Talk:Ernest Holmes/Archive 1

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This is true. Religious Science does NOT believe in reincarnation and infact POINTS OUT specifically that it does not believe in reincarnation. The basic definition of THEOLOGY states it is a scientific reasoning on religion, that would prove that a theologist cannot believe in reincarnation. My grandmother is a well known teacher of religious science and has stressed to me my whole life that we do not believe in reincarnation. 69.72.29.40 15:11, 15 February 2007 (UTC)It is inaccurate to say that Religious Science believes in reincarnation. This is not so.

Also, Ernest Holmes didn't start lecturing as a church. The church, first the Institute of Religious Science, then the Church of Religious Science, and now the United Church of Religious Science, began after Holmes had been lecturing at the Wilshire Theatre in Los Angeles for a while.69.72.29.40 15:11, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

Early life
Ernest Holmes was born the youngest of nine sons of William and Anna Heath Holmes on January 21, 1887 on a small farm near Lincoln, Maine. He received his education first in Lincoln, where his mother taught school, and later at Gould's Academy in Bethel, Maine.

He grew impatient with formal education, and at the age of 15 he quit school over the Christmas break and ran away to Boston, where he found employment at his cousin's butcher shop.

It was in Boston where he heard the Rev. Russell H. Conwell deliver his famous "Acres of Diamonds" speech and was first inspired to adopt the life of a speaker or lecturer. He decided to go back to school, and learn to become an "edifying lecturer" on the "Chautauqua Circuit".

And so from 1908 to 1910, working in the butcher shop to pay his way, he attended the Leland Powers School of the Spoken Work, an acting and public speaking academy in Boston. It was at the Leland Powers School that he became interested in the teachings of Christian Science. Mr. and Mrs. Powers were both Christian Scientists, and some of his fellow students were church members. It was at the Powers home that he first became acquainted with the Christian Science concept of healing through prayer, and thus began his own study of many of the ideas that would become known as the New Thought movement. While he never became a Christian Scientist, he was fascinated by many of the concepts found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Eventually, after a brief experience with Chautauqua and dramatics, Ernest decided that it was not for him after all, but he was inspired to continue his study in spiritual healing and New Thought ideas.

New Thought
In 1912 he moved to Los Angeles, where his brother Fenwick had previously established a small church, a mission of New Thought ideas. He worked as a purchasing agent for the city of Venice, and in his free time continued his study of metaphysics. It was in New York that he studied spiritual healing under Emma Curtis Hopkins, a writer and former member of the Christian Science faith, and began lecturing on metaphysics in 1915. He quickly attracted a following, and went on to develop his own approach to healing through mind and spirit. He published his first book, "Creative Mind," in 1919, and in 1927, he published his classic work, The Science of Mind, at which point he established the Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy. A revised version of The Science of Mind was issued in 1938.

Holmes went on to write numerous books of theology, influenced by not only Emma Curtis Hopkins but also by Phineas Quimby, Thomas Troward, Ralph Waldo Emerson, various other New Thought writers of his day, and the texts of world religions. He was a popular lecturer in the Los Angeles area, and though at first was reluctant to do so, ultimately formed a religious denomination now known as Religious Science teaching the Science of Mind philosophy. The first religious organization Holmes founded is known today as the United Centers for Spiritual Living.

In 1949, he began to host what was to become a popular weekly radio program, "This Thing Called Life" on the Mutual Broadcasting System. He began each broadcast with the words: "There is a power for good in the universe greater than you are and you can use it."

Teachings
Religious Science, like many New Thought faiths, emphasizes positive thinking, influence of circumstances through mental processes, recognition of a creative energy source and natural law (referred to as Universal Intelligence, God, Spirit, First Principle, and other terms) that manifests as the physical universe, accepting duality as a state of wholeness as opposed to the idea of good versus evil.

Holmes' teachings expanded the practice of New Thought ideas in southern California, although prior New Thought lecturers such as Elizabeth Delvine King had preceded him. While Holmes studied widely, he did not embrace any particular teaching, and instead saw each as offering its own interpretation of an essential law that grounds all thought and action.

Holmes' approach tended to focus less on defining a cosmology than other New Thought movements such as the Unity Church. Holmes denied any "special revelation", contending that Religious Science was not the "only way", but instead a "good way." Holmes did not believe in reincarnation or magic. But Religious Science neither endorses nor rejects any particular theory or concept of reincarnation. Holmes taught spiritual mind treatment, a type of scientific prayer. He taught that there is a natural law, and we can use it; and that we create our experience of reality with our thinking. Holmes intention was never to create a new church, but his students wanted a more organized group.

Holmes published numerous books---although "The Science of Mind", the mainspring of his work, has now had over fifty printings. He taught that religion is "open at the top," viewing it as an evolving work in progress. In a biography written after his death, his brother Fenwicke cited Holmes' opinion that all beliefs are valid to those who hold them.

Later years
He received an honorary doctorate later in life, in recognition of his accomplishments as a prolific writer, teacher, and public speaker. Ernest Holmes died on April 7, 1960, in Los Angeles. He left no children. His wife of many years, Hazel Holmes, had died two years earlier.

Legacy
Holmes has been grouped by critics among the practitioners of the many "mind cure" movements. Others have argued that New Thought ideas have been melded into the popular culture. The influence of New Thought authors, including Holmes' work, upon the subsequent human dynamics movement.

Though the Religious Science movement split around the time of his death, both of the groups that came from the split, the United Church of Religious Science (now the United Centers for Spiritual Living) and Religious Science International, continue to recognize Holmes as their founder and use his works often. Some Religious Science churches emphasize Christianity much less than did Holmes, who frequently used biblical scripture in his teaching. Holmes was curious about and open to all religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. He viewed religion as unfolding and evolving through breakthroughs in science and philosophy.

[End of unsourced material HrafnTalkStalk 17:14, 7 March 2008 (UTC) ]

If Holmes was a Divine Science minister . ..
If Holmes was a Divine Science minister ("Holmes was an ordained in the Church of Divine Science as a Minister."), then we should supply some sort of citation or reference. I can find no such information in my sources. Thanks, Madman (talk) 23:16, 14 September 2008 (UTC)
 * The problem, Agent 66, is that the website you're citing is not, with a tip of the hat to User:Hrafn, a Reliable Source. Even worse, none of the other sources I've consulted -- check out Google books -- say that he was an ordained Divine Science minister.  I've also consulted a biography from Gale Publishing.  So, alas, I will have to revert.  Sorry, Madman (talk) 03:33, 15 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Got it - New Thought, Ancient Wisdom by Glenn R. Moley ,Templeton Foundation Press (2006) pg. 47. Holmes was an ordained Divine Science Minister.66.108.92.43 (talk) 04:44, 15 September 2008 (UTC)