Dated a Christian scientist for a while, it was a very surreal experience, because he raised livestock. Instead of using a veterinarian, he would just call up a Christian science prayer person, and they would pray over the animals, and the sick animals would all die. Because I was a nonbeliever, and I had complained about how the animal suffered, I was accused of killing the animals because I was not a believer. Our relationship did not last.

James Hetfield of metallica was raised as a strict Christian Scientist. His mom died of cancer when he was 16, presumably she would have lived, or at least lived a lot longer had she not rejected treatment. This inspired a lot of metallica's early lyrics

My great grandmother who was born in 1907 was a lifelong Christian Scientist and I still have a card from her wallet expressing this, as it impacted how she would be cared for in the hospital and death. In the late 80s she came to live with us. She never talked about it, she never talked about her past at all. So I had to learn from my parents, who dismissed her faith. I know she expected to set the age of her death, and she lived past 76 she spent 20 years waiting to die. She also literally ignored either kidney or gallbladder stones (I can't remember which) for YEARS largely because the pain would pass. And this was proof of her faith and controlling the physical. I am so grateful for this perspective  ❤

The channel Knowing Better did a really well done deep dive into the history of Christian Science. Worth watching.

I went to elementary school with a kid raised as a Christian scientist. He was always sick and sent to school no matter what. He also had medium to high support needs as an autistic kid and his parents refused to get him the resources he needed to be successful in school. We were in a very small private school that did not have any kind of special education program. Instead, he was singled out and embarrassed in front of the class almost daily because he could not write, read, or do math like the rest of the class. I look back on that experience with great sadness. I found him on FB one time and saw he was still deeply indoctrinated in Christian science. I hope the best for him.

I'm surprised that a group who believes the material world is an unreal distortion would have such beautiful buildings. I would expect very barren, unadorned buildings, more like sensory deprivation chambers. It's strange to me that the "material evil" people would have buildings more beautiful than groups who do not believe that, when for the latters it is by design.

As one of the four active Mormons who watches your channel, thanks for the warning lol.

hiya, former christian scientist here! i was born into it and so was my dad and both of his parents. i went to CS summer camp and CS college, many of my family members currently work within the church. christian science was my whole life until i started falling off the bandwagon in my early 20s. i LOVED hearing your perspective and confusion and questions, and they all make total sense – there are so many contradictions and so many aspects of it that break the mold when it comes to people's notions of niche christian (cult-ish!) religions. i would absolutely love to talk to you about all of this if you're interested in doing a deeper dive – christian science still fascinates me, just now as an outsider looking in (similar to you, i'm obsessed with learning about religions of all sorts and always have been, even back in the good old days). i'm also tempted to just record some commentary on your video because your questions are GOLD. anyway, love your content and would love to get in touch if you're interested!

I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR GNOSTIC VIDEO SOMEDAY!!!!

The "It's all up to you" façade is just that. A façade. It's like JW's saying they don't shun ex members.

My grandma was a Christian Scientist. I went to Christian Science church as a child. There weren't many people there back then, and that was 43 years ago so those people are certainly dead by now and I've always wondered if anyone my age or younger even knows what Christian Science is. How does the church afford things like lights and maintainance?

There were only three members left because the rest died from treatable diseases.

Raised in the CS church - but left as an adult.  In fact - I've even been in the Chapel Hill church you feature when visiting family.  Good luck figuring it all out. It's a mind-f**k , that's for sure.  I consider that CS is one of the original New Age religions.  (Unity's founders were students of a student of Mary Baker Eddy's, for example)    Before trying to tackle Science and Health, I'd recommend Carolyn Fraser's book "God's Perfect Child - Living and Dying in the  Christian Science Church"  - includes much of the history and lore of the church's founding.  Thanks for your research - I'm now a subscriber.

Christian Scientist here in Greensboro. If you’re ever up this way on a Wednesday, would love to take you to a Wednesday testimony meeting. And don’t worry, we won’t try to convert you. We totally suck at evangelism. Love your videos!

There’s an amazing book called fathermothergod by Lucia Greenhouse. It’s a memoir from a woman who grew up in Christian Science explains a lot of the questions you’re asking! She left the faith and she also speaks about her mother dying because she was refusing medical treatment. It’s done in a beautiful way and reads like a story and I think it handles the whole thing with a lot of grace and compassion too. Really highly recommend reading or listening to an audiobook of it!

I met a Christian Science dude in the army. I asked him what they believe and he straight away told me we aren't here. I don't know what else he said because I wasn't listening.

Man you have such a killer vibe and editing style

I live in Delaware and when I was growing up we lived next door to a Christian Science family. They were totally chill with taking medicine.

the saddest part about this is how absolutely beautiful that church is and where it is located. Like seriously almost
no Churches will ever be built like this in the foreseeable future and yet here one is rotting away on a dying religious sect.

The first class I took in college (that hilariously led to my accidental double major in religious studies as a biopsych major and life long atheist....a story for another time) was one of American religion and the major project and paper was kind of doing what you do and writing about it. We each had to pick a place where groups gather (not necessarily religious) and explore the meaning of what happens there and what function it serves to the people who gather there and the larger community. GIven that I'm leaving this comment under this video, I'll let you take a guess where I went. Anyway, just wanted to drop some love for my kookybeans homegirl MBE, the founder AND discoverer of Christian Science. What a legend.