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Faith healing
Two large Christian groups
that promote faith healing
Sponsored link.
Faith groups which avoid conventional medical procedures:
Many, perhaps most, faith groups recommend prayer as a supplement to medical care. However, some religious groups go further: they teach teach that certain medical procedures are not allowed, or that members should generally reject medical attention in favor of prayer. Two of these groups are:
 | Christian Science: This denomination promotes healing of
physical and mental illnesses and disorders through prayer. They do compromise somewhat in
the case of broken bones. Here they suggest that members might consider having
broken bones set by a physician and then seek healing from a Christian Science
Practitioner. Most have no objection to the use of glasses and canes. Many Christian
Scientists do not use medicine or go to doctors; they choose prayer when faced with a
personal medical problem, in themselves or their children. They base these beliefs on the many passages in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) which
describe Jesus Christ or the apostles healing sick people in the first century CE. The
denomination's weekly periodical Christian Science Sentinel and their monthly Christian
Science Journal regularly publish corroborated testimonies of heading through prayer.
The Journal does not typically report on cases where prayer failed. Some Christian Scientists rely upon their own prayer. Christian Science Practitioners are also available for assistance. Practitioners devote themselves full time to helping others through prayer. They look upon themselves more as facilitators than religious healers. They believe that only God heals. Gary Jones, a Christian Science spokesperson commented on a parent's responsibility for a sick child. "...taking care of a child is a sacred responsibility. If one form of treatment is not working, parents have an obligation to investigate other alternatives." Presumably, this includes medical treatment in a doctor's office or hospital. Some cases of apparently preventable deaths due to reliance on faith healing by Christian Scientist parents were:
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| Jehovah's Witnesses: This Christian denomination
teaches that blood transfusions, even if needed to save a person's life, must not be
accepted. This teaching is based upon three passages in the Bible which prohibit the
consuming of blood:
The Watchtower Society interprets "eating" of blood in a very inclusively. They include the receiving of blood transfusions. All or essentially all other Christian groups belief that the passages refer to dietary laws. Child Protective Services sometimes intrude on parents' rights and take into care sick children of Jehovah's Witness parents whose health or life is threatened by the lack of a blood transfusion. According to the Watchtower Society, an adult Jehovah's Witness who willingly and knowingly accepts a blood transfusion is committing a sin and might forfeit his or her eternal life. Some counter-cult sources imply that the church teaches that all who have had a transfusion (even if given against their will or at an age or situation when they cannot give informed consent, or given without their knowledge) will lose eternal life. This is not true. Dr. Carl J. Saphier led a study at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, NY, of the maternal death rate among Jehovah's Witnesses. The report indicates a death rate of 521 deaths per 100,000 live births--a rate nearly 44 times higher than that among the general US population. The precision of that number is in doubt because it was based on only two deaths. Sr. Saphier said: |
"The findings imply that special care is required for women who are Jehovah's Witnesses, including special counseling prior to delivery, methods of minimizing the blood loss at delivery, and fast treatment for any hemorrhage." 5
References:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
- Caroline Fraser, "Suffering children and the Christian Science church," Atlantic Monthly, 1995-APR.
- Jean Heller, "Abuse laws still vague when faith is involved," St. Petersburg Times, at: http://geocities.com/
- Dr. Rita Swan, "Cry, The Beloved Children, Children's Healthcare Is a Legal Duty" (CHILD), 1994. [This is a pamphlet which discusses the relative lack of effectiveness of Christian Science healing compared to medical science] Available from (712) 948-3500 or by writing to PO Box 2604, Sioux City Iowa 51106. See: http://www.childrenshealthcare.org/; telephone (712) 948-3500; Fax (712) 948-3704; Email: childinc@netins.net
- Stephen Carter, Op-ed piece, New York Times, 1996-JAN-31
- Charnicia E. Huggins, "Childbirth Death Risk High in Jehovah's Witnesses," Reuters, at: http://news.excite.com/ Based on a report in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2001;185:893-895.
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Copyright © 1996 to 2007 by Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 1996-JAN-14
Latest update: 2007-JAN-12
Author: B.A. Robinson
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