necessary for him to consider writing his book (in the Forward).

Another Christian alternative practitioner, Darlene Haberer, uses naturopath Donald LePore’s The Ultimate Healing System which describes how to use his version of muscle testing (a disproven technique) to check and balance everything from chakras (Hindu energy centers) to gems (crystal power). LePore’s book describes treating allergies (pp. 9-17), diabetes (p. 283) and depression (with useless occult Bach Flower remedies - pp. 213-15) using this muscle testing. He teaches how to integrate muscle testing with most of the occult health related alternative theories, including picking colors for occult “color therapy.” “Blue gives my vocal directives added power of command, and without raising my voice volume to be dominating, people still listen and obey my suggestion. . .People will listen to me!!” (p. 360).

Occult views of “energy” are utilized by Christian muscle testers who will “test” children by pushing on mom’s arm (while she holds the child) because the “energy level” is transferred by contact. Likewise, introductory exercises train nurses studying Therapeutic Touch to awaken their latent telepathic capabilities.

Homeopathic remedies have found renewed favor among Christians who see them as non-toxic medicine which gets to the “real” root of the problem - a supposed energy imbalance. Christians ignore the real source of the supposed power of homeopathy - an unmeasurable, undefined (no one says exactly what it is) mystical “energy.” This energy is magically released by vigorous shaking between each of the numerous dilutions. No shaking, no power. Each solution (some so highly diluted that they contain virtually nothing but the base solution of alcohol or water) is matched to the perceived energy imbalance manifested by the personality of the patient.

It should be particularly disturbing when Christians make or accept egregiously false interpretations of scripture in support of alternative medicine’s practices. Christians who utilize iridology (a disproven practice using the iris of the eye for diagnosis) repeatedly misuse Matthew 6:22, “The light of the body is the eye. If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light,” as the indication that iridology is divinely provided.

Christian herbalists misuse Genesis 1:29, “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth. . .to you it shall be for meat,’” to validate their position that “herbs” are a special category of plant divinely provided for healing.

These practices, all offered or experienced by Christians, are occultism, magical thinking, and quackery. These practices are “alternative medicine.”

Alternative Medicine/ Alternative Gospel?

So it appears that it is not only the good news of Jesus Christ’s liberating salvation that Christians are now vigorously promoting. Many seem to have

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Alternative Medicine in the Church (page 5)
Janice Lyons



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