Religious Science
Religious Science, also known as Science of Mind, is a spiritual philosophy and religious movement founded by Ernest Holmes in 1927 that integrates the principles of science, philosophy, and religion to promote personal transformation, healing, and the realization of human potential through affirmative prayer and the power of thought.[1][2] Holmes, born in 1887 in Lincoln, Maine, developed his teachings after being influenced by New Thought writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Troward, and Emma Curtis Hopkins, and he self-published his seminal book The Science of Mind in 1926, which outlined the core ideas of the movement.[3][1] Beginning with public lectures in Los Angeles in 1916, Holmes' teachings attracted growing audiences, leading to the formal incorporation of the Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy in 1927 and the establishment of churches by the 1940s.[1][3] By the mid-20th century, the movement had become one of the largest denominations within the New Thought tradition, with Holmes ordaining ministers starting in 1939 and influencing figures like Norman Vincent Peale.[3] At its foundation, Religious Science posits that there is a universal law of mind or cause and effect, where thoughts and beliefs shape individual experiences, and God is understood as an impersonal Universal Mind or Spirit that permeates all existence.[2][1] Central practices include Spiritual Mind Treatment, a form of affirmative prayer involving five steps—recognition, unification, realization, thanksgiving, and release—to align with divine principles and manifest positive outcomes in health, abundance, and relationships.[1] Key concepts emphasize oneness (all life as interconnected through Spirit), the creative power of thought, abundance as a natural state, and forgiveness as a means to release limitations and live in the present.[2] Holmes described the philosophy as "the correlation of laws of science, opinions of philosophy, and revelations of religion applied to human needs and the aspirations of humankind."[1] Today, Religious Science is primarily embodied through Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL), a global network of over 400 spiritual communities, teaching chapters, and study groups in more than 30 countries, dedicated to providing tools for personal growth and contributing to a world that works for everyone.[4] The organization's Declaration of Principles, authored by Holmes in 1927, affirms belief in God as a living, indwelling presence of eternal goodness and the unity of all life, with spiritual practices aimed at emancipation from discord through intuitive truth and the action of Universal Mind on human thought.[4]History
Founding and Early Influences
Ernest Holmes, the founder of Religious Science, was born on January 21, 1887, in Lincoln, Maine, into a family of modest means, with his father working as a farmer.[3] Largely self-taught, Holmes developed an early interest in metaphysics through extensive reading and the influence of his older brother, Fenwicke Holmes, who introduced him to Christian Science and the emerging New Thought movement.[5] Fenwicke, who had studied at Hartford Theological Seminary and become a Congregational minister, shared ideas from Mary Baker Eddy's teachings on mind-over-matter healing, sparking Ernest's curiosity about spiritual principles for personal transformation.[6] In 1912, seeking a warmer climate and new opportunities, Holmes moved to California, where he continued his independent studies while working odd jobs to support himself.[1] Holmes' intellectual development was profoundly shaped by key figures in the New Thought tradition and beyond. Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, considered the father of New Thought for his pioneering work in mental healing during the mid-19th century, influenced Holmes' understanding of the mind's role in physical and emotional well-being.[7] Emma Curtis Hopkins, known as the "teacher of teachers" in metaphysical Christianity, provided Holmes with a framework for integrating prayer and affirmative thinking, after he studied under her in 1924.[5] Thomas Troward, a British judge and author of works like The Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science, offered Holmes foundational concepts in mental science, emphasizing the creative power of thought and the idea of aligning with universal principles to manifest reality.[8] Additionally, Ralph Waldo Emerson's transcendentalist philosophy, with its focus on individual intuition and the divine within, resonated deeply, inspiring Holmes to view spirituality as a practical, empowering force in daily life.[9] In 1916, Holmes began delivering public lectures in Los Angeles at a metaphysical library, drawing audiences with his dynamic presentations on the practical application of metaphysical ideas, which evolved from private study groups he had led since arriving in California.[5] These talks gained popularity, leading to larger venues and the establishment of classes that laid the groundwork for Religious Science. Culminating his early teachings, Holmes published The Science of Mind in 1926, a comprehensive text that synthesized his influences into a systematic philosophy outlining the laws of mind and spirit for healing and prosperity.[1] The book served as the cornerstone of the movement, articulating principles such as the unity of all life and the power of affirmative prayer. In 1927, building on this momentum, Holmes founded the Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy in Los Angeles to formalize training for practitioners and disseminate the teachings through structured education.[3]Institutional Development and Expansion
Following the establishment of the Institute of Religious Science in Los Angeles in 1927 by Ernest Holmes, the movement began formalizing its structure through the creation of local congregations in the 1930s and the first dedicated Religious Science church in the mid-1940s.[10] These developments marked the transition from an educational philosophy to an organized spiritual network, with early centers emphasizing Holmes' teachings on affirmative prayer and metaphysical principles. A pivotal institutional shift occurred in 1954 when disagreements over governance and unification plans at the annual convention led to a split, resulting in the formation of two independent organizations: the United Church of Religious Science (UCRS), which retained oversight of ministerial training and church operations, and Religious Science International (RSI), later known as the International Centers for Spiritual Living, focused on decentralized community growth.[11] [12] Ernest Holmes' death in 1960 prompted leadership transitions, with figures such as Dr. Raymond Charles Barker assuming key roles in UCRS to stabilize and expand the organizations amid evolving societal interests.