DAVID E. ROBINSON, et al, pro se______________________
Plaintiff
v.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, et al______
Defendants

I have been a dedicated Christian Scientist since the age of six, when I witnessed the dramatic healing, through Christian Science, of both of my parents -- my mother of blindness and my father of an illness the doctors declared terminal, giving him only months to live. Since then, out of a profound sense of gratitude to Christian Science and to its Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, I have devoted my life to the understanding and unfolding of Christian Science.

As a life-long student of Christian Science, at one time a listed Christian Science Practitioner and presently the author of fifteen books on the history and thought of Christian Science, I feel compelled to substantiate the claim of David Robinson that the present Board of Directors are claiming, as trademarks, words and symbols that belong in the public domain.

As the court is undoubtedly aware, on September 22, 1987 the US Court of Appeals upheld the 1985 decision of Judge Penfield Jackson, in the US District Court of the District of Columbia, that the copyright claimed by the Board of Directors on the 1910 edition of Mrs. Eddy¹s book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures was unconstitutional. Therefore that book is in the public domain.

A distinctive feature of the 1910 edition of Science and Health was that it bore the Cross and Crown symbol on its cover, and Mary Baker Eddy's portrait and signature as a frontispiece. For a reprint of this book to authentically present the Science and Health Mrs. Eddy left us at her passing, it must carry both her Cross and Crown symbol, which symbolizes the fundamental ideas upon which the book is based, and her signature as it appeared at the time. Thus both the Cross and Crown symbol and the signature must remain in the public domain.

This is not a trivial matter; symbols are highly important in Christian Science. As Mary Baker Eddy herself wrote, "Spiritual teaching must always be by symbols." (S&H 575:13). To students of Christian Science the Cross and Crown symbolizes not an organization but a personal quest, in which one takes on the burden of the Cross in order to claim the sovereignty of the Crown. This understanding of these symbols is made clear under the marginal heading "The cross and crown" on page 254 of Science and Health, where Mrs. Eddy states, "If you launch your bark upon the ever agitated but healthful waters of truth, you will encounter storms. Your good will be evil spoken of. This is the cross. Take it up and bear it, for through it you win and wear the crown. Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God."

Similarly, Mary Baker Eddy¹s signature represents, not an organization, but Mrs. Eddy¹s unique place as Wayshower, Founder and Leader. What exactly Mrs. Eddy's place is has been a question for discussion and dissension among Christian Scientists. In this debate, the removal of Mrs. Eddy¹s portrait and signature from editions of Science and Health published by the Board of Directors after 1910 has been interpreted by many independent Christian Scientists as an attempt to downplay her importance, and in response independent Christian Scientists have consciously used the portrait and signature to make a statement of belief about Mary Baker Eddy's central role.

As to the words, "Christian Science", in a separate 1987 court case in New Jersey (Christian Science Board of Directors vs. Evans) this phrase was established to be generic and in the public domain. In that court case the point was made that Christian Science existed as a religion for years before the establishment of the Christian Science Board of Directors and the Boston-based church organization, and that the Board and the organization it represents were not and are not the sole providers of Christian Science. This continues to be true today, with an increasing proportion of Christian Science activity taking place independently of the Boston-based organization.

Unfortunately, my experience with the Boston-based Christian Science church organization and the Board of Directors suggests that the current claim of trademark violation by the Board of Directors against David Robinson is part of a continuing effort by the Boston-based organization to supress freedom of speech and freedom of religion among Christian Scientist.

I personally have known a number of individuals who have been excommunicated from the church organization for writing or teaching Christian Science without "authorization." John Doorly, a dedicated Christian Scientist who spent years studying Science and Health, seeking to understand the system and science underlying Christian Science, was one such. In a booklet entitled "A Statement," published in 1945, he details the correspondence between himself and the Board of Directors leading up to his dismissal from membership and removal as a teacher and practitioner.

In a letter dated August 23rd, 1944, presented in that booklet, the Board states: "Whereas, this Board ... carefully considered charges against Mrs. Doorley", viz: (1) that he widely circulated unauthorized Christian Science literature, (2) that he assembled a selected number of his pupils more frequently than once a year, and (3) that he engaged in the equivalent of instruction to them...

THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED:
That the Board concludes that Mr. John Doorly has so "strayed as not to be fit for the work of a ... teacher of Christian Science... Mr. Doorly...is place on probation as a teacher of Christian Science... The action of the Board...precludes meetings of your pupils as an association... Your pupils do not have the privilege of attending by invitation the meetings of the associations of other teacher¹s pupils..."

Another example, I have in my possession original correspondence from the personal library of Christian Science teacher and writer Alice Orgain. This collection includes a number of letters and telegrams between the C.S. Board of Directors and Alice Orgain and a number of her students, concerning the Board¹s attempt to suppress her book, entitled, AS It Is.

Some of these documents are signed and notarized; all can be made available to the court if desired.

Typical of this correspondence are the following excerpts from a letter from the Board to Alice Orgain dated November 13, 1929:

"We find it our duty to inform you that our attention has been called to the fact that you book, entitled, As It Is, copies of which the members of this Board now Acknowledge, contain statements of your views and opinions which may make it inadvisable for your membership in the Mother Church and for your card in the practitioners' directory of the Christian Science Journal...to be continued."

"It is alleged that you have violated Section II of Article VIII of the Manual by writing, selling and circulating a book purporting to give its readers and understanding of Christian Science, but 'which is not correct in its statement...'"


These are not isolated occurrences. Since 1911 the Board has excommunicated some of the finest workers and thinkers in our movement. It would seem that no one is allowed to have an original thought unless the Board approves and it is "authorized" by this Board.

I have personally witnessed this process.

In about 1940 I was getting much help in my study from the work of Mr. Herbert Eustace, especially his answer to the question, "How do you know there is a God?" So great was my enthusiasm that I frequently mentioned his books to people, even complete strangers, and was often asked to get copies for them. Over a period of several years I distributed about 125 sets of the Eustace books, mostly to Christian Science church members.

Then one day, the Committee on Publication (C.O.P.) came to our church in the person of a courtly gentleman whose engaging manner belied his purpose. Solemnly and with great authority he officially informed the church members that Mr. Eustace had been "excommunicated" from the church. "This area," he warningly confided, "is swarming with Eustace books." After heaping volleys of abuse upon the head of Mr. Eustace, he gravely prognosticated dire consequences if every member who possessed these books did not burn them.

Some members, unfortunately, did destroy their books. Others laughed and considered the C.O.P.'s hype and hoopla just so much nonsense. I, the distributor, was henceforth considered a mixed bag.

This event was another heartbreaking example of the damage done to the Christian Science movement by the ecclesiastical power of the Boston-based organization. Unfortunately, these attempts to control thought and free speech among Christian Scientists continue. As recently as November 1997, the Christian Science Board of Directors concerning "circulation of literature," which reads, in part:

"In many instances, the circulation of manuscripts and publications dealing with Christian Science that emanate from sources other than the Publisher of the Writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Christian Science Publishing Society, is a disservice both to Christian Scientists and to those becoming interested in Christian Science. Some items to be aware of are tapes, books, and reprints of all sorts that purport to 'teach' Christian Science in a more exciting or profound way than Mrs. Eddy provided. Other items include letters from disaffected Christian Scientists that promote, often anonymously, the writers' own opinions concerning the Church and its activities; also circulated copies of unpublished articles and letters attributed to Mrs. Eddy. If you are urged to circulate literature on Christian Science other than that available from Christian Science Reading Rooms, it is always well to remember that Mrs. Eddy's writings, and the Church which she founded, present the full and final revelation of Christian Science. Nothing more is needed."


In light of this history of attempted "thought control," it is my belief that the current action of the C.S. Board of Directors is not simply about trademark violation. The tiny independent Christian Science organizations targeted could hardly be an economic threat to the massive Boston-based organization. What is at issue here is the free expression of ideas. Removing these important symbols from the public domain, and allowing the Board of Directors to bring suit against people using them in this context will stifle this debate.

I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing declaration is true and correct.

Signed
Helen M Wright
Date: 7-6-2000


EDITOR.S NOTE: Helen M. Wright was 93 when she wrote this affidavit in the year 2000.