Introduction
With the advancements in the study of social sciences,
there has been a somewhat parallel growth of cults
which though have their foundations in the original
Bible and the Christian teachings, yet one may
observe that the majority of the present day cults
not only deny the essential doctrines, they openly
emphasize and present their own personal reinterpretations
of the biblical scriptures. The following paper
will present two such cases, those of Christian
Science and the Mormons, and strive to present
some of the comparative elements, their beliefs,
customs, religious ceremonies and leadership aspects.
Christian Science - Leadership
Founded by a woman named Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910)
in 1879, the cult of Christian Science primarily
bases its beliefs on the personal healing experience
of its founder, after suffering from various illnesses.
Eddy later embarked upon a detailed study and
research mission of the Bible, paying particular
attention to the various healing methods mentioned
in the Biblical Book of the Christian followers.
Perhaps inspired by a healing method, which Eddy
dubbed as Christian Science, she authored a book
titled "Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures". The launching of this book provided
for the emergence of this new cult, which she
duly named "Christian Science", followed
by opening of a college, a church, a publishing
enterprise and a newspaper, "The Christian
Science Monitor" that later found considerable
fame amongst the followers of Christians as well
as believers of other faiths. Though the faith
did not emerge until after 4 years of the publication
of the first issue of "Science and Health",
it was only in 1879 that a proper metaphysical
college was opened followed by the opening of
the first Church for the followers of Christian
Science. (Slick, 2003; Kramer, 2004; Meyer, 1961)
C
Christian Science - The Faith
The primary set of contradictions present in the
Christian Science are that though God's creations
including human beings are flawless and appear
to be the spiritual likeness of the Divine, yet
evils such as disease, death, and sin are not
a part of fundamental reality. The faith further
teaches that the said evils are the result of
staying away from the original teachings of God.
To overcome such a dilemma, the Christian Science
offers prayer as the primary and central measure
to eliminate the distance between God and healing
the current spate of ills, which have encompassed
mankind.
Christian Science - The Customs
Some of the salient customs of the Christian Science
include a daily prayer ritual which serves to
bring realization of God, and God's Love as well
as assist others in experiencing the harmonizing
and healing effect of the primary understanding
of the Christian Science. The cult also emphasizes
on the spiritual healing effect and gives more
than a mere emphasis as compared to the medical
treatment of the ailing humanity. The cult has
nor formal ministers, and instead the Bible, Science
and Health are its pastor and preacher.
With its headquarters in Boston, duly called
the First Church of the Christ, Scientist, or
The Mother Church. It is assisted with a number
of local churches, which serve as its branches.
Run under a Manual of the Mother Church, the Christian
Science has a Board of Directors, which governs
the Church on a democratic system, and is duly
assisted by its branches. (Slick, 2003; Kramer,
2004; Meyer, 1961)
The Mormon Cult - Leadership
Founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in New York, the
cult of the Mormons is yet another faith that
derives its teachings from Biblical scriptures.
Though most, if not all the elements of this cult
are founded in the original Biblical texts, followers
of the Christian belief due to some of the extreme
contradictions and deceptions in both the books
of the Mormons as well as its teachings largely
oppose the faith. The cult has some 7 million
members, out of 5 million are residing in the
United States of America.
The Mormon Cult - The Faith
Some of the strongest contradictions found in
the "Book of Mormons", which is the
given the official status of the cult's book,
are the addition of some 125 new verses in the
New Testament and the changing of some 1,475 verses
in the Bible. Another strong belief of the Mormon
cult is their book, which they believe and consider
it to 'their Bible', hence also inviting stern
opposition from the followers of the Christian
faith. Furthermore, though 'Jesus Christ', 'Father'
and 'Trinity' are terms commonly used by the Christian
followers the world over. Yet, for the Mormon
followers, all these are interpreted and in a
totally different manner and present a more than
a new version to the Holy Scriptures and the said
terms. For example the birth of Jesus Christ according
to the Mormons was through sexually cohabiting
with Virgin Mary in a physical and flesh relationship,
which is entirely contradictory to the original
beliefs of the Christian followers. The Christians
rightly believe that Jesus Christ came into this
world through a Holy Ghost.
The Mormon Cult - The Customs
Some of the salient customs and beliefs of the
Mormons aside from the coming of the Jesus Christ
are found in the practice of polygamy, as also
followed by its leader Joseph Smith who is said
to have had some 27 wives officially and 60 unofficially.
This was followed by its second in command, Brigham
Young with 25 wives and more than 56 children.
Such is the strong emphasis on the practice of
polygamy that Mormon belief proclaims that "he
who rejects the doctrine of polygamy shall be
condemned and the only men who become gods are
those who enter polygamy". The practice was
however abolished by its third leader in the year
1904. (Slick, 2003; Kramer, 2004; Meyer, 1961)
With its headquarters in the state of Utah, the
Mormon followers forbid women to become priests,
church leaders or even gods. It is also widely
believed that women of the Mormon cult perhaps
have the highest rate of suicide, the highest
percentage of being incarcerated in mental institutions,
and the highest percentage of divorces in the
nation.
Salient Differences Between the cults of Christian
Science and Mormons
The Bible
One of the first and perhaps strongest difference
found is that the cult of Christian Science claims
that the Bible has a number of mistakes, and further
that a number of sections Are untrue. The Mormons
on the other hand only consider their own books,
namely the "Book of Mormons", "Doctrine
& Convenant", and the "Pearl of
Great Price". (Stevens, 2004)
God
Second vital difference found in the two cults
of Christian Science and Mormons is that the first
rejects the God of the Old Testament, and claim
that God is All in All. The Mormons believe that
there are numerous gods, and that individuals
too can become gods. (Stevens, 2004)
Jesus Christ
Third difference, that on the Person of Jesus
Christ is that for the Mormons Jesus Christ was
a normal human being, just as anyone of us. Further,
that one of the first gods was born of Elohim,
the spirit brother of Lucifer (the Devil) and
a polygamist, who was married to both Marys and
Martha. The Christian Science, on the other hand
is of the view that Jesus Christ was not at all
God, but a simple human being, with the exception
of "Christ" as the Divine Idea. (Stevens,
2004)
The Holy Spirit
The concept and belief on the Holy Spirit is too
different in both the cults. For example the Christian
Science rejects the Holy Spirit duly replacing
it with "Comforter as the Divine Science".
The Mormons on the other hand view the Holy Spirit
as the mere substance of fluid, a person totally
different from the Father or Jesus Christ and
confined to a single place and at a certain time.
(Stevens, 2004)
Blood of Jesus Christ
Another severe difference of beliefs found in
the cults of Christian Science and Mormons is
on the Blood of Jesus Christ, and its implications.
The Christian Science views the Blood as being
devoid of any power to forgive sins, and that
it is no more of value than that of a normal human
being, simply because of the rejection of Jesus
Christ as a God. The Mormons view the Holy Blood
as being insufficient, and that human blood must
"atone" for sins committed by human
beings, including crimes of fornication and murder.
(Stevens, 2004)
Salvation
The crucial aspect of Salvation too is disputed
by both the cults. The Mormons believing only
in their own books claim that salvation can only
be accomplished through the teachings of Mormon
Church, and practicing their faith, baptism, repentance,
good works and keeping God's commandments. The
Christian Science too rejects Salvation as preached
in the Biblical Scriptures, and instead gives
importance to harmony and Christ in Divine Science,
and that it is only path towards Heaven. (Stevens,
2004)
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ too is disputed
by both the subject cults. The Mormons believe
that human beings will all be resurrected, and
find their way to heavens. The most obedient of
the Mormon believes will enter the 1st heaven,
while the less obedient will enter the other 2
heavens. The followers of Christian Science are
of the view that Jesus Christ did not really die,
and that the concept and belief of 'Resurrection'
is a mere spiritualization of human thoughts.
(Stevens, 2004)
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ as believed
by the Mormons is that He will return at a time
when all Jews are gathered in Palestine. At that
particular moment of time, all followers of the
Mormon cult will be called and gathered in Missouri
and judgement duly announced. The Christian Science
on the other hand believes that Jesus has disappeared
to material sense and that He has risen only in
the spiritual sense of existence. (Stevens, 2004)
Virgin Birth
The characteristic of Virgin Birth and that of
Virgin Mary is disputed by the Mormons, yet the
Christian Science followers have a somewhat similar
set of beliefs as believed by the Christians the
world over. The Mormons are of the view that Jesus
Christ was born out of sexual intercourse between
God the Father and Mary, totally rejecting the
concept of the Holy Spirit. The followers of the
Christian Science, on the other claims that Jesus
Christ was born out of Mary's Spiritual thoughts.
(Stevens, 2004)
Heaven and Hell
The concepts of Heaven and Hell too have totally
different perceptions in both the cults of Christian
Science and Mormons. For example, the Mormons
are of the view that each human being will be
assigned to any of the 3 heavens as preached in
the Mormon set of beliefs. The Christian Science
in rejecting the concept of both heaven and hell
preaches that sinners make their own hell, while
saints make their own heavens, each according
to their actions. Furthermore, the Christian Science
also rejects the judgement day as preached by
Christians, and claims that it is one event occurring
all the time. (Stevens, 2004)
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