| Mind and is built around the basic affirmations that people are made in the image of God and are thus forever one with the infinite life; that all life is governed by spiritual laws; and that people create their experiences by their thoughts and beliefs. The teachings of Religious Science differ from the teachings of the larger New Thought movement of the early twentieth century by emphasizing the distinction between objective mind (normal waking consciousness) and subjective mind (or subconscious). The subjective mind, when impressed with the images of healing and wholeness by the objective mind, could bring health to individuals. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: Religious Science practitioners are trained in the process of using the Universal Subjective Mind to bring healing to others. The church also teaches a method of affirmative prayer called spiritual mind treatment. Integral to the treatment is a five step process, developed by Holmes, of accomplishing the desired results. As outlined in the textbook, the five steps are: (1) recognition of God as Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent; (2) unification with the One Reality; (3) awareness of God' Presence and Power; (4) realization that as one believes, one receives; and (5) thanksgiving even before a visible manifestation of healing. Going through these five steps in relation to specific concerns, which may include a variety of problems from physical sickness, to financial distress, to tension in one's relations with others, is termed "treating" the problem. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: At the national level, the church is governed by the board of trustees which is elected by delegated district conventions which meet biennially. The board of trustees in general sets policy, provides leadership in directing the church's mission and goals, and provides oversight to the management of the church. The day to day management is delegated to a chief executive officer who is appointed by the board. The board provides for the ordination and regulation of ministers, licenses practitioners, and charters member churches. Member churches are governed congregation ally in accord with an agreement signed at the time of affiliation. They own their own property and organize themselves locally as seems suitable. The board of trustees also elects the ecclesiastical head of the church, the president, who serves a two year term. The president acts as the ecclesiastical spokesperson for the church and presides at the biennial national convention. The national convention serves primarily an advisory function receiving reports from and making recommendations to the board of trustees. ROLE OF MINISTERS: Integral to the ministry of the church are the many practitioners, individuals trained in the art of spiritual mind treatment, who make themselves available to assist members and the general public with their problems. Ministers are drawn from the ranks of practitioners. WORSHIP: Worship is conducted weekly at the approximately 300 congregations and study groups affiliated with the United Church. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: None. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: No restrictions. MEDICAL TREATMENT: No restrictions. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Holmes, Ernest. The Science of Mind New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1944. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: United Church of Religious Science 3251 W. 14th St. Box 72127 Los Angeles, CA 90075 (213) 388-2171 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| United Church of Religious Science |
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| ADDRESS: 3251 W. 14th St., Box 75127 Los Angeles, CA 90075 OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: Science of Mind LEADERSHIP: The Church is led by its president who is elected every two years. MEMBERSHIP: There are approximately 100,000 members. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: The United Church of Religious Science grew out of the work of Ernest S. Holmes, a metaphysical teacher in Los Angeles, California, during the early 14th century. Holmes was introduced to metaphysics through Christian Science, which he encountered in Boston while he was a student. He was also an avid reader, and expanded his philosophy through his reading in the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ralph Waldo Trine, and Christian D. Larson. After moving to California, he discovered the works of the outstanding British writer Thomas Troward whose approach to New Thought stimulated Holmes to develop the perspective that would become known as Science of Mind. In 1916 Holmes and his brother organized the Metaphysical Institute, and in 1925 he published his most important work, The Science of Mind, a textbook which systematically presented the basic teachings of Religious Science. Religious Science went through a number of organizational stages before reaching its present form. In 1927 Holmes founded the Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy, which became the Institute of Religious Science and Philosophy in 1935. In the Thirties, graduates of the Institute began to open teaching centers, and began meeting as the Annual Conference of Religious Science Chapters and Churches. The conference became the International Association of Religious Science Churches in 1949. In 1953 the Institute of Religious Science became the Church of Religious Science, and the denomination began to be reorganized into its present form. The Church added the word "United" to its name in 1967. BASIC BELIEFS: The United Church describes its teachings as a correlation of the laws of science, opinions of philosophy and revelations of religion applied to human need and the aspirations of man. The church's basic philosophy is spelled out in the first four chapters of The Science of |
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