Witnessing the response of Amish people to the recent shootings here in the US, we have been seeing many newspaper articles praising them, and rightly, and rightly, for their immediate forgiveness. Since I was a child, I have been baffled that there are so many Christians and Christian Scientists who are willing to be in armies and go to war. I have noted the many places where Mrs. Eddy talks about praying for soldiers, and also praying that wars might end. She certainly speaks of the end all wars. But I see nothing anywhere that would make me think that Jesus would support being in any war for any reason. Why doesn't the Church of Christ, Scientist, officially stand against war and participation in war in general?
A1 I have always been so grateful that The Mother Church supports its members wherever they are in their interpretation and understanding of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. The Church acknowledges that no one person or institution can dictate to another about whether or not to fight in a war, and provides loving support regardless of the decision Christian Scientists make for themselves.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote in one place in her chapter "Peace and War" in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, "...I am absolutely and religiously opposed to war ..." (p.284). But in another article in this same chapter she says that armament may be necessary for "the purpose of preventing war and preserving peace among nations" (p. 286). Could these different statements not show that she gives her absolute ideal but also recognizes that at times there may be need for different levels of responsive human action?
