What is Religious Science?

Answer

Religious Science originated in 1927 when Ernest Holmes was inspired to establish a group to formally study his teachings on metaphysical spirituality. Holmes himself delved into the mind science teachings of Dr. P. Quimby, Mary Baker Eddy, Charles Filmore, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, as well as Eastern mysticism and religions like Hinduism. Drawing from various sources (Christian Science, Unity, transcendentalism, etc.), he developed his own belief system, which he then lectured on. Following the publication of his book titled The Science of the Mind, his teachings gained popularity, leading to the establishment of the Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy. Additional groups were founded annually until the mid-1950s, when Institute leaders proposed the formation of a central governing body to supervise each group. Some of the “churches” resisted this idea, causing a division. This division gave rise to the United Church of Religious Science, also known as Science of Mind, and Religious Science International. Both groups share a fundamental belief system, although teachings may vary significantly, they coexist harmoniously.

The core belief of Religious Science revolves around the concept that God is omnipresent and everything exists within God—referred to as pantheism. Religious Science encourages individuals to connect with this omnipresent Source and unite with it. It teaches that all paths lead to God, thus utilizing all sacred texts to define and explore spiritual principles for daily living, with the Bible being just one of many sources. However, the key to unraveling the mysteries of God is not found in external texts but within oneself. Religious Science provides guidance on how to achieve this.

Clearly, Religious Science diverges significantly from biblical teachings. It does not uphold any specific biblical doctrines as absolute truths embraced by Christians.True. From God to sin, creation to salvation, every belief held by the Religious Science adherents is in direct opposition to Scripture. Religious Science is what John spoke of in 1 John 4:1–3: “Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. By this, you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source]; And every spirit that does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world” (Amplified Bible). The “spirit” that inhabits Religious Science is the spirit of the antichrist, who is Satan, who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” «Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: », (1 Peter 5:8).

According to Religious Science, salvation comes from the realization that you are actually a part of God and by weeding out the bad in your life through scientific/philosophical principles. Religious Science, like all false religions, denies the deity of Christ and preaches a works-based salvation. Unfortunately for Religious Science adherents, Christ has something quite different to say about that: “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me'” «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6).

John 14:6). Ephesians 2:8–9 explains salvation based on works, even if the “works” involve actions like “eliminating” negativity from our lives: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”