Religious Science, also known as Science of Mind, is a religious movement that was founded in the 1920s by Ernest Holmes. It promotes a spiritual philosophy that views humans as spiritual beings with unlimited potential to create their reality through intentional thoughts and beliefs. The core teaching is that our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality, and by transforming our thinking, we can transform our lives.
Religious Science draws inspiration from various religious and spiritual traditions, as well as New Thought and metaphysical movements of the 19th century. At the heart of Religious Science is the belief that God is not a separate entity, but rather the universal presence of love, wisdom, and creative intelligence that is within all people. Our true nature is spiritual, and our essential being is made in the image of this divine presence. The teachings encourage seeing ourselves and others as spiritual beings, rather than focusing on material limitations.
Some of the key principles of Religious Science include:
- God is omnipresent divine Mind. This universal presence and intelligence is the source of all life.
- Our essential nature is spiritual, made in God’s image. We have unlimited potential to create and experience good.
- Our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality. By transforming our thinking, we can transform our lives.
- Through affirmative prayer and meditation, we can connect to the presence of God within and bring about positive change.
- By releasing limiting beliefs, we can experience healing, prosperity, loving relationships and harmony.
- We create our experiences by the activity of our thinking.
- There is power in affirmative thinking and in seeing the spiritual nature within all people.
Religious Science encourages regular practice of meditation and affirmative prayer. It teaches that as we align our thoughts with the goodness of God, we experience renewal. Practitioners support others through spiritual mind treatments – a form of affirmative prayer focused on wholeness. The desired change is affirmed as if it already exists. This supports the idea that our thoughts can shape reality.
Religious Science uses the terminology of modern psychology and metaphysics to interpret traditional religious concepts and theology. For example, the “Kingdom of Heaven” is seen as a state of consciousness rather than a physical location. And “salvation” is understood to mean freedom from limiting beliefs and aligning with the truth of our spiritual nature.
Religious Science offers a hopeful perspective – that our essential nature is good and that we can overcome challenges by recognizing the power of our thoughts. The teachings emphasize living in the present, developing our inner spiritual resources, and using affirmative prayer to create positive change. At the core is the idea that by cultivating a larger spiritual vision, we can experience lives of meaning, wholeness and good.
Religious Science draws from Christianity in that Jesus represents the full expression of the Christ spirit – our divine potential. Jesus demonstrated the power of right thinking and conscious union with God by healing the sick and transforming lives. Religious Science believes we all share that same spiritual nature and creative power inherent in every person.
The Bible is viewed as a collection of stories and themes that convey spiritual insights, rather than a literal historical document. Religious Science encourages looking beyond the words to find the inner meanings. The teachings of Jesus reveal important principles for spiritual living and realization of our divine nature. While Religious Science incorporates some Christian references, it does not require believing in Jesus as savior or literal interpretations of scripture.
Religious Science was established as an organized movement in 1927 when Ernest Holmes published The Science of Mind. This book lays out the core principles, with references to philosophy, modern psychology and spiritual wisdom. Holmes founded the Institute for Religious Science and School of Philosophy in Los Angeles to train spiritual practitioners and teachers. He also established the first church, Christ Church of Religious Science, to provide spiritual community for adherents. The teachings spread through hundreds of Religious Science churches, centers and study groups across the US and worldwide.
While Religious Science shares some beliefs with other New Thought-inspired movements like Unity Church and Divine Science, it maintains a distinct identity and organization. The Association for Global New Thought was later formed as an umbrella organization for various New Thought denominations.
Today, the spiritual organization Centers for Spiritual Living continues to spread Religious Science principles through online platforms, classes, retreats and events. While honoring its founding lineage, Religious Science continues to evolve for 21st century audiences. The core emphasis on the power of thought remains relevant, with scientific research now validating the mind-body connection. Religious Science provides spiritual tools to consciously create a life of meaning, health and good – an appealing message for many spiritual seekers.
In summary, Religious Science is a spiritual philosophy that views our thoughts and beliefs as creative forces shaping our reality. It is centered on universal spiritual principles rather than specific theology or dogma. Religious Science encourages individuals to recognize their divine spiritual nature and live fully from this place of empowerment. The teachings promote inner spiritual development, meditation, affirmative prayer and the conscious use of thoughts to transform lives. By practicing its principles, adherents believe they can experience wholeness, abundance and loving connection to the divine.