In Reply to: I belive in healing by faith, however...... posted by Donny on November 18, 2002 at 09:40:29:
I believe your healing has to do a lot with educating yourself. I look back at the Family and consider it highly ignorant and uneducated, esp. about something as important as your health. I've written about this before, and it's one subject that still makes me upset, the stupidity of the Family in regards to healing.
It has to do with keeping a tight lid on the group, keeping outside opinions from infiltrating the ranks, keeping them 'pure' from evil influences, and therefore, keeping the doors closed to education, common sense and just finding simple solutions.
I never heard about a pap smear or had one until I was 27. Since then I have learned so much and am able to make my own decisions in regards to health issues based on that education, not on what was dictated or instilled in me, and I hope I do the same with my children and teach them to always search out answers for themselves and review their options, not simply because 'it's what mom said...'.
I fully believe that the Family created a situation in which people died needlessly and before their time, in more than one case, simply due to lack of medical attention. Even the Bible said to anoint them with oil, and Moses used oils and herbs and incenses for healing, during the Millennium God's people are supposed to use leaves for the healing of the nations. What is that?? The leaf off any old shrub nearby? Or the rancid salad oil sitting in your kitchen??
Someone who takes the time to research it more would know that the Bible is referring to herbs and the essential oils that come from those herbs. And you must be educated to do this, you must have access to information and take time to learn it. The Family secluded itself and the members only looked to Berg for total education, which is impossible. No one person has all the answers and is educated in every single area of life.
I believe in doctors and their ability to diagnose. They have taken years to study the human body, how it functions and works, they have the equipment, the knowhow and the education to do their job. I disagree when it comes to medication, but only because I know other alternatives. For people who know nothing else, at least pharmaceutical medication is better than doing nothing. A cold not properly taken care of has the potential to quickly develop into serious complications, including pneumonia and death. A stomach ache can mean many things than just bad digestion, chronic fatigue can be a sign of anemia, thyroid problems, or even a sign of cancer.
I hope the children of the children of God will smarten up and take their lives into their own hands.