Response to The Daily Mirror on Ellen DeGeneres

This was an unpublished letter to the editor of The Daily Mirror in response to a piece done on Ellen DeGeneres.

Dear Editor,

While Ellen DeGeneres decided to move away from her Christian Science upbringing when she reached adulthood, she occasionally spoke on her show about her father when he died at the age of 92 and his lifelong faith. She once shared, “He was a Christian Scientist his whole life. He never had medicine in his life. He never went to a doctor.” 

In your May 13 story about DeGeneres, your brief reference to the Christian Science faith and its attitude to the medical profession might mislead your readers. 

We all want relief from suffering and peace in a time of need, and many find this in medical science. And while Christian Scientists usually find their remedy to be in the Christian healing practice of prayer – based on an all-loving God – they are entirely free to choose whatever method of healing they wish to.

Furthermore, the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, advised Christian Scientists to “be charitable and kind, not only towards differing forms of religion and medicine but to those who hold these differing opinions”.  To that end, Christian Scientists will always be grateful for the good work and comfort the medical profession brings to so many.

Yours faithfully,

Robin Harragin Hussey

District Manager

Christian Science Committee on Publication

UK and Ireland