When it comes to issues of child abuse or neglect, followers of Christian Science — which is neither ‘Christian’ nor ‘science’ — should be held to the same standards as members of other groups.
A lawmaker in Washington state has introduced a bill that would eliminate a ‘faith healing’ exemption for Christian Scientists.
A recent ruling upholding a Washington state law that allows faith healing for Christian Scientists but not other religions will go unchallenged after a couple on trial in the faith healing death of their son accepted a plea.
The religious movement, considered by Christians to be a cult of Christianity, has been able to negotiate exemptions to the health laws in a number of states.
Backed by some of the most powerful members of the Senate, a little-noticed provision in the healthcare overhaul bill would require insurers to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments as medical expenses.
The measure would put Christian Science prayer treatments — which substitute for or supplement medical treatments — on the same footing as clinical medicine. While not mentioning the church by name, it would prohibit discrimination against “religious and spiritual healthcare.”
In an effort to separate itself from the tragic death of young Madeline Kara Neumann of Wisconsin whose parents chose to pray over her rather than seek medical help, the local Christian Science Church has been meeting with state legislators to revise a state law that currently exempts faith healing practices from prosecution for child neglect and abuse.
But one expert warned that any measure drafted by Christian Scientists would aim to protect only Christian Scientists, not children.
The century-old Christian Science Monitor said Tuesday that it would discontinue its daily print edition in April and move almost exclusively to online publication, becoming the first major national newspaper to abandon a daily paper-and-ink format.
The move, which had been expected by industry professionals and the Monitor staff, will cut annual costs by millions of dollars for the money-losing newspaper, which is subsidized by the Christian Science Church.
Robert Ellis left Christian Science – the faith of his parents, his wife, his in-laws, his community. And then he spent a decade writing a memoir, “A Collision of Truths,” which he is self-publishing.
While differences abound between them, there are significant aspects that tie together these religious groups: Unity School of Christianity, Christian Science, Metamorphosis and Bahai.
Officials of the Christian Science Church are worried that the state’s healthcare law will exclude faith healing as a recognized health benefit for its employees who do not receive traditional medical care because of their religious beliefs. The church, based in Boston, holds that illnesses should be treated with prayer, but a draft version of the healthcare reform regulations specifies that employers must contribute to workers’ medical insurance coverage to comply with the landmark law that takes effect next year. Those that do not will be assessed $295 per employee annually. The law also requires Massachusetts residents to enroll in
BOSTON (AP) – The church was founded after a fall that left Mary Baker Eddy bedridden and turning to the Bible in her suffering. It is said that a revelation she received while reading about Christ’s healings was so powerful, Eddy walked away from her bed, instantly healed. The Christian Science church she left behind hasn’t been as quick to cure its problems. The church has recently faced major job cuts and a sell-off of historic properties. It’s also struggled with low membership at a time when its core principle of healing through prayer is criticized as obsolete. Meanwhile, its
Patients would be treated with prayer, not medicine Since Clifton House in Minneapolis closed a few years ago, the Christian Science-centered nonprofit group has been looking for a new home. When New Brighton’s First Church of Christ, Scientist offered them two acres of their land, Clifton House jumped at the chance. The city is considering the group’s application to build a new home. Some neighbors have complained to the City Council that the proposed building would block their view of Pike Lake, but nothing was said about how Clifton House would care for patients — through faith. Traditional Christian Science