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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Homeopathy Confusion	Lucy	Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Question: Hi, The forum contains contradictory info and advice regarding homeopathy. Some posts say it's New Age and to be avoided, while others say it's fine. A 2004 post has an explanation of New Age energy healing. The list of occultic energy forces includes the vital energy of Hahnemann's homeopathy. The post says, "... it is better and prudent to stay away from anything that offers a risk of damaging our life with Christ.... We live in an age of MANY contaminations to the Christian worldview. We cannot be too careful and circumspect." "The sneaky thing is that we can develop New Age attitudes and beliefs without knowing it. Once we open the door, even without our cognitive knowledge, we can find our thinking and belief system contaminated...." ("Therapeutic Touch healing," Nov 4, 2004.) A few days later, a post said, "homeopathic medicine in itself is not a problem;" the practitioners may be bad. ("Homeopathic medicine," Nov 7, 2004.) Then a 2005 post found homeopathy to be, not only contrary to a Christian worldview, but contrary to science and the body. ("Should Christians take homeopathic medications?" Jan 11, 2005.) But in 2009, homeopathy was OK again. Readers were advised to purchase a PDR and a book by an MD. "Following these guidelines," the post said, "one should be able to navigate homeopathy world successfully." Considering the warnings of the first 2004 post, this advice -- "to step into Satan's sandbox" but to be careful -- seems spiritually dangerous. Doctors are not authorities on what's safe from a spiritual point of view (thus Reike and New Age healing techniques in hospitals today). From Sue Brinkmann's New Age blog (http://lhla.org/newage/?p=13): "The only reason the FDA recognizes homeopathy at all is because a homeopathic physician who was serving as a senator in 1938 managed to have all the drugs listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States recognized as drugs under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938. "However, information recently obtained from the FDA by a physician under the Freedom of Information Act found that approval of several dozen homeopathic products was withdrawn in 1970 and no homeopathic drugs have been approved since." Supporters of homeopathy, including the Huffington Post, theorize that homeopathy works on the quantum level, with "the memory of water" and we can't understand it. In other words, we need to take it on faith. Note that that's faith in "changed water." The water that changes Christians is in baptism. How can something that was created and manufactured on New Age principles no longer be New Age? I know that the Church has not condemned homeopathy as it did Reike, but there must be some spiritual principles which we can apply to discern the truth. What are those spiritual principles? As St. Louis De Monfort wrote in The Secret of the Rosary, "The knowledge of Jesus Christ is the science of Christians and the science of salvation. . . ." God Bless You!
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Lucy: First I would thank you tremendously for providing specific references. That makes my job much easier. Thanks. I am sorry you are confused, but that confusion is coming from mixing apples and oranges, or not understanding the Homeopathy is not a monolithic endeavor. In the examples you reference Therapeutic Touch healing is not Homeopathy. Therapeutic Touch healing and Homeopathy are two completely separate practices. Thus, what you perceive as a contradiction does not actually exist. Our readers can view the posts: Therapeutic Touch healing and Homeopathic medicine and easily see that these are two different topics. There does appear to be a contradiction between the 2005 post, Should Christians take homeopathic medications?, and the 2009 post, Homeopathy and Diagnostic Tools, there really is not a contradiction. The problem was that I did not explain thoroughly enough in the 2005 post. I was speaking of the Homeopathic practitioners who tend have the errant cosmology. In the 2009 post I clearly stated that Homeopathic medicine may have value when administered by a Medical Doctor (M.D.). And I extensively quote Dr. Rosenfeld's scientific analysis of homeopathic medicine. I also give many "cautions". You cannot take that one sentence out of context of the whole post. The Church officially teaches that truth can found anywhere, and anywhere it is found, to the extend of that grain of truth, we can acknowledge it as true. Homeopathic medicine in it "theory" is incorrect. But, some of the herbs that are used in Homeopathy have valid use, or have no effect. As Dr. Rosenfeld said, and which I agree with: It is best to stay with established methods that have a proven track record. "However," as stated by Dr. Rosenfeld in his book Dr. Rosenfeld's Guide to Alternative Medicine, "for symptoms that are not life-threatening, and for which conventional medicine has either no treatment or a potentially toxic treatment, homeopathy may be a reasonable alternative." The bottomline is that the 2009 post is the accurate response. I am afriad I did not do a good job on the 2005 post. As for the Huffington Post, they are a bunch of idiots and the idea of a quantum level and "the memory of water" is lunacy. As to your question of how something that was developed with "new age" principles no longer be new age. Well, to begin with, I never said that the Homeopathic industry has ceased to be "new age." Second, not every dotted "i" in the new age is wrong. Even the devil can say something right once-in-awhile. Satan recognized Jesus as God. He was right. If Hitler said that 1 + 1 = 2 is he wrong because he is Hitler? Truth is truth no matter says it. In addition, God can bring goodness even out of evil. Thus, even if something was sourced in evil, God can make it good. The Church has done this many times -- taking pagan practices (which are in error) and Christianizing them (changing them to conform to truth) to evangelize pagan peoples. As for Homeopathy, in as much as the herbs used in Homeopathic medicine have scientifically verifiable effects those herbs are okay -- independent of homeopathy, or even if homeopathy did not exist. Either such herbs are useful or not objectively. However, as I have advised, since the so-called Homeopathic practitioners almost always involve themselves in the New Age aspects and theories, I do not recommend them. I agree with Dr. Rosenfeld, "If you decide to go that route (of homeopathic medicine), consult a reputable practitioner who is also an M.D." And, I would add, since Dr. Rosenfeld does not understand the spiritual dangers, and since some M.D.'s are new agers, that we ensure that any M.D. we consult does not does not approach his prescription of herbs from a point-of-view of new age philosophies. As for principles to use to guard ourselves against something that is improper, I gave a list of cautions to consider in the 2009 post. I'll repeat them here: 1) As with any medical remedy or procedure, there is no such thing as a cure-all, a magic bullet, a substance that can cure everything. Some people in the homeopathic movement make claims about various herbs and substances that are scientifically unverifiable and are exaggerated to the four winds. Stay away from such things. Herbs, as with any substance, are effective for a limited number of issues; avoid exaggerated claims. Find out what has been proven to work for a specific condition or issue and limit oneself to those remedies. 2) While there has been much improvement over the last decade, there is still a problem with the quality-control of herbs and substances in homeopathy. One is never sure of the quality, potency, and dose of herbs on the market; there are no regulatory standards which with herbal companies must follow. If buying these products, be sure to do your research to find a company that offers the best quality-control, precise potency and dosage. 3) Herbs are not safe merely because they are "natural". There are contraindications and adverse reactions that can exist between herbs and between the herbs and other "regular" medications. It is possible to do great damage to oneself by homeopathic self-medication when one does not know about overdose limits, contraindications, adverse reactions, and other factors. It is possible to even die from such contraindications and adverse reactions. It is critically important, therefore, that one know the potency of a herb, what dosage is safe, and what contraindications and adverse reactions that may exist. The PDR for Herbs is helpful in learning about this. 4) When consulting a homeopathic practitioner be VERY careful. Homeopathy is a major interest in the New Age. A LOT of practitioners may also be involved in the New Age, occult, or even witchcraft activities. Avoid such people. In terms of spiritual or theological principles the Vatican Document, A Christian Reflection on the New Age, and USCCB document, Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy, provides several principles useful in evaluating anything from the new age. In short, we must take notice when the cosmology (view of the way universe works) and ontology (view of the nature of man) runs counter to our Faith. I hope this clears things up and I apologise for the confusion. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Homeopathy Confusion

