title: Medicine and spiritual healing within a region of Canada: preliminary findings concerning Christian Scientists' healthcare practices.
abstract: Christian Science is the largest and most recognized of various spiritual healing groups that encourage members to forgo or overcome the need for medicine. Even so, it appears that some Scientists occasionally use medicine. In this study, I argue that Scientists in one region of Canada respond to influences on their healthcare practices differently and follow a variety of healthcare practices. These practices range from refusing medically necessary treatment (which could potentially harm individuals' health) to making full use of the medical system. I base my findings primarily on interviews with eleven current members and one former Christian Scientist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Alberta, 5-21 Tory Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H4, Canada. tmanca@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Terra
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Manca
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002834:Christian Science; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D026443:Spiritual Therapies