Letters July 12, 1952 Issue

LETTERS TO THE PRESS FROM CHRISTIAN SCIENCE COMMITTEES ON PUBLICATION

Nelson, British Columbia, Canada Daily News

A news item from Victoria appearing in ... your good daily paper under the headline "Christian Science to Fight B.C.H.I.S." [British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service] fails to convey the complete attitude of the Christian Science church on this matter. It is possible that some of your many readers may have gained a wrong impression, and so I am quoting below the complete statement issued to the press by this office:

"It was a great surprise to me. While I have not as yet had an opportunity to read the whole report, it is apparent that the committee has made an exhaustive enquiry. However, I feel that they have based their recommendations in this instance solely upon administrative and financial considerations, having overlooked the inherent right of religious freedom. For a Christian Scientist to accept all or any of the benefits under the Hospital Insurance Act would be contrary to the Tenets of his church. Consequently in the event of hospital care being needed, he must either violate the teachings of his church by accepting the benefits for which he has been compelled to pay or seek accommodation where acceptable care and treatment can be obtained and pay for it himself. In the latter case he would have to pay twice, which is obviously unjust, and constitutes a penalty for striving to practice his religion. I am confident that the British Columbia Government, of whatever political color, will continue the attitude of its predecessors and provide exemption from statutes which may contain any provision which infringes upon or is repressive of inherent religious rights."

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