Quote:
Originally Posted by Do Go Be Man
Is there now a general acceptance among Christian Scientists that Mary Baker Eddy only discouraged "(t)he depraved appetite for alcoholic drinks, tobacco, tea, coffee, opium"?
Do Christian Science teachers now teach that drinking, smoking, and opium use are now acceptable, so long as Christian Scientists do not develop a depraved appetite for them?
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I'm not aware of any Christian Scientist I know who accepts such an interpretation. I also have not heard or read of any Christian Science teachers who teach this. I certainly hope they don't teach it. When one reads all of Mrs. Eddy's statements about alcohol and tobacco use, it is clear that she taught that totally abstaining from both alcohol and tobacco is the only acceptable practice for a Christian Scientist.
In recent years, some branch churches have changed their by-laws to allow people who smoke and drink to join, but this is usually put in terms that it is good for them to become members and have the support of the church while they pray for a healing of alcohol and tobacco use. I've not heard of any branch church saying that Mrs. Eddy's teaching on alcohol and tobacco is wrong and that people don't need to be healed.
Other branch churches today retain a requirement that applicants be free from the use of alcohol and tobacco before they can join.
If someone identifying as a Christian Scientist believes it is ok to use alcohol or tobacco to any degree, he or she is clearly rejecting some of Mrs. Eddy's teachings.