“Practising My Christian Science Faith during the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Searle, Susan. “Practising My Christian Science Faith during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Pages 201–207 in The Covid Pandemic and the World’s Religions. Edited by George Chryssides and Dan Cohn-Sherbok. London, New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2023.

Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote in the forward of this book of twenty-eight representatives of fourteen of the world’s religions: “Every kind of communal activity was heavily impacted by the Covid pandemic. . . and [this collection of essays] very properly asks what has been learned” (xix). Shirley Paulson responded to these questions as a representative of the Christian Science faith. She acknowledged the challenges of a global pandemic in the context of her usual practice of spiritual healing and turned to the Bible for inspiration and help. She admits the pandemic pushed her to ask deeper questions and wrestle with her faith. When vaccines were made available and public restrictions were enacted, new questions arose concerning the impact of spiritual healing in the public context. Paulson found guidance from the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, whose counsel for her own son was to submit to the vaccination for the sake of the public good. Paulson also noted how the pandemic experience highlighted the need for greater maturity in spiritual healing practices, such as more concern for public issues and greater spiritual clarity, strength, and authority.

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