Spotlight on Spirituality & Health

Authored by the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Washington State

Letter printed in today’s Wall Street Journal – “Prayer has a role in treating illness”

July 19, 2011 By washingtoncommittee 1 Comment

On July 8, 2011, Mitch Horowitz wrote a column for The Wall Street Journal titled, “When spirituality kills.” In response, Russ Gerber, spokesman for the Christian Science Church, submitted a letter to the editor, which has been published. Click here for the letter posted on WSJ.com or please read below.

In “When Spirituality Kills” (Houses of Worship, July 8), Mitch Horowitz refers to Christian Science and alludes to its safety. While the track record of its practice over the last 140 years isn’t perfect, any connotation that the cumulative record suggests it is inherently unsafe doesn’t square with the facts.

For successive years for over a decade, the intent to use prayer to improve health has been on the rise in the U.S., as many surveys have shown. Acceptance is growing. It’s mainstream now. That’s not to suggest that people are abandoning Western medicine, but rather that they are choosing alternatives, and prayer is one of the leading ones.

That’s no excuse for irresponsible practice of spiritual care, under any condition, but it is to say that the average man and woman, on the front lines of health-care decision-making, seems to be finding prayer to be a safe and effective alternative.

Russ Gerber

The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Boston

Filed Under: Christian Science, Letter to the Editor, physical healing, prayer, safety

Comments

  1. Aleta Matteson says

    July 20, 2011 at 3:49 am

    In this time of so many pushing the boundaries — in extreme sports, extreme reality shows, extreme entertainment — is it any surprise that we would see extremes in efforts to find God or spirituality? However, Christian Science teaches that true spirituality can’t possibly hurt; it can only help and heal. So, how we define spirituality does matter. Also, who we follow does matter. And, common sense does matter. The writer of the Journal article was correct to question the insane practices that put people’s lives in real danger. Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, wrote over 100 years ago: “The time for thinkers has come.” And, it still has come. [Thanks for the comment Aleta!- Bill]

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Professionally, I'm a licensed architect in both Washington and California State. I love architecture, but when it comes to priorities, it’s hard to top good health. That’s why I’ve shifted my interest from the physical to the mental environment that we abide in. My articles focus on presenting helpful ideas regarding the important connection between what we think and our health. I’ve been writing for Blogcritics and other online and print publications since 2011 and I was published in the international medical/science journal, "Global Advances in Health and Medicine" in 2012. I also serve as the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science in Washington State. Feel free to contact me at: washington@compub.org, 206-349-1229 or on Twitter @WilliamEdScott.
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