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Derren Brown TV Special about Faith Healing

leon_heller

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leon_heller
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Derren Brown has a UK Channel 4 programme on faith healing on the 25 April :

http://derrenbrown.co.uk/blog/2011/04/new-derren-brown-tv-special/

which looks as though it will be interesting. Brown trains an ordinary member of the public as a faith healer and sends him to Texas to help the afflicted.

Showing it on Easter Monday seems appropriate, when The Oily One is supposed to have risen from the dead.

There is a "church" in Hastings that holds weekly healing sessions. I really ought to go along and see what happens, it might be amusing.
 
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leon_heller said:
There is a "church" in Hastings that holds weekly healing sessions. I really ought to go along and see what happens, it might be amusing.
Click to expand...

Sadly I think it's all too common in Spiritualist and Evangelical circles even here in the UK.

I recently met an otherwise seemingly rational young lady who was convinced her broken leg would be healed by the next morning after some prayers from her fellow Evangelical congregation (I wonder what excuse she made to herself when it wasn't) and a few weeks ago in Paignton, Devon saw a spiritualist "church" advertising bi-weekly "healings".

Much as DB's show will doubtless be great fun exposing them as scams, self-deception and/or at best placebo, I doubt it'll convince any believers to discard their delusions - they'll always find some excuse so as to maintain their cherished beliefs.
 
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I just remembered something from when I was young. My mother occasionally used a nearby corner shop; the shopkeeper was keen on spiritualism etc. and used to give her the occasional copy of Psychic News, which I read with great amusement. She asked for some aspirin once, and he offered to cure her headache by a laying on of hands, despite missing out on a sale. She declined the offer and bought the aspirins. He often offered his healing services to customers.
 
There are 2 spiritualist churches in Bathgate, both offering spiritual healing:

http://www.spiritualismscotland.com/spiritual_healing.html
http://guidinglightspiritualistchurch.com/#/spiritual-healing/4522658105

Though at least the second link includes this semi-literate disclaimer (hilighting mine):
It should be remembered that spiritual healing should be used as an additional healing process and in know way should you dispence with conventional treament or consulations with recognised doctors etc.
Click to expand...
 
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leon_heller said:
I just remembered something from when I was young. My mother occasionally used a nearby corner shop; the shopkeeper was keen on spiritualism etc. and used to give her the occasional copy of Psychic News, which I read with great amusement. She asked for some aspirin once, and he offered to cure her headache by a laying on of hands, despite missing out on a sale. She declined the offer and bought the aspirins. He often offered his healing services to customers.
Click to expand...

Women have to watch the laying on the hands guys. Spiritual healing even without the laying on the hands can't help from being creepy and when you admit you are a fraud which Brown must at some point has to be at least awkward .
 
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leon_heller said:
There are probably several in Brighton.
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I've actually been to one, down an alley off Western Road. Not for a spiritualist meeting I might add, but something just as tragic: a talk on conspiracy theories (from a CT'er). There were lots of members of the church there though, agog at fake moon landings and such like.

It was during my previous incarnation as a wooster. Before you guys saved me. ;)
 
I'm watching it, it's quite good. Here is the web site they set up for "James Collins's" ministry:

http://www.giftsofthespiritministry.com/

Earlier in the programme Randi's expose of faith healer Peter Popoff was mentioned (he was receiving information about people from his wife via a radio link). He's recently started up again:

http://peterpopoff.org/

offering Miracle Spring Water and a Debt Cancellationg (sic) Kit, as well as books on subjects like "Divine Wealth".
 
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