I have a family friend who is a Christian Scientist. She has told me flat out that if her daughter (Who is five) were to get sick or injured, all she would do is pray for her (Which is glorified wishing in my own opinion) so if she is sick/injured/hurt, she'd get better.
My question is, why do people believe in this? I understand and respect the freedom of religion, but I'd like to know what sways people into becoming Christian Scientists. It seems all too absurd to me. Praying for a miracle when modern medicine can save a life? Praying for a ressurection when a family member dies? Am I the only one who thinks it's crazy?
How are these parents not abusing their children? I know some states have religious laws, but, I mean.. Come on!
Any insight, please? =)
2007-09-14 00:47:22 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God's will, right? Well, what purpose would it serve to put a child on this earth for five years, and then suddenly take her away? Especially letting her suffer a possibly excruciating death. How is that fair? How is that necessary? How is that a good "god's will"? If god is supposed to be good and kind, why the hell would he make it so blindingly painful for the child?
If she were to fall and break her spine, she'd be in agonizing pain. Just holding her and wishing she'd get better isn't fair. You're just watching her die. Watching her suffer.
Some god, right?
2007-09-14 00:55:31 · update #1
Another question...
If medical science is so bad... Why did "god" create plants and minerals with medicinal purposes? Why did he create aloe that sooths a burn? Why did he give these qualities to these objects and not want us to discover or use them?
2007-09-14 00:57:22 · update #2
I am NOT shunning her for her faith. Please keep this in mind. I find it honerable for someone to believe in something so die hard, honest and true. But I am questioning the purpose, reason and logic behind it. It doesn't seem logical and well, to be honest, SANE to just throw out medical treatment all together when medical science can treat or cure virtually anything now-a-days. Why cut a life short when you can extend it for unselfish reasons?
Giving the person, especially a child a long, happy, healthy life? Why should they deserve to die just because doctors are deemed untrustworthy? Why are doctors so bad? Aren't they doing God's work by giving life back to those who are losing it?
The illnesses are caused by sin, right?
What POSSIBLE sin could a five year old do? An innocent, pure child? What sin could validate DEATH? A long, drawn out SUFFERING death?
2007-09-14 01:00:13 · update #3
I happen to love her daughter VERY much. She is like a sister to me. I have babysat her virtually since the day she was born. I cherish my time with her and I find her to be a wonderful, intellectual little child.
She is starting to show symptoms of christian scientology, for obvious reasons.
Am I such a bad person for openly discussing what I believe (Being an atheist) and opening her mind to OTHER options? Keep in mind I am NOT forcing it down her throat, and I am NOT trying to convert her away from CS. She is a VERY bright five year old, and responds well to alternative thinking.
Am I such a bad person? For this, in their eyes would I deserve every ailment that is put onto me? I live an honest, modest life. I've worked for EVERYTHING I've ever had.
In their eyes, am I such a bad person? I wouldn't say so, considering she's putting her daughter's well being in my care.
Then again, she would let her child die... says a lot for me I guess.
2007-09-14 01:08:09 · update #4
I never expected to have as many answers as I've gotten so far. Thank you all for responding. I -have- googled the topic, but I get many scientific journals and documentaries about it.
I want the opinion of the people, not a drawn up professional information page.
2007-09-14 01:09:56 · update #5
How is it fair that CSers that have wonderful, precious children (Like my scenario in question) would let their wonderful, intelligent, beautiful children die at the drop of a hat just because they have an incredible sense of hope, when there are couples out there who would sacrifice their extremities just to have a child just like that? Who would cherish and nurture them into something great?
Wouldn't that be a better testement to God's love? Raising a child who would be good faithed, well manned and more likely to carry out the word of god? Wouldn't that be deemed more favorable?
2007-09-14 01:15:08 · update #6
Upon doing some more research and recalling of thoughts...
Animals and pets are allowed to recieve medical treatment. How is this fair? I'm an animal lover down to my core, but essentially, a human life (In most cases) is worth more than an animal life. How is it fair that an ANIMAL can receive treatment, but a human, child or not isn't allowed to?
2007-09-14 14:35:22 · update #7
It IS crazy and they ARE abusing their children. Belief in God should not prevent the use of modern medicine. Was it not God that allows these treatments to work?
"Christian Science" - my favorite oxymoron!
2007-09-14 00:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by most important person you know 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I do not agree with that view.
god has provided us with both physical healing ( medical doctors are a gift ) and spiritual healing. we are to appreciate the contributions of both.
I have seen the results of prayer for illness. It does work. However sometimes God does not heal us just due to prayer, but expects us to use the other resources he has given us.
He certainly would not approve of parents allowing a child to suffer because the parents were intent on their own way. Even Jesus, when he was here, performed physical acts to heal people. Sometimes he did more than just pray.
It is not God that has ordained this "pray only" approach so it is not his fault if a child suffers...it is the parents....the parents need to do everything they can to take care fo their child.
2007-09-14 01:05:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since I think all knowledge is a gift from God, how anyone could not use the medical knowledge given us to help their child, also a gift from God, is beyond me. There have been cases when the courts have had to intervene, and rightly so. I think it is wrong for a parent to treat the child like a possession, and have the power of life and death over him or her. If they want to reject medical help, and believe what they want to believe, then fine. But until the child is of legal age, and can make their own decisions, the parents should be made to take all advantages of medical help.
2007-09-14 00:59:19 · answer #3 · answered by sugarbabe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should google this subject and read what you can find on it because its too vast to discuss here. I believe in divine healing but I believe that we are indeed physical beings and God uses His laws and our natural abilities to heal us, rid us of disease or excelerate our healing and relieve symptoms...as well there are physicians, therapies and treatments that can be used that I believe God gave to us, as well as medicines from His own creation. However, not withstanding...I believe the Word of God when it says that our faith can heal us by the power of God and that healing is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Instantanious healing could be achieved if a person were to build up their faith enough. Not too many of us spend our time doing that. All things that are good come from Jesus...death and illness are not of Him. Love in Christ, ~J~
2007-09-14 01:05:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
God gave Humans brains to discover things for their comfort, Medicine for example is a product of Human brain so basically God already did his part already and your friend has to do hers by taking her to the hospital and pay the bills afterwards
2007-09-14 01:00:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God has given us doctors for healing the sick.......
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a believer going into science as a career. But to refuse medical help?? That's just ridiculous.
2007-09-14 00:55:08 · answer #6 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It's nihilism. If you have a chance to save a human life and you PURPOSELY IGNORE it by praying, you are in need of a straight jacket.
And to leave a person to die and say that 'it's god's will is thoroughly sick.
2007-09-14 00:59:03 · answer #7 · answered by Chuck Biscuits 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm giving primoa way too many thumbs up lately. (2 so far this week)
By the way that family friend is a retard in the worst sense. Her kid should be taken from her before she kills it.
2007-09-14 01:01:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats awesome...it truly is, to have that much faith in God Almighty. If you start praying for this girl, praying for her healing etc you are also asking God what he wants you to do, what His solution is. You are praying to see whether he will tell you to turn to this modern medicine or to have faith that he is the one true healer. Amazing possibility.
2007-09-14 00:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Hey good for her! Someone who actually has real faith in her beliefs! I think more Christians should do that...infact all theists! How wonderful to truly say "YES I PUT MY FAITH IN GOD FOR ALL THINGS" Good! Good for her! If the child dies...well then it's obviously gods will....Right or wrong?
What did people do before science? they put their faith in god...so why not restrict theism to such things. Seperate Science and religion
2007-09-14 00:51:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