Comments on: Popular Delusions III: Faith Healing

By: Niklaus Pfirsig

Niklaus Pfirsig — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:15:33 +0000

Back in the 60's, one of my neighbors, a teenager at the time, was in a motorcycle accident and received an injury that severed the nerve fibers to his right arm. After a few months, his arm had atrophied to a limp, useless appendage that he kept in a sling to keep it from flopping around.
His parents had consulted all manner of specialists, and were told repeatedly that nothing could be done. Aparently, out of desperation, they decided to get help from Oral Roberts.
They contacted Robert's organization and received an application for tickets to his tv ministry program. They thoght it a bit odd that the application required them to provide considerable information about their finances, including bank account balances, and even the current value of their home. A few weeks after sending the completed application, they received a response. The letter stated that for a "donation" that was about three times their total net worth, Dr. Roberts would heal their son.
That was when they stopped believing in televangelists.

It may be possible, however, that in some cases a true believer in a marginal state of health may see some omprovement. If the person's condition is stress-induced, a strong belief in the power of prayer may actually reduce the stress and improve the patient's outlook. Such cases are probably quite rare.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:34:11 +0000

Many years ago my family had some friends with a severely handicapped child which the doctors had given up any hope of keeping alive. The parents in their struggle eventually sought out the help of one of those Faith Healing Churches. They inquired how much the "Healing" would cost and the church said they did not charge for their services however a large contribution would be in order. They made a sizable contribution and the service was held, a week later the child died, and they went to the healer for consolation, His response was, "Maybe your contribution was not enough to please God"

True Story.

By: Gypsy David

Gypsy David — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:39:43 +0000

I am a Christian,but I agree with what you are saying about these "faith healers.Somewhere out there,there may be a sincere one,where people really do sometimes get healed..but 99% of the time,it is not real.I was brought up on faith healers,but was greatly harmed psychologically by a well known one on TV.He teaches that to not believe in his miracles...is an unforgivable sin.Naturally,I dont accept anything without being given undeniable proof.I became terrified that I had now comitted this"unpardonable sin",by not just accepting as true the claims of the "healer."I cant begin to tell you the suffering this caused me.Did you ever notice how all these guys hide behind frightening Bible verses,taken out of context?I call this practice "Spiritual Terrorism."

By: OMGF

OMGF — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:20:13 +0000

It is about what you will always have with you, not about gathering stuff that you will only shed when you advance.

Again, what incentive do I have to live if I get to "advance" when I die? My experiences? My experiences will be much better when I advance, right? So, why would I not want to obtain those experiences as soon as possible?

By: goyo

goyo — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:49:15 +0000

Amyobus: So, answer my question: Do you refuse medical treatment when you are ill, so you can temper the soul in the fires of tribulation?
You specifically mentioned illness, not acquiring more stuff. I agree life is about living, but I don't need a belief in an afterlife to do that.
About the afterlife: What proof do you have that it exists? Because your good book says it does?

By: Nes

Nes — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:07:03 +0000

Though I fear that this might get quashed for going off topic, I must ask: How do you know that "you're still somewhere" when the light bulb goes out? (I would strongly urge you to read this before arguing for a soul. It contains a lot of stuff that I had already worked out for myself, and then some, in a nice and well supported package.)

By: Amyobus Key

Amyobus Key — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:31:27 +0000

Your incentive to live is your experiences. Unless you are on the level of a dog looking for doggy biscuits, and everything is measured in the physical. It is not about acquiring more stuff, more rewards. It is about expanding what you are. It is about what you will always have with you, not about gathering stuff that you will only shed when you advance. But for those of you who do not believe in the spiritual state, sit and watch and wait for the lightbulb to go out. Surprise! You're still somewhere, and no more body and possessions to drag around.

By: goyo

goyo — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:21:03 +0000

Amyobus Key:

In our illness, our decision that we have been robbed of normal happiness, our pursuit to escape the trial, we do not see the trial for what it is. Will you be a better spirit for the trial and the suffering and the pursuit? You will, if you accept that your body is a short-term rental. You will appreciate it all, once it is done. It is not about the cure. It is about how you pursue it.

And if I don't accept that my body is a short term rental, then I'm not going to appreciate the suffering and pain that illness brings.
It's this very attitude that prevails among xtians that somehow suffering is good for you and is in god's plan for your life that hinders the advance of medical research to cure those very illnesses that cause the pain and suffering.
Do you refuse medical treatment for illnesses you come down with?
Maybe the flu, or cancer, or heart disease is the illness that god chose for you to suffer through. Do you accept them, or do you go to the doctor for a cure?
Be honest.
After all, the sooner you die, the sooner you will be with the lord. And just think of the admonitions your god will give you as you pass through the pearly gates: "Welcome my good and faithful servant. You chose not to use one of those sinful cures that those humanistic scientists came up with. You get a special mansion on yonder hill."
Yeah, right.

By: OMGF

OMGF — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:11:04 +0000

You will, if you accept that your body is a short-term rental.

This is actually counter-productive. What incentive do I have to continue to live if I'm really only looking to join the heavenly afterlife?

By: Amyobus Key

Amyobus Key — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:15:39 +0000

We seem to have limited choices when pursuing cures. There are the showmen who allege to represent a God Force. Not much success there. There are the miracles from sightings and saints (marian sightings, and gentle beings who later are usually proclaimed saints). We are always testing faith and acceptance of higher forces through the bargain - "i am sick, heal me, then i will believe". We have the wrong perspective, perhaps. In our illness, our decision that we have been robbed of normal happiness, our pursuit to escape the trial, we do not see the trial for what it is. Will you be a better spirit for the trial and the suffering and the pursuit? You will, if you accept that your body is a short-term rental. You will appreciate it all, once it is done. It is not about the cure. It is about how you pursue it.

By: Doy

Doy — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:54:15 +0000

A group of christians said they started to pray for me (I'm an atheist!)years ago, and that they should continue until I was "healed". So fare I'm still an atheist and did not at any time feel any difference.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:03:24 +0000

My sister Patty went and seen Evangelist and they told her not to see a doctor she was healed well when she decided to go back and see her doctor he told her it was to late and she died few months later.
Love and miss you Patty.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL PEOPLE THE SHOULD NOT SEE A DOCTOR.