Carl: Former Christian Scientist

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Shalom speaks with author Carl, who grew up in the little-known religion of Christian Science. Carl describes a childhood shaped by the belief that matter is unreal, illness is a mistaken thought, and negative emotions must be suppressed to “reflect God.” He shares the contradictions inside the faith—parents who quietly take children to doctors while insisting sickness isn’t real, funerals avoided to deny death, and a community where secrecy becomes a survival skill. He reflects on leaving the religion, the role that travel and language learning played in broadening his worldview, and how writing became the vehicle for healing and understanding his past. His first novel features characters shaped by Christian Science, allowing him to examine the psychological cost of denying reality and emotion. Carl's website: https://carlvonderau.com/Timestamps:00:18 Carl's Religious Background00:56 Understanding Christian Science04:42 Theological Discussions and Comparisons09:35 Growing Up with Contradictions16:37 Questioning and Breaking Away21:17 College and Drifting Away27:03 Life After Religion29:40 Language and Perception31:23 Christian Science Around the World32:21 The Rise and Fall of Christian Science33:28 Personal Stories of Religious Leaders34:36 Reconciling with Christian Science37:03 Writing and Creative Process43:17 Advice on Broadening Perspectives45:30 Bright Siding and Positive Thinking54:41 Final Reflections and Contact Information