Article September 14, 1998 Issue

BIAS OVERCOME THANKS TO CONFERENCE

J.H., S.S.

"Clearly, this conference has been helpful," said M. David Low, M.D., Ph.D., president of the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, as he summarized the general response of physicians, nurses, therapists, chaplains, and representatives of religious groups, including Christian Scientists, who participated in discussion groups at the Harvard Medical School's symposium on "Spirituality & Healing in Medicine."

"Many of the participants commented on the atmosphere of openness and, most important, on what seemed to be an unusual degree of respect for each other's position," Low continued. "A lot of what happened surprised people. That, to me, is evidence of success.

"For example, one participant in the breakout discussion said he not only learned from his fellow participants, but he surprised himself by managing to lose at least one bias—that was a bias he came to this meeting with, about Christian Science and its practice."

Losing a lifelong bias in two days is pretty fast healing, Low pointed out, adding that the material presented at the conference and shared among the participants in breakout sessions was "very, very emotionally laden. These are serious things we are talking about."

J.H. and S.S.

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