The Hypocrisy Files: Why Do Quack “Healers” Get A Pass When Doctors Don’t?
Todd Bentley, Canadian evangelist who cures cancer by kicking people in the face with his biker boots.
Regarding “’healing’ pastors purportedly treating all kinds of affliction,” with claims of “curing HIV, cancer and other chronic illnesses using various combinations of prayer and exorcism”:
“… There are government departments responsible for vetting and approving medicines and medical procedures, as well as medical practitioners. They determine who may practise what sort of medicine, the sort of training required, and what substances may be administered as medications or treatments. …
“A person with HIV/Aids goes to ‘Bishop’ so and so for prayers after ‘witnessing’ his healing abilities on national TV, complete with a parade of emaciated ‘end-stage HIV patients’ who get healed through prayer and exorcism. He goes for these prayers and subsequently stops taking his medications or attending his usual clinic. His condition deteriorates and he dies within a few months.
“Another person living with cancer goes through the same routine in the hope for a cure, with the same disastrous results. This is repeated for people with diabetes, hypertension, and even mental illness. One must remember that these ‘procedures’ are not done for free. Beneficiaries are required to make some contribution to the pastor’s kitty.
“What would one say these ‘bishops’, ‘apostles’ and ‘pastors’ are selling? Aren’t they selling medical services, purporting to cure a wide range of chronic diseases? Would the relevant government agencies remain silent if some doctor started advertising her ability to ‘cure’ HIV, cancer or diabetes? Wouldn’t they require her to produce evidence of the efficacy of her methods?
“Wouldn’t they subject her purported cures to the most rigorous scientific testing in order to safeguard the health of consumers? Why shouldn’t we require the same standard for these dubious clergymen who traffic in fake miracles? …”
— Dr. Lukoye Atwoli
Secretary, Kenya Psychiatric Association
Lecturer, Moi University School of Medicine
“Regulators should control these religious quacks”
Nation.co.ke, August 18, 2012
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