Yet in-depth searching of the spiritual sort goes on. Indicative of this, student religious groups thrive at many colleges across the United States and in other countries. Religious emphasis weeks, chapel programs, lectures on religion, interfaith discussions, dot the school calendar; and Christian Scientists are often participants in these events, along with those of other faiths. The Scientist may be invited by the college or student planning committee to give a nondenominational talk or to explain his own religion. Or the Christian Science college organization may invite the student body to see a film on Christian Science and to ply an experienced Scientist with questions afterward.
Students want to know how the term "Science" can possibly apply to Christianity. In a chapel talk at a Michigan college a Harvard professor, a Christian Scientist, tried to show that Jesus operated in a scientific fashion. "Jesus frequently predicted results," he pointed out. . . . "From the standpoint of a natural scientist, it would appear that Jesus had a particular knowledge or understanding which he applied with precision and certainty. . . . Jesus 'taught ... as one having authority' (Matt. 7:29). . . . I can speak with a certain authority in the field of electromagnetic theory, since I understand it quite well. ... If Jesus spoke with authority about God and man, it is reasonable to conclude that he must have understood God and man very thoroughly. . . . [Jesus said], 'He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also' (John 14: 12). The process Jesus is describing is not unlike a statement a professor of mathematics might make to a student. Slightly paraphrasing, 'If you understand what I have to say, you can prove these theorems.' . . . [In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy calls Jesus (p. 313)] 'the most scientific man that ever trod the globe.' "
The word "religious" is sometimes dropped from program tides, and terms like "Quest Week" or "Controversy" are substituted. At a western college the theme was reduced to "U. S.: Sex and Society." There an Episcopalian and a Roman Catholic chaplain, a professor of Christian Ethics, a sociologist, and a Christian Science practitioner made up a panel on "The Future of Monogamy." The discussion opened with a somewhat negative statement in which monogamy's future did not appear altogether bright. When the Scientist underlined the meaning of chastity and the seventh commandment, the Roman Catholic gained the floor to say, "I would like to thank Mrs.—for pointing out that chastity is not a dirty word."
