“Personal Experiences of the Christian Science Faith during COVID”

Searle, Susan. “Personal experiences of the Christian Science faith during Covid.” Pages 209–214 in The Covid Pandemic and the World’s Religions. Edited by George Chryssides and Dan Cohn-Sherbok. London, New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2023

Susan Searle’s chapter in this book is one of thirty-one individuals who were asked how they understood the challenges of the global pandemic in the context of their faith traditions. As a representative of the Christian Science faith, she acknowledged the new and unusual challenges that arose with the global and contagious aspects of the pandemic, but she admits that the difficulties with the pandemic, hitting right after the devastation of extreme wildfires followed by dangerous flooding in her native Australia, seemed to deplete the faithful from many religious traditions. However, Searle’s previous personal experiences with spiritual healing inspired her to look deeper into the teachings of Christian Science for help and guidance. Despite her growing confidence in God’s care, the question of vaccination, became an issue to consider. It was not compulsory in Australia, but the substantial restrictions and fear from family members and the community, caused her to consider that it could enable her to do the most good for the most people. She had a difficult reaction to it, but even in that situation, she felt she was still able to seek and receive God’s help. She concludes, “Covid provided a catalyst in my spiritual growth” (214).

ISBN (Hardcover): 9781350349643
ISBN (Softcover): 9781350349636