Famous Christian Scientists Trivia Quiz

Answer: Iceman

Actor Val Kilmer was born in Los Angeles in 1959. Kilmer attended Berkeley Hall School, a Christian Science school from pre-kindergarten through the ninth grade. In 1986, Kilmer played the role of Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in the blockbuster movie "Top Gun" starring Tom Cruise. Kilmer's "Iceman" character was the chief rival of Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell character in a high-level Naval aviation training school. "Iceman" ended up graduating the training program as the highest-ranked fighter pilot.

Answer: gymnastics

Shannon Miller, born in 1977, gained fame for her participation in Olympic gymnastics. In 1996, Miller won an individual Olympic gold medal for her performance on the balance beam, and she also formed part of the U.S. gymnastics team which won the gold medal in Atlanta. Miller performed in 1996 while injured (tendonitis), and some reporters credited her upbringing in the Christian Science faith as the reason for Miller's mental toughness and dedication to gymnastics.

Answer: vibraphone

Jazz music great Lionel Hampton was born in 1908. Hampton was raised as a Roman Catholic but reportedly converted to the Christian Science faith late in his life. Hampton became famous for his work with the vibraphone. Hampton's skill on the vibes earned him international recognition. Hampton performed with such legendary jazz artists as Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. Hampton was a devoted philanthropist throughout his later years.

He died in 2002.

Answer: The Christmas Song

Gene Autry was born in Texas in 1907. Autry was raised a a Baptist but reportedly converted to the Christian Science faith in his later years. Autry composed the popular Christmas song "Here Comes Santa Claus" in 1947, and he became famous for his 1949 version of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Autry also recorded a popular version of "Frosty the Snowman" in 1950.

However, Autry did not sing "The Christmas Song" - Nat King Cole gained fame for his 1946 recording of this classic holiday tune.

Answer: Freedom 7

Alan Shepard was a passenger on "Freedom 7"- the first manned spacecraft launched by the United States. Shepard was born and raised in New Hampshire, and his family attended the Christian Science church in Derry, New Hampshire. The "Freedom 7" sailed into orbit on May 5, 1961, and Shepard was later honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City.

Shepard would later walk on the surface of the moon as a member of the 1971 Apollo 14 mission.

Answer: Chief of Staff

Harry Robbins "Bob" Haldeman was a powerful man in the White House during President Richard Nixon's time in the Oval Office. Haldeman served as the White House Chief of Staff from 1969 to 1973. Haldeman met with Nixon on a daily basis and passed along the president's orders to other members of the Executive Department. Haldeman was notorious for his refusal to drink alcohol in accordance, he said, with his Christian Science beliefs. Haldeman was later convicted on federal charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice due to his involvement in the Watergate scandal; he served eighteen months in prison for his crimes.

Answer: Sisler

"Gorgeous" George Sisler was a star first baseman in the Major Leagues from 1915 to 1930. This lefty-hitting Hall of Famer batted .340 during his career with 2,812 hits. Sisler also stole 375 bases during his career. In 1923, Sisler was afflicted with a severe attack of sinusitis which caused him to see double. During this time, Sisler embraced the Christian Science faith which he later claimed had helped him to overcome his sickness.

Although Sisler missed the entire 1923 season, he returned to action in 1924 and continued as a player-manager from 1924 to 1926.

He resumed as a player-only from 1927 until his retirement in 1930. Sisler was well-known for his humble attitude, modest living style, and outstanding playing ability. Sisler was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.

Answer: Michael Nesmith

Michael Nesmith of "Different Drum" fame, was a guitarist and singer for The Monkees singing group in the 1960s. Nesmith was raised in the Christian Science faith, and he gained acclaim as a songwiter for composing The Stone Poneys' hit song "Different Drum." His mother, Bette, the inventor of Liquid Paper, was a devout follower of the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science religion. Nesmith was reportedly unhappy during his time with The Monkees because he considered himself a "serious" musician.

After The Monkees broke up in the late 1960s, Nesmith continued to compose music, and also became involved in the video industry.

Answer: On Golden Pond

In 1981, actor Henry Fonda won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Norman Thayer, Jr., in the movie "On Golden Pond". Fonda did a superb job in the role of Thayer, a grouchy man in his twilight years. Jane Fonda and Katharine Hepburn co-starred along with Henry Fonda in "On Golden Pond", and this film won three Academy Awards.

Henry Fonda was born in 1905 (Nebraska) and raised in the Christian Science faith - though he was also baptized in the Episcopalian church.

Answer: Danielle Steel

Author Danielle Steel was born in New York City on August 14, 1947. The novels of this world-acclaimed romance writer topped the "New York Times" bestseller list more than twenty times between 1984 and 2006. In several interviews, Steel credited her upbringing in the Christian Science faith as part of the reason for her literary success.

The other three writers listed in this question were born in England.