For believers -- How do you feel about "christian science"?

Question

I mean, technically ... isn't medical technology interfering in god's will? If you truly believe in god's divine plan, shouldn't you leave the job of healing up to him?

(BTW, I directed this question towards believers because I know how my fellow atheists probably feel about the subject. But you guys are of course more than welcome to chime in, as usual!)

Also, when it comes to medications ... is not god's place to provide comfort for pain and suffering and the place of a man-made chemical? How do you other believers feel about these things?

I MEANT ... is it not god's place to provide comfort for pain and suffering and not the place of a man made chemical?


(Wow, the later it gets, the worse my typing gets.)

So what I'm basically getting from all of these answers is -- christians just want to be able to pick and choose what parts of modern medical technology are okay and what parts aren't. Stem cell research to prevent many genetic conditions isn't okay, but that Vicodin your doctor gives you because you broke your leg definitely is. Hmmm ... interesting.

No, innocent children don't die from stem cell research. If you are going to take that point of view, you ought to be against the idea of external fertilization for couples who aren't able to conceive. The doctors prepare several fertilized embryos, in case the first one doesn't implant. These embryos are destroyed every single day in fertility clinics across the country. Stem cell research simply gives these embryos a purpose instead of being destroyed in vain. I think its purely hypocritical, and I will point that opinion out. It IS picking and choosing ... whether you put a nice pretty label on it or not, deary. If you feel the need not to answer any of my questions in the future, you aren't hurting my feelings. There are several, more intelligent christians who are always happy to share their views with me.

Answer 1

If it wasn't for modern medicine, I can GUARANTEE that both myself and my son would be dead right now.

Don't get me wrong, being in the hospital was horrible. I don't EVER want anyone to know what it feels like to go through what I did. Lying in a hospital bed, hyperventilating, hooked up to a bundle of IV's, kidneys failing, blood pressure so high that magnesium sulfate has to be siphoned directly into my veins to prevent fatal seizures, wondering if all of this is going to be too much for the 7 month old fetus... it was a nightmare. But it most certainly would have been infinitely worse had I NOT gone to the medical professionals and allowed them to keep me alive.

Modern medicine is absolutely wonderful. In fact, it really really angers me that researchers are being held back from furthering their study of embryonic stem cells.

P.S. The Last Ent Wife SAYS she opposes external fertilization and the destruction of "excess" embryos, but how much do you wanna bet she's never proposed an initiative to prevent humanity from creating and destroying these embryos? When's the last time you heard of ANYONE trying to introduce preventative legislation on behalf of those poor "souls" being destroyed day after day at fertilization clinics? When's the last time you heard about it being a hot-button issue, or an issue AT ALL?

Answer 2

Christian Science is pure hogwash. If it is your time to die, then nothing on Earth is going to stop that, no matter what kind of drugs or operation they do. When it's your time, it's your time. So if it's not your time, you ought to use all the wonderful things God gave us, like medicine.

EDIT Oh come on. Don't ask a question just to prove some point you already had in your head. We are not picking choosing and you know it. If I take an aspirin for my headache, nobody gets hurt. Supporting embryonic stem cell research kills children. Big difference there deary. I'll know not to answer anymore of your questions now that you've shown your true colors.
EDIT "you ought to be against the idea of external fertilization for couples who aren't able to conceive." Yes, I am. Consistency, yes?

Answer 3

From saying that medical technology interferes with God's will it is necessary for man to be able to interfere with God's will. As a Christian, I think that 'God's Will' will and has to come about, and there is nothing man can do to stop it. So no, medical technology can't interfere with God's will.

Should we leave the job of healing up to him. No, for two reasons.
1) We(all of us) were given the task of taming and controlling the earth, including our very bodies. We ought to be good stewards of the bodies God has given us (as He truly owns everything on the earth), and do what we can to prolong the lives God has given us.

2) Jesus was a healer. The Gospels tell of him healing the blind, lame, lepers, and bringing people back from the dead. The reasons for doing so were threefold: to fufill the prophecies, to demonstrate God's power to an unbelieving generation, and his pure compassion for the afflicted. To be like Jesus is to have compassion for those less fortunate, and we are to do what is in our 'power' (and pray for God to use his power) to ease their suffering for the Glory of God. If we now have enough control over the world to heal the sick and the blind, then so be it. This does not mean that miracles don't work or don't happen. The great tragedy of modern society is that we have found all this power, and we aren't turning it over to the proper authority. So, it's wonderful that we have the technology to heal the sick, but let us not forget that all of our technology is void without God's love.

