The Faith Healers

Rating:
Summary: I have exorcised the demons!
Review: What areas concerning people's beliefs are most easily exploitable by con-artists? Without a doubt it would have to be religious beliefs. Faith Healers tackles this subject and uses investigations carried out by James Randi of many so-called faith healers as its material. Some of the faith healers investigated are W.V. Grant, A.A. Allen, Peter Popoff, Oral Roberts and even Pat Robertson.

Randi starts with a little background into the phenomenon of supernatural beliefs in humans and its origins before the advent of science. Ironically enough, even with the scientific progress we've made many laypeople still denounce it as either an object of Satan or incapable of bringing the blessings of faith. Throughout this book Randi issues a challenge to the faith healers to produce evidence for their so-called healings and have independent doctors make statements regarding the claims etc. Surprisingly enough there is not one faith healer that is able to produce and substantiate claims of healing. In fact, it's very sad to read about people even dying after attending a religious service and believing their affliction was healed by one of these "televangelist" types. I found it also interesting to read about some of the exposures of the practices of these healers. Many of them have lists generated by a computer (with only individual names changed) and sent out to gullible people asking for money. Many times these means are how the healers support themselves. Prey on the public and beg for money that "Jesus needs".

This book serves as a lesson that no matter what are beliefs may be we should never fail to exercise restraint in the face of terrific claims and also always keep our rational abilities intact. By using reason alone a lot of us could avoid being duped and potentially deceived into believing lies which only serve to fatten TV preachers' pockets.

This book I would rate a 4 despite the eye-opening information it contains. The reason is the subject matter is somewhat long (over 300 pages) and I feel many people unless acquainted with who these healers are may lose interest after reading about similar cases. But nonetheless still a good read.