Article January 22, 1990 Issue

Second Thought

Looking again at news and commentary

Robert A. Johnson

Chicago Tribune

From the Chicago Tribune, by Robert A. Johnson, January 5, 1989 "Spiritual healing and the law"

"After many decades of toleration, the practice of spiritual healing has again become controversial. Legal efforts to repress this practice have prompted court cases and wide media discussion. Some have called for repeal of laws that have long permitted reliance on prayer for one's children in a responsible church context. A few have even called for virtual abolition of religious healing outside a medical context.

"As a Christian Scientist, my position is that spiritual healing can be practiced seriously and conscientiously, and that there is strong reason for continuing to accommodate it in the law. This position is taken despite deep respect for the many compassionate physicians who I know may not agree—and, yes, despite the individual tragedies now being litigated in the courts.