Faith healing vs. medical treatment???
By askshivam
@askshivam (478)
India
December 11, 2006 9:34am CST
Some devout believers favor pursuing prayer instead of seeking medical assistance when they are ill. This can become a major concern for child protective services when parents refuse to have their children treated for routine health problems that can prove fatal without medical intervention. Resorting to prayer in the place of medical treatment also become a matter of social concern when death rates among certain religious groups greatly exceed the average for the rest of society.
"All diseases of Christians are to be ascribed to demons; chiefly do they torment freshly-baptized Christians, yea, even the guiltless new-born infants." Saint Augustine (354-430 CE)
54 responses
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
12 Dec 06
raymond's right. sometimes, it even worsens situation. then people go to the doctor when it's already too late.
@Lydia1901 (16351)
• United States
13 Dec 06
Yep, that's true. Some people just like to hold on to their faith. I'd rather let the doctor take care of my child.
@avonelle26 (364)
• Anguilla
12 Dec 06
This is very deep. Some people believe in spiritual healing yes. But some people feel that God give people the ability to be doctors so that they can heal people. It is all about you faith and you spiritual background.
@zykios (64)
• India
12 Dec 06
this problem isnt restricted to any particular religion or community. it isnt reestricted to a rgion or country either. this is a universal problem. fr any person his or her faith is supreme. after all it's faith that keeps us all going. but in some cases as mentioned in the discussion topic, it can become extreme and fatal. is it a problem of literacy? or is the society to blame? why do we have such pockets of stone-age civilisations even in this modern age?
@anne_143god (5387)
• Philippines
12 Dec 06
I believe in medical treatment but maybe we should respect people who also believe in faith healing I also believe in faith healing.
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
12 Dec 06
yes, with the progress in medical science, we should not depend on faith healing, no matter what faith you believe in
@trixyteddy (1070)
• India
12 Dec 06
You need both - actual treatment from the right doctor as well as prayers.
@Marie35 (27)
• Philippines
12 Dec 06
in the former years, our ancestors doesn't really know "medical treatment". They rely on their beliefs and they sometimes heal the wounded or the sick. But because there is nothing constant in this world but change, this practices evolved to a more sophisticated form of treatment, thus medical. but it wouldn't really hurt to believe in faith healing because it sometimes help you heal on your own. especially on emotional problems.
@kyuti_elai (90)
• Philippines
12 Dec 06
i do believe that medical treatment is better. when we're ill, we often go to the doctor for check up and treatment. although some people believe in faith healing. well i guess most of them just rely on this procedure when they think it's already a hopeless case, when doctors can no longer do anything with the disease.
@sankarabalaji (3)
• India
12 Dec 06
There is an other angle to look up at the whole issue - the god the creator of this universe has created humans also; but when creating the human being he has given them an extra antenna called as sixth sense which is to think and then react to the entire situation. So when some one is seriously ill treat them with what is right - this human body is a mixture of science and art - the most enchanting creation of god. so treat this science with the right chemistry just to put those senses in the proper working condition and then raise your hands to god seeking his blessings and thanking him for the opportunity
@neetesh22 (6)
• India
12 Dec 06
Some things are beyond the explaination of theories that science has put up and sometimes faith helps in healing along with the medicine as its the faith in the docters that make a patient follow his prescription and faith is what makes him heal... but then just leaving everything to god also doesn't help as it is said " GOD HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES".
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
12 Dec 06
my profession is inline with science. and since i am a pharmacist, i suggest that whenever people or patients don't feel good, they should rush to their doctors so they can undergo thorough check ups. i know it's expensive and we all want to cost-cut... but they are healthcare professionals and they do know more about our concerns.
well, if you are really religious, you can pray if you want to. but i suggest you don't submit yourselves to faith healing. usually, these are bluffs and will just make you suffer more in the end. better to be sure than sorry.
@s1n2a3k4e580 (222)
• China
12 Dec 06
I never believe some kind of "faith healing" thing. If you get illness, you must go to the hospital and let the doctor help you cure them. Many people who believe their god can heal them refuge to take the medical treatment and they eventually miss the best chance to cure their illness. When they find that there is no way they can gonna better by praying, they have to go to the hospital to ask the help of doctor and the illness has become incurable. Therefore, go to the hospital if you feel there is something wrong about youself.
@nishanity (1650)
• India
12 Dec 06
ya this is faith mainly found in christian societies!!! mainly its coz wat the bible propagates!! its really wrong and ppl still believe in tht book!!!
@kimwa69 (20)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Every one has the right to have their religious beliefs, but when it interfers with the health and well being of another human being Especially when it's a child ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. If you as an adult make the decision not to seek help that is your choice. But a child depends on us adults to care for them so regardless of your religious beliefs seeking help for your children when they are ill should be your first priority and come BEFORE your religion. Just my view!!
