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Beliefs about the treatment of illness
Essential Practice Point 1
Christian Scientists believe that prayer will bring about a change in spiritual understanding which will in turn bring healing to the body. Members do not normally subscribe to medical intervention and may be in hospital only for childbirth, following accidents or due to family pressure.
Medical procedures are not normally congruent with specific Christian Science prayer-based treatment due to the opposite approaches to the cause and cure of illness. At the same time we cannot assume that a person will decline a conventional treatment on the basis of their identity as a Christian Scientist. Overall, it is therefore important that healthcare workers discuss with the person what level of care they are willing to accept.
The Christian Science movement indicates that it respects the work of the medical profession. There is no policy mandating members' health care decisions and it does not rebuke those who choose to undergo conventional medical treatment.
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Religious contacts and religious practices
Essential Practice Point 2
- Christian Science does not have formal ordained clergy. It will be necessary to source the name of a contact from the person who can be contacted for religious support as necessary.
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- The religion has a full-time healing ministry referred to as Christian Science practitioners.
- A Christian Scientist may wish to contact a Christian Science Practitioner for prayerful support or specific treatment through prayer. If such a request is made, a Christian Science Practitioner will need to be sourced from Northern Ireland or the UK. Contact details are given at the end of the section.
- The person may need privacy and a quiet atmosphere for prayer and spiritual practice.
Family dynamics and decision making
Some Christian Scientists may have been raised in other traditions and there may be a divergence of views between the person and family regarding medical treatment. The wishes of the person are always paramount and must be respected.
Blood Transfusion and Organ Transplantation
Generally, blood transfusions, organ transplantation and life support are not congruent with specific Christian Science prayer-based treatment due to the opposite approaches to the cause and cure of illness. The religion respects the person's wishes.
With any medical procedure, particularly those of a more serious nature, a period of time for prayer may be requested before any medical intervention takes place.
