On—and from—Brazil
Could we please be spared the dreadful made-up term birthing ["Birthing in Brazil," January]? Birth is a noun, not a verb, and should not take an "ing" ending. What's wrong with bearing or giving birth? Otherwise, I enjoy the new, lively Journal.
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Editor's note: While birthing isn't our favorite term, either, it did seem more accessible than the other alternatives, like giving birth or bearing, or even the non-"ing" birth (which, by the way, is a verb as well as a noun). We're glad you're reading so closely!
I thank you, as well as the author, for the article "Thanks for the piano" in February's issue. Once, when I was praying to be healed of a severe sore throat, a friend of mine who is a Christian Scientist told me to stop arguing and to start giving thanks. To me, giving thanks before the healing seemed to be blackmail. But we read in this article that gratitude is the acknowledgment of what is. "This doesn't mean that we should exaggerate, invent, or visualize some good that we're not, in fact, experiencing. Nor is mere optimism what's needed." God, who is Life, gives us health, and this is what I should have given thanks for, even before the healing occurred.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Armageddon in the news
Many thanks for printing another of my letters in the February issue. We have heard so much about the subject of Armageddon in the news and in the movies. Fundamentalists make much of it—too much, really, I think. Your articles emphasize that we really live in a spiritual world, and that therefore Biblical references to Armageddon are largely symbolic. We cannot twist literal interpretations to make them conform with the latest events.
The Journal is certainly more easily read with the testimonies put in different places. When there is a sense of anticipation about what comes next, the magazine becomes that much more interesting. I notice that in Mrs. Eddy's day, her Journals had the testimonies mixed in with the articles.
Rosalie E. Dunbar's article on the Mormon church was also appropriate for this time of the Olympics in Salt Lake City. It has always been difficult for me to understand their religion; this article solves that problem.
How much I appreciate the variety, art work, printing, and format of the Journal with its new "look."
Davis, California
Mrs. Eddy a thinker
The March Journal makes Mrs. Eddy tangible as a thinker whose purpose was to bless humanity. Gillian Gill's article has so many gems: "She was not just leading the Christian Science movement"; "Her book is not a cookbook." I love the concentration not on her person but on her journey of ideas. I think Richard Bergenheim sums up the Library's purpose so well when he writes in his article: "Why do we need to understand this woman's life? Quite simply, so we can begin to understand the impact that divinity can have on human life."
Natick, Massachusetts
See more Letters on p. 53.
All letters to the editor (see addresses on the right) will be considered submissions for publication unless you request otherwise, and are subject to editing for length and clarity. Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Christian Science Journal.
Letters to the Editor, C04–10 The Christian Science Publishing Society Journal, Sentinel, and Herald Editorial Department One Norway Street Boston, MA 02115–3195 USA Our e-mail address is: journal@csps.com
