Christian Scientists and the practice of spiritual healing

The Christian Science Board of Directors

It is timely to remind Christian Scientists of Mary Baker Eddy's long-standing counsel regarding the practical wisdom that accompanies the practice of Christian Science.

The right to worship and to practice one's religion freely is, of course, something precious to many people throughout the world. In the United States, the First Amendment to the Constitution expressly guarantees religious liberty and, for decades, state laws have recognized the right of Christian Scientists and others to seek God's dependable care in the healing of the sick.

Of late, however, prosecutors in several states have disregarded such statutes and have prosecuted Christian Scientists in a few cases when children have not been healed through spiritual means. Clearly, this due process violation needs to be carefully reexamined by the courts. Yet Christian Scientists in the United States and other areas of the world must not ignore the fact that, at this time, their right to rely exclusively on Christian Science for healing may not always be legally respected. While legislatures and courts sort out the issues, Christian Scientists will do what they have done so well since the beginning of this movement—seek the protection of divine law, the only source of true security. And they will support through their prayer the naturalness of human law ultimately reflecting the divine.

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