mary baker eddy?

Question

is she important? i think she is because she founded the science of christianity
but my history teacher says diff.he says that women havent made a diff . in the usa ... so there is no point to research her ..because j.f.k is more impt!

Answer 1

Oh yes certainly, she was a Christian reformer of some important. She found what is officially called the Church of Christ, Scientist or more familiarly, Christian Science.
The emphasis on using spiritual means in healing makes the church controversial but I don't think it can be denied that she is a significant historical figure.
I have to say that I find your teacher's position outrageous. Many women have played important roles in American history especially in reform movements. Look at this list:

http://www.lkwdpl.org/WIHOHIO/figures.htm

Answer 2

Mary Baker Eddy probably changed the world by her existence more than JFK did. If JFK had not been president of the US someone else would have been, who more likely than not would have done pretty much the same things.
Mary Baker Eddy founded a world wide religion and one of the most influential newspapers in the world. Though the religion is diminishing in membership in recent years, because the advances in medical science makes going to doctors a better choice when your sick. However Religion use to have lot of influence on peoples lives and the newspaper's independent point of view is still important. Neither the religion nor the paper would have existed without her.

The Christian Science Monitor is owned by the trustees of the Christian Science Monitor Publishing Committee; its directors are the directors of the First Church of Christ Scientist.

Answer 3

If you are part of Mary Baker Eddy's 'Christian Scientist' organisation, then you have plenty of opportunity to study it out of school. What evidence have you that your church has ever had a research program which follows scientific methodology? (testing of evidence, repeatability of experiment etc.) If it is also difficult to make 'Christian Scientist' beliefs reconcile with those of historical Christianity, then it is exaggerating to say that Mary Baker Eddy 'founded the science of christianity'.

Your teacher is correct in saying that it is more important for you to study JFK and the events of his presidency. They were of great importance to people in many countries and of many religions.

Answer 4

I'm presuming your history teacher is a male and not qualified to teach history based on his statement.

Answer 5

Wow, what a comment from a teacher. She (MBE) would be a great character study. Perhaps the links below will help your case;

http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_list.htm#M
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womensfirsts1.html
http://www.cr.nps.gov/NR/feature/wom/