Religious Refusal of Medical Treatment*

Abstract

Various groups, some based solely in the United States and others with worldwide followers, reject all medical care in favor of faith healing while others reject only specified procedures on the basis of their religious beliefs. The refusal of medical care for religious reasons has often been portrayed as a conflict between the religious beliefs of a patient or a patient's parent(s) and the ethical obligations of the treating physician, the medical profession and the specific religious denomination, or the rights of the parents and the government's interest in the welfare and safety of society's children. This chapter explores the religious beliefs of Christian Science, Jehovah's Witness, and the Pentecostal faith. The chapter then examines physicians' ethical obligations in providing care to their patients and society's interest in protecting its children. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the extent to which these varying interests have been considered across jurisdictions within the United States. Where relevant, reference is made to the approach of jurisdictions outside of the United States.