The Matthew Code and my experience with hypocrisy at Principia

“(15) If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. (16) But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ (17) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector.”
(Matthew 18:15-17 – New International Version)

The Matthew Code, as the above quoted Bible verses have come to be known, was thrown at me and my fellow students at Principia College time and time again, and is a part of the moral code that Principia students are required to abide by.

Truth

This is #11 in a series of posts looking at the 26 Christian Science Weekly Bible Lesson subjects, chosen by Mary Baker Eddy, and rotated twice per year. These lessons are the sermon at each Christian Science church worldwide, and are read by Christian Scientists daily. Today’s subject is “Truth”. Look for other posts in the category “Lesson Sermon Subjects“. 

I Am a Sensitive Guy

It’s official: I’m a sensitive guy. I received that diagnosis recently during a visit to the emergency room at the local hospital. This visit was occasioned by a sudden, unpleasant, and quite alarming rash that broke out all over my body; and given that it was late in the evening on a Sunday, going to a walk-in clinic or my own doctor were not going to be options, so I went to the ER. The rash had arisen the day before in a much milder form, and had somewhat subsided overnight, but now it reared its ugly head in a much more alarming form, worse than I had experienced such a rash in the past.

To Vax or Not to Vax

The debate over vaccination has been heating up especially south of the border (in the USA) lately due to a measles outbreak centred around Disneyland. It’s a debate that’s also been lighting up a few discussion threads in one of the ex-Christian Scientist Facebook groups. The anti-vaxxers are taking it hard on the chin on this one, and in my opinion, well they should.

Something Funny

Here’s an oldie but goodie from the early 20th century.

Confirmation Bias and Christian Science

The blog Godless In Dixie* discusses the phenomenon of confirmation bias as it relates to Christians, and by extension most highly religious people, very well in this post. I especially found a deep resonance with this particular post and its subject matter, as I related it to my own experience in Christian Science. Godless in Dixie* does a very good job of discussing confirmation bias, and what it means vis a vis being religious, so I strongly recommend reading his post as a primer for my post. Here, I want to take the subject of confirmation bias, and get into how I see it in relation to Christian Science and its rather grandiose claims regarding physical healing.

Measles at Principia Upper School

Here’s a good example of how lovingly those who are sick are treated at Christian Science-affiliated institutions.