ABSTRACT
Christian Science is an indigenous religious organization founded by Mary Baker Eddy that has figured in numerous legal cases involving spiritual healing not only because of the First Amendment's protection for religious beliefs but also because religious organizations enjoy special tax status. Thus the Christian Science group has been involved in cases involving freedom of religion, taxation, insurance coverage, and other matters. In 1881, Eddy opened the Massachusetts Metaphysical College for the instruction of Christian Science practitioners. In 1882, Eddy founded the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, which is known as "the Mother Church." Philosophically, Christian Science is a form of monistic idealism in which "all is mind." Christian Scientists deny the reality of the material world, including the physical nature of Christ, which orthodox Christians accept. Christian Scientist parents or practitioners are expected to report to a health department what appear to be infectious or contagious diseases.
