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Conflict with medical establishment
Christian Scientists maintain that the denomination is Christian in every sense of the word, despite some idiosyncrasies in its practices ("non-material" celebration of Baptism and the Eucharist) and terminology (Christ Jesus is referred to as the "wayshower.")
Christian Scientists maintain that the denomination is Christian in every sense of the word, despite some idiosyncrasies in its practices ("non-material" celebration of Baptism and the Eucharist) and terminology (Christ Jesus is referred to as the "wayshower.")
The relationship between Christian Science and the medical establishment is complex and tense. Christian Scientists who seem to be ill are supposed to seek help from "Christian Science practitioners" for prayer and spiritual counselling, and are not supposed to seek medical treatment from doctors. Accounts vary as to the degree of social and spiritual pressure that is brought to bear in their decision-making, but certainly a decision to seek medical help is a difficult one for Scientists. Scientists come into conflict with public-health and child-welfare officials when they delay or deny medical treatment to their children. In a tragic, high-profile 1977 case, a Christian Science couple's 15-month-old son died of untreated meningitis.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,954258-2,00.html Matters of Faith and Death], Time Magazine, 1984].</ref>
The Church of Christ, Scientist is headquartered in Boston, in a large complex which includes the Mother Church,<ref>known as '''The''' First Church of Christ, Scientist, as distinguished from the others, designated simply "First Church of Christ, Scientist"</ref> the Christian Science Publishing Company, and a unique world globe called the Mapparium. It has about two thousand branches in seventy countries; however, the strongest support for it continues to exist in the northeastern United States, where it originated. The church does not publish membership figures, but it is thought to have about half a million adherents worldwide,<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_157.html#941 400,000] according to adherents.com</ref>, and its well-publicized recent financial difficulties have led outsiders to surmise that its membership is in decline.
The Church of Christ, Scientist is headquartered in Boston, in a large complex which includes the Mother Church,<ref>known as '''The''' First Church of Christ, Scientist, as distinguished from the others, designated simply "First Church of Christ, Scientist"</ref> the Christian Science Publishing Company, and a unique world globe called the Mapparium. It has about two thousand branches in seventy countries; however, the strongest support for it continues to exist in the northeastern United States, where it originated. The church does not publish membership figures, but it is thought to have about half a million adherents worldwide,<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_157.html#941 400,000] according to adherents.com</ref>, and its well-publicized recent financial difficulties have led outsiders to surmise that its membership is in decline.