[11] The 1960s through 1980s saw substantial growth for both branches, aligning with the broader counterculture movement's embrace of alternative spiritualities, as Religious Science centers proliferated in the United States and attracted endorsements from celebrities including filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille and actor Cary Grant, who publicly credited the philosophy for personal insights.[13] This era's expansion included the establishment of the first European center in the 1950s, followed by dedicated growth in Australia and Canada by the 1970s, extending the movement beyond North America.[11] In 2011, UCRS and RSI merged to form the unified Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL), headquartered in Golden, Colorado, which consolidated resources and vision to support over 400 spiritual communities worldwide across more than 30 countries.[14] [15] This reunification, realized after decades of dialogue, enhanced administrative efficiency and global outreach while honoring Holmes' original intent for a cohesive spiritual network.Philosophy and Beliefs
Theological Foundations
In Religious Science, the concept of God is defined as Infinite Intelligence or Universal Mind, an omnipresent, impersonal yet responsive force that permeates all existence.[5] This understanding posits God not as a distant, anthropomorphic deity but as the Principle of Life itself—eternal, creative, and non-punitive—operating through immutable spiritual laws that individuals can access via conscious thought.[16] Ernest Holmes, the founder, described this Divine Mind as "Intelligence or Mind everywhere present throughout the universe and beyond," emphasizing its role as the singular source from which all things emerge.[5] This theology aligns with panentheism, where God is immanent in all creation—present at every point—while also transcending it, ensuring that the universe is an expression of the Divine but not its totality.[17] Holmes explicitly rejected pantheism, clarifying that God is both within and beyond creation, allowing for human individuality as "individualizations of the Infinite Spirit."[17] Unlike traditional theistic views of a personal judge, this framework portrays God as a harmonious, loving presence that responds to human consciousness without duality or condemnation.[16] Religious Science draws from the broader New Thought tradition, sharing its emphasis on divine immanence and the power of mind, but Holmes synthesized these with Eastern influences like Vedanta—evident in concepts of universal oneness—and Western Christian elements, creating a distinct metaphysical approach.[16] Scripturally, it employs a loose, symbolic interpretation of the Bible, viewing passages as allegories of spiritual principles rather than literal history, while incorporating insights from non-Christian texts such as the Bhagavad Gita to affirm the unity of all life in the Divine.[18] Holmes' work, including The Bible in the Light of Religious Science, reinterprets biblical narratives to highlight themes of innate divinity and creative potential over dogmatic orthodoxy.[19]Core Principles and Concepts
At the heart of Religious Science lies the Law of Mind, which posits that thoughts are creative forces that shape individual experience through the principle of mental equivalence, where beliefs and mental attitudes manifest corresponding conditions in the physical world. This law, articulated by Ernest Holmes, draws from the biblical idea that "it is done unto you as you believe," emphasizing that the human mind operates in alignment with a universal Creative Mind to produce reality.[2][4] Central to this philosophy is the concept of human divinity, viewing individuals as unique expressions or individualizations of the Divine One, inherently perfect and whole yet often obscured by limiting false beliefs. Holmes taught that every person embodies the triune nature of Spirit, Soul, and Body, mirroring the macrocosm of God, and that realizing this innate divinity allows for the unveiling of one's true potential through conscious alignment with spiritual truth.[2][4] Key metaphysical concepts distinguish between the Absolute—the unchanging, perfect spiritual realm of pure Being—and the Relative, the physical world of form and experience shaped by human consciousness. This framework underscores the principle of correspondence, where inner mental states invariably reflect in outer circumstances, as the visible universe reciprocates invisible thought patterns according to the Law of Mental Equivalents. Religious Science rejects notions of sin and evil as inherent realities, instead regarding them as illusions or misperceptions arising from ignorance of one's divine nature, with no divine condemnation but rather opportunities for forgiveness and growth.[2][4] The teachings place strong emphasis on free will and personal responsibility, asserting that individuals exercise choice in their thoughts and actions, thereby becoming the sole causative agents in their lives without succumbing to victimhood or external blame. This empowerment stems from the recognition that the universe operates reciprocally, rewarding alignment with positive, abundant beliefs while underscoring the ethical imperative to act in harmony with universal principles like the Golden Rule.[2]Teachings and Practices
Spiritual Mind Treatment
Spiritual Mind Treatment is a core practice in Religious Science, defined as a scientific form of affirmative prayer that demonstrates spiritual laws through alignment with universal truth, rather than petitioning a personal deity. Unlike traditional supplicatory prayer, it operates on the principle that thought and consciousness interact with the Law of Mind to produce tangible results, emphasizing declaration over request. This method, rooted in the teachings of Ernest Holmes, serves as a tool for personal transformation by consciously directing mental focus toward positive outcomes.[20][21] The treatment follows a structured five-step process designed to elevate consciousness and engage spiritual laws effectively:- Recognition: Acknowledge the infinite presence and power of Spirit (God) as the source of all good, including health, prosperity, and harmony, fostering a deep sense of divine perfection everywhere.[21][20]
- Unification: Affirm one's complete oneness with this divine presence, realizing that the practitioner embodies all the qualities of Spirit, regardless of external appearances or challenges.[21][20]
- Realization or Declaration: Vividly imagine and declare the desired condition as already fulfilled in the present moment, building emotional conviction and faith in the realization of the outcome.[21][20]
- Thanksgiving: Express profound gratitude as if the prayer has already been answered, cultivating joy and acceptance of the divine process at work.[21][20]
- Release: Surrender the treatment to the action of spiritual law, releasing attachment to the "how" and trusting in its inevitable manifestation.[21][20]