Healings Research Articles

Устные нарративы калмыков о чудесном исцелении в полевых записях 2023 г.

Introduction. The article examines some 2023 narratives recorded in Kalmykia from informants who had recovered from various ailments with the aid of folk healers or who had witnessed such facts. The recorded accounts contain information about individuals with folk medical knowledge and skills, about diagnostic techniques and treatment methods, about medicines of plant, animal and mineral origin — the stories of miraculous healing being the leitmotif of those oral testimonies. Goals. The study investigates individual facts of traditional medicine preserved in the people’s memories in the form of tales, recollections, stories considered hereinafter as narratives. Methods. So, the word ‘narrative’ denote a text recorded at the time of its oral reproduction by the informant, a summary of past events in the time sequence and to the extent how it was preserved in the memory of each particular narrator. The recording procedures involved a number of practical methods instrumental in conducting informal interviews and observations to obtain new empirical material and answers to specific questions pertaining to the research topic. Results. Our efforts aimed at identifying the desired material revealed that various regions of Kalmykia are still represented by efficient individuals possessing certain traditional medicine knowledge and skills. The recorded oral narratives testify to real cases of ‘patients’ who had turned to folk healers with health disorders, describe a variety of employed treatment methods that did prove success. The paper suggests folk knowledge about ancient healing methods has not lost its significance to date, and can successfully coexist with contemporary academic medicine. The warnings and prohibitions presented in oral narratives are as important nowadays to preserve, develop, and transmit traditions relating to human health.

“Healing is having faith in Allah, the healer, and the medicine”: An exploratory qualitative study of Islamic-based healing practices in Northern Ghana

Faith-based healing practices are becoming widespread in Ghana. Charismatic churches, traditional healers, and Mallams provide healthcare services for multitudes nationwide. However, these faith-based healers' guiding philosophies and healing practices are less known. This ethnographic study explores Islamic healing, medical perspectives, therapeutic practices, and how the Dagomba traditional practices and culture influence this medical system. Data were collected from six Islamic-based healers through in-depth individual interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was employed, and results are reported narratively. The study discovered that religious and faith-based healing practices, including Islamic-based healing, are rising in Ghana. Practitioners of Islamic-based healing among the Dagomba observe that having faith in Allah and trust in His healing powers is the foundation of health. Islamic principles of faith and the Dagomba health beliefs determine these healers’ medical therapy and healing practices. The study found that rituals and sacrifices are significant healing practices with specific gendered perspectives. Spirituality is perceived as both an illness-causal factor and a healing tool. We invite further research to identify the prospects, constraints, and therapeutic possibilities Islamic healing holds for Ghana’s integrative medical system_._

Role of faith healers in the treatment of severe mental illness in India

Background: The cultural diversity has influenced the beliefs of people regarding health and illness. An aim of the study was to assess the role of faith healers in the treatment of severe mental illness. Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study with convenience sampling technique was used, on 123 caregivers of patients with severe mental illnesses using standardized tools like MINI, BPRS, and YMRS. Results: 41.5% participants firstly contacted faith healer while 86% visited faith healer anytime during the course of illness. 47.2% took treatment from faith healer for <6 months, 21.1% took 6-12 months and 17.9% more than 13 months. 22.8% circulated between faith healer to faith healer, 18.7% from psychiatrist to faith healer and 27.6% from medical professional to faith healer. Conclusions: There is an immense need to create awareness regarding mental illness and treatment options available.

ISLAMIC RELIGIOSITY GUIDANCE APPROACHES ON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER

The productive age population in Indonesia in 2022 will reach 69%, with great potential for increasing economic growth. However, there is an increasing threat of mental disorders, which results in low productivity and hinders economic growth. Mental health disorders have psychologically weak conditions that need strengthening through religious guidance. Muslims believe that a religious guidance approach can help solve problems of mental health disorders. Unfortunately, they do not understand practical Islamic guidance as an effort to prevent and promote mental health disorders. This study aims to analyse the Islamic religious guidance approach for mental health disorders. This research uses qualitative methods with a literature study approach. The data collection strategy was sourced from seven published Scopus-indexed journal literature in 2018-2023 using the keywords "Islamic religion and mental health". The study found practical variations of Islamic religious guidance for mental health disorders, including religious lectures, Al-Quran therapy, prayer therapy, psycho-spiritual therapy, therapy for majelis taklim activities, zikir and shalawat therapy, tawba and istighfar therapy. The practical implications of research with Islamic religious guidance can help treat mental health disorders gradually and sustainably.

Religious Tourism and Its Impact on Spiritual, Physical, and Mental Health: Insights from Pilgrims to Iranian Saints' Shrines.

This study investigates pilgrims' justifications for visiting Iran's Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) and the positive role of such pilgrimages in their religious coping experiences and healing practices. The research confirms that pilgrims strongly associate shrines in Iran with religious coping benefits and spiritual, mental, physical, and ritual healing. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling. Behavioural strategies, religious beliefs, and spiritual concepts are considered. The findings reveal that faith and spirituality play a vital role in how individuals perceive and cope with mental and physical health issues when visiting shrines.

Reconsidering the Nehushtan as a Magical Healing Device within the Geographical, Cultural, and Magico-Religious Context of the Ancient Near East

According to Numbers 21:4–9, the Nehushtan was a copper/bronze snake effigy that functioned as a ‘magical’ healing tool to cure the early Israelites from venomous snakebites they incurred during their desert wanderings. What is unclear from the narrative is the symbolic significance of the event, the materials used, the technical skills required, and whether magic was at play. Firstly, when considering the magical effects of the Nehushtan, we must define which type of magic—apotropaic or sympathetic—was involved. Based upon existing scholarship on the topic, the general consensus is that the Nehushtan represented sympathetic magic, underpinned in this instance by homeopathic/imitative magic. To highlight this point, this study will provide selected examples of both types of magic so that the Nehushtan’s association with sympathetic magic can be illustrated. Secondly, and most importantly, we must consider why the image of a snake was chosen if the very affliction (envenomation) suffered by the people was caused by the creature now being posited as a symbol of divine healing. Did the ancient perceptions of snakes and healing play a role in this decision? Why did the early Israelites not question the logic behind the use of a magical snake effigy when both magic and effigies were technically prohibited by biblical laws? To answer these questions, the study will consider the historical background (the Exodus from Egypt), the set (geographical location), and the setting (cultural contact and influence) in which the narrative of the Nehushtan took place.

Social entrepreneurship in the selected neo-Pentecostal churches: A holistic salvation

Pentecostalism is a Christian tradition known for personal salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, divine healing and personal encounter with God through the work of the Holy Spirit. However, Pentecostalism is not limited to these; the tradition also ministers the full gospel that affects a holistic person, meaning body, soul and spirit. This article demonstrated that the holistic salvation approach is a motivation for social entrepreneurial activities in the selected neo-Pentecostal churches in South Africa. The article worked within the social entrepreneurial framework to argue that the neo-Pentecostal churches minister to their followers holistically. Pentecostalism transforms people’s lives in daily living, particularly the poorest of the poor communities through entrepreneurial orientation. The researchers’ methodology was a case study approach of four neo-Pentecostal churches in South Africa that have shown social entrepreneurship factors. In addition, the participant observation method was used in highlighting entrepreneurial activities in these churches.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article examined the role of neo-Pentecostal churches in social entrepreneurship through a holistic salvation approach to Pentecostal theology by using a case study method. This role is a juxtaposition between the study of Pentecostalism from a missiological discipline and the study of social entrepreneurship from the discipline of economics, particularly social economics.

New Prophetic Churches and Syncretism: A Critical View

New Prophetic Churches (NPCs) are a recent phenomenon within Pentecostalism in South Africa that have gained popularity. Their popularity is arguably due to their syncretism with African Traditional Religion (ATR), especially in its ministry practice of prophecy. The main objective of this article is to restore the sanctity of the prophetic ministry from a syncretic practice in NPCs back to its biblical foundation, by firstly highlighting the syncretic nature of NPCs prophetic ministry with divination, commonly practiced by native doctors in ATR. This study is a literary analysis of the practices of NPC prophets and their syncretic nature, using two case studies of NPC prophets. Osmer’s theoretical framework is used to describe syncretic practices of NPCs and the rationale behind such practices, then a normative reflection of the traditional practice is presented and pragmatic ways to realign NPCs into mainstream Pentecostalism are proposed. The findings reveal that most NPC prophets are faith healers operating in familiar spirits, not the Holy Spirit. The bible rejects divination; therefore, NPCs must determine what identity they choose between ATR and Christianity, because they cannot simultaneously operate in both.

Assessment of supernatural attitude toward mental health among tribal and non-tribal populations

Background: In India, only about 10% of persons with psychiatric illnesses receive evidence-based treatments. Stigma, mistrust in allopathic medicine, allegiance toward faith healers, cultural and traditional practices, and beliefs are some of the major hindrances to the treatment of mentally ill patients. Aim: To assess supernatural attitudes toward mental health among tribal and non-tribal populations. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 subjects were included in the study after informed consent, 50 of whom were tribal and 50 non-tribal. All were required to fill a self-constructed proforma, the Supernatural Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ), and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). The scales were scored, compiled, and statistically analyzed. Results: The tribal and non-tribal subjects were well-matched on socio-demographic variables. The score of SAQ was significantly higher in the tribal group as compared to the non-tribal group. On the ATSPPH-SF, the scores of the two groups were not significant. Conclusion: Even though the tribal populations of India hold a higher supernatural attitude toward mental illnesses as compared to the non-tribal populations, their treatment-seeking attitude remains unaffected.

Quality of life, social support, and pathways of care among persons with psychiatric disorders—A cross-sectional study

Background: Patients with psychiatric disorders have varied psychosocial realities embedded in the community context. Help-seeking behavior is extremely crucial in determining the prognosis and outcome of interventions. Objectives: (1) To assess the levels of quality of life, perceived social support, and decision to first seek help. (2) To assess the association of socio-demographic variables with these domains. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey with 100 psychiatric patients in a tertiary care setting employed three scales, namely WHOQOL-BREF, PSSS, and WHO Pathways Encounter form. Results: Patients had higher levels of quality of life and perceived social support. The majority of patients chose health professionals over faith healers at the onset of symptoms, had higher reliance on family members, and continued with hospital visits till the third follow-up. Sex, occupation, and marital status were associated with perceived social support, and duration of illness was associated with help-seeking behavior. Conclusions: Community-based interventions must include holistic services and reduce the gap between onset and first contact, leading to higher quality of life and perceived social support.

Faith healing based on narratives of healing experiences: A psycho-spiritual interpretation.

This study investigated 216 individual transcripts of faith healing experiences drawn from the healing ministries of 2 Catholic priests in the Philippines. The accounts of these healing narratives were generously provided to the researcher in hard copies for analysis by the 2 Catholic priests. The narratives were individual stories of healing experiences and written voluntarily by the healees themselves. Five themes were extracted from the narratives, namely, sensation of warmth, feeling of lightness, electrifying sensation, feeling of heaviness, and a weeping episode. Further, the study was able to unfold four themes on spiritual coping, namely, empowering faith, letting God be in control, acceptance leading to renewal, and connectedness with God. Faith healing experience begins with multisensory-physiological changes (e.g., sensation of warmth, electrifying sensation, feeling of heaviness) leading to affective/emotional, changes (e.g., weeping moment and feeling of lightness) that occur simultaneously, or in succession as antecedent conditions that awaken or activate inner adaptive spiritual coping responses with illness such as empowering faith, God being in control, acceptance leading to renewal, and connectedness with God.

Belief in Faith Healing and HbA1c: Exploring the Mediating Role of Meaning in Life

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between belief in divine healing and HbA1c (a biomarker of blood glucose control). Three major findings emerged from our analysis of data from a nationwide survey. First, a set of descriptive analyses suggest that faith healing beliefs are not the sole province of Conservative Christians. Instead, belief in divine healing is more widely spread in the general population. Second, our analyses indicate there is a nonlinear relationship between belief in divine healing and HbA1c values: HbA1c scores are relatively high (i.e., less desirable) among study participants with low levels of belief in faith healing. However, levels of HbA1c are lower among study participants with a stronger belief in the divine. Third, our analyses further indicate that a religious sense of meaning in life, but not a general sense of meaning, mediates the relationship between belief in faith healing and HbA1c values.

Murmurs and Miracles

Abstract This article explores how early Pentecostals read, interpreted, and utilized the character of Miriam within the Old Testament. Despite the prominent focus upon masculine Old Testament figures within pentecostal history, the reception of feminine figures within Pentecostalism is less clear. As such, this article seeks to uncover how Miriam the prophetess was presented and interpreted within early pentecostal literature, with the emphasis on such subjects as divine healing, dancing, support for women in ministry, faithfulness, and murmuring. These interpretations of Miriam demonstrate positive and negative appraisals of her character and reflect her multifaceted reception within Pentecostalism. Finally, this article concludes with a summary of these interpretations and a call for continued reflection upon historic readings within pentecostal history.

Inner Healing, Embodied Emotions, and the Therapeutic Culture of Christian Healing Ministries

Abstract This address explores the relationship between pentecostal experience and pentecostal rituals and practices. Specifically, it will investigate this relationship through an analysis of healing and deliverance. This exploration takes place in three parts. First, it offers a description of the role, practices, and experience(s) of healing in Christian Healing Ministries. Second, it provides a theoretical orientation for analyzing and understanding the social and religious processes that are occurring in the ministry. Finally, it offers some theological and personal reflections on conducting this kind of research and their implications for the study of Pentecostalism.

The Impact of Divine Healing on Evangelism Based on Acts of the Apostles Chapter 3 and Its Significance for Believers

Divine healing sometimes sparks fervent debates among Bible-believing individuals about its central role in the Bible. The undeniable fact is that divine healing occurred in both the Old and New Testaments, indicating that it is not in conflict with the teachings of the Bible. When Jesus healed someone, as He frequently did, His motive was never self-glorification but rather to aid those in need. He is a compassionate Healer, a Savior, addressing both physical and spiritual ailments. In Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 3, a divine healing event is recounted, and it holds significance for evangelism. To ensure accurate and accountable data in this study, the author employed library research and exposition studies using inductive methods. The primary goals of this study were, first, to provide a clear and detailed explanation of divine healing based on Acts Chapter 3. Second, to elucidate the close relationship between faith and divine healing. Lastly, to explore the impact of divine healing on evangelism as reflected by its followers. In conclusion, divine healing is a manifestation of God's work for those who have faith in the name of Jesus. It serves the purpose of bringing individuals closer to God, nurturing love for God, inspiring a life dedicated to glorifying Him, and producing positive impacts on others.

Public health promotion of COVID-19 vaccination to rural consumers: synthesising the role of social media and religious belief systems

PurposeThe main purpose of the study was to synthesise the role of COVID-19 social media messages and indigenous religious beliefs on public health promotion initiatives among rural consumers in Zimbabwe.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was adopted. Population consisting of 15 interviews and six focus groups was purposively sampled from Manicaland, Mashonaland Central and Masvingo provinces in Zimbabwe. A thematic approach was used to present and analyse the data.FindingsRural consumers believed WhatsApp messages posted by people whom they know or influential personnel like health workers. Credibility of WhatsApp messages was enhanced through its ability to send videos and audios. Teachings and indoctrination by indigenous churches and misinformation were found to be an impediment in believing COVID-19 WhatsApp messages and vaccination by rural consumers. Faith healers in indigenous churches used various practices and artefacts like holy water, stone pebbles, clay pots, flags and wooden rods to pray and treat patients suffering from COVID-19 and other ailments.Practical implicationsSocial media messages, religious teachings and indoctrination may be a hindrance to rural consumers in adopting government public health promotion initiatives; hence, public health professionals need prior emic understanding and co-option of local leadership in vaccination campaigns.Originality/valueThis study outstretches the theoretical landscape in consumer behaviour and also practical contribution to health practitioners and marketers on breaking indigenous religious barriers and social media misconceptions on vaccination uptake through promotional strategies earmarked for rural consumers.

African Kanisa Israel Faith Healing and the Management of COVID-19 in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

The study investigated the African Kanisa Israel faith healing and the management of COVID-19 in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. It traced the history of A. K. Israel, assessed the concept of faith healing in A. K. Israel, and examined the role of A. K. Israel’s faith healing in the management of COVID-19. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research designs and settings. This entailed purposive sampling, stratified sampling, and simple random sampling to obtain data from the African Kanisa Israel faithful with regard to the usage of faith healing in the management of COVID-19. Respondents included 1 A. K. Israel Bishop, 40 A. K. Israel faith healers, 384 A. K. Israel faith healing users, and 5 area Chiefs. The study indicated that A. K. Israel mainly preaches faith healing to address health concerns. The teachings of the A. K. Israel on faith healing are recognized by the faithful as a safety net for disease; therefore, adherence to their indigenous practices and the prophecy about COVID-19 helped a great deal in maintaining optimal health status amidst the pandemic. The study recommends revisiting the indigenous practices and taking that which is useful and blending it with science to arrive at sustainable solutions to not only coronavirus disease but also future calamities. Following this, the study advocates for measures to be put in place to enable the tapping of indigenous knowledge systems as a basis for the understanding and management of diseases hand in hand with science. That entails moving from a people’s knowledgeable base to the unknown

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome in Saudi Arabia: A Survey Study.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes all healthcare practices