Religious practices have been associated with healing for millennia. People pray for good health and for relief from illness.
· Christian Science (officially, the Church of Christ, Scientist) is a religion that focuses on spiritual healing through prayer. Its stated purpose is to restore the healing works of the early Christian church.
· Founded in the late 19th century C.E. by Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science teachings agree in many ways with Protestant theology while also significantly differing from that theology.
In 1875, Eddy wrote about Christianity and healing in her major book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which is meant to explicate the Bible and especially the healings of Jesus. These two books are the joint Pastor of the Christian Science church, in place of clergy.
Both are read in individual prayer and communal services. Some distinctive Christian Science teachings include the idea that the creation is entirely spiritual and whole, while matter and sin are the illusive "mist" that befogged creation.
· Jesus saved humanity from this "mist" of sickness, sin, and death and was therefore the "remedy for Adam." Heaven and hell are not literal places. "Heaven" is being in complete harmony with God and "Hell" is being outside that harmony.
God is referred to as "Father-Mother" and Jesus is considered divine, but not God. Although there is no clergy, some members participate in full-time healing ministries. These "practitioners" treat and heal through prayer those who request help.
Questions
Do the qualitative aspects of prayer influence outcomes of prayer healing? (Qualitative refers to the category to which the prayer belongs in the religion of the person who is praying; the fervency with which the petition is expressed; whether the prayer is expressed in thoughts, speech or song; the addition of vows and sacrifices, etc.)
Are outcomes more likely to be favorable if the persons praying have greater belief that the outcome will be favorable, or greater faith or conviction in the deity at whom the prayer is directed?
Are outcomes more likely to be favorable if a larger number of people pray or if a team approach is adopted as opposed to an individual approach?
Are outcomes more likely to be favorable if the persons praying have greater belief that the outcome will be favorable, or greater faith or conviction in the deity at whom the prayer is directed?
Are outcomes more likely to be favorable if a larger number of people pray or if a team approach is adopted as opposed to an individual approach?
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