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Alternative Medicine

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  • Alternative Medicine

    Alternative medicine is a broad category of treatments that range from (1) the largely innocent (i.e. nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, diet changes, avoiding certain chemicals, etc) to (2) the pseudo-scientific (i.e. homeopathic remedies) to (3) the spiritually compromising (i.e. treatments based largely on eastern religions).

    So what would you gather is the Christian approach to alternative medicine? Does 1 Corinthians 8 come into play at all (or are there other applicable verses that you can think of)? Have you had any encounters with the alternative medicine market? Is there anything you think should be forbidden, is merely a matter of conscious, or is completely acceptable?

  • #2
    All truth is God's truth, and no food is unclean except that which we make unclean (Romans 14), and we are not to call unclean what has been made clean (Acts 10).

    If 1 or 2 work, praise God. If 3 works, and is contrary to what we know of God through the Scriptures, then it is by human magic, or demonic activity. Suffer not a witch to live, and cast out demons.
    Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? -Galatians 3:5

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    • #3
      Do you know what they call alternative medicine that works?


      Medicine.

      And I do not know the origin of that saying.
      If it weren't for the Resurrection of Jesus, we'd all be in DEEP TROUBLE!

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      • #4
        Do good things that we know are good for our bodies. Don't put bad things in your body if you expect good results. This is honoring to God.

        As for the other stuff, as long as it doesn't pull you away from Christ, use moderation and pray about it I guess. That's pretty broad.
        Visit my website! I have cookies. http://www.amyelizabethatkins.com

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        • #5
          Thespia! Good to see you!
          "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

          "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

          My Personal Blog

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Christianbookworm View Post
            Do you know what they call alternative medicine that works?


            Medicine.

            And I do not know the origin of that saying.
            Thank you. There is no such thing as "alternative medicine." If it works it is just medicine.

            I'm always still in trouble again

            "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
            "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
            "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

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            • #7
              Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
              Thank you. There is no such thing as "alternative medicine." If it works it is just medicine.
              Okay, this is silly. She evidently means the medical practice which is itself often referred to as 'modern medicine' hence the professional distinction 'alternative medicine'. And merely because it works doesn't make it particularly good medicine - mercury will hold syphilis in check but only an idiot would argue for the return of its use.
              "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

              "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

              My Personal Blog

              My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

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              • #8
                Alternative medicine can also provide an effective placebo.
                "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                  Alternative medicine can also provide an effective placebo.
                  So can modern medicine.

                  Really guys, she asked a fair question that seems valid enough to me. Could you wait to skewer her until after she can get her own avatar?



                  Hi Paula - don't mind them. We forgot to give them their wheaties yesterday. I can't answer you questions because I really don't know enough about it.

                  Okay, I'll quit spamming your thread now... probably...
                  "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

                  "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

                  My Personal Blog

                  My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Teallaura View Post
                    So can modern medicine.

                    Really guys, she asked a fair question that seems valid enough to me. Could you wait to skewer her until after she can get her own avatar?
                    I'm not being critical of her or her question at all.
                    "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                      I'm not being critical of her or her question at all.
                      My bad then. I thought you were equating 'alternative medicine' with 'placebo'.
                      "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

                      "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

                      My Personal Blog

                      My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

                      Quill Sword

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                      • #12
                        Thank you everyone for replying. I've gotten a lot of thoughtful comments that have given me food for thought so much appreciation all around. Sorry I didn't respond immediately but I wanted to see what everyone had to say.
                        Originally posted by Christianbookworm View Post
                        Do you know what they call alternative medicine that works?
                        Medicine.
                        And I do not know the origin of that saying.
                        Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                        Thank you. There is no such thing as "alternative medicine." If it works it is just medicine.
                        I certainly agree that medicine does validate itself by its effectiveness. However, the term "Alternative medicine" is a recognized category for a broad field of treatments and practices that are thought to be beneficial but aren't founded on established science. This can mean anything from untested herbs to complete medical systems such as ayurveda that contradict science.

                        I do admire pragmatism but as a Christian I feel there are other concerns. Not all, but some of these practices are based on worldviews that are antithetical to Christianity. So far the consensus seems to be that as long as it isn't spiritual poison it's okay.
                        Originally posted by Pentecost View Post
                        All truth is God's truth, and no food is unclean except that which we make unclean (Romans 14), and we are not to call unclean what has been made clean (Acts 10)...
                        Good point--the universe is God's creation after all so nothing that has been created is inherently evil.
                        Originally posted by Thespia View Post
                        Do good things that we know are good for our bodies. Don't put bad things in your body if you expect good results. This is honoring to God...
                        I certainly can see the wisdom in that. The body isn't some afterthought from God--it is important.
                        Originally posted by Teallaura View Post
                        ... And merely because it works doesn't make it particularly good medicine - mercury will hold syphilis in check but only an idiot would argue for the return of its use.
                        Very good point about mercury and syphilis (I didn't know that one). I was thinking more of the dangerous spiritual implications of some of the treatments but there are physical ramifications. Some alternative medicines can be detrimental either because the person in question didn't seek conventional treatment or because the very practice itself is harmful. And it can be difficult in some respects to determine this because there isn't any objective research to consult.

                        Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                        Alternative medicine can also provide an effective placebo.
                        That's something I've suspected--that alternative medicine often taps into the placebo effect. Or the person simply gets better by doing nothing (that old joke about how with treatment a cold will only last seven days but left by itself it will linger for a week).

                        Often alienation drives the market for alternative medicine. The way people are sometimes treated by their doctors and the medical community leaves much to be desired, especially for chronic illnesses. Alternative medicine can be empowering and attitude can have an enormous effect on healing.
                        Last edited by Paula; 08-12-2015, 09:33 PM.

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                        • #13
                          I would agree with rogue. I have a very strange digestion problem that I've had for over a decade, and seeing medical professionals has done nothing for me. In fact, the last time I saw a gastroenterologist he told me he couldn't help me.

                          So I've been trying alternative medicine, stuff that would fall under your (1) and (2). No luck so far, but we'll see. I suspect I may just have to live with it permanently.
                          I DENOUNCE DONALD J. TRUMP AND ALL HIS IMMORAL ACTS.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Zymologist View Post
                            I would agree with rogue.
                            No good can ever come of that

                            I'm always still in trouble again

                            "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                            "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                            "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Zymologist View Post
                              I would agree with rogue. I have a very strange digestion problem that I've had for over a decade, and seeing medical professionals has done nothing for me. In fact, the last time I saw a gastroenterologist he told me he couldn't help me.

                              So I've been trying alternative medicine, stuff that would fall under your (1) and (2). No luck so far, but we'll see. I suspect I may just have to live with it permanently.
                              I feel for you--chronic conditions can be difficult to treat. I hope whatever it is you are trying does eventually help.

                              And I certainly agree that doctors don't always know how to treat medical issues. This in fact is something I've heard before regarding the whole debate on alternative medicine--that while conventional medicine is great for treating acute or life-threatening conditions it isn't as effective when confronted with hard to treat chronic problems. Now I am unsure if this is because the implementation of medical care is faulty or if we just haven't developed that many effective treatments for chronic illnesses.
                              Last edited by Paula; 08-13-2015, 07:48 PM.

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