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Article: The biblical roots of faith healing. (Faith Healing: Miracle or Mirage?)
- Article from:
- Free Inquiry
- Article date:
- December 22, 1993
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Faith healing is as old as religion itself. Historically, the medicine man, shaman, or sorcerer was capable of appealing to the spirit world, whether beneficent or evil, to set aside the order of nature, tap mysterious cleansing forces, and achieve wondrous things. Faith healing was widely used in primitive cultures before the development of modern medicine. No doubt it had important psychological and sociological functions. Obviously there were quacks and charlatans who deceived innocent people desperate for some help. On the other hand, many people were no doubt comforted by the healers, who offered balm to ease their pain and suffering. Faith healers provided an outlet ...