Expert: Rev. Andrew Smith - 1/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Why do Baptists not believe in giving medications for illness?

ANSWER: Your question is the first I have ever heard of Baptists refusing medicine for illness. Most Baptists have no qualms about modern medicine. There are, however, groups of Christians in America that believe that resort to medicine in the case of ilness is a sign of a lack of faith. Some of these people may designate themselves as "Baptist," but they probably have more in common with other groups that take this attitude towards medical care than with other Baptists.

If you can provide more detail, I can try to follow up with more detailed information.

Andrew

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Andrew,

I have a child with a man that calls himself Baptist.  My son has a few medical issues that require daily medications.  I have been told by him and his mother in the past that they do not believe in medications.  I am told by them that according to their beliefs, medications do more harm than good.  Because of this, his father has not been giving him his medications and my son comes home sick every time he visits his father.  I know they consider themselves "southern" baptists.  Is there a difference?

Thanks,
Niki

Answer
Thanks for your question, Niki. I am a Southern Baptist as well, and I can tell you as a fact that Southern Baptists, as a denomination, are not forbidden to see a doctor or use any medication. You can look at the statement of faith of the denomination at http://www.sbc.net/bfm/ . I am guessing from your question that you are not in the South. Almost all (white) Baptists in the South are Southern Baptists - it's just a fairly conservative, evangelical denomination with deep roots in the region.

With that said, Southern Baptist congregations are autonomous, and that means that local congregations can hire whomever they want as pastor, and that sometimes things go on that are outside the norm. Some of our congregations, for instance, have begun to include the practice of speaking in tongues, although this is not traditional Southern Baptist practice. I don't know why your son's father and his mother hold this belief. All I can tell you is that Southern Baptists do not have a blanket prohibition against medical care.

Given this information, I certainly encourage you to work with your son's father and his mother to make sure that your son gets the care that he needs. I wish you the best with it.

Thank you and good luck,

Andrew