The Denver Jewish news., 1919-07-30
The Number Of Jewish Conventions to
Christian Science.

be greatly exaggerated. Judging by
the number of converts in smaller COM
nlunities with which I am acquainted,
the number cannot be so very large
II the same proportions bold true all
over the country.
There seems to be no reason why
in large centers such as New York,
Chicago, Philadelphia, ana st. Louis,
the proportion of Jewish converts
should be larger than in smaller COM
munities, say in Minneapolis or st
Paul. Christian Science has no more
TO offer in one city than in another;
nor are the Jews Of one city, on the
average, any different from the Jews
Of other cities.
As to the number of Jews who have
so far Joined the Christian Science
church, there is really no cause for
alarm on our part Nor is there any
likelihood that the new cult will ever
make sny serious inrOads in Jewry.
Other churches and other cults have
tried the conversion of Jews before:
lave been trying it for the last twen-
ty-One hundred years. beginning with
IIellenism. They have used more
powerful means than Christian Science
commands. They have used all pos
sible terrors to frighten the Jew into
apOstasy, and all possible blandish-
Inents to tempt him; they came with
the sword in one hand, and with hon
ors, emOluments. and other tempting
gifts In the other; they have often
succeeded in tearing away some Jew
ish souls from their ancestral faith.
sometimes many souls. Yet Israel has
survived all such dangers.
At the present time, too, many a
Jew is going astray from his fold
and it is not only the Christian Sci
ence church that attracts him. In
Europe, especially in Germany, Aus
tria, and Russia, it is the dominant
church Of each country that has won
Jewish converts by the hundreds and
thousands; for to enter certain covet-
ed spheres of worldly ambition they
must pass thru the portals Of the
church.
1t is different, however, in this
country. No economic or social pres
sure is brought to bear upon the Jew
tc barter his faith away. Those who
apostatize do SO from ignorance, or
stupidity, or climbing tendency char
acteristic of snobs, or, in the case Of
certain poor, shiftless. ne'er-do-sxen sel-
lows, from desire to make an easy
living as missiona ries to the Jews
The Christian Science figures in re-
gard to Jewish converts are undoubt-
edly exaggerated. But some Jewish
people have been converted to the new
faith, and have severed their relations
with their former co-religionists. They
in turn set the example to others, for
each Of them has some acquaintances
and friends. This new apostasy is
likely to spread more and more. for
the instinct of tha herd is very strong
among human beings. Abraham or
Isaac has turned Christian Scientist.
and is now well, contented and,happy.
it is argued; therefore, there must be
something to it. Let us give it
trial.
Still more misleading and pernici-
Gus liz the example of convert who
is rightly or wrongly looked upon as
II person of some education or superior
mentality. If such a bright light finds
Christian Science in accord with reas-
cn and truth some say, then it is
surely all right. The reverse argu-
ment does not seem to suggest itself
to them, namely, that since such II
one has Joined such a church, and sub
scribes to its doctrines, his cannot be
such clear and bright intellect after
all; or, if it is, he may be prompted
by some other motive than that OF
seeking religious truth.
The unthinking and unwary Jew is
lured to the Christian Science cult by
arguments that 1 shall discuss at
greater length further on, but which
l touch upon here to show that there
Is some danger if the matter is neg
lected by.us. The neophyte is told
that he can be Jew and a Christian
honestly and foOlishly believes it. That
is not -fnir dealing on the part of
Christian Science. But wnat will not
Jealous rellgionists do to make con-
yerts?