Is faith healing real?

Setanta wrote:

I would like to take this opportunity to point out that, even if "the good doctor" confirms the "story"--we still won't know if it is indeed a story, or the truth. As independent confirmation would have to come from Edmonton, thousands of miles away, the "good doctor" is well placed to make such an assertion with little fear of contradiction.

This is precisely why I stated that the only method that seemed guaranteed to satisfy both proponent and skeptic in this forum is the scientifc method of experimentation.

Many, I think, would not accept any evidentiary testimony from others, no matter how many witnesses it came from.

Many seem to have as their only method of argumentation to shout "Prove it . Prove it." and hope that it seems that they are being objective.

In the real world, it is customary for one asking a question ( one seeking out information ) to accept input gracefully; not shout down anyone who dares to attempt to help him answer the question that he asked. This is true whether the question is "How do I know faith healing really works?" or "How do I drive a stick shift, rear wheel drive pickup in the snow?"

To restate as mentioned earlier, if anyone doubts that faith healing can work, all he need do to experimentally prove/disprove it to himself is to:

--Find out under what conditions God says He will answer prayer;

--Be completely certain that you meet those conditions; and

--Pray for some sick folks.

(Admittedly, it is much easier to sit back and naysay.)

[The conclusion that I've come up with faith healing to the total exclusion of conventional medicine, forced onto children is equal to child abuse, or at least, neglect.

One of the four gospels was written by a physician.

neologist, I just gotta ask - are you a fan of C. S. Lewis?

real life wrote:

One of the four gospels was written by a physician.

How shall i put this in the most charitable construction?

That statement requires quite a stretch of the imagination.

Wolf, in at least one case here in Ohio, a couple were prosecuted for child endangerment for exactly that reason. I did try to find a link before i posted this, but the story is old enough that i couldn't find it in the archives of The Columbus Dispatch, the The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Cincinatti Enquirer or The Toledo Blade. If i have the time, and remember to do (this thread is rather low on my event horizon), i'll check a little deeper.

, in at least one case here in Ohio, a couple were prosecuted for child endangerment for exactly that reason.

So to your point: Why is the fact that one of the writers of the Gospels a physician by occupation deemed "a stretch" in your opinion, and what verifiable facts do you have to back it up?

If you're at sea swimming, and you see sharks headed your way, you can pray, but it helps to swim bat out of hell too!

naw...

I can imagine that there are cases out there where people who had children under medical treatment and the kids died died without going to a faith healing meeting.

In most Christian circles it is taught that you should not stop medical treatment or fail to seek it when believing for a healing through faith. The bible says James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Medicines and medical procedures are seen as good things and are thusly accepted and encouraged. Other points of view are held by smaller sects and are not encouraged by the bulk of believers.

Wolf_ODonnell wrote:

The conclusion that I've come up with faith healing to the total exclusion of conventional medicine, forced onto children is equal to child abuse, or at least, neglect.

Who here has suggested anything remotely like that, Wolf? No one has suggested that simply because you pray you cannot go to the doctor.

Most physicians that I know are very supportive of their patients who pray, and express genuine gratitude when told they someone has prayed that their skill as a doctor would be guided by God for the benefit of the patient.

However even the best physicians cannot do everything. There are many chronic conditions with which even the best methods and practitioners can do little or nothing.

If your parent or child were sick and someone said that they would be praying for them, would you tell them to stop? Maybe you would.

What would reliance on conventional medicine to the exclusion of everything else be? Well in some cases not a very good result.

And no, no one has blatantly suggested that faith healing is so real that there is no need for conventional medicine, but it was implied.

To assume that more people die from medical treatment sure skews the reality; if my child gets injured from any accident or serious illness, the first thing I will do is to take them to a doctor/hospital. Those who don't will only endanger their child's life.