Ever wonder how misunderstandings get started or continue to be perpetuated? In his recent espionage novel, “The Tourist,” author Olen Steinhauer has presented a view of Christian Science that regrettably feeds existing misperceptions and even creates new ones.
Since it is a New York Times best-seller and the film rights have been purchased by actor George Clooney’s production company, I’d like to clarify a few questions for some who have read the book or may see the anticipated future movie.
By the way, this novel is not the source of the just released movie of the same name starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is a different movie.
The following questions (based on pages 57-61 of the novel) highlight a few of the erroneous assertions about Christian Science in the novel:
1. Question: Why is a world-class assassin–presented as a Christian Scientist known as “The Tiger”–explaining his actions by quoting Mary Baker Eddy’s statement, “The Science of Christianity makes pure the fountain, in order to purify the stream?”
I have no idea. In this context, the quote seems completely out of place. “The Tiger” also quotes, “To suppose that sin, lust, hatred, revenge, have life abiding in them, is a terrible mistake. Life and Life’s idea, Truth and Truth’s idea, never make men sick, sinful, or mortal.” This is another passage from “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, but it is a gross misinterpretation to use it to justify killing someone!
2. Question: “The Tiger” ends up being the target of an assassination attempt himself. According to the novel, his would-be assassin apparently believes a sure way to assassinate a Christian Scientist is to inject him with AIDS, because he’ll die before seeking medical care! Is this true?
No, it is not true! To Christian Scientists, including me, Christian Science is the most effective and reliable form of health care. Thousands of people around the globe have been healed by practicing its spiritual prayer-based method. These healings include medically-diagnosed cases of disease considered incurable.
To read of AIDS cases healed through Christian Science alone, visit a Christian Science Reading Room and ask for the July 22, 2002 issue of the “Christian Science Sentinel.”
Christian Scientists decide for themselves what is the best form of health care to use. No church doctrine prohibits them from making this decision.
3. Question: “The Tiger” notes that “Faith talks you into doing things you might not want to do.” Is that true of Christian Science?
This fosters the tired rumor that Christian Science is some kind of cult. It’s not. Like me, the Christian Scientists I know are independent, pragmatic thinkers who are not prone to being manipulated into actions or beliefs that they themselves don’t support or agree with.
The novel also presents the idea that it is the practice of Christian Scientists to go outside and kneel under trees to pray. What nonsense!
4. Question: “The Tiger” noted that “God has seen fit to strike me down . . . .” Does God do this?
In Christian Science, it is never God’s will that anyone should suffer, die or be struck down. The Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health” is filled with ideas of what God is and what He does for mankind. What you will find is a loving, caring God who is ever-present and all-powerful. Angry and vengeful is not how God is defined.
Conclusion: The way Christian Science is presented in “The Tourist” is absurd, even comical. Yet to many readers who may not have heard of Christian Science, such misinformation may inhibit them from seeking the effective prayer-based healing it affords.
The world needs greater religious understanding, not more confusion. I sincerely hope Mr. Steinhauer will provide a more accurate portrayal of Christian Science if he decides to include it in his future novels. And I also hope that the screen writers for the George Clooney movie will wisely edit this portion of the plot.
To gain more accurate information about Christian Science, please go to christianscience.com or visit your local Christian Science Reading Room.
ghost dog says
July 15, 2011 at 1:46 amThe Tiger plays a very small part in The Tourist novel. His death plays an even smaller part. That the Tiger is a Christian Scientist only comes up very briefly when he explains why he did not seek treatment for the virus he was poisoned with. The religion angle was just a literary device for a character knowing he is going to die and wanting the main character to avenge him. It was not a theological treatment; wasn’t even central to the plot. Get over it. [ Ghost dog, please see previous comment to Bat Hat Harry – Bill ]
Bad Hat Harry says
June 14, 2011 at 2:42 pmJust a thought – The Tourist is a work of fiction. It is sold as such. If people are reading works of fiction and hoping to see hard core defined facts then they are reading the wrong books. Works of fiction are just that – fiction. The author does have freedom to invent and portray based on his storyline. I don’t know anything about Christian Science but I have read The Tourist and found it to be an entertaining read. I did not draw conclusions nor did I assume the information delivered in the book was accurate. After all, it is just fiction.
[ Harry, I’m grateful to read that you did not assume the comments about Christian Science were true! I hope all who read the book are as perceptive. I admit that it is a work of fiction, but the references to Christian Science regrettably feed existing misrepresentations. I would hope authors can write entertaining fiction without furthering religious misunderstanding. Thanks for your comment. – Bill ]
Don Ingwerson says
January 7, 2011 at 10:26 pmIn November 2009, I left a comment on George Clooney’s web site asking him to represent Christian Science in a more accurate manner and not as the book “The Tourist” represented Christian Science when he writes the screen play.
Anon says
December 16, 2010 at 9:44 pm“effective” and “prayer-based” are mutually exclusive.
Daryl Francis says
December 16, 2010 at 4:00 pmThanks Bill.
Sometimes I ask myself where these guys get such nonsense from! Still, it may just prompt more of the public to look into Christian Science for themselves.
John Daniels says
December 16, 2010 at 11:19 amThe closest quote from MBE I can find that relates to the first one listed is:
540:10 “The muddy river bed must be stirred in order to purify the stream.”
Susan says
December 16, 2010 at 11:00 amI don’t know if I would rather read the book and see exactly what it says, or stay away from it because I would be upset by what it says! Those excerpts ARE absolutely ludicrous. Thank you so much for clearly refuting the misrepresentations in this book.
Bob Clark says
December 16, 2010 at 9:52 amThanks for setting the record straight here. I read The Tourist and was surprised by the grossly inaccurate portrayal of an important world religion.