Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 07-07-2010, 11:50 AM

This is a subject that is mentioned here periodically. Now Robert Scott has written an investigation of miraculous cures through history in Miracle Cures: Saints, Pilgrimage, and the Healing Powers of Belief (or via: amazon.co.uk)

From here

Quote:

Instead of simply debunking them, the author takes a sociological approach to the topic and traces the reasons why people sought these cures and, perhaps more importantly, why they often felt cured. Yes, of course, the placebo effect is one of the reasons, but the book appears to go deeper than that:

The book’s first chapters set the stage in Christian Europe with detailed descriptions of medieval life, conditions of poverty, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and crowding. He suggests that these could have led to and fostered the many ills rampant in the population,which he surveys. Once the stage has been set, Scott introduces the characters in the drama: the saints to whom medieval people turned for help and salvation. … Scott also deconstructs the system by which miracle cures and sightings of apparitions were disseminated. He likens that to a modern public relations campaign, in which it is always humans who do the disseminating. In comparing the process to our modern publicity machines, Scott does not disparage the system or the event, but simply analyzes the methods involved.

bacht · 07-07-2010, 12:29 PM

fwiw Ben Sira approves of physicians:

Sir.38
[1] Honor the physician with the honor due him,
according to your need of
him, for the Lord created him;
[2] for healing comes from the Most High,
and he will receive a gift from the king.
[3] The skill of the physician lifts up his head,
and in the presence of great men he is admired.
[4] The Lord created medicines from the earth,
and a sensible man will not despise them.
[5] Was not water made sweet with a tree
in order that his power might be known?
[6] And he gave skill to men
that he might be glorified in his marvelous works.
[7] By them he heals and takes away pain;
[8] the pharmacist makes of them a compound.
His works will never be finished;
and from him health is upon the face of the earth.

[9] My son, when you are sick do not be negligent,
but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.
[10] Give up your faults and direct your hands aright,
and cleanse your heart from all sin.
[11] Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial
portion of fine flour,
and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford.
[12] And give the physician his place, for the Lord created him;
let him not leave you, for there is need of him.
[13] There is a time when success lies in the hands of physicians,
[14] for they too will pray to the Lord
that he should grant them success in diagnosis
and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.
[15] He who sins before his Maker,
may he fall into the care of a physician.

gdeering · 07-07-2010, 03:50 PM

Speaking of Miracles, Paul the german octopus keeps picking World Cup winners. 100% accuracy, this can't be coincidence.

http://www.sportsuntapped.com/world-...-again-110158/

MarkA · 07-08-2010, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdeering

Speaking of Miracles, Paul the german octopus keeps picking World Cup winners. 100% accuracy, this can't be coincidence.

http://www.sportsuntapped.com/world-...-again-110158/

Despite his accuracy I think Paul may soon be served nice and crispy with potato wedges, garlic, lemon and olive oil. He picked Spain!

A prophet who was correct and his once admirers turn on him...sounds a familiar story.

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07-07-2010, 12:29 PM	#2
bacht Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,305	fwiw Ben Sira approves of physicians: Sir.38 [1] Honor the physician with the honor due him, according to your need of him, for the Lord created him; [2] for healing comes from the Most High, and he will receive a gift from the king. [3] The skill of the physician lifts up his head, and in the presence of great men he is admired. [4] The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them. [5] Was not water made sweet with a tree in order that his power might be known? [6] And he gave skill to men that he might be glorified in his marvelous works. [7] By them he heals and takes away pain; [8] the pharmacist makes of them a compound. His works will never be finished; and from him health is upon the face of the earth. [9] My son, when you are sick do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. [10] Give up your faults and direct your hands aright, and cleanse your heart from all sin. [11] Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of fine flour, and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford. [12] And give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; let him not leave you, for there is need of him. [13] There is a time when success lies in the hands of physicians, [14] for they too will pray to the Lord that he should grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life. [15] He who sins before his Maker, may he fall into the care of a physician.

07-07-2010, 03:50 PM	#3
gdeering Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 237	Speaking of Miracles, Paul the german octopus keeps picking World Cup winners. 100% accuracy, this can't be coincidence. http://www.sportsuntapped.com/world-...-again-110158/

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