The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-11-09
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Plea to Medical Men to Expose
Fa1lacies.

In an article in which Christian
Science is termed terrible mental af-
fiction" the editor of American Mag
azine, New York, urges the medical
profession to take active steps to ex-
pose the fallacies of its doctrines. The
writer declares that it is a constant
menace, and that many innocent lives
have been sacrificed on account of it.
He says:
Christian Science as it is taught and
practiced is a blot on modern civihza-
ton. 1t is high time that the medical
profession took active steps to eSsose
the fa1lacies of doctrines that were CON
ceived in ignorance, and, as given to
the world, stand as little better than the
rawlings of perverted mentality That
intelligent beings can accept and follow
the teachings of the mind that evolved
the idea of malicious animal magnet
ism" is another illustration of the
psychic depravity that the human race is
subject to from time to time.
"The opinion has been current among
medical men that the Christian Science
movement was only fad that would
spend itself in time if left alone. Many
have felt that to attack the cult would
simply give it the publicity that was de-
sired, and by creating the possible idea
of martyrdom would only add fuel to
the flame. Many medical men have hes
itated to openly express themselves for
/ fear of exciting the criticism of selfish
motives. AS a consequence, we have
seen this terrible mental affliction sweep
over communities and not voice has
been raised to save the people from
their folly Should this baneful thing
be allowed to continue with its infinite
possibilities for harm? Most assuredly
not, and we believe it only needs an in
telligent campaign of education to show
the thinking masses what a peril exists
in the pernicious and fallacious teach
ing of Christian Science.
IF the science of medicine and mod
ern sanitation have the foundation that
we have confidently believed, it only re-
mains for us to point out the facts to
save those who have sound minds and
are capable of reasoning from cause to
effect. Untruths and mistakes can not
flourish in the light of truth and incon-
trovertitble facts.
Christian Science is a constant mem
ace. Ii denies every tenet on which
modern sanitation and prophylaxis are
based Let pestilence or epidemic
! come into tour midst and the attitude of
the Christian Scientists means a calam-
| ity such as the world has never seen.
Already many innocent lives have been
sacrificed by the blind fanaticism of
the Christian Scientists.
1T is shame that helpless children
have been the victims, but they have,
and many more will go down to the
grave before this monster is uprooted
from our civilization.
ALREADY there is a healthy antago-
nism developing in the churches of the
land and the intelligent clergymen and
priests of the country are taking a
definite stand against the evils that are
SO evident.
"The time is ripe for militant spirit
in medical affairs, and if the splendid
accomplishments of medicine, hygiene
and sanitation can not triumph by sheer
truth over the ridiculous, i'll founded
and perverted teachings of Christian
Science, then we are working and striy-
ling in vain. !"
l This is severe arraignment of Chris
titan Science, but such criticism, instead
of operating against it, will stimulate
the strength of its growth.
| Can Christian Science be squelched
If it is not in the class of medicine
professional or otherwise, which may
be reached by law, and its success is de
pendent on the faith of its disciples and
its advocates, how could it be sup.
lpressed?
; 1t may be conceded that ''untruth'
and mistakes can not flourish in th'
light of truth and incontroVertiblt
facts but men and women living to
day, some in Shreveport, whose case
were declared to be hopeless have no
only improved but are in the enjoymen
of good health. Whether this happ.
condition has been reached by faith il
y Christian Science or by letting drug
alone, is problem which professional
and scientists may solve.