What motivates a Christian Scientist’s healthcare choices? – a letter to the UK’s “Woman” magazine

The UK’s “Woman” magazine has no letters page – nor can we find a website for it – so we are posting this response,  written by my colleague Rosie Castle, to an article in the issue dated for next Monday, September 20.

Dear “Woman” magazine –

Christian Scientists don’t set out to question modern medicine.   However, as a Christian Scientist I consistently find prayer to be an effective, inspiring and non-invasive approach when facing health and other challenges, and therefore my first choice for meeting healthcare needs.  This is based on experience, and while considering a spiritual approach to healing as paramount, I still respect and appreciate the selfless dedication of the medical profession to the needs of all who come under their care.  Many Christian Scientists, for instance, have reason to be grateful for the care received by these dedicated professionals at childbirth or on other occasions when, for whatever reason, they might choose to seek medical aid.

Thank you for making the distinction between Christian Science and Scientology in your Spotlight article (‘Inside the Travoltas’ pregnancy plan’).   One is often confused with the other but they are entirely separate and not associated in any way.

While Christian Science and Scientology might be very different approaches to faith and philosophy, my heart goes out to the Travolta family for having to deal with such personal issues in the glare of the public spotlight.

Yours sincerely,

Rosie Castle