The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-15
Battling Against Christian Science


woods.
Battling Against Christian Science.
A number of medical o,ssnrations
supplemented by many influential
newspapers, have recently undertaken,
with something like concerted vigOr,
to bring the repressive pressure of the
law to bear upon the unmistakable
growth of what is familiarly known
as Christian Science. This has been
attempted in the past, fitfully and in
chosen localities. but now the move
ment seems to be general and con-
tinuous. The active opponents of the
faith cure denomination have, as 1t
were. blood in their eye and they affirm
their intention to push the fighting all
along the line.
In view of this prospect of indigna-
ton tending toward persecution on the
one hand and hallucination tending to-
ward willing martyrdom on the other,
we are moved to quote with unqualified
Endorsement statement of pertinent
principles presented in the current
number Of the Outlook, paper which
constitutes weekly education in sane
thinking and tolerant broad.minded-
ness. The first is that the question at
issue is not Of conscience nor Of opinion
but Of the public welfare As the Out
look says, violation Of the law is not
made less Il violation because the sane
tion Of conscience is claimed for it. A
Mormon cannot claim a right 10 pol
ygamy nor 4 pagan to perform human
sacrifice because his conscience re-
qures this of him. Religious liberty is
the liberty of every man 10 maintain
what attitude he sees fit toward the
Deity without interference from his
fellow men; it is not liberty to do or
omit what he will in his relations to his
felloW-men because his religion de-
mands or forbds the action. The second
Is that wel-settled usage, incorporated
in the law, forbds the practice of
healing by persons who have not been
licensed by the state. And the practice
of healing does not necessarily involve
giving drugs; often, and to an increas-
ing extent the medical practitioner
simply gives counsel. To attempt
to cure disease as a profession
and for pay, by whatever means, con-
sttutes medical practice. Under the
laws of cur states as they now exist
unlicensed practitioners may be prose-
cuted. The third is that the commun-
ity has the right and the duty to afford
protection to little children against con-
tagious disease by compelling the OBJ
servapce of those precautions which
the general judgment believes tc be
essential. The fourth principle is that,
if the health of the community is not
endangered and the well-being of
helpless children is not threatened, It
is safer to leave the individual tn
choose his own method of dealing with
he elects not to deal with it at all,
than it is to endeavor by law to compel
him to adopt a method which he re-
pudiates and resents.'
Care must be taken i'm any legal pro-
'cesses against Christian Science to em-
the defendants religious beliefs but
their neglect of law. Those who de-
rive satisfaction from the acceptance of
the doctrines taught by Mary Baker
Eddy and her associates in the Chris
tian Science movement have as much
right to their satisfaction as have those
who worship in more conventional
ways: that is not the point. The point
is that if the law requires the would
be practitioner Of healing to secure a
license before practicing then all who
undertake to heal professionally, for
pay, whether according tc a stated
schedule of charges or in exchange for
gifts, should be made to take out IL
censes or else be prevented from heal
ing. Again, if the law requires the
prompt reporting Of contagious dis
eases, those who disobey it should be
punished. regardless of their theories
as to the cause and nature of disease.
There should be no persecution: there
should be no favoritism in this mat
ter. Jnswerving and impartial justice
should be the rule for all.
In no other way can the abuses now
complained OF be eradicatCd,
-
If Mr.. Alger defers his retirement
until the firing on him has ceased he
VIII probably have to spend the re-
rnoin1er of his life at war haa l1uar-