The focus quotation above was the source of our topic Absolute Faith. It is preceded on page 1 of Science and Health by two statements attributed to Christ Jesus; these are set forth in our readings under Mark 11 and Matthew 6.

We felt the three statements of Science promote the view that we are to look wholly to God, good, as the cause and effect of existence.

Believing ourselves mortals we place our faith in a number of people, places and things. The more absolute the faith extended from this level of belief, the more apt we are to experience a rough awakening. To see that we're doing this all we have to ask ourselves is this: "Is the person or thing I'm depending on liable to failure?"

Of course, neither we nor anyone else is in reality mortal, but if we're portraying ourselves that way, we are effectively nothing more than dualistic concepts adrift in a universe composed of others in the same condition — the blindly faithful leaning on the blindly faithful. Salvation through suffering or Science will be required.

The shocking question, "Are you saying we shouldn't depend on Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy, The Mother Church and even God?" brought this answer, "Yes and no." A bit less shrouding was requested and gave rise to this: "If I'm seeing myself and these as dualistic, then I'm just building on sand. It's a crap shoot! But if I, as spiritual reflection, experience these in the same way, then I'm practicing Christian Science." Page 573: 3-12 of Science and Health was recommended for study (no one was unflustered enough to ask whether a spiritual reflection would need to study anything). For those still looking for something to bite into, here's a portion of the recommended passage: "... what the human mind terms matter and spirit indicates states and stages of consciousness."

A couple of quotes from the Blue Book of Mrs. Eddy's unofficial writings were read.

1) When asked by a reporter what scientific treatment was, Mrs. Eddy responded, "Absolute acknowledgment of present perfection." Years later, on his supposed death bed, he was healed immediately when he remembered this and accepted it. (page 247)

2) " What is demonstration? It is not declaring the Truth till the result is brought out, but absolute demonstration is being in that spiritual condition of thought where the work is done without taking thought of it." (page 103)

One member asked, "Where does my body stop?" We rolled it around a bit and felt that since Soul is the only body in Science, our body is as infinite as God or the universe.

The following healings were reported.

1) A member was grieving the loss of some contractual business during the week. It had a very "old" feel to it and she realized it linked up to some childhood losses which she was already addressing in Science. She extended her work into this area. Then one day she misplaced her house keys; initial panic quickly gave way to calm assurance as she saw they were not lost in Mind. They turned up right away. This incident moved her whole-heartedly to pray about the larger losses. She took the statement on page 424, lines 5-9, of the Textbook about accidents being unknown to God and applied it to the situation. At once she felt relief and in the next few days her business picked up enough to replace the canceled contracts.

2) Another member, trying to get us an air-conditioned room at the LGBT Center for our meeting, was greeted by considerable resistance. He saw this as an opportunity for those in authority to experience their divinity. He stayed cool and kept seeing the man in Science. Of course, he made some new fast friends in the process and we got our room.

3) The same member lamented a situation where he's being "stalked" by a competitor, who shows up uninvited at his gigs while excluding our member from his own. Others at the meeting pointed out he could follow the same line of thought and feeling that had just gotten us an air conditioned room at the Center. Of course, more personal sense would have to be driven off in this case.

4) Another member was receiving some harassing calls, interrupting her business and personal life. She prayed about it of course and found she was often able to say something of a healing nature to the caller or at least give a brief treatment after the hang-up. Others at the meeting said, and she agreed, that this was a form of Christian Science practice and these were her patients!

One member told of his upcoming meetings with officials about his request for political asylum here. He was stabbed with murderous intent for his homosexuality in his home country. His parents who helped him flee report that conditions are still threatening back home. He has been attending our meetings for several months and reading Science and Health in his native tongue. We'll pray with him of course and secure a practitioner for the case if that appears appropriate.

We finished up with a brief report from the member who has been in contact with the Christian Science Committee on Publication for New York this week. They continued to explore ways we can be helpful to each other in freeing up the movement from entrenched homophobia. Any examples or suggestions from our internet friends would be helpful. This area should also be fully aired at the upcoming Emergence Conference in Key West.

For next week we'll look at Light.