This spring, the Journal invited several teachers of Christian Science to come together via conference call to talk about "animal magnetism"—what it is and how its negative effects can be wiped out through prayer. Host spoke with of Boca Raton, Florida; of Evanston, Illinois; of San Francisco, California; and of Pretoria, South Africa. Russ began the discussion with some observations about the term animal magnetism as it is currently used. The conversation that followed focused on the basic question of evil in its various disguises—and the understanding of God that can give individuals relief from its domination in their lives.
Russ: It's hard to tell, based on the variety of ways the term animal magnetism is being used today, just what exactly is meant by it. The term was used as the title of an off-off-Broadway play a couple of years ago. It's been the name of a company that makes products for animals. It's the title of a book that has pictures of celebrities and their pets. And you've probably all heard some charismatic character in a story described as having animal magnetism. So it seems like pretty harmless stuff when you look at it in light of these things.
Yet, there's more to animal magnetism than this lighthearted modern-day usage would suggest, which is what brings us to this discussion—what animal magnetism is and what we can do about it. My first question to you is, Who originally came up with the term animal magnetism, and what did people claim it could or could not do?
