Today, many religious groups routinely reject some or all mainstream health care on theological grounds, including Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Amish and Scientologists.
Which religions can limit medical treatment?
‘Inoculate yourself with the word of God’: How religion can limit medical treatment 1 Jehovah’s Witnesses. Just be firmly resolved not to eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the flesh. 2 The Amish. ... 3 Seventh-day Adventists. ... 4 Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. ... 5 Christian Scientists. ...
What are some religious groups that promote healing through prayer?
However, some religious groups go further. They either: Recommend that members generally reject medical attention in favor of prayer. Two of these groups are Christian Science and, to a limited degree, the Jehovah's Witnesses. This denomination promotes healing of physical and mental illnesses and disorders through prayer.
Should members of religious groups reject medical attention in favor of prayer?
Recommend that members generally reject medical attention in favor of prayer. Two of these groups are Christian Science and, to a limited degree, the Jehovah's Witnesses.
What is the history of religious objections to medical treatment?
Religious objections to medical treatment have historical roots that can be traced back to the late 1800s in England, when a sect called the Peculiar People ended up on trial for allowing generations of children to die as a result of their decision to reject doctors and medicine.
Which religion does not allow medical treatment?
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusion. Christian Scientists refuse most medical treatment. Instead they rely on the healing prayers of Christian Scientist Practitioners. The Faith Tabernacle Congregation in Altoona, PA believes that disease is caused by the devil.
What religions interfere with medical treatment?
That's just one of several Old and New Testament scriptures used by Jehovah's Witnesses to explain why their religion refuses to accept blood transfusions. “This is a religious issue rather than a personal one,” explains JW.org, the official website for the religion.
What religion does not allow the flu shot?
Jehovah's Witnesses condemned the practice of vaccination in 1931 as "a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made with Noah after the flood", but reversed that policy in 1952. The decision of whether to vaccinate themselves or their family is left to individuals.
Do Jehovah Witnesses accept medical treatment?
Jehovah's Witnesses accept medial and surgical treatment. They do not adhere to so-called “faith healing” and are not opposed to the practice of medicine.
Why did the church members get suspended?
(6) Two church members were given fourteen suspended months in state prison because they refused to get help for their son, who had found a lump in his abdomen. By the time the boy had managed to get medical help, it was too late.
What was the end time ministry charged with?
The parents were charged with aggravated child abuse. End Time Ministries, various states in the USA: (1) In 1990, the son of members refused to allow doctors and surgeons to treat their son for a known heart tumor.
Why did the church's newborn grandson die?
A few months later, the parents’ newborn grandson died from massive hemorrhaging; again they did not seek medical treatment. (2) In the early 1990s, two families who were members in the church lost their daughters.
Faith groups which avoid conventional medical procedures
Many, perhaps most, faith groups recommend prayer as a supplement to medical care. However, some religious groups go further: they teach teach that certain medical procedures are not allowed, or that members should generally reject medical attention in favor of prayer. A sampling of the latter are:
References
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
Which religions do not believe in medicine?
Throughout the world, there are many religions that do not believe in medicine, including parts of the Old Order Amish faith, parts of the Old Order Mennonites faith and the Christian Scientists.
Do Amish believe in medicine?
The Amish do believe in medicine from time to time when the medical need is great, such as when surgery is required. In all religions, the decision to seek medical care is most often left up to the individual, regardless of the church's teachings. ADVERTISEMENT.
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.".
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.".
What does the Watchtower Society teach?
The Watchtower Society (a.k.a. Jehovah's Witnesses ): This Christian denomination teaches that blood transfusions are forbidden, even if needed to save a person's life. This teaching is based upon three passages in the Bible which prohibit the consuming of blood:
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.
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.
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.
What religious group teaches members not to seek medical care or visit doctors?
In extreme cases, they prefer to turn to traditional medicine. Faith Tabernacle Congregation. Following the name of the group, this religious group teaches members not to seek medical care or visit doctors. According to the official site, “We believe in God’s power to heal our bodies.
Which denominations do not do blood transfusions?
Jehovah’s Witness. This organization is anti-blood. This means they do not do transfusions, and even storing blood as it goes against what they believe (See Leviticus 17:11 and Colossians 1:20).
When was the doctrine of blood established?
This particular doctrine on blood was fully established by January 1945 after Watch Tower publications warned that doing this would lead to disfellowship. “It may result in the immediate and very temporary prolongation of life, but that at the cost of eternal life for a dedicated Christian,” the publication added.
Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints against blood transfusions?
A lot of people believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is against blood transfusions. Yet, this is not true. The church encourages it and even offers church buildings to be used as donation centers for blood banks to hold blood drives. They are also okay with medical treatment.
Why do Muslims believe in drugs?
Muslims believe that the use of drugs impairs their ability to serve Allah. Muslims believe the use of drugs that are not prescribed by a medical doctor is related to Satan's work. Tobacco, although not forbidden, is also strongly discouraged.
Who invented Scientology?
Ron Hubbard, an American author, invented a set of practices and beliefs and named it Scientology. It is often defined as a cult. The Church of Scientology believes a human is an immortal spiritual being, found in the physical body. Scientology opposes the use of cannabis.
Can Sikhs take cannabis?
Bhang, an edible form of cannabis, is offered as a portion of holy food. Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, states that using a mind-altering drug unless for medical purposes is a distraction from God. The word of Sikh Rehat Maryada says that Sikhs must not take cannabis, liquor, or any other intoxicant.
Does the Bible say that cannabis is not a substance?
Interestingly the Bible, perhaps the most famous book in the world, does in no way clearly reference the word "cannabis." However, the overall message is that any intoxicating substance is shunned upon.
