1.
J Relig Health
; 51(4): 1397-405, 2012 Dec.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21732134
ABSTRACT
A common criticism of Christian Science is that it is neither Christian nor scientific. American psychologist and philosopher William James would not, I believe, share this view, even though he does make critical comments about Christian Science's orginator and her dogmatic followers. Following a suggestion of James, I distinguish two types of critical inquiry into Christian Science--outsider criticism and insider criticism--and show that the latter yields the better results. A pragmatic version of Christian Science can be offered that is distinct both from the myopic critics who malign it and from the dogmatic followers who recklessly adhere to it.