I'm not sure of the biblical basis for some of the things I said, but I encourage anyone to look into it and either email me or comment on it here.

In love...

Answer 4

If that were the case there wouldn't be a need for healing, as God would nip it in the bud and concentrate on prevention. Babies wouldn't be born with AIDS or die in utero. Not a single Christian would ever be stricken with illness or disease. God is not a magician, and He has given us intelligence, cognition and ability for a reason. For us to turn our backs on the very gifts and characteristics he has instilled in us is the same as turning our backs on life, and on Him. That's like having our children come to us long after they've learned to walk and insisting that we carry them, and our obliging. Besides, an understanding of the Bible clearly tells us who God is, what His purpose is, and how it will be carried out. Parlor tricks and favoritism are no part of God. This is one of the ways that man is deceived. I hope this helps to explain, as the Bible does a much better job of that than I ever could.

P.S. Regarding stem cell research, everything has limits. We have nuclear technology that could destroy the world 10 times over, but that doesnt' mean it's a good thing. We have technology at our disposal to do all sorts of things, but that doesn't mean that we should. Give your child a baby aspirin but not the whole bottle. Lines are drawn everywhere the world over: in culture, in society, in law, and in medicine. The Bible stipulates how our gifts and knowledge are acceptably used and anything falling outside those parameters as set forth by God Himself is off limits, and for very good reason. Imagine human brains transplanted into animals and vice versa. Or embryos. Or any number of likewise abominations. The line must be drawn and drawn it is, thankfully long before such atrocities become acceptable realities.

Answer 5

There is a popular saying, God helps those who help themselves... Why wouldn't medical technology be a part of God's plan as well? Science and technology is a great thing, for the most part. I think those people that refuse treatment for their children and just "rely on God" are practicing a form of child abuse. Just relying on God to heal you is like sitting in your house all day refusing to work because you think that if you are a good person then God will provide everything you need. We learn and we grow thru many different experiences. Illnesses are part of that, but so are discoveries and knowledge. As we begin to learn more about the world around us it doesnt lessen the need to believe in God. If anything it just proves how amazing the world around us is organized.

Science and religion can go hand in hand. If you are religious and you fear science then maybe that says more about your faith and your beliefs then anything. Why can't God work thru scientific principles?

Answer 6

I am a Christian Pantheist. i beleive in the power of positive thinking and not so much in "Christian Science." I do not believe that God thinks like we do, but God is omnipresent, Omnipotent and omniscient.
Perhaps God is evolving - this is how i would like to think of God - ever evolving and growing like humanity, but God is much greater than we are - our brains are but specks of sand and we will be long extinct before God, but our essence, because we are part of the whole, lives on.

I have talked to honest people about NDE's and i am convinced of life after death. Wish you well on your Life's path. BTW, I believe there are many ways to God - i love Buddhism, but I think Jesus was a genius. It is a shame that it is almost seen as stupidity to study the bible these days when it is AT LEAST for an atheist an important historical artifact.

Blessings, Kate

Answer 7

As a Christian, I believe, that God gave us brains and Doctors, and Dentists do have their place. Jesus Christ once, told a man to seek out a Physician see: Matthew Chapter 9, verse 12 (for reference).

Answer 8

No,it's not interfering with God's plan.God gave us brains for a purpose-to use them.They are not there for decoration.Of course,God does heal.But neither is it prohibited to seek treatment.In fact,even Luke (writer of Luke in the New Testament) was a physician.

Answer 9

God will dicide when you leave the earth, as far as dealing with pain and suffering, look at adem and eve. the caused it. medication and docters are oujr ways to seem ok in gods eyes

Answer 10

Christian science at work:

Q: How big was Noah's Ark?
A: Big enough.

*drum snare*

Aaaanyways, sometimes, it is God's will that we go to the doctor. You can say you can move the rock, but the rock wouldn't move by itself nor your words, the rock will be moved by yourself.

*wind swooshes*


Well, think of it this way, God had made the cure for the suffering through these doctors, you could be thankful for that. Like "Thank God there's pizza."

Although I have no idea what sickness is cured by pizza.