Dear Editors,
The May 1, 2010 Principia Pilot contained several letters responding to the recent article regarding the use of medicine by Christian Scientists. I appreciate the ideas shared in all of the letters as well as the original article and the efforts of the authors to share their inspiration. I thought it would be helpful to our community’s consideration of this important issue to note that some of the letters made statements about Christian Science and medicine that are, upon closer examination, not as clear-cut as the writers present them to be.
Archive for the ‘Letters to the Editor’ Category
Letter: Colin Treworgy
Friday, May 14th, 2010Letter: Dick Davenport
Friday, May 14th, 2010As a Principian I cherish my experiences with healing through prayer, without medical means, as sacred to my spiritual growth. My Christian Science practice has included raising four children, all of whom have attended Principia, and a public practice as a military chaplain representing The Mother Church where instances of healing through prayer alone were very much under the scrutiny of the military medical establishment. As Dean of Students at the College I saw numerous Principia individuals and families wrestle with the issues most recently discussed in The Pilot as to whether or not God could be felt at work through a range of healthcare choices. For me, I have found great clarity on page 444 of Science and Health.
Letter: Jon Larson
Friday, April 30th, 2010The article “Health Care Issues at Prin” recommends that Christian Scientists pray to God for guidance, listen for “the still small voice,” and then be obedient to God’s direction when faced with a claim of disease that does not respond to C.S. treatment. The article is at odds with the widespread belief in the C.S. movement that if one just sticks with C.S., one will eventually get a healing.
Letter: Rigel Valentine
Friday, April 30th, 2010I want to express my appreciation for Michael Booth’s article in the last issue of the Pilot. I feel that the issues addressed in this article reflect the feelings of many individuals of the community. For me, the greatest learning occurs when I encounter different thoughts.
Letter: David Riffert
Friday, April 30th, 2010I was not just saddened but horrified to read in the Pilot about the deaccession/sale of the beautiful Pierre Soulages painting (“So Long Soulages” by Kayleigh Kavanagh, April 16). For three years, whilst teaching art history at Principia College, this painting was in my office, and later it found its way to the library. I served for a couple of years on the Cultural Properties Committee and cannot imagine what rationale or debate might have taken place which could have allowed for this painting to be let go.
Letter: Louise Kingsbery
Friday, April 30th, 2010Responding to the recent article regarding the practice of Christian Science and how it relates to the use of material medicine, one is reminded that the principles and practices outlined in Education at the Principia charge Principia with holding to the purest standard of Christian Science healing practice. With that charge in mind, let us ask those same questions implied or articulated in the aforementioned article, with the goal of eliminating any confusion regarding Christian Science and healthcare:
Letter: Jervis DiCicco
Friday, April 30th, 2010The article “Healthcare reform at Principia” published in the April 16, 2010 edition of the Pilot raised some very important subjects to any Christian Scientist. The author, as I understood the article, discussed two separate issues that often seem to collide: judgment of the choices made by Christian Scientists and the validity of medical treatment. I believe it is a mistake to combine these two issues. Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, was very clear on how both of these topics ought to be handled, and as Christian Scientists, it makes sense that we should follow the advice of scripture and her counsel if we seek to advance in our understanding of Truth.
Letter to the Editor
Friday, November 13th, 2009Dear Pilot,
The 10-30-09 Pilot article “A new leaf for the Sheaf” reported “…a couple of things
went wrong in last year’s Sheaf.” Mentioned were half the Anderson House pictures missing and several photos being used twice. Talk about understatement.
How’s this for a couple more things gone WAY wrong: Forty-four percent of the senior class photos are missing!! Only 72 [...]
10/16/09 Letters to the Editor
Friday, October 16th, 2009Letters to the Editors of the Pilot, discussing efforts to reduce paper use, President Obama’s address to school children, and the level of vitriol in current political discourse.
Letters to the Editor 05.29.09
Friday, May 29th, 2009Three letters to the editor from the Principia community and beyond.
