Tumult in The Reading Rooms

Being a Christian Scientist has never been easy. The Boston-based religion denies the reality of material existence, which means that sin, evil and disease are not real, either. One consequence of this metaphysical view is the famous Christian Science practice of shunning medical treatment. The belief has also led to a growing number of prosecutions of devout parents who have denied the use of lifesaving measures to their critically ill children.

Now Christian Science is further beset -- by doctrinal tumult. Last month many members of the faith were shocked when sedate reading rooms around the world began displaying a book...