Christian Science is a religion that focuses on prayer for healing instead of medicine. A belief that has caused quite a bit of controversy over the years. Some say relying solely on prayer for medical care is irresponsible, others disagree.
Judy Wearing believes in prayer for healing. She was raised in a Christian Science home.
"I have grown up with Christian Science as my total health care system. My parents found prayer for me to the most effective way for the whole family.....I have had no medication, not a vitamin, not an aspirin, not a cough drop."
Judy says every illness she has ever had, including a childhood battle with the measles, has been healed through prayer, not medicine. Her most memorable healing came about 25 years ago.
"I had a healing of a lump in one breast... I called a practitioner to help me through prayer...The lump was gone in about 2 and a half weeks."
Joe Pelphrey discovered Christian science 30 years ago and hasn't sought traditional medical care since.
"I've not had the experience of going into a hospital since I became a Christian Scientist," said Pelphrey.
Joe claims he was healed from a heart attack through prayer and says he hasn't had any problems since.
Joe and Judy have also chosen to forego vaccinations, at a time when others are so desperate to receive them. They would only get vaccinated if it were required by law. If they or a family member were to get the virus, they would simply stay at home and pray for healing.
"If they're not required then a Christian Science family will pray, not only for their children, but for the community," said Pelphrey.
So how can someone believe that prayer is the only way to heal the body? Pelphrey says the proof is in black and white.
"These are periodicals that our denomination has published since the 1880s and at the end of each periodical there's a section where people have written down their testimonies of healing through christian science."
Joe and Judy say Christian Scientists can choose to utilize traditional medical care. It's up to the individual to decide what's best for them.
For more information on Christian Science go to practicalprayer.org.
Judy Wearing believes in prayer for healing. She was raised in a Christian Science home.
"I have grown up with Christian Science as my total health care system. My parents found prayer for me to the most effective way for the whole family.....I have had no medication, not a vitamin, not an aspirin, not a cough drop."
Judy says every illness she has ever had, including a childhood battle with the measles, has been healed through prayer, not medicine. Her most memorable healing came about 25 years ago.
"I had a healing of a lump in one breast... I called a practitioner to help me through prayer...The lump was gone in about 2 and a half weeks."
Joe Pelphrey discovered Christian science 30 years ago and hasn't sought traditional medical care since.
"I've not had the experience of going into a hospital since I became a Christian Scientist," said Pelphrey.
Joe claims he was healed from a heart attack through prayer and says he hasn't had any problems since.
Joe and Judy have also chosen to forego vaccinations, at a time when others are so desperate to receive them. They would only get vaccinated if it were required by law. If they or a family member were to get the virus, they would simply stay at home and pray for healing.
"If they're not required then a Christian Science family will pray, not only for their children, but for the community," said Pelphrey.
So how can someone believe that prayer is the only way to heal the body? Pelphrey says the proof is in black and white.
"These are periodicals that our denomination has published since the 1880s and at the end of each periodical there's a section where people have written down their testimonies of healing through christian science."
Joe and Judy say Christian Scientists can choose to utilize traditional medical care. It's up to the individual to decide what's best for them.
For more information on Christian Science go to practicalprayer.org.
