| The society that we live in today stands as a | | | | definitive description of faith healing because it has |
| monument to the scientific and technological triumphs | | | | become an umbrella term for all the diverse elements |
| of the last century. There is no denying that this | | | | of healing that come within its range. In its purest |
| advancement of science has made our lives a great | | | | meaning faith healing is the belief in 'right' thinking that |
| deal easier, longer and more comfortable and we | | | | is practised within a religious system. Christian faith |
| wonder how previous generations had been able to | | | | healers believe that all healing comes from God. |
| survive. Somewhere down the line science replaced | | | | However the implication that faith is necessary |
| religion and philosophy as the main source of infinite | | | | before a person can be helped by healing forces |
| knowledge. | | | | means that non believers will be excluded. Another |
| In recent years society has begun to doubt the | | | | problem with the term 'faith healing' is that it places |
| unlimited power of science and has realised that it is | | | | the source of healing in a person's faith and not in |
| unable to provide all the answers to the fundamental | | | | Christ or a divinity. This definition reduces the role of |
| questions of existence. A new spirituality has | | | | God in healing and is also potentially harmful to those |
| emerged from this understanding which has resulted | | | | people who do not experience any lessening of the |
| in a gradual shift in attitude. The materialism and how | | | | symptoms following healing. This will result in them |
| powered competitiveness of much of the last | | | | believing that it is their fault for not having enough |
| twenty five years has given way to a slightly more | | | | faith. This can then lead to a spiritual crisis. |
| relaxed, positive and intuitive mood. | | | | A more flexible definition of faith healing is that of a |
| This change in attitude has been most apparent in in | | | | therapy that is based on something other than |
| peoples attitudes towards health. They are adopting | | | | current scientific knowledge. The term 'spiritual |
| a more holistic approach to health and acknowledging | | | | healing' is used by those who are reluctant to be |
| the importance of lifestyle, correct diet and regular | | | | emphatic as to the origin of healing, whether it is |
| exercise for the upkeep of a healthy body. At the | | | | from God or from some other universal source. |
| same time people are starting to recognise and | | | | When redefining healing it is important to note that |
| understand the importance of the state of their | | | | this means changing attitudes towards disease. It has |
| mental, spiritual and emotional well-being on their | | | | been suggested that all diseases are psychologically |
| physical health. | | | | rooted or stress related. For example stress, |
| In reality we have always known how strongly our | | | | over-work and unexpressed anger are recognised as |
| emotions affect our spiritual being. We connect the | | | | contributory factors in the emergence of many |
| idea of wellness with the idea of emotion when we | | | | medical conditions. This kind of direct cause and |
| say that we do not 'feel well' and when we do not | | | | effect approach can be harmful as it will suggest to |
| know exactly what is wrong with us. It is in this | | | | the patient that he or she is responsible for the |
| atmosphere of enthusiasm for the holistic ideal that | | | | illness. This in turn could induce feelings of guilt and |
| such concepts have been wisely accepted into our | | | | shame which could become another obstacle to |
| collective consciousness. This in turn has opened the | | | | well-being. |
| way for alternative therapies, some of which have | | | | It should be mentioned that faith healing is a |
| been practised for hundreds of years, to be adopted | | | | complementary therapy which is intended to be used |
| into mainstream society. A world of specialist | | | | in conjunction with orthodox medicine, not to replace |
| therapies has become more acceptable and readily | | | | it. The proof of its effectiveness is largely anecdotal |
| available. | | | | rather than scientific and this invites a sceptical |
| Faith healing is one of the most conservative and | | | | attitude. However in any analysis of faith healing it |
| respectable of the so called alternative therapies to | | | | would be wise to to accept that there are things in |
| be welcomed into society. It is difficult to give a | | | | life that defy scientific explanation. |