Should their cures and magical ideas be investigated? Shouldn't we have to prove them wrong?Please do not answer without reading the link.http://www.aegis.com/news/ips/2002/Ip020412.html
2007-05-29 06:07:03 · 13 answers · asked by Dr. NG 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Alternative ➔ Paranormal Phenomena
Blank,never have I seen a point more widely missed!!
2007-05-29 10:52:24 · update #1
Well, it sounds like they are not intending to outlaw the belief or practice of superstitions that are harmless, but the practice of superstitions that can be harmful to a person's well-being. That's a very sensible thing to do, since these superstitions are unproven folk remedies and frankly some of them are really freakish and dangerous. The burden of proof of efficacy for a "medical treatment" (I use that term loosely) should be on the one making the claim and asking for the money, not on the victims or the government trying to protect its people. If the practitioners of the superstition cannot provide that proof, their (potentially) harmful activities should be stopped before they harm any more people.
2007-05-29 12:26:39 · answer #1 · answered by John 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A very important question lies ones ability to heal vs. a governments will. I would like to know how strict the government is before making a judgement involving the subject at hand. I'm not of the mind to have a full understanding within these new laws and constrictions that are felt by the Shaman and areas in discusion.
My personal belief is that when we're (I am) talking about cures to what????? I might live, I might die. These impacts of death and life really do not have a strong affect on the person I am. I have no doubt that people in front of me will get to miss out on the same experience that we all can dream.
I only wonder from the question posed if the human animal is not understood, while in relation to our ancesteral roots. I'm not the person to ask for cures on religion, and I'm not the person to ask about the color grey. Obviously in animal history this entire human thing has been foreceeding. Maybe we can finally have a discussion to its means.
I know that this does not answer the Shaman question. My determination is within freedoms.
2007-06-04 20:26:33 · answer #2 · answered by Kirk Rose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any physician who claims to be healing one person while harming another is not acting as a true healer. Of course, any healing practice should be investigated if it is suspected of causing harm to the population.
Having said that, alternative medical practices do have a place in every society. Many of the medications that have been in use by the AMA have come to light by investigating the chemical compositions of herb and "potions" used by natural healers. For example, the use of zinc to help diminish the effects of the common cold were derived from natural remedies that have been used by natural healers for years.
Should harmful practices be investigated, discouraged, and even outlawed? Yes. Should the actions of a group of unethical shaman discredit the work of legitimate healers? No.
If a healer is not doing direct harm to the individuals in society, they should not be stopped from continuing their practice. Even if the results are just psychological, that is, a result of the placebo effect, the patient is getting better, and that is the goal of healing. Charlatans and fakers should be exposed, but the existence of con men does not prove that there are not some people who are providing a legitimate service. Thanks for the question Z.
2007-05-30 17:53:13 · answer #3 · answered by Tunsa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shamans have a very limited use when it comes to medicine. Sure, some of the herbs they use can be helpful, but many medicines are derived from herbs. The difference is they are controlled, measured, prescribed in dosages, etc. At best shaman *may* help with some illnesses, but at worst they are murderous.
Why grant any credence to superstitious remedies in the first place? Because of *cultural* value? So as long as something has a cultural context then the guy is free to do whatever he wants? How post-modern.
2007-05-29 16:29:42 · answer #4 · answered by Peter D 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They aren't outlawing Shamans, the spokesman says that they cant stop people believing what they want to believe, but that dangerous 'cures' should be banned.
It's considered postcolonial for Westerners to want other countries to follow 'traditional' ways of life just because its more interesting for them, a 'human zoo', if you will. Time-tested medicine may contain a great many legit cures, but no-one benefits from every culture having their own unique quack doctors.
2007-05-29 08:54:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the article it specifically says that they are not making shamanism illegal, only harmful things like forcing young girls to have sex with men who have AIDS, or pretending to be a shaman to convince people to give you money. The governments there agree that the shamans have a useful skill with local plants, what they oppose is the murder and mutilation of human beings to make potions.
2007-05-29 06:29:23 · answer #6 · answered by disgruntled_gnome72 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
No. They should have to prove themselves right. If you make a ridiculous claim, it's up to you to prove that it works. And in thousands of years, they haven't provided any evidence for it. Wouldn't you rather a parent took their dying child to a real doctor? One who could actually help them? These shamans claim they can cure AIDS. They can't. Period. And far too many people have died as a result. Plus, they tell people that AIDS isn't spread by sex, so don't use condoms, which gets more people infected. Also, they enforce the idea that when a guy's wife dies, he should sleep with her sister, even if he has AIDS and she's not interested. They are killing their own people.
2007-05-29 07:22:38 · answer #7 · answered by eri 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
It would be ridiculous to outlaw Shamans from practicing their art. Shamanism plays a huge part in all cultures, and it should be venerated. It astounds me that some people strive to make the world more homogenous and less interesting.
PS: pay no mind to the first, narrow-minded answer.
2007-05-29 06:16:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Chuckle, outlawing any religion is wrong. Christians, Jews or Muslims can't prove their prayers work either, but we have to accept that "Magic" or religion as some call it, is important to the mental well being of many people.
2007-05-29 18:13:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
SHAMAN phamacueticals was a big company here. It was shut down. Nothing was proven against them.
2007-05-30 03:02:12 · answer #10 · answered by PATRICIA MS 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