Significance of Faith healer
The term "faith healer" takes on different meanings across various contexts. In Ayurveda, they are unqualified practitioners who exploit the science. Historically, they are associated with healing the mind and utilizing the power of belief. Psychiatry views faith healers as figures within religious contexts who use spiritual means for healing, while Health Sciences considers them individuals using faith and religious practices for healing, particularly in mental health. They are often consulted for health conditions, sometimes seen as more affordable, and are being considered for integration into mental health capacity-building efforts.
Synonyms: Spiritual healer, Miracle worker, Witch doctor, Divine healer
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Faith healer'
In Hinduism, a "Faith healer" is often an unqualified, possibly illiterate individual. They exploit Ayurveda, misrepresenting themselves as doctors to deceive people. This practice is seen as a misuse of the science, leading to potential harm.
From: Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine
(1) Faith healers are included among the unqualified Ayurveda practitioners, often illiterate, who exploit the science and misguide people by pretending to be doctors or physicians.[1]
The concept of Faith healer in local and regional sources
A faith healer is a person who utilizes spiritual practices and faith to heal. They may employ techniques like Pratyahara to strengthen the mind and deny suffering. This involves focusing mental strength to awaken the patient's inner energy, as described in the text.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Auden is portrayed as someone who has taken on the task of curing the mind of the age, opposing new diseases popularized by Freudians.[2] (2) This refers to Auden's role in curing the mind of the age, addressing new diseases, and promoting methods of free association and suggestion.[3] (3) A person who believes in healing through spiritual or faith-related practices, as indicated by the author of 'The Zarathushtrian Saga.'[4]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Faith-healers use a part of Pratyahara by making the mind strong enough to ignore the senses, where they teach people to deny misery and pain and evil.[5] (2) An individual who brings the strength of their mind to bear, and rouses, through faith, the dormant Prana of the patient, according to the provided text.[6]
The concept of Faith healer in scientific sources
Faith healers utilize religious faith and practices to facilitate healing, often within African Independent churches, Pentecostal, and charismatic traditions. They are sought for various health conditions, including mental health, sometimes bridging gaps in child mental health services. Collaboration and training are crucial.
From: African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine
(1) These are individuals who use faith and religious practices for healing, particularly in Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, with their work sometimes overlapping with mental health.[7] (2) These individuals also contribute to healthcare in Kenya, and the text highlights the importance of including them in mental health capacity-building efforts through training and collaboration.[8] (3) This term refers to individuals who use religious faith and practices to provide healing, often in relation to mental health and treatment.[9]
From: South African Family Practice
(1) Individuals who are consulted by parents, playing an important role in bridging the gap in child mental health services.[10]
From: South African Journal of HIV Medicine
(1) These individuals, like traditional healers, are sought for managing health conditions, and are often perceived as more affordable than prescribed medications.[11]
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) Individuals who are believed to have the ability to heal through spiritual means, often in conjunction with traditional beliefs.[12]
From: South African Journal of Psychiatry
(1) Faith healers represent an untapped pool of resources in resource-poor countries if appropriately trained to recognize mental illness, apply basic interventions like self-help groups, and understand appropriate referral procedures.[13] (2) These are embedded within African Independent churches and are seen as ‘outstanding persons with clairvoyant and healing powers, operating from within African church[es],’ but they can cause conflict.[14] (3) These individuals are practitioners of faith healing, which involves healing through spiritual means, where believers assert that healing can be brought about through religious faith via prayer or rituals, which adherents believe stimulate a divine presence.[15]
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) During his charismatic career, Jones was a faith healer, a spellbinding preacher of thermonuclear apocalypse; a messiah; and a sexual manipulator of both his female and male adherents.[16] (2) These individuals are not currently regulated or trained, potentially leading to harmful teachings and practices for young people living with HIV.[17]
From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
(1) Faith healers are visited by a significant proportion of respondents, indicating a reliance on traditional or religious healing practices alongside or instead of conventional medical treatment.[18]