Centers for Spiritual Living
Encyclopedia
The Centers for Spiritual Living, or CSL, is a religious denomination promoting Religious Science
that was founded by Ernest Holmes
in 1949. Before 2011, it was two organizations known as United Centers for Spiritual Living (formally, United Church of Religious Science) and International Centers for Spiritual Living (formally, Religious Science International).
learned about New Thought
in Boston, and later in Los Angeles were drawn to the belief in the power of the mind for healing and fulfillment of life. In 1926, Holmes's major work, The Science of Mind
, was published, and in 1927 he founded the Institute of Religious Science and Philosophy in Los Angeles to teach his principles. After a growing number of the Institute's graduates established churches on teachings by Holmes, it was reorganized in 1949 as the Church of Religious Science. In the 1950s it split into two organizations that were originally called the United Church of Religious Science and Religious Science International.
and operating the Holmes Institute. The magazine started its publication in 1927, and the Institute was opened in 1972. The Holmes Institute is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council
and is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
. It provides a Master's Degree
program whose mission is to prepare spiritual leaders for service in the global community.
There are thousands of Religious Science Practitioners (RScP) around the world today. According to Vorensky and Carr, a RScP is, "A trained counselor who listens to concerns and offers loving prayers in accordance to the principles of Science of Mind. Practitioners honor each person from a holistic viewpoint and acknowledge their basic loving nature."
Religious Science
Religious Science, also known as Science of Mind, was established in 1927 by Ernest Holmes and is a spiritual, philosophical and metaphysical religious movement within the New Thought movement. In general, the term "Science of Mind" applies to the teachings, while the term "Religious Science"...
that was founded by Ernest Holmes
Ernest Holmes
Ernest Shurtleff Holmes was an American writer and spiritual teacher. He was the founder of a Spiritual movement known as Religious Science, a part of the greater New Thought movement, whose spiritual philosophy is known as "The Science of Mind." He was the author of The Science of Mind and...
in 1949. Before 2011, it was two organizations known as United Centers for Spiritual Living (formally, United Church of Religious Science) and International Centers for Spiritual Living (formally, Religious Science International).
History
Holmes and his brother FenwickeFenwicke Holmes
Fenwicke Lindsay Holmes was a religious author and brother of Ernest Holmes, widely recognized for being an important factor in the establishment of Religious Science and the founding of the United Centers for Spiritual Living...
learned about New Thought
New Thought
New Thought promotes the ideas that "Infinite Intelligence" or "God" is ubiquitous, spirit is the totality of real things, true human selfhood is divine, divine thought is a force for good, sickness originates in the mind, and "right thinking" has a healing effect.Although New Thought is neither...
in Boston, and later in Los Angeles were drawn to the belief in the power of the mind for healing and fulfillment of life. In 1926, Holmes's major work, The Science of Mind
The Science of Mind
The Science of Mind is a book by Ernest Holmes. It proposes a science with a new relationship between humans and God. Holmes, the founder of Religious Science, originally published it in 1926. A revised version was completed by Holmes and Maude Latham and published in 1937.Holmes' writing details...
, was published, and in 1927 he founded the Institute of Religious Science and Philosophy in Los Angeles to teach his principles. After a growing number of the Institute's graduates established churches on teachings by Holmes, it was reorganized in 1949 as the Church of Religious Science. In the 1950s it split into two organizations that were originally called the United Church of Religious Science and Religious Science International.
Merger
International Centers for Spiritual Living and United Centers for Spiritual Living re-united in 2011 after more than 50 years apart. After an eight year process the two organizations used a shared leadership model that included nearly 400 volunteers. Today the organization has 400 churches across the United States.Statement of Beliefs
Holmes originally authored the organization's primary statement in his 1927 book, The Science of Mind. It has been adapted as the organization's statement called, "What We Believe".Activities
In addition to hundreds of local centers around the world, the Centers for Spiritual Living have several major activities. They include operating the World Ministry of Prayer, publishing the Science of Mind magazineScience of Mind (magazine)
Science of Mind is a religious magazine published bi-monthly by the United Centers for Spiritual Living. Themes include inner peace, hope, healing, guidance, and others...
and operating the Holmes Institute. The magazine started its publication in 1927, and the Institute was opened in 1972. The Holmes Institute is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council
Distance Education and Training Council
The Distance Education and Training Council is a non-profit national educational accreditation agency in the United States specializing in the accreditation of distance education institutions.- History :...
and is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...
. It provides a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
program whose mission is to prepare spiritual leaders for service in the global community.
There are thousands of Religious Science Practitioners (RScP) around the world today. According to Vorensky and Carr, a RScP is, "A trained counselor who listens to concerns and offers loving prayers in accordance to the principles of Science of Mind. Practitioners honor each person from a holistic viewpoint and acknowledge their basic loving nature."
External links
- United Centers for Spiritual Living (UCSL) (Formerly United Church of Religious Science)
- International Centers for Spiritual Living (ICSL) (Formerly Religious Science International)
- Affiliated New Thought Network (ANTN)
- Global Religious Science Ministries (GRSM)