On July 8, 2011, Mitch Horowitz wrote a column for The Wall Street Journal titled “When spirituality kills.” In response, Russ Gerber, spokesperson for the Christian Science Church, submitted a letter to the editor, which has been published.
In “When Spirituality Kills” (Houses of Worship, July 8), Mitch Horowitz refers to Christian Science and alludes to its safety. While the track record of its practice over the last 140 years isn’t perfect, any connotation that the cumulative record suggests it is inherently unsafe doesn’t square with the facts.
For successive years for over a decade, the intent to use prayer to improve health has been on the rise in the U.S., as many surveys have shown. Acceptance is growing. It’s mainstream now. That’s not to suggest that people are abandoning Western medicine, but rather that they are choosing alternatives, and prayer is one of the leading ones.
That’s no excuse for irresponsible practice of spiritual care, under any condition, but it is to say that the average man and woman, on the front lines of health-care decision-making, seems to be finding prayer to be a safe and effective alternative.
Russ Gerber
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Boston
About the author
In regard to the article, “When Spirituality Kills” by Mitch Horowitz, my heart and condolences go out to those loved ones who’s lives were lost in such a tragic event. It is no secret such news pulls at the heart strings, no matter what the cause.
I have often thought of what my life would look like without faith. The Scriptures teach that “..with God all things are possible”. Christ Jesus admonishes,”Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”(Holy Bible KJV). For millenniums this has been a model for those who have faith.
To discount spiritual healing or nullify its proven history would undermine the very fabric this country was built on, “In God We Trust”. Countless individuals around the world are proving by their faith, the effectiveness of prayer.
The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science writes; “Neither the Old nor the New Testament furnishes reasons or examples for the destruction of the human body, but for its restoration to life and health as the scientific proof of “God with us.” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany Pg. 218).
I was lost at sea as a youngster for a time, aboard a `32 foot sail boat. I believe I am here today because of my families understanding of Christian Science, trusting “God Almighty” to save life. Some called it a miracle. I call it effective prayer.