Article October 24, 1903 Issue

The Attitude of Christian Scientists toward Physicians

W. D. McCRACKAN with contributions from S. E. SIMONSEN

American Life and Health

A great multitude of earnest and intelligent people here and abroad already know that Christian Science has meant "life and health" to them in times of crisis when other means have failed. Christian Scientists respect the altruistic motives of the medical fraternity, and wish well to all those engaged in every effort to cope with pain, disease, and sorrow. They do not force or obtrude their services upon those who desire medical attendance. This striving on the part of Christian Scientists to maintain a kindly and correct attitude should not fail of recognition.

The assumption underlying the various futile attempts made in the past to regulate or prohibit the practice of Christian Science by legal enactment, is that a knowledge of material medicine is essential to heal the sick. It follows very properly from this assumption that all who attempt to heal the sick should be able to pass an examination in the use of material means. But Christian Scientists, following the teachings of the founder of Christianity, have proved that the assumption in question is false, and that a knowledge of material medicine is not necessary to heal the sick. Hence they justly claim that an education in the use of material means is superfluous for any one who chooses to learn how to heal spiritually. They concede that an examination in the science of material medicine may justly be required of those who wish to practise materially, and that this examination should act in such a way as to protect the public against persons pretending to practise material medicine without a knowledge of that science.

Christian Scientists make no claim to practising material medicine. They state frankly that they have not studied it, and are not qualified to administer it. hence they refer all those who may desire medical practice to physicians, who have spent years in the acquisition of the necessary knowledge.

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