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Ernest Holmes did not originally intend for RS/SOM to be a "church," but rather a teaching institution. In that spirit, many member "churches" have traditionally referred to themselves as "centers." The mental healing work of [[Dr. Phineas P. Quimby]] was a source of inspiration to much of the New Thought movement, including RS/SOM. Ernest Holmes was especially strongly influenced by [[Emma Curtis Hopkins]], who developed a system of scientific prayer, and by the writings of Judge [[Thomas Troward]] and [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]], as he developed his synthesis which became known as Religious Science.<ref>Braden p.295, 289-291</ref> <ref>Anderson(2003) pp. 26-28</ref>
Ernest Holmes did not originally intend for RS/SOM to be a "church," but rather a teaching institution. In that spirit, many member "churches" have traditionally referred to themselves as "centers." The mental healing work of [[Dr. Phineas P. Quimby]] was a source of inspiration to much of the New Thought movement, including RS/SOM. Ernest Holmes was especially strongly influenced by [[Emma Curtis Hopkins]], who developed a system of scientific prayer, and by the writings of Judge [[Thomas Troward]] and [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]], as he developed his synthesis which became known as Religious Science.<ref>Braden p.295, 289-291</ref> <ref>Anderson(2003) pp. 26-28</ref>


Upon publication of his seminal book in [[1926]], ''The Science of Mind'', Holmes established the Institute for Religious Science and School of Philosophy in Los Angeles. This organization would later become the Church of Religious Science. Holmes had previously studied another New Thought teaching, [[Divine Science]] (Holmes was an ordained Divine Science Minister). He saw humans as being "open at the top" - that is, open to evolutionary improvement of consciousness in all areas of life. <ref>Vahle(1993) p146</ref> The concepts of "Open at the Top" and "New Thought" have inspired the organization itself and its teachings to evolve over the years. As stated in the book "New Thought: A Practical American Spirituality," "New Thought still is evolving; it may yet be the point at which religion, philosophy, and science come together as the most effective combination to move the world to greater peace, plenty, health, and harmony. Many believe it might be the quintessential spirituality for the next millennium." <ref>Anderson(2003) Introduction </ref> His teachings attracted famous celebrities of his time, including Cecil B. De Mille, Peggy Lee, and Cary Grant. <ref>Vahle(1993) pp. 2-3 </ref>
Upon publication of his seminal book in [[1926]], ''The Science of Mind'', Holmes established the Institute for Religious Science and School of Philosophy in Los Angeles. This organization would later become the Church of Religious Science. Holmes had previously studied another New Thought teaching, [[Divine Science]] (Holmes was an ordained Divine Science Minister). He saw humans as being "open at the top" - that is, open to evolutionary improvement of consciousness in all areas of life. <ref>Vahle(1993) p146</ref> The concepts of "Open at the Top" and "New Thought" have inspired RS/SOM organizations and their teachings to evolve over the years. As stated in the book "New Thought: A Practical American Spirituality," "New Thought still is evolving; it may yet be the point at which religion, philosophy, and science come together as the most effective combination to move the world to greater peace, plenty, health, and harmony. Many believe it might be the quintessential spirituality for the next millennium." <ref>Anderson(2003) Introduction </ref> His teachings attracted famous celebrities of his time, including Cecil B. De Mille, Peggy Lee, and Cary Grant. <ref>Vahle(1993) pp. 2-3 </ref>


==Teachings and practices==
==Teachings and practices==

Revision as of 04:00, 3 April 2008

Religious Science emblem[1]

Religious Science, also known as Science of Mind, was founded in 1927 by Ernest Holmes (1887-1960) and is a spiritual/philosophical/metaphysical religious movement within the New Thought movement. In general, the term "Science of Mind" applies to the teachings, while the term "Religious Science" applies to the organizations. However, adherents often tend to use the terms interchangeably. Ernest Holmes stated "Religious Science is a correlation of laws of science, opinions of philosophy, and revelations of religion applied to human needs and the aspirations of man." He also stated that Religious Science/Science of Mind (RS/SOM) is not based on any "authority" of established beliefs, but rather on "what it can accomplish" for the people who practice it. [2] It differs from another popular New Thought teaching (Unity, a.k.a. Unity School of Christianity) because it does not focus on any single traditional religion.

History

Ernest Holmes did not originally intend for RS/SOM to be a "church," but rather a teaching institution. In that spirit, many member "churches" have traditionally referred to themselves as "centers." The mental healing work of Dr. Phineas P. Quimby was a source of inspiration to much of the New Thought movement, including RS/SOM. Ernest Holmes was especially strongly influenced by Emma Curtis Hopkins, who developed a system of scientific prayer, and by the writings of Judge Thomas Troward and Ralph Waldo Emerson, as he developed his synthesis which became known as Religious Science.[3] [4]

Upon publication of his seminal book in 1926, The Science of Mind, Holmes established the Institute for Religious Science and School of Philosophy in Los Angeles. This organization would later become the Church of Religious Science. Holmes had previously studied another New Thought teaching, Divine Science (Holmes was an ordained Divine Science Minister). He saw humans as being "open at the top" - that is, open to evolutionary improvement of consciousness in all areas of life. [5] The concepts of "Open at the Top" and "New Thought" have inspired RS/SOM organizations and their teachings to evolve over the years. As stated in the book "New Thought: A Practical American Spirituality," "New Thought still is evolving; it may yet be the point at which religion, philosophy, and science come together as the most effective combination to move the world to greater peace, plenty, health, and harmony. Many believe it might be the quintessential spirituality for the next millennium." [6] His teachings attracted famous celebrities of his time, including Cecil B. De Mille, Peggy Lee, and Cary Grant. [7]

Teachings and practices

The RS/SOM teaching generally incorporates idealistic and panentheistic philosophies. RS/SOM teaches that all beings are expressions of and part of Infinite Intelligence, also known as Spirit, Higher Consciousness, or God. It believes that, because God is all there is in the universe (not just present in Heaven, or in assigned deities, as believed by traditional teachings), Its powers can be used by all humans to the extent that they realize Its presence.[8] Ernest Holmes said "God is not ... a person, but a Universal Presence ... already in our own soul, already operating through our own consciousness."[9]

The Introduction to "The Science of Mind" text describes "The Thing Itself" (God or Infinite Intelligence), "The Way It Works," "What It Does," and "How to Use It."[10] Although Holmes was criticized for not focusing much on love, he did say that "Love rules through Law." (i.e. the Law of Mind or Cause and Effect) and "Love points the way and Law makes the way possible." [11][12]

RS/SOM believes that people can achieve more fulfilling lives through the practice called Spiritual Mind Treatment (Treatment), or Affirmative Prayer. Spiritual Mind Treatment is a step-by-step process, in which one states the desired outcome as if it has already happened. In that way, it differs from traditional prayer, since it does not ask God for assistance. It declares human partnership with God to achieve success. Treatment is to be stated as personal (first person), positive, powerful (with feeling), and present (is happening right now). The goal is to gain clarity in thinking that guides action to be consistent with the desired outcome. The Treatment is believed to set off a new chain of causation in Mind that leads one to act according to the good for which one is treating. [13] Spiritual Mind Treatment, as currently taught in RS/SOM centers, contains five steps: Recognition, Unification, Realization, Thanksgiving, and Release. [14] Some adherents of RS/SOM also use supplemental meditation techniques, including "Visioning" [15]

See also

Key contributors

Notes

  1. ^ United Church of Religious Science FAQ
  2. ^ Vahle(1993) p7
  3. ^ Braden p.295, 289-291
  4. ^ Anderson(2003) pp. 26-28
  5. ^ Vahle(1993) p146
  6. ^ Anderson(2003) Introduction
  7. ^ Vahle(1993) pp. 2-3
  8. ^ What We Believe, Ernest Holmes
  9. ^ Vahle(1993) p7
  10. ^ Holmes(1926) pp. 25-60
  11. ^ Vahle(1993) pp. 12, 13
  12. ^ Holmes(1926) p43
  13. ^ Holmes(1926) pp.181-323
  14. ^ Vahle(1993) p150
  15. ^ Visioning, United Church of Religious Science

References

  • Vahle, Neal (1993). Open at the top: The life of Ernest Holmes. Open View Press. pp. 190 pages. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Braden, Charles Samuel. Spirits in Rebellion: The Rise and Development of New Thought. ISBN 0870740253. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Anderson, C. Alan (2003). New Thought: A Practical American Spirituality (Revised Edition). ISBN 1410701727. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Holmes, Ernest (1926). The Science of Mind. ISBN 0874778654. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

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