Old Postcard Wednesday--The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.

Unfortunately, the postal cancellation is on both sides, obscuring the church dome and year on front. The post date is readable on back: Oct. 16, 1948.


My mother was raised in the Christian Science religion, but left it behind as soon as she was out on her own. My grandmother remained devout all her life. In her box full of old postcards there are numerous ones related to various church sites. I selected this one of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, or "The Mother Church" -- similar in stature to the Vatican for the Catholic Church -- to feature this week because I enjoyed the following article at the online version of the Christian Science Monitor last week. I have no affiliation with the church, and my opinion of it could best be described as neutral, but I do have respect for the journalistic quality of the newspaper.

A 2004 profile of the Christian Science Monitor also includes a short history of the Church of Christ, Scientist (official name of the Christian Science church).

The Christian Science Monitor allows bloggers to publish a few paragraphs of articles and asks that we link to the full feature:

Dare I believe Obama can win?

His idealism brings out the best in me – and in others. So what happens if he loses?

By Courtney E. Martin

from the October 3, 2008 edition

Brooklyn, N.Y. - Like so many Americans, I feel as though I am holding my breath.

Could the quiet seed of joy that was planted in my heart the day I heard Barack Obama speak for the first time take root and grow without fear of the brutal storms of disappointment?

Could a leader that evokes awe in me actually win a presidential election? Could the beauty – and logic – of his words win over the majority of this country's voters? Could they see past the lies and distractions to the center of a human being who sincerely wants to invoke citizens' higher selves?

Could a system that seems so broken, so moneyed, so corrupt actually serve to help the American people elect an authentic, complex thinker? Could it be that – despite all that is wrong with the electoral process – there is enough right to allow a thoughtful candidate to get through the muck and emerge earnest and excited to lead? .......

You can read the full article here.