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Medicine and Spiritual Healing Within a Region of Canada: Preliminary Findings Concerning Christian Scientists’ Healthcare Practices

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Abstract

Christian Science is the largest and most recognized of various spiritual healing groups that encourage members to forgo or overcome the need for medicine. Even so, it appears that some Scientists occasionally use medicine. In this study, I argue that Scientists in one region of Canada respond to influences on their healthcare practices differently and follow a variety of healthcare practices. These practices range from refusing medically necessary treatment (which could potentially harm individuals’ health) to making full use of the medical system. I base my findings primarily on interviews with eleven current members and one former Christian Scientist.

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Notes

  1. Former Scientist Rita Swan is a director of an organization that advocates for children’s healthcare. She defected after realizing that had she relied on medicine instead of Christian Science for her 16-month-old son, he may not have died from Hemophilus influenza meningitis, which has a very high survival rate with treatment.

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Acknowledgements

I extend thanks the Christian Scientists who kindly allowed me to access their Reading Room and church services, as well as the people who shared their stories with me. I am grateful to Stephen Kent, who granted me access to the Collection on Alternative Religions that he oversees. In addition, Tim Caulfield, Tim Dunfield, Jana Grekul, and Robin Willey provided much appreciated feedback at various stages of this project.

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  1. Department of Sociology, University of Alberta, 5-21 Tory Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H4, Canada

    Terra Manca

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  1. Terra Manca
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Correspondence to Terra Manca.

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Manca, T. Medicine and Spiritual Healing Within a Region of Canada: Preliminary Findings Concerning Christian Scientists’ Healthcare Practices. J Relig Health 52, 789–803 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9504-6

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