The Denver Jewish news., 1919-07-30
Jews and Christian,
Science
Why This Essay Is Written.
.By SAMUEL N. DEINARD.

.Hy SAMUEL n. DEINARD.
This essay is not written for the
purpose Of attacking or criticizing any
religion, or sect, or church, to which
large numbsrs Of our feilow-citizens
belong. Far be 1t from my mind.
There Is 9 large number and great
variety Of churches and sects in our
land, sll differing more or less from
one another $ each one having its own
doctrines, beliefs. and forms Of wOr-
ship; most Of them minding their
own business. and willing to let Othehs
do the same.
We are living In an age Of free
dom aud liberation. My neighbor's be-
lief aud religious practice are bis own
business. even as my belief and prac-
tice are mine. as long as do no harm
thereby to others.
True, there is really nothing wrong
in the criticism of ideas and beliefs,
as long as 1t is done In a friendly and
N0uttSOus AhdhieA lOi OiS maj
way is the knowledge of truth pro-
NOTED. Even philosophers and scien-
lists criticize each others ideas and
theories. Why should not members of
different religious bodies be ut lib
crty to do the same, as long a. it is
done without acrim0ny or hatred?
But we Jews feel little more deli
cately on this point than others may
feel. We have suffered so much from
the worlds intolerance; we have been
so ruthlessIy harassed and persecut-
ed on account Of our different be-
lief, that now that the civilized world
IL somewhat relenting towards us. we
feel that it behooves us above all 9TH
ers to be tolerant, and to let other
religionists alone, even as we would
lie let alone. We take the saying of
our great prophet Micah as good
doctrine for our guidance: Let all the
people walk every one in the name
of his god, while We vii; walk In the
name Of the Lord our God for ever
and ever"
In such is our attitude toward all
sects and churches, 1t should be even
more 80 toward the Christian Science
church. Its membership, AS rule,
consists Of very amiable people, very
pleasant to meet and to get acquainted
with; kindly, gentle, more or less DEM
ocratic. and apparently very much in
earnest about their beliefs and convic-
tions; yet not Obtrusive, tho. eager to
make converts-altogether an agree-
able class Of people. pr'lin Z
The very reasons that prompted
them to join the new cult, namely,
their former states Of real or imagin-
ary ill-heaith, suffering, and restless
ness, and their dissatisfaction with the
teachings and practices Of the churches
with which they formerly affiliated
these reasons, and their present state
Of recopciliation with life and Its con-
sequent peace Of mind, are factors In
bringing out those traits Of their char
acter which are SO praiseworthy.
1 must, however, state, in passing.
that their new faith develops one
| characteristic in them that IL far from
commendable. Christian Scientists
pre extremely indiyidualistic Each
one is self-centered, living unto him
self, and concerned about himself on
ly. The great problems and move
Inents Of the present age In all fields
OF endeavor, scientific, philosophical.
social aud philanthropic, do not seem
to concern them. 1t is the natural eff
feet Of their peculiar doctrines, as will
appear further on in these pages.
Modern progress in all departments
Of life is the result of the growing al
truistic and humanitarian or socializ-
ing tendencies Of the civilized world,
the growing consciousness that So
ciety as whole with all its arrange
Iaents and institutions, with all its
present Embellishments, requires our
attention us much us, if not more than,
the individual with his little troubles.
1'he extreme individualism of the
Christian Scientist, therefore, is u dis
cordant element in the modern world.
ind cannot be considered praise
worthy trait. But aside from that.
Christian Scientists are good people
and kind neighbors. and we should
cultivate their friendship. 1t is, there
fore, both ungracious and unpleasant.
above all for the jew, to criticize their
doctrines.