"God is My First Aid Kit": The Negotiation of Health and Illness among Christian Scientists

Christian Scientists' rejection of conventional medical practices has generated considerable controversy. Using insights from theories of subcultural identity and cultural repertoires, we analyze elite discourse and adherent narratives from 20 Christian Scientists to examine how this nonmedical...

Description complète

Enregistré dans:  
Détails bibliographiques
Auteurs: Steckler, Rebecca A. (Auteur) ; Bartkowski, John P. 1966- (Auteur)
Type de support: Électronique Article
Langue:Anglais
Vérifier la disponibilité: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
En cours de chargement...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Publié: Wiley-Blackwell [2018]
Dans: Journal for the scientific study of religion
Année: 2018, Volume: 57, Numéro: 3, Pages: 585-603
Sujets / Chaînes de mots-clés standardisés:B Science chrétienne / Santé / Confiance en Dieu
Classifications IxTheo:AZ Nouveau mouvement religieux
CB Spiritualité chrétienne
KDH Sectes d’origine chrétienne
Sujets non-standardisés:B Lived Religion
B subcultural identity
B Health
B Science chrétienne
B Spiritual Healing
Accès en ligne: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Résumé:Christian Scientists' rejection of conventional medical practices has generated considerable controversy. Using insights from theories of subcultural identity and cultural repertoires, we analyze elite discourse and adherent narratives from 20 Christian Scientists to examine how this nonmedicalized religion engages the challenges posed by the highly medicalized character of American society. The writings of Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy primarily exhibit a critical posture toward conventional medicine, although conciliatory language is also evident in these same works. These discursive nuances provide Christian Science adherents with latitude in negotiating health and illness in their everyday lives. Interview data reveal that negotiated health practices are particularly evident in three domains: using prayer as a means of seeking divine guidance, developing metaphysical competency as a healer, and weighing options based on legal mandates for seeking medical treatment. We conclude by specifying the implications of our findings and identifying directions for future research.
ISSN:1468-5906
Contient:Enthalten in: Journal for the scientific study of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/jssr.12533