Should Christians Participate in Alternative Healing?

Should Christians Participate in Alternative Healing?

My wife and I often watch episodes of a British television show called “Escape to the Country.” We may never make it to the UK but through the show we know a lot about it, especially the counties, town and villages. One common theme is people wanting to buy a country home with space for “spiritual healing.” Very often that is “Reiki”—a method of healing through manipulating the “universal life energy” that flows in and around people. Even animals can be subjects of Reiki healing.

Because of this I have studied Reiki healing and other alternative healing methods that depend on belief in this “universal life energy.” Note that this is not the same as “divine healing” or what is commonly called “faith healing.” Reiki is like what used to be called, and sometimes is still called, “therapeutic touch healing.” Neither one necessarily involves actual physical touching. The Reiki healer, like the therapeutic touch therapist moves his or her hands over the body while in a meditative state. The effect is to balance the universal life energy of the patient, relieving pain and potentially even healing from sickness.

One thing many people don’t understand about Reiki, and in this way it MAY differ from ordinary “therapeutic touch,” is that the Reiki healer needs to be an esoteric initiate if not a master. In other words, it’s not just a matter of learning through books (how to heal), but it’s a matter of being trained by a master of the healing arts. Meditation is crucial to Reiki.

Interestingly, at least in the UK, in the videos we have seen, most Reiki healers charge for what they do.

Is there any scientific evidence that Reiki or other, similar methods of “spiritual healing” actually words? That is much debated. You can read articles on the internet published by major health organizations (e.g., the Cleveland Clinic) say “maybe and maybe not.” The studies done have relied exclusively on patient reports and the patients are already devotees of spiritual healing.

Is it the placebo effect? Many experts say it probably is. But Reiki healers say it is more than that, that there is an invisible universal energy that flows through the body and surrounds it that can be moved by the hands and the mind of the healer.

Does Reiki conflict with Christianity? I have observed that, in most cases I have observed, Reiki healers have images of Hindu and/or Buddhist deities (or avatars or whatever spiritual beings) in their healing rooms. Of course, that doesn’t mean all Reiki healers are even closet Hindus or Buddhists. Some Reiki healers are no doubt just in it for the money or out of charitable feelings toward those who are in pain.

The Bible says we are to pray for the sick (James 5:14). How did Jesus heal? How did the apostles heal people? Surely not through some seemingly esoteric method of manipulating some universal life energy in and surrounding the ill people’s bodies.

There doesn’t seem to be anything in the Bible or in Christian history promoting or supporting Reiki or similar alternative methods of healing. But, so what? Many modern scientific methods of healing are not found in the Bible or Christian tradition.

I would say that a Christian may well submit to Reiki or similar healing methods insofar as they are not tied to an esoteric philosophy, spirituality or worldview. Unfortunately, they often are. But it seems that is not necessary.

I view clinical hypnosis the same way. In the “hands” of a good therapists, without any esoteric or occult meanings (of how it works), hypnotherapy can no doubt help some people, especially to overcome addiction. I doubt that it should be used for anything like “past life regression” or the recovery of “lost memories,” especially of abuse. Many people have been manipulated by non-professional hypnotherapists to accuse relatives or others of abuse they do not remember except under hypnosis.

The key is for Christians to practice discernment. What does the alternative healer think is going on in the healing process? Why call is “spiritual healing?” Is there some esoteric spiritual belief system underlying it? What are you required to do or think? What does the practitioner think is happening? Insofar as the practice is secularized, not surrounded by any non-Christian symbols or supporting by esoteric beliefs, go for it. It may or may not work. Watch out for a scam (as always especially in non-clinical settings).

Preferably, if you feel you must seek out and endure something called “spiritual healing” not based on some occult or Eastern religious philosophy or spirituality, give it a try. Be aware of the placebo effect. Many clinical skeptics of alternative healing therapies believe insofar as it “works” it is due to belief that it works.

*Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative) and devoid of pictures or links.*