Healing Prayer: Myths about Christian Science

Christian Science is a small, young church with deep roots in early Christianity.

Its members tend to be very devout, prayerful and believing people, whose prayer-based healing practice draws them closer to God.

However, it should be stressed that this religion is not related or connected to Scientology, a separate faith. Other than a similarity in name, the two have nothing in common.

"Some people think that Christian Science is faith healing, but in fact, Christian Science teaches that it is never God's will for anyone to suffer or die," said Elizabeth Beall, with the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Utah.

Christian Science thrives in Utah. The first Utah congregation, called First Church of Christ, Scientist, Salt Lake City, was incorporated in 1891.

Some of these churches are local landmarks, Beall said.

"Architect Walter E. Ware designed the Christian Science church in Salt Lake City, among other historic buildings, such as the Old Masonic Temple.

"More churches were established in Utah between 1909 and 2006. Today, you can find them in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Park City, St. George, and an informal group in Kanab," Beall said.

Salt Lake City has three churches, at 1165 S. Foothill Drive; 1303 E. Spring Lane; and at 2309 S. Highland Drive.

Christian Science has about 2,000 branch churches and societies worldwide, in more than 80 countries.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, also known as "The Mother Church," is located in Boston, Mass., and was built in 1894.

In addition to praying daily for the health and welfare of their local communities, Christian Scientists host regular public events. Public talks on current topics are sponsored by local churches. An international group of speakers known as the Christian Science Board of Lectureship is appointed by The Mother Church, headquartered in Boston. Recently, one of these lecturers, Ron Ballard of Ashland, Ore., talked in Salt Lake City about prayer and the economy. In Park City, he spoke about prayer and the environment.

As their core beliefs, "Christian Scientists believe in one, infinite God who is all and all-good," according to Christianscience.com. "They believe that God is not distant and unknowable, but that God is all-encompassing and always present, and that each individual is loved by God, cared for by Him, and made in God's image — spiritual, not material.