At the turn of the 20th century, America began to see a surge in religions of healthy-mindedness that would eventually change the landscape of modern medicine. Taken from William James’ pivotal lecture “The Religion of Healthy-Mindedness,” this distinction of American religions would provide the groundwork for an entire genre of beliefs centered on a particular conception of human nature. James gives the name ‘healthy-mindedness’ to “the tendency which looks on all things and sees that they are good” (James, 79).
James creates a distinction between religions in his turn of the century lectures that separates religions based on their definition of human nature. Religions either view humans as inherently evil and destructive or kind-hearted and good. It is from that latter group that James forms his category of religions of healthy-mindedness. These religions extend the philosophical belief that man is inherently good to the idea that this goodness can overcome physical ailments. That is, physical health is derived from spiritual health and conversely physical maladies are outward signs of mental imbalance.
In an America with limited medical solutions to common illnesses and a strong religious culture, these explanations were attractive to people seeking answers for their sicknesses. More than just answering unanswered questions, though, the move toward healthy-mindedness was fueled by human nature: people inherently “divert our attention from disease and death as much as we can” (James, 84).
One of the most prevalent examples is the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866, members believe in the healing power of Christ and Christ alone. Because all things are possible through God, knowledge, understanding and prayer can heal all illnesses. Thus, rather than subscribing to conventional medicinal solutions to physical ailments, Christian Scientists believe that their experiences of material conditions can be improved by greater knowledge of their spiritual reality through prayer. The fundamental philosophical premise underlying this belief is one of the inherent goodness of a creation made in the image of a perfect being—God.
The belief is somewhat reminiscent of eastern medicinal practice of cleansing the spirit or soul. However, as James noted these ideas are no longer relegated to a strict regimen of exclusive mind-cleansing beliefs. Instead, there has been a transition in American religion to a framework of healthy-mindedness, even if subconsciously. Rather than focusing on the traditional ‘fire and brimstone’ sermons, there are “whole congregations whose preachers, far from magnifying our consciousness of sin, seem devoted rather to making little of it” (James, 86).
But religions of healthy-mindedness are not specific to Christian doctrine. Many other religions have sought to prove the effectiveness of their piety in the realm of medicine. Muslims, for instance, have claimed the benefits of fasting in slowing disease, specifically cancer. Moreover, these beliefs have made their way into modern medicine. In 1992 the Office of Alternative Medicine was established by the National Institute of Health. Healthy-mindedness has made its way into medical journals as alternatives to traditional medicine that demand attention.
Works Cited
James, William. The Variety of Religious Experience. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997. Print.