Christian Scientists and COVID-19: How Church Periodicals Framed Appropriate Metaphysical Practice, Communication Response, and Spiritual Authority During the Pandemic

The Church of Christ, Scientist offers a spiritual practice centered around metaphysical healing. This study applied a media framing analysis to stories in church periodicals published during COVID-19. The review identified four types of metaphysical practice, four communication strategies, and six...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Swanson, Douglas J. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Creighton University 2024
In: The journal of religion & society
Year: 2024, Volume: 26, Pages: 1-27
Further subjects:B Media Framing
B Covid-19
B Christian Science
B Pandemic
B Mary Baker Eddy
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:The Church of Christ, Scientist offers a spiritual practice centered around metaphysical healing. This study applied a media framing analysis to stories in church periodicals published during COVID-19. The review identified four types of metaphysical practice, four communication strategies, and six authority figures. Most stories reflected a calm, non-confrontive approach consistent with the social order of Christian Science. Several interesting exceptions were noted. Study findings add to the body of literature regarding Christianity's response to COVID-19 and contribute to knowledge of a church that tightly controls its public communication and has sometimes struggled to adapt in the modern world.
ISSN:1522-5658
Contains:Enthalten in: The journal of religion & society