Ernest Holmes
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Ernest Holmes (1887-1960) founded the movement known as Religious Science, also known as "Science of Mind," a part of the New Thought Movement.
Holmes grew up in New England. He did not finish high school, although he was later known in the movement as "Doctor Ernest Holmes" . He studied under Emma Curtis Hopkins in Los Angeles, and began lecturing there in 1915. In 1926, he published his seminal book, The Science of Mind, and established the Institute of Religious Science. A revised version of The Science of Mind was issued in 1938.
Holmes wrote numerous books of theology, influenced by not only Emma Curtis Hopkins but also by Phineas Quimby, Thomas Troward and the other New Thought writers of his day. He came to prominence as a lecturer in the Los Angeles area, but ultimately formed a religious denomination now known as the United Church of Religious Science. Religious Science, like many New Thought faiths, emphasized positive thinking, control of circumstances through mental processes, a compassionate universe that conspires for good (referred to as God, First Principle and other terms), and the rejection of a good/evil duality.
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. As with many New Thought leaders of his time, Holmes' first introduction to New Thought ideas came through Christian Science, but Holmes relatively early in his career departed from Christian Science teachings.
Holmes' approach tended to focus less on defining a cosmology than other New Thought movements such as the Unity School of Christianity. Holmes denied any "special revelation", contending that Religious Science was not the "only way", but instead a "good way". Holmes published numerous books, although "The Science of Mind", the mainspring of his work, has now had over fifty printings.
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 New Age and human dynamics movements has also been noted.
External link
- Ernest Holmes (http://cornerstone.wwwhubs.com/ernestholmes.htm)