“The Law and Christian Science Healing for Children: A Pathfinder”

Kondos, Elena M. “The Law and Christian Science Healing for Children: A Pathfinder.” Legal Reference Services Quarterly 12 (1992): 5–71. 

Kondos’s excellent ‘pathfinder’ is the most comprehensive collection of resources we have found on the subject of Christian Science healing for children and its relation to modern U.S. law. It is a well-organized and balanced collection of articles and books. These resources usually tell only one side of the story, but Kondos’s work is inclusive. Although it was published in 1992, much of the relevant discussion had taken place in the late 1980s, and Kondos’s selection of resources includes most of the important works we have found to date. She explains the purpose of her research: “I have attempted in this pathfinder to be very objective in the presentation and evaluation of the various research materials. It is my opinion that, given the profound religious, legal, and moral questions discussed, firm conclusions should be based only on the most thoroughly informed and balanced judgment” (8). Giving voice to the minority participants in the conversation, she includes good references from both Christian Scientists and their Church officials. The prosecution of Christian Science parents whose children have died, having had Christian Science (prayerful) treatment without medicine, raises important constitutional and ethical questions. Conversation participants include legislators, judges, scholars, experts, the public, and organization members especially devoted to the discussion.

ISSN: 1540-949X
Print ISSN: 0270-319X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J113v12n01_02