Escaping a Cult (Christian Science, False Teachings and More) Episode 4
Join me and author Lauren Hunter as we talk about cults and false teaching in the church. She will share how she escaped Christian Science; and tell of the long term emotional and psychological impact of being raised in a cult. Learn what Christian Science teaches and how it deviates from Christianity. Listen as I try to explain to HER what Christian Science is…poorly! We will also discuss the mental, spiritual, and psychological impact of invalidation. By this I mean the result of having our physical and emotional needs ignored or invalidated.
Great interview with Lauren Hunter!
Hi Linda,
I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for listening!
This is a very good podcast about the cult religion, Christian Science. And Lauren Hunter explains, with great sensitivity, about the problems surrounding a Christian Science upbringing. And I can directly relate to this, after being brought up in a Christian Science myself. As, I had very sadly lost my younger brother to leukemia in 1978, He was only 11, and had received a successful 7 year treatment at the hospital with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. And he had been in remission for 5 years, and had quite a happy and normal childhood. He was also incredibly brave and strong, as he received monthly lumbar punctures, without any pain relief. But It was a horrendous and cruel experience for him to suddenly have his medical treatment stopped in June 1977. As, over a 6 month period, he gradually went blind, due to the leaukemia returning, Plus it also gradually attacked his brain and his spinal chord. So, he gradually went blind, and ended up in a wheelchair. And during this time, he was kept at home by my family. And he eventually passed away after 6 months, after his organs stopped working, and shut down. As after my family stopped his hospital treatment , he also remained at home, and my parents never returned him to the hospital. And during this period of time, his only “medical” support was a Christian Science practitioner, who was daily praying for him. As the hospital had previously told my parents that they could not cure him of leukemia, apart from prolonging his life. However, prior to his treatment being stopped, he had being attending school, and had friends, and was happy. And he had been in remission for 5 years. But our family had been ostracized by the Christian Science Church for 5 years for following the medical route. So, my parents had decided, after 5 years of medical treatment, to try Christian Science. But by doing so, they had to stop his hospital treatment, as Christian Science did not recognize any type of medical treatment.
Hi Helen,
I’m so very sorry to hear about your brother and the suffering he went through, and the suffering you went through as well. This is something no child should endure, especially without the care of doctors. I’m also saddened that your family was ostracized for doing what any loving family would do to try and save their child. I’m so glad you escaped this bondage. Thank you so much for listening. Please pass it or any of the other podcasts along to anyone you know that could benefit.
Blessings,
Jodie Stevens
Thank you!!!!!
Hi Ruth,
You are so welcome and thanks for listening!