What is Religious Science?

[elshiva]

[Maat]

1. Hi, Elshiva!

C.R.S. (Church of Religious Science) believes in all paths to God, and yet, is a unique path itself. We sing a song every service, that I think is particularly descriptive, "Our thoughts are prayers, and we are always praying. Our thoughts are prayers. Take charge of what you're saying." We call our form of prayer, 'spiritual mind treatment.' I would prefer it called something else, because that might frighten people off. I'm a Master's in Psychology, and what it is is really creative visualization (a successful cognitive-behavioral technique), in which you picture what your goal is, and make affirmative statements, believing when you release (end your prayer), it will happen. Just good ol' fashion positive thinking, and the biggest belief is that you are responsible for what happens in your life. There's no blame, and no one ever calls you 'bad.' It is just about healing, love, and goal-setting. No one ever tells you what to think. And no one ever tells you with who to associate. It is a very progressive faith; I choose what I want to study. And ... I just listened to a lecture/presentation, and many of the beliefs (we are one, God is a divine energy within us all, we are all equally divine) came from Hindu beliefs. Ernest Holmes took from Hinduism, Buddhism, Thoreau and Emerson.

The idea behind the name is that religion and science are compatible.

I would like to see you go to either www.rsintl.org or www.ucrs.org. There are two administrative bodies. Without going into it, they get along, and the beliefs are the same. Please find and read 'Frequently Asked Questions' on each site. Then see if I have it right.

In addition to my Master's Degree in Psych., I have a Juris Doctor (law doctorate or law degree). And I'm a 46-year-old mom, who is not likely to let myself get drawn into anything bigoted or cultish or harmful.

Also, as with Unitarian-Universalist, and Metropolitan Community Churches, and United Church of Christ, they extend a special outreach to the GLBT community.

Thanks for listening/reading!

[elshiva]

2. Thanks, Dearheart!

CRS sounds beautiful. The prayer is very positive and opens you to live what you believe and pray.
My dad's a Jew and my Mom's an Episcopalian. My late grandfather and uncle are both Episcopal priests. I am a descendant, on my maternal grandmother's side, of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism. My own belief system/spirituality is mostly Anglo-Catholic with a mix of Jewish, Hindu, Jain, and pagan beliefs. Elshiva is a Hinduized rendering of my Jewish name, in order to honor God as both El and Shiva.I am a parishioner at an Episcopal Church in the backwoods of Maryland. Episcopalianism is it self a mixture of Jewish, Protestant, and Roman Catholic beliefs and practices, so I feel very at home. The Diocese of MD is fairly liberal. My rector is a heterosexual woman and two other priests that I know are openly lesbians.
I just graduated magna cum laude in 2004 from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a Roman Catholic College for women. My major and passion was/is Religious Studies. I am a lifetime member of Theta Alpha Kappa, The International Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology, as well as the Democratic Party.
Thanks I will look into the links later.
May God bless you, Maat!
P.S. Maat, are you a panentheist?

[Maat]

3. Thanks for the cool response.

Not sure if I am a pantheist. I'm a Religious Scientist, which to me, AND THIS IS THE IMPORTANT THING, means that although I believe in the One-Energy, and thus, one God, I believe that Jesus, Buddha, et al. were all Master Teachers, and that I get to explore ALL OF THE FAITHS. My neighbor asked if I was arrogant enough to believe that I could pick and choose from all of the faiths, and I said ... 'Yes!!!' I honor the Jewish faith (and I'm thinking most of Reform), the Episcopalian, Catholic faiths. I just need to study more. I do a little each night, and I will have more time once I can get out of Bar Study mode; even after you take the test, you study for months afterwards, until you get your results, until you KNOW you passed.

Oh, that's right. I went to pantheist.net (is that the same as a panentheist), and one thing I noticed is that they, too, belief that we are all divine. That is a key belief in Religious Science, and I go along with it 100%.

I'm glad you go to an Episcopal Church. This mom approves. Ha!Ha! (I'm kidding about you having to get MY approval). The thing is that I like to see my friends, including my DU friends going to churchs that are progressive and inclusive. I hate to see DUers (and other progressive friends) supporting an administrative body, such as the Southern Baptist Convention.

You are very well-versed in Religious Studies, which is just a hobby to me. I would like to become more educated, so I will appreciate your posts. I bookmark any links to religious sites, such as UCC, UU, MCC, Pantheism and Religious Science, under a fun folder I have called 'Religious Exploration.'

That is so cool that you are descended from Smith. I'm not crazy about LDS (Latter Day Saints) beliefs; however, a few of my friends are LDS, and they certainly have not been pushy about it. They seem modern and cool. I also have a friend that is a Seventh Day Adventist. Mostly, we relate in having to educate people about our faiths, since we are out of the mainstream Christian congregations.


Blessings to you (and I believe they really will come)!

[elshiva]

4. Panentheism is Not Pantheism

Pantheism is God is everything. Panentheism is God is within everything. Christians usually prefer Panentheism because Pantheism implies separate gods. Panentheism is a term coined by Alfred Whitehead, the great process theologian.
So are you a pantheist or a panentheist? I might be both if that's possible!
I tried to go for a Masters in Religious Studies but it was too intense for me to handle. Maybe one day... Now I'm trying to get together a resume and get a job.
God blesses you always,
Elshiva

[Maat]

7. Thank you very much for that information.

I'm definitely a Panentheist, then. I do not go along with the idea of separate Gods, as in worshipping different Gods, each one representing a particular idea. However, I believe each one of us is a separate segment of God, if you will. So, I guess I need your input as to whether or not I'm a pantheist. I don't think so. For example, I honor my pagan friends, but share only so much with them.

I can understand about the Master's. The religious education in our country is not broad enough - that's one criticism I have. Good luck with the job. I'm coming off of a 5-year hiatus, if you will. I went back to law school. Have been helping my husband with his company (growing it for the last 5 years). How did we do it? We had 'saved up' if you will, from before.

Sure is fun to converse with you. I learn so much.

God bless!

Ma'at

[elshiva]

10. Don't believe in separate gods, either

all the names are the name of One God. For example, a person can have multiple nicknames and still be one person.
I am a panentheist, so I believe even the most criminal, say, Rumsfeld, are full of God. Again, as you say everyone is responsible for their actions.
Blessings,
Elshiva

[Maat]

11. I quite agree.

I agree that even Rumsfield is full of God - I just think that I have to work with my pastor on that one. Sometimes I remind myself, 'That's just his path. It might be for the good - it might wind up bringing the World together in peace.' It is hard.

Now, that you have helped me, I realize that I am a panentheist. And, I believe that Spirit has many, many names, as you have said.

Beyond that, I believe that Jesus, Buddha, Emerson, and Thoreau are Master Teachers.

Elshiva, what do you think about 'the split' going on in the Episcopal church? I hope that the majority of people continue to back Eugene Robinson. I could use some edification about this. My niece goes to an Episcopal church school, and is basically being raised within the faith.

Peace and love,

Ma'at

[elshiva]

12. Dear Maat, thanks again,

My beliefs are that Jesus, Buddha, and Krishna are names for One God, multiple incarnations. This is not orthodox Christianity, but it is my belief. Emerson, Thoreau, Mahavira, Zoraster, and many others are Master Teachers.
As for Rumsfeld, I do not understand him. I call him Rumsfailed or Rumfilled and make jokes like many Democrats. I signed Kerry's petition for his removal. It's symbolic, he'll most definitly stay, though. Hopefully, he won't continue to do as much harm as he has done the past years.Just pray for him and all our leaders. Peace is possible...
Eugene Robinson is still controversial. I am delighted that he became bishop of NH. Frank Griswold, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (the highest ranking Episcopal authority in the US church), confirmed him. Griswold stands by his action even though other countries in the Anglican Communion have protested. Griswold is the official position of the Episcopal Church, that openly gay people should serve as ministers at all capacities. Conservative US Episcopal churches have broken away due to bigotry and general misunderstanding of homosexuals.
Blessings,
Elshiva

[Maat]

13. And thank you.

So, multiple incarnations, huh? See, in the end, it's all probably pointing in the same direction. So, I honor your way of seeing it, and mine, and all of our other DU friends ...

As for Rummy, you are quite right. And I signed Kerry's petition too. Too bad there isn't a removal petition for Bush & Cheney! Ha!

I'm glad to hear Griswold is sticking to his guns. Let the conservative leave - they can give their church assets back to the Church.

Take care!

Maybe I'll think of an intelligent post tomorrow. Working on it.

[elshiva]

14. Belief is a work in progress...

Multiple incarnations... it's hard to articulate, but I believe that God's Reality is bigger than the teachings of every known religion.
We are praying for Bush & Cheney. If they die someone like Trent Lott going to take over, so basically same old thing.
Bush's speeches always have weird spiritual tones that freak me out. Like his "day of fire" and the fire of freedom that burns some people in the inaugural speech today. It sounds like fundamentalist preachings about hell, which I loathe. Pray for his health and our safety as a nation under such a leader, please.
Griswold's a good guy. He knows that GLBT people have a lot to add to the Church. Usually, Episcopalians compare this period to the time after women's ordination in the 1970s. Everyone knows women priest bring so much to the Church.
Thank you for the discussion, Maat.
I like you Maat.

[musette_sf]

5. it is a living thing

that I can take comfort, solace, refuge, and strength in.

Dr. Holmes, I think, was a total hippie way before his time.

I partake of Dr. Holmes' widsom every day. Also -- he and his brother Fenwicke wrote this cool book of spiritualist verse, "The Voice Celestial". Not light reading... quite profound.

[Maat]

8. I really, really want to read 'The Voice Celestial.'

Add it to the other 900 books. One step at a time, I have to keep reminding myself.

On edit:
I have been doing some 'light' Holmes reading (his smaller literary pieces, if you will). I'm astounded at how clearly he communicates, and how forward-thinking he was. He can help me understand the other philosopher, or should I say his writings do help me understand.

[kwassa]

6. here is a pretty good FAQ on Religious Science

http://www.ccrs.org/FAQs.htm

excerpt:
What is Religious Science?

Religious Science is a spiritual philosophy for the modern man and woman. It is based on the Truth which arises in every culture in the form of science, philosophy, and religion. Religious Science views religion as a source of wisdom for revealing the Truth about the seemingly unknown forces that shape our universe. This enables us to participate in our own life as a co-creator with the Divine.* Religious Science was founded by Dr. Ernest Holmes, a self-taught philosopher who rigorously studied all of the world's Spiritual paths for most of his life. In 1927, he wrote The Science of Mind, which synthesized the truths that he discerned were present throughout all of the world's faiths. That book is the foundation of the principles of Religious Science. He never intended to begin a new faith, but was persuaded to allow a church to be created to assure that the principles he synthesized would outlive him.

[Maat]

9. Thanks for the link.

I had lost that one.