Can a patient refuse medical treatment based on religious beliefs?
Feb 07, 2018 · Christian Scientists believe that the primary method of healing should be through prayer, and many members have in the past been against modern medical treatments. There have been measles outbreaks...
Which religions can limit medical treatment?
The churches and movements listed below have religious beliefs against some or most forms of medical care. For articles on specific cases and issues involving many of these, see the By denomination page. ... endeavors from 1983 to 2017 to protect children from harmful religious and cultural practices—especially faith-based medical neglect ...
What are some religious groups that promote healing through prayer?
However, some religious groups go further. They either: Teach that certain medical procedures are not allowed, or. Recommend that members generally reject medical attention in favor of prayer. Two of these groups are Christian Science and, to a …
Can blood transfusions be used against religious beliefs?
It seems that religious people who know that they are being prayed for may feel less stress and have more hope in their recovery. Many early studies linked prayer with improved healing in cases where patients were not aware that they were being prayed for. However, close examination of the data has revealed either fraud or inconclusive results.
What does the church call the faith healers?
Aping medical terminology, the church calls the faith healers 'practitioners ,' their prayers 'treatments,' and the people they pray for their 'patients.'. The practitioners bill for their prayers. The church was attempting to mandate that insurers reimburse for 'treatments' consisting only of prayer.".
Who said taking care of a sick child is a sacred responsibility?
They look upon themselves more as facilitators than religious healers. They believe that only God heals. Gary Jones, a Christian Science spokesperson commented on a parent's responsibility for a sick child: "...taking care of a child is a sacred responsibility.
What is the Church's new request?
The Church's new request was to include services of Christian Science practitioners in people's homes and other locations. Senator Owen Hatch (R-UT) added an amendment to the Senate's health care reform bill that would have required insurers to reimburse charges for "religious or spiritual health care.".
Does the Journal of Christian Science report on prayer failures?
The Journal does not generally report on cases where prayer failed -- particularly where the sick person died for lack of medical attention. Some Christian Scientists rely upon their own prayer. Christian Science Practitioners are also available for assistance.
Do faith groups recommend prayer?
Faith groups that avoid conventional medical procedures: Many, perhaps most, faith groups recommend prayer as a supplement to medical care. However, some religious groups go further: they either: Teach that certain medical procedures are not allowed, or. Recommend that members generally reject medical attention in favor of prayer.
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Is prayer a medical treatment?
This section discusses the use of prayer -- either instead of, or in addition to, medical treatment. There is a definite and provable link between prayer and improved healing outcomes, if the patient is aware that they are being prayed for. It seems that religious people who know that they are being prayed for may feel less stress ...
Which amendment guarantees freedom of religion?
The First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion, but debate continues over whether it prevails when medical practitioners determine that conventional medical therapies are necessary but individuals or their families are opposed for reasons of conscience.
What case did the Supreme Court rule that a judge ordered a Jehovah's Witness to receive blood
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled in the case of In re Estate of Brooks (1965) that a county judge’s ordered transfusion for a Jehovah’s Witness was an unconstitutional invasion of a person’s religious beliefs. In similar cases, a Milwaukee judge refused to order blood transfusions for a 6-year-old boy whose mother objected.
Why did Jacob Dilgard refuse blood transfusion?
In 1962 a New York state judge ruled that 69-year-old Jacob Dilgard could refuse a blood transfusion on religious grounds. Dilgard died. One year later, Jesse E. Jones, a 25 year-old Jehovah’s Witness, needed an urgent blood transfusion to prevent her death from a ruptured ulcer. She and her husband, who had a young child, refused the transfusion, so the hospital turned to the federal court for an immediate order permitting it to act to save Jones’s life. Judge J. Skelly Wright met with the couple, who reiterated their opposition, while the physicians affirmed the matter’s urgency. Focusing on the imminent threat to the woman’s life, Judge Wright ordered the transfusions.
Why do Hmong use shamans?
Some Hmong employ shamans to effect cures for ailments because surgically entering the body violates their religious beliefs. The courts in some instances have addressed the religion-versus-medicine issues in regard to Hmong beliefs. Court opinions continue to differ regarding personal religious beliefs and medical care.
Which case ruled that personal freedoms must at times be relinquished for the benefits of the larger society?
A related issue is whether the state can intervene in the place of a parent. In Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the Supreme Court had upheld compulsory smallpox vaccinations despite individual religious beliefs, ruling that personal freedoms must at times be relinquished for the benefits of the larger society.
Is there a religious right to endanger a child's health?
Many believe that prosecuting already grieving parents makes little sense. Others argue that there is no religious right to endanger a child’s health.
Do minorities have to provide medical care?
Minority faiths are not required to provide medical treatment to children. In the Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act of 1996, Congress legislated that there was no federal requirement that a child must be provided “medical service or treatment against the religious beliefs of the parent or legal guardian.”.
Introduction
Religion plays an important role in the lives of many individuals. Fifty-eight percent of respondents to a recent poll reported that religion is very important in their lives, and 23% reported that it is fairly important. 1 The relationship between religion and medicine is complex.
Religious Objections to Medical Care
Although parents have broad authority, they have less discretion in making medical decisions for their children than for themselves.
Religious Exemptions to Child Abuse and Neglect Laws
Most states have “religious exemptions” to their child abuse and neglect laws. These exemptions proliferated in response to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974.
Public Funding of Spiritual Healing Practices
In addition to efforts to create religious exemptions, some churches and legislators have sought to provide public funds to pay for religious or spiritual healing practices.
Recommendations
Pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists should respect families and their religious or spiritual beliefs and collaborate with them to develop treatment plans to promote their children’s health.
Staff
This document is copyrighted and is the property of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Board of Directors. All authors have filed conflict of interest statements with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Any conflicts have been resolved through a process approved by the Board of Directors.