Lucy

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Question:

Hi,

The forum contains contradictory info and advice regarding homeopathy. Some posts say it's New Age and to be avoided, while others say it's fine.

A 2004 post has an explanation of New Age energy healing. The list of occultic energy forces includes the vital energy of Hahnemann's homeopathy.

The post says, "... it is better and prudent to stay away from anything that offers a risk of damaging our life with Christ.... We live in an age of MANY contaminations to the Christian worldview. We cannot be too careful and circumspect." "The sneaky thing is that we can develop New Age attitudes and beliefs without knowing it. Once we open the door, even without our cognitive knowledge, we can find our thinking and belief system contaminated...." ("Therapeutic Touch healing," Nov 4, 2004.)

A few days later, a post said, "homeopathic medicine in itself is not a problem;" the practitioners may be bad. ("Homeopathic medicine," Nov 7, 2004.)

Then a 2005 post found homeopathy to be, not only contrary to a Christian worldview, but contrary to science and the body. ("Should Christians take homeopathic medications?" Jan 11, 2005.)

But in 2009, homeopathy was OK again. Readers were advised to purchase a PDR and a book by an MD. "Following these guidelines," the post said, "one should be able to navigate homeopathy world successfully."

Considering the warnings of the first 2004 post, this advice -- "to step into Satan's sandbox" but to be careful -- seems spiritually dangerous. Doctors are not authorities on what's safe from a spiritual point of view (thus Reike and New Age healing techniques in hospitals today).

From Sue Brinkmann's New Age blog (http://lhla.org/newage/?p=13):

"The only reason the FDA recognizes homeopathy at all is because a homeopathic physician who was serving as a senator in 1938 managed to have all the drugs listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States recognized as drugs under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938.

"However, information recently obtained from the FDA by a physician under the Freedom of Information Act found that approval of several dozen homeopathic products was withdrawn in 1970 and no homeopathic drugs have been approved since."

Supporters of homeopathy, including the Huffington Post, theorize that homeopathy works on the quantum level, with "the memory of water" and we can't understand it. In other words, we need to take it on faith. Note that that's faith in "changed water." The water that changes Christians is in baptism.

How can something that was created and manufactured on New Age principles no longer be New Age? I know that the Church has not condemned homeopathy as it did Reike, but there must be some spiritual principles which we can apply to discern the truth. What are those spiritual principles?

As St. Louis De Monfort wrote in The Secret of the Rosary, "The knowledge of Jesus Christ is the science of Christians and the science of salvation. . . ."

God Bless You!

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Lucy:

First I would thank you tremendously for providing specific references. That makes my job much easier. Thanks.

I am sorry you are confused, but that confusion is coming from mixing apples and oranges, or not understanding the Homeopathy is not a monolithic endeavor.

In the examples you reference Therapeutic Touch healing is not Homeopathy. Therapeutic Touch healing and Homeopathy are two completely separate practices. Thus, what you perceive as a contradiction does not actually exist. Our readers can view the posts: Therapeutic Touch healing and Homeopathic medicine and easily see that these are two different topics.

There does appear to be a contradiction between the 2005 post, Should Christians take homeopathic medications?, and the 2009 post, Homeopathy and Diagnostic Tools, there really is not a contradiction. The problem was that I did not explain thoroughly enough in the 2005 post. I was speaking of the Homeopathic practitioners who tend have the errant cosmology.

In the 2009 post I clearly stated that Homeopathic medicine may have value when administered by a Medical Doctor (M.D.). And I extensively quote Dr. Rosenfeld's scientific analysis of homeopathic medicine. I also give many "cautions". You cannot take that one sentence out of context of the whole post.

The Church officially teaches that truth can found anywhere, and anywhere it is found, to the extend of that grain of truth, we can acknowledge it as true.

Homeopathic medicine in it "theory" is incorrect. But, some of the herbs that are used in Homeopathy have valid use, or have no effect. As Dr. Rosenfeld said, and which I agree with:

It is best to stay with established methods that have a proven track record. "However," as stated by Dr. Rosenfeld in his book Dr. Rosenfeld's Guide to Alternative Medicine, "for symptoms that are not life-threatening, and for which conventional medicine has either no treatment or a potentially toxic treatment, homeopathy may be a reasonable alternative."

The bottomline is that the 2009 post is the accurate response. I am afriad I did not do a good job on the 2005 post.

As for the Huffington Post, they are a bunch of idiots and the idea of a quantum level and "the memory of water" is lunacy.

As to your question of how something that was developed with "new age" principles no longer be new age. Well, to begin with, I never said that the Homeopathic industry has ceased to be "new age." Second, not every dotted "i" in the new age is wrong. Even the devil can say something right once-in-awhile. Satan recognized Jesus as God. He was right. If Hitler said that 1 + 1 = 2 is he wrong because he is Hitler? Truth is truth no matter says it.

In addition, God can bring goodness even out of evil. Thus, even if something was sourced in evil, God can make it good. The Church has done this many times -- taking pagan practices (which are in error) and Christianizing them (changing them to conform to truth) to evangelize pagan peoples.

As for Homeopathy, in as much as the herbs used in Homeopathic medicine have scientifically verifiable effects those herbs are okay -- independent of homeopathy, or even if homeopathy did not exist. Either such herbs are useful or not objectively.

However, as I have advised, since the so-called Homeopathic practitioners almost always involve themselves in the New Age aspects and theories, I do not recommend them.

I agree with Dr. Rosenfeld, "If you decide to go that route (of homeopathic medicine), consult a reputable practitioner who is also an M.D."

And, I would add, since Dr. Rosenfeld does not understand the spiritual dangers, and since some M.D.'s are new agers, that we ensure that any M.D. we consult does not does not approach his prescription of herbs from a point-of-view of new age philosophies.

As for principles to use to guard ourselves against something that is improper, I gave a list of cautions to consider in the 2009 post. I'll repeat them here:

1) As with any medical remedy or procedure, there is no such thing as a cure-all, a magic bullet, a substance that can cure everything. Some people in the homeopathic movement make claims about various herbs and substances that are scientifically unverifiable and are exaggerated to the four winds. Stay away from such things. Herbs, as with any substance, are effective for a limited number of issues; avoid exaggerated claims. Find out what has been proven to work for a specific condition or issue and limit oneself to those remedies.

2) While there has been much improvement over the last decade, there is still a problem with the quality-control of herbs and substances in homeopathy. One is never sure of the quality, potency, and dose of herbs on the market; there are no regulatory standards which with herbal companies must follow. If buying these products, be sure to do your research to find a company that offers the best quality-control, precise potency and dosage.

3) Herbs are not safe merely because they are "natural". There are contraindications and adverse reactions that can exist between herbs and between the herbs and other "regular" medications. It is possible to do great damage to oneself by homeopathic self-medication when one does not know about overdose limits, contraindications, adverse reactions, and other factors. It is possible to even die from such contraindications and adverse reactions.

It is critically important, therefore, that one know the potency of a herb, what dosage is safe, and what contraindications and adverse reactions that may exist. The PDR for Herbs is helpful in learning about this.

4) When consulting a homeopathic practitioner be VERY careful. Homeopathy is a major interest in the New Age. A LOT of practitioners may also be involved in the New Age, occult, or even witchcraft activities. Avoid such people.

In terms of spiritual or theological principles the Vatican Document, A Christian Reflection on the New Age, and USCCB document, Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy, provides several principles useful in evaluating anything from the new age.

In short, we must take notice when the cosmology (view of the way universe works) and ontology (view of the nature of man) runs counter to our Faith.

I hope this clears things up and I apologise for the confusion.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.