Faith healing

Faith Healing

A scene from Peter of Verona's life: a mute man is miraculously healed. Detail from the relief on the back side of Peter of Verona's grave in the Portinari Chapel in Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio in Milan, Italy.

Introduction

Faith healing refers to the practice of prayer and gestures (such as laying on of hands) that are believed by some to elicit divine intervention in physical healing, especially in the Christian tradition. It can involve prayer, a visit to a religious shrine, or simply a strong belief in a supreme being. Faith healing has been a controversial subject due to its effectiveness being attributed to belief rather than medical science.

Faith healing by Fr. Joey Faller, Pulilan, Bulacan, Philippines

History

The practice of faith healing has ancient origins, with records dating back to early Christianity, where the apostles are said to have healed the sick in Jesus' name. It has been observed in various cultures and religions throughout history, evolving in practice but always maintaining the core belief in spiritual power.

Throughout history, cultures and religious groups across the globe have practiced faith healing in various forms, from shamanic rituals to Christian prayers. Such practices often arise from deeply rooted beliefs about the interplay between spiritual forces and human health.

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Faith healing by Fernando Suarez, Philippines

Mechanisms of Faith Healing

• Prayer: Central to many religions, prayer is often considered a direct communication channel with a higher power or divine entity. In the context of faith healing, individuals might pray for their own health or the health of others.
• Laying on of Hands: Common in certain Christian denominations, this ritual involves placing hands on an individual in need of healing, signifying the transference of divine energy or blessing.
• Rituals and Ceremonies: These can range from specific prayers and chants to more elaborate ceremonies, often invoking divine intervention for healing.
• Sacred Objects: Some traditions believe that sacred or consecrated objects can bring about healing or protect from illness.

Christianity and Faith Healing

Within the broad spectrum of Christian denominations, practices and beliefs surrounding faith healing can vary significantly:

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Members of the Pentecostal Church of God in Lejunior, Kentucky pray for a girl in 1946

• Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements: Often place a strong emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which can include the gift of healing.
• Roman Catholicism: Recognizes the intercession of saints and the power of relics. Places like Lourdes in France are renowned as pilgrimage sites for healing.
• Protestantism: Views on faith healing can differ widely among Protestant denominations, with some emphasizing the power of prayer and others cautioning against relying solely on faith without seeking medical intervention.

Methods

Faith healing practices vary widely among different cultures and religions. In Christianity, it often involves prayers, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, or rituals believed to invoke God's intervention. Other religions and belief systems have their unique practices, often involving rituals, prayers, and meditative techniques.

A faith healer performing the laying on of hands.

Scientific Perspective

The scientific community generally views faith healing skeptically, attributing reported successes to psychological effects like the placebo effect, spontaneous remission, or the body's natural healing processes. However, some studies have explored the impact of prayer and positive thinking on health, with mixed results.

Controversies

Faith healing is surrounded by controversies, including cases where individuals have foregone traditional medical treatment in favor of faith healing, sometimes resulting in preventable deaths. Critics argue that promoting faith healing as a substitute for medical care can be dangerous and unethical.

Faith healing has been a topic of contention, especially in the intersection of religious beliefs and medical science:

• Lack of Empirical Evidence: The majority of medical professionals and researchers assert that empirical evidence supporting faith healing's effectiveness is sparse.
• Potential for Harm: Concerns arise when individuals, based on their beliefs, eschew conventional medical treatments in favor of faith healing, potentially leading to preventable complications or death.
• Exploitation Concerns: Some self-proclaimed faith healers have been accused of exploiting believers for financial gain, leveraging their faith and desperation for healing.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

In many countries, the legal system grapples with cases involving faith healing, especially when it comes to the treatment of minors. There have been instances where parents or guardians faced legal consequences for neglecting medical care in favor of faith healing practices.

See Also

• Placebo effect
• Spirituality and health
• History of Christianity
• Medical ethics

• Anointing of the Sick
• Breathwork (New Age)
• Efficacy of prayer
• Energy medicine
• Folk medicine
• Huna method (New Age)
• Self-efficacy
• Witch doctor

References

• "Faith Healing: Psychological and Social Implications." Journal of Behavioral Medicine.
• "Healing by Faith: A Historical Analysis." Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

External Links

• World Health Organization
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Faith healing Resources
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