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Frequently
Asked
Questions & Answers
About Religious Science & Science of Mind
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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!” |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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"There's
a power for good in the universe, and YOU can use it."
-- Ernest Holmes
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