Christian Science

American  

noun

1. a system of religious teaching, founded in 1866 by Mary Baker Eddy and based on the Scriptures, the most notable application of which is the practice of spiritual healing.

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Christian Science British  

noun

1. the religious system and teaching of the Church of Christ, Scientist. It was founded by Mary Baker Eddy (1866) and emphasizes spiritual healing and the unreality of matter

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Christian Science Cultural  

1. A religion based on the teachings of Jesus. It was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in the nineteenth century. Christian Scientists believe that sickness and sin are not ordained by God and can be overcome by prayer and understanding.

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Christian Scientists are known for refusing to accept medicine or treatment by doctors. However, a Christian Scientist's decision to dispense with medical treatment is left to the individual believer and is not dictated by church policy.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Christian Scientist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Christian Science

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

“Instead of improving memory,” the Christian Science Monitor notes, “hypnosis may only manipulate it.”

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026

As she was dying in 1977, after a long decline from what was likely untreated cancer, Crawford told a Christian Science practitioner that she was ready to go.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

A 1953 Los Angeles Times article called fruitcake a "holiday must," and in 1958, the Christian Science Monitor asked, "What Could Be a Better Gift Than Fruitcake?"

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

There, he said, he met people across a range of religious traditions — “from Hinduism to Christian Science to all the denominations of Christianity, Buddhists, Wiccans, Muslims. Monastics from different traditions, everyone.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2024

It was cold but sunny, and so she walked all the way down Commonwealth Avenue, past the restaurants where Dev had kissed her, and then she walked all the way to the Christian Science center.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri