Christian Science and healing in Canada

• Author / Creator

  Manca, Terra

• Christian Science is one of several religious groups with doctrines that suggest that medical use hinders spiritual development and/or is ineffective. Because of the beliefs, Christian Science has faced controversy in both Canada and the United States, and experiences difficulty maintaining a committed following. In some cases, Scientists who choose to rely on Christian Science risk increased pain or death for themselves or their children. This study seeks to identify the influences that Scientists face when deciding upon a healthcare option for themselves and their children. I applied interpretative phenomenological analysis to eleven interviews with current Canadian Scientists and one interview with a former Scientist. In addition, I analyzed biographies, church policies and doctrines, Canadian laws, and relevant court cases to contextualize my data. I concluded that Scientists use diverse forms of healthcare (some of which may be risky).

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Cognitive dissonance
  • Christian Science
  • Spiritual healing
  • Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
  • Sociology of belief
  • Mary Baker Eddy
  • Attribution theory
  • Medical refusal

• Graduation date

  Fall 2009

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3630R

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.