Christian Science teaches love for all mankind based on definition of God

Christian Science teaches love for all mankind based on definition of God

Matthew Goodwin wrote a letter about the merits of the separation of church and state. I agree that this separation protects both entities and allows for freedom of religion, but I would like to clarify his depiction of the religion called Christian Science.

The First Church of Christ, Scientists whose international headquarters is in Boston does not dictate to its members how they conduct their personal health care choices. While it is true that most members prefer to turn to prayer for God’s healings, they are not restricted nor condemned if they pursue a medical course. There is no animosity between the Church and those of the medical profession. On the contrary, Christian Science teaches love for all mankind, based on its definition of God as divine Love.

The Christian Science Church (not to be confused with Scientology) has for more than 100 years published verified accounts of healing by its teachings. Today it has 1,800 branches in 80 different countries. The Church publishes the award winning Christian Science Monitor daily newspaper, a weekly Sentinel, and a monthly journal. Its denominational textbook is Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures written by Mary Baker Eddy who founded the Church.

Thank you for allowing me to clarify the reference to Christian Science.

Max Ellis
Christian Science Committee on
Publication for Alabama
Enterprise

Newspaper doesn’t report all facts on education budget and Legislature
The Opelika-Auburn News’ “Our View” on the failed education budget demands correction and addition, if the reader is to understand and appreciate why and how the Alabama Senate failed to adopt an education budget.

As a retired university professor, I love, appreciate and support Auburn University.  But, facts are facts.

The $6.3 billion budget before the Senate was the governor’s budget, with an additional $25 million for universities added by the Legislature. The budget was supported by the governor, Superintendent of Education, Association of School Boards, Association of School Administrators, and all other education organizations, including AEA.

The budget was opposed by universities because they wanted an additional $25 million, three-tenths of one percent of the budget, not the 4 percent reported. A compromise was offered-the governor promised to add a $25 million conditional appropriation with priority. The compromise was refused.

The relatively small amount at issue was important because the proposed budget was already short some $120 million and faced proration. The additional $25 million would add to the proration, 70 percent of which would fall on K-12 schools. 

The budget process ended when after a full day of minority filibustering, a vote to close debate and consider the budget failed. The cloture motion needed 18 votes to pass. Seventeen Democrats voted for the motion and zero Republicans. No vote was ever taken on the budget.

These are the facts. The Senate failed to fund the state’s $6.3 billion education industry, the largest and most important industry in the state, because universities demanded an additional three-tenths of one percent of the budget, and they were supported in this effort by the minority in the Senate, in opposition to a budget proposed by the governor.

Gerald W. Johnson
Capital Survey Research Center
Alabama Education Association