Question 95 – Alternative medicine and Christianity?

Since ancient times, various methods and techniques have been employed to treat wounds from wars, heal both common and unconventional diseases, and protect against health complications. However, in most cases, medical knowledge was very limited, and people died by the millions from ailments that are easily treatable today. With the advent of modern (conventional) medicine came vast advancements that have helped save, improve, and prolong the lives of hundreds of millions of people. We are now able to treat illnesses in ways and with technological advancements that were absolutely unimaginable just a few years ago.

Yet, even this area of human knowledge has its challenges. These challenges often motivate people to seek out various alternative healers. One such challenge is the perceived "mechanization and depersonalization" of medical care. Patients are often treated as if they are merely robots or cases, sometimes completely ignoring the fact that they are human beings. Other reasons may include side effects of medications (often with devastating consequences for our bodies) or the general limitations of conventional medicine, which still cannot cure many diseases. There is also the specialization approach of doctors; we have specialists for every organ but almost no one for the whole body. People often come to doctors' offices with so-called psychosomatic problems that cannot be reliably identified using conventional methods. These might include insomnia, headaches, abdominal pain, digestive issues, skin problems, heart palpitations, and so on [11]. In such cases, all test results are often within the normal range, leading doctors to accuse patients of fabricating symptoms. The problem is that patients may genuinely experience these issues. However, treating them with medication that only suppresses symptoms is not a solution. In many cases, it is necessary to rest, relax, alleviate stress, or change one's lifestyle. Often, what people need is not a doctor, but spiritual guidance.

In the days of family doctors, this practice was common—the doctor knew the patient well from childhood. They understood the patient's entire medical history, including family issues and hardships. They saw the patient as a whole, and their treatment did not just involve suppressing or solving symptomatic issues, which are often merely consequences of deeper causes. Today, if you visit a doctor with specific complaints, you will receive numerous medications to suppress or remove the isolated problem you've come with. Often, there is no interest—nor financial motivation—to address the true cause of the problem, which is often poor diet, lack of sleep, insufficient physical activity, or being in mentally challenging circumstances.

Furthermore, there is an immense sensitivity to health not merely as a physical issue, but also as one with spiritual dimensions. People fear death, pain, and dying unnaturally. In these situations, conventional medicine can often offer no assurances. This fear then drives people toward irrational (senseless) behavior. They are willing to believe in various biotronic devices, earth emissions, cosmic energies, energy interference devices, or submit to charlatans or genuine occult healers. Additionally, if people feel a strong urge to "return to nature," conventional medicine becomes less credible in their eyes. Despite the successes and benefits modern medicine has brought us, these factors lead to the growing popularity of alternative medicine, which in many cases is nothing more than an import of Eastern religions or occult philosophies incompatible with the Christian worldview.

Clarification of Terms

When I use the term alternative medicine (hereafter AM), I do not mean it in the literal sense of "replacement" or "substitute." Under AM, we understand practices or procedures not common within conventional medical treatment. Herein lies a fundamental issue. AM methods can be, from a Christian perspective, good, harmless, and beneficial (A, B), or very dangerous and occult from a spiritual perspective (C).

A) Natural Methods

These are AM methods beneficial, permissible, and natural for human health. They may include treatments such as water, light, fresh air, electrotherapy, healthy exercise, relaxation without spiritual undertones, classic body massages, or the use of various healing and beneficial herbs that God has left for our needs. We will not elaborate further on this type of AM.

B) Christian "Methods"

These do not constitute alternative medicine in the true sense. However, when speaking of healing possibilities outside of conventional medicine, we must mention God's healing power. When people are ill, they should primarily seek healing from God (though this does not exclude visiting a conventional doctor). God has given us one of the most powerful tools—prayer. We can intercede with God for ourselves or others. Additionally, He has given us the authority to heal in the name of the Lord Jesus. Jesus himself performed numerous healings during His time on Earth

—"he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them." (Luke 4:40)

This power is pure and has a divine origin. It is the only legitimate and God-sanctioned way of supernatural healing even in contemporary times.

C) Occult and Religious Methods

These include a wide array of healing methods rooted in non-Christian religions or occultism. They derive from a worldview sharply contrasting the biblical understanding, and their effectiveness cannot be proven using scientific methods. A significant challenge with AM is that many of its supporters and advocates use natural methods combined with occult diagnostics or employ prayers, readings of the Bible, and invocations of God, Jesus, Mary, or angels during treatment.

For example, if you visit some village healers in Ukraine, they may all present themselves as religious and consider themselves Christians. Even Christian authorities and priests in certain locations practice occult healing. In some cases, they will claim they have prayed for such gifts from God. Consequently, people often find AM confusing. Sincerely devout individuals face the danger of being led astray into occultism with a Christian facade.

Therefore, although God has left us many health-benefiting herbs, we must be cautious when choosing herbalists. Often, these herbalists use occult diagnostic methods or secret preparation techniques. They might determine the right herb for your specific problem using a pendulum or another divinatory method, or they may diagnose you first. This does not constitute a natural AM method but rather an occult one.

Fundamental Principles of AM Operation

Esoteric methods of AM often originate from Asia, some from Europe, and others have been present since ancient times. Despite their diverse nature, they share several fundamental characteristics suggesting a common spiritual origin incompatible with the message of the Christian God. In the biblical context, it is clear that they are demonic doctrines enslaving humanity spiritually through divine adversaries. The main premise of occult AM methods is the supposed existence of an energy. People call it various names; depending on religion and era, these include cosmic energy, qi, prana, life force, etc. It is thought to be some divine, impersonal energy pervading the universe. Diseases are often interpreted as disruptions (or losses) of this energy balance in the human body, where it flows through various energy channels and nodes (e.g., chakras, meridians, etc.). To ensure health and energetic harmony, these AM methods require proper contact and connection to an abstract spiritual entity. These energies are then related to magical thinking, similar to astrology—the macrocosm is believed to affect the microcosm. Our fate, health, and life path are supposedly written in the stars, and this principle is applied to the human body. Our destiny can allegedly be read from the iris of the eye (iridology), the palm, the soles of the feet, etc.

There are undoubtedly more unifying elements, but even from these basic ones, it is evident that they convey a message entirely different and contradictory to the Bible. The Bible demonstrates that God is personal, loves us, and that illnesses, along with the means for treating them, have a different nature than what AM philosophies propose.

Alternative medicine methods

The list below is not exhaustive but serves as a brief overview of the most common ones you may encounter. It is beyond my capacity to explore each method individually, but if you're interested in this topic, I recommend reading Dr. Štěpán Rucký's book, "Alternative Medicine – Help or Danger?" Even this is only a brief overview, inspired by it, of non-Christian healing methods:

• acupuncture (and its modifications like acupressure, auricular acupuncture, electroacupuncture, etc.)

• reflexology (reflex foot massages)

• macrobiotics

• yoga

• transcendental meditation

• homeopathy

• Bach flower remedies

• healing magnetism—reiki (energy transfer through laying on of hands, distance healing, etc.)

• healing through incantations

• healing using various fetishes, talismans, and amulets: earrings, bracelets, necklaces, metals, gemstones, bioresonators, devices claimed to disrupt geopathic and "earth radiation" zones, etc.

• psychotronics (healing through unique psychic energy)

• aura work

Besides the healing itself, AM also encompasses occult diagnostic methods. For instance, AM practitioners might diagnose you through:

• clairvoyance

• aura reading

• card divination

• crystal ball, pendulum, or dowsing rod divination

• horoscopes or biorhythms

• palm, iris, or ear divination

• spiritism—inquiries of the dead, angels, spiritual guides, etc.

In addition to all these, various types of meditation, autogenic training, past-life healing, the Silva Method, etc., may also be included under AM.

At first glance, some alternative medicine methods may seem entirely innocent. However, a closer study reveals that they are religious and occult teachings. Their aim is not just healing but showing the pathway of life and spirituality one should follow, thus amounting to a form of religion and belief on their own.

Dangers of Alternative Medicine

The danger is both physical and spiritual. From a physical perspective, there is a serious risk of neglecting timely medical diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Numerous cases exist where healers have indirectly caused the death of their patients. If people turn to healers who discourage them from seeing traditional doctors, a disease can spiral out of control, leaving no room for help. Doctors face trials or imprisonment for erroneous procedures; healers do not. Aside from the risk of neglecting timely treatment, there are also risks of side effects. AM proponents often argue that their methods are healthy, harmless, and free of side effects, which is not always true, at least in some cases. Overdosing on herbs or homeopathic remedies containing heavy metals or alcohol is possible. A healer might also cause significant problems through improper insertion of acupuncture needles.

Yet, the most serious issue with AM is spiritual danger. This poses a risk of bondage (even possession) by demonic entities, accepting healing from an unclean spiritual source, or adopting a false worldview and a distorted perception of the world, humanity, and the origin of diseases. Visiting a healer might offer temporary relief but eventually exact a cruel toll in the form of deeper physical, psychological, or spiritual issues.

I also see the modern trend of pragmatism as very dangerous, expressed in the equation – does it work? = truth is found here, and the method can be used. I am not saying AM doesn't work! On the contrary, I assert that if you do not encounter charlatans and frauds (of which there are many), these methods often do work. This is perhaps why Christians often face devious questions like, how can we be so heartless as to discourage visits to healers for terminally ill children, parents of young children, etc. The logic is clear—if it helps = it is good. But in the spiritual realm, it is not so. We can find countless analogous examples in daily life. Drugs help suppress daily problems but later enslave and often destroy us. Predatory lenders offer a "helpful" loan, temporarily solving our problems, but soon debt collectors or asset forfeiture may be upon us. The conclusion is evident—not everything that helps us or solves our problems today can be good and beneficial tomorrow.

 Recognizing the Danger and Spiritual Background of Alternative Medicine (AM)

When discussing the harmfulness or benefits of any AM methods, we inevitably encounter the worldview behind the method. This means that if you do not accept Christianity as a real and true depiction of the world, you are unlikely to agree with my conclusions. For instance, if you believe that Hinduism is the "holy truth," some AM methods will appear good to you and in harmony with your faith. I emphasize this because I will mostly focus on the incompatibility of these methods with Christianity. The Christian premise, verified by the practical experiences of millions, is clear: any method originating in the demonic spiritual world is dangerous. A good guideline for determining whether AM is harmless from a Christian perspective can be the fact that you do not need to change your Christian worldview to explain the effectiveness of these methods. The Bible advises us to examine everything and hold onto what is good. The same should be applied to AM methods. Based on multiple criteria, many AM methods are simply practical applications of a foreign religion, even by those who think of themselves as atheists.

Questions We Can Ask About All Methods [12]:

• Does this method work only in connection with some philosophy? What is its philosophical source? Is it compatible with the biblical worldview?

• Does this method glorify God? Does it bring me closer to Him? As a Christian, do I feel at peace with God when using this method?

• Does this method use terms commonly found in occultism and esotericism? Is this method used in association with esoteric rituals and practices?

• Does this method work with various energies or impersonal forces that play a key role in healing? Is self-salvation or the deification of man associated with this method?

• Can its effects be explained through scientific principles and evidence?
  These are some of the main questions that can help us uncover the spiritual background of AM methods and, at the same time, prevent unnecessary demonizing of things unknown to us. Let us, therefore, examine some of them.

A) Yoga

What comes to mind when you hear words like baptism, Jesus, church, prayer, or death on the cross? Certainly, "Christianity." But what happens when the average European hears the word "yoga"? What do they imagine? Often, the answers are along the lines of oriental healing gymnastics, harmless physical exercise, or Eastern exercise. Although there is a grain of truth in these replies, they are incomplete and fundamentally incorrect. The correct association and answer from a philosophical classification perspective is unequivocal—"Hinduism." Yoga has become a huge business, leading to its adaptation into various forms suitable for "non-spiritual" Europeans. These adaptations often obscure its true meaning and are frequently seen as harmless physical exercise, especially in the case of hatha yoga.

Even some Christians practice yoga, arguing that they are doing nothing wrong, just "stretching their bodies." As the well-known Christian author Dave Hunt aptly expressed in his book "Occult Invasion," 

"The average Westerner is not aware that yoga was introduced by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita as the sure way to Hindu heaven, or that Shiva (one of the most feared Hindu deities) is addressed as Yogeshwara, or Lord of Yoga. That yoga is Hinduism is usually denied." [13]

Yoga is essentially a practical expression of the Hindu religion, used to escape the cycle of repeated reincarnations. It is a path to connect with the Hindu "god," merge with the universe, and pursue self-realization and self-salvation. This spiritual form is most apparent in Raja Yoga, which aims to bring a person into harmony and help them find their "divine self." Thus, I dare to assert that yoga, even in its basic form like hatha yoga, is an unacceptable form of AM for Christians (and others) and is, ultimately, the practice of Hinduism. I shall provide some additional notes on it below.

Hatha Yoga – Just Physical Exercises

In Hindu philosophy, the body is a prison for the soul. Therefore, the soul must be liberated from this prison. In Hinduism, the first stage of yoga is hatha yoga [12]. This type of yoga focuses on self-control, especially of the body and internal organs, with various exercises, mostly breathing (pranayama) and meditative postures known as asanas. The most renowned posture is the lotus position, symbolizing "creative power" in Hinduism. Other poses include the cobra posture and the sun salutation. Breathing exercises, according to Hindu philosophy, allow one to absorb prana, a significant form of energy and source of life. These exercises are not purposeless but are preparations for the next stage – meditation!
Physical yoga is, in a sense, a preparation for spiritual yoga. Therefore, it is not merely harmless physical exercise! Yoga is yoga, and its poses and breathing exercises are designed to connect with Brahman, the universal "All," in Hinduism. Even hatha yoga leads to the passivity of body, thoughts, and will, which indirectly opens a person to foreign influences. It is not surprising, from a Christian standpoint, that demonic beings are considered to stand behind yoga. Many Christian converts who previously practiced yoga later witnessed its destructive effects and the demonic influence they encountered through this method [14].

Higher forms of yoga inherently involve demonic ties and possessive influences. Yoga is also associated with expanded occult abilities and other esoteric phenomena. While it may provide temporary relief, akin to magic or occultism, it exacts a bitter toll. It cannot be uniformly stated that every exercise of the lowest form of yoga, particularly if practiced without considering its spiritual background, exposes one to direct demonic possession. It is also true that it is most advantageous for demons when we openly accept their lies. If yoga is practiced devoid of any philosophy, it is undoubtedly a better alternative than embracing its philosophical influence. Nevertheless, I cannot recommend even this kind of "emptied" yoga. After all, physical, chemical, and spiritual laws exist and function.

Whether we believe in them or consider them nonsensical makes no difference. I can believe a thousand times that a hot stove won't hurt me, but touching it will still result in unpleasant consequences.

B) Homeopathy

Another well-known, widespread, and popular AM method is homeopathy. It is often misunderstood by the general public, with many false assumptions and speculations. Many people view homeopathy as a natural or even scientific form of AM without side effects. As a result, numerous proponents of homeopathy are steadfastly convinced that it has no connection with any philosophy or spirituality. Few realize that it is a form of occult practice, combining various esoteric paths and elements. Ultimately, homeopathy is a complete philosophical system with cult-like features and a deep spiritual undertone.

Homeopathy was founded by Freemason Samuel Hahnemann, who openly acknowledged that the principles of homeopathy were revealed to him by "spirit guides" (a term more commonly used in English contexts referring to entities rather than "god" in a monotheistic sense), and that the method itself is a "saving truth." A closer examination of homeopathy reveals that this "spiritual source" is not the one revealed in the Bible. In one letter, Hahnemann referred to Jesus Christ as a dreamer and His redemptive work as a fairy tale.

Science and Homeopathy

As space limits a more detailed discussion, I will restrict myself to general conclusions pointed out by an increasing number of studies and experts: 

"Homeopathy is not effective for any diseases or other health problems,"

notes an independent report from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council [15]. Many prior studies reached this conclusion, but this one is particularly thorough. It critically analyzed 225 scientific studies on homeopathy, and its conclusion is clear: from a scientific perspective, homeopathy is of no value. Homeopathy supporters naturally dispute these findings and refer to studies supporting its effectiveness. However, none of these studies are of high quality or truly conclusive. I mention this scientific conclusion not because I wholly agree with it in terms of homeopathy's ineffectiveness but to demonstrate that homeopathy is neither scientific nor simply a natural treatment explainable without supernatural (spiritual) involvement.

It is indeed confusing that even thousands of practicing doctors use and recommend it. Why is this the case? Perhaps because homeopathy does work (at least sometimes)! Of course, skeptics attribute its function solely to the placebo effect. Yet, homeopathic remedies sometimes work on animals and small children, who are unaffected by the placebo effect. If it does work and science cannot substantiate its efficacy, there must be some "other" force at play, one that does not always act according to scientific patterns but of its own will. For this reason, it easily eludes strict scientific criteria.

Occultism and Homeopathy

Upon examining the spiritual background of homeopathy's founder and its basic principles, it becomes clear that it is an occult method, wholly incompatible with Christianity. Occult principles of homeopathy include:

1. Healing Like with Like – i.e., as a sick person, you would receive a substance that causes the same symptoms in a healthy person as the treated disease in a sick person. This is an ancient magic rule shared by many pagan religions and cults and is scientifically unsubstantiated.
2. Concept of Life Force – we previously discussed the concept of disease resulting from the disturbance of a certain "life energy" balance. This principle also belongs to homeopathy.
3. Principle of Potentiation – this is the alpha and omega of homeopathy—dilution. The process works as follows: there's a basic tincture, perhaps a substance or plant extract. The tincture is mixed at a 1-to-9 ratio with a solvent, thoroughly shaken, then 1/10 is separated and mixed with nine more parts of the solvent and shaken again. The process continues, creating a D3 dilution (1:1000) [12]. Keen observers will notice that as we dilute more, less of the active ingredient remains. In homeopathy, paradoxically, less active ingredient means higher effectiveness. Already, this principle is a complete contradiction to classical medicine. And D3 dilution is just the tip of the iceberg. In homeopathy, dilutions like D50, D100, or even D1000 are common. It is hardly necessary to emphasize that at dilutions like D30, there might not be even a single molecule of the active ingredient left in the solution. Still, these preparations can often work. How is this possible?

Homeopaths explain this paradox, where greater dilution results in higher effectiveness, by stating that through each shaking following dilution, the solution absorbs "vital energy" (a more standard term in English than "cosmic energy"), which "animates" it. The more it's diluted, the more of this unknown energy it absorbs, supposedly increasing its effectiveness. If we accept the Christian worldview as God's unchanging truth, it is evident that spiritual forces deceive homeopathy users, steering them away from the living God and His good news about Jesus Christ.

C) Acupuncture

To add another method that appears scientific yet non-spiritual, let's include acupuncture in our list. It's a thousands-of-years-old traditional method of Chinese medicine, deeply rooted in Chinese religion—Taoism. This religion believes that the world was created by some kind of natural force, which manifests in two fundamental forms—yin and yang. These are opposites and counterforces oscillating through the universe. Thus, there is no distinction between good and evil; all is essentially identical. Again, the core idea is harmony between the universe and man, defined by an all-encompassing energy, chi, which flows in humans through so-called meridians. Disturbance of this flow leads to health issues and various discomforts. According to this philosophy, acupuncture points exist on meridians that can be influenced by inserting acupuncture needles.

Opinions vary on the number and location of acupuncture points, but there are said to be hundreds. The goal of needling and the treatment itself is to influence chi's flow, restoring the disrupted balance between yin and yang principles.

Because of acupuncture's popularity, many researchers attempt to demythologize it and give it a scientific facade. This creates two main camps with fundamentally opposing views. One camp claims that the functioning of acupuncture requires acceptance of its entire philosophical background (Taoism). The other contends it is a stimulus treatment, not needing the existence of meridians, chi energy, or yin and yang for explanation.
This is naturally confusing for many. Evidently, science has never proven the existence of meridians or acupuncture points. Conversely, it is proven that it doesn't matter which points are stimulated. From a scientific perspective, the only significant effects are the placebo effect and the production of natural pain-regulating substances, such as endorphins. Other mechanisms sometimes suggested as contributing to healing effects are speculative and unproven. How should a Christian approach acupuncture? For me, the Taoist version of acupuncture is utterly unacceptable. I am a Christian, not a Taoist. But what about acupuncture offered by an atheist doctor claiming it is a method based on purely biological body reactions?

Even this type of "scientific" acupuncture is highly speculative in its spiritual context (given its undeniable religious origins, mysterious functionality, the risk of adopting a false worldview, or side effects tied to needle insertion), so I cannot recommend it as a safe AM method. Furthermore, even if this demystified form of acupuncture were theoretically safe, it is neither irreplaceable nor essential. There are plenty of other non-speculative treatment methods available for similar physiological effects. Dr. Štěpán Rucki in his book "Alternative Medicine – Help or Danger?" quotes Dr. Schnorrenberger, a West German acupuncture expert, who writes:

"Surprising effects appear only when the healer adheres to original prescriptions thousands of years old. An acupuncturist must adhere unconditionally to the theory of ancient Chinese medicine if he wants to achieve healing successes. Otherwise, it is just a non-specific stimulus treatment." [12]

 D) Macrobiotics

At least briefly, I would like to mention a form of alternative medicine (AM) that hides behind the issue of healthy eating. My aim is to show with this example that, from a Christian perspective, demonic teachings can be found in virtually all areas of human life. Nowadays, healthy eating and various diets are popular topics and also a business. Everywhere, there are genetically modified foods, additives, preservatives, foods treated with various toxins, and so on. Therefore, seeking a healthy lifestyle is very important and, in general, certainly appropriate. Yet even in this realm, various non-Christian philosophies strive to assert themselves. One such philosophy is hidden behind what is known as macrobiotics. This again involves a Taoist concept of yin and yang, or Zen Buddhism. As we have discussed, illness is believed to be caused by an imbalance of these forces within the human body. According to macrobiotics, different foods have varying distributions of these forces. Some are more "yang," others more "yin." By combining foods, we are supposed to achieve a harmony of yin and yang in our bodies and thus restore our health. An important ritual here also includes chewing these foods (e.g., a hundred times), which is thought to enhance their energetic effect. It is also telling that this method is often associated with other non-biblical methods of spiritual development. From a purely health-related perspective, it can even be dangerous, as certain nutritional deficiencies have been observed in children in some cases. A very similar principle of energy functioning can also be found in the comprehensive teachings of Feng Shui, where harmony and health are achieved, for instance, by rearranging objects and furniture within a home. Their proper placement is intended for the uninterrupted flow of Qi (also spelled "Chi") energy and our harmonious living.

E) Hypnosis

You may be surprised that I categorize hypnosis among the dangerous methods of alternative medicine. Hypnosis itself is quite specific and is considered by many to be a safe psychological method. However, I want to demonstrate that from a spiritual point of view, it is at the very least questionable. I also wish to present an example of how to approach (assess from a spiritual perspective) these and similar, less tangible methods. Hypnosis is a technique in which the hypnotist assumes control over the consciousness of the hypnotized individual. During hypnosis, the person is in what is termed an "altered state of consciousness." This state greatly increases their suggestibility (the ability to accept the thoughts of the hypnotist as authentic). Not everyone can be hypnotized. Typically, one's own consent and cooperation are required. A person can be made to believe in nonexistent perceptions that they genuinely accept as real. In this way, the mind can be programmed to evaluate certain knowledge in a completely irrational manner or to experience various hallucinations.

Therefore, it is crucial to whom we entrust ourselves, as there is a real danger of misuse and undesired manipulation of our minds. Hypnosis is often utilized for the benefit of the hypnotized, for instance, helping to eliminate various repressed blocks from childhood. I do not wish to pass a definitive judgment at this point. However, I want to highlight the speculative nature of hypnosis from a Christian point of view and, in many cases, also its connection with occultism. This is evident, for example, from the fact that:

• The ability to hypnotize people is not universal and often appears in combination with other occult abilities.
• There is an evident resemblance to magical principles, which also aim to manipulate others' minds. Not to mention, hypnosis is sometimes abused by magicians (illusionists or stage performers).
• Some individuals have occult abilities only during hypnosis or acquire them only after a hypnotic session. For instance, the American medium Arthur Ford recommended that participants in a special course to gain mediumship abilities undergo hypnosis, as a control spirit could more easily enter into them.
• It should be emphasized that trance and altered states of consciousness are also observed in other occult sessions and techniques. During these states, we turn off our minds and open ourselves to foreign influences.
• Some Christian counselors who deal with people with occult burdens point to cases where hypnosis led to long-term psychological or physical issues.

How, then, should we conclude the topic of hypnosis? Honestly, I do not know if I can deliver a definitive judgment. The human mind is a vastly unexplored area, and I believe there are many psychological mechanisms that can be safely activated or regulated from a spiritual perspective to achieve desired outcomes. However, according to many indications, hypnosis (at least in large part) is not such a safe method.

Summation

The methods of (occult) alternative medicine are very popular in our country. They are often regarded as scientific or natural, without any spiritual content. Through several examples, we have shown how their spiritual nature can be revealed upon closer investigation. These methods are demonic teachings that offer an enticing vision of health but ultimately bring misfortune.