognize that treatment work is never withheld because of an inability to pay. Simply explain your financial circumstances to the Practitioner, and ask for work in the area of prosperity so that you will be in a stable financial condition.

"There's a power for good in the universe, and YOU can use it."
-- Ernest Holmes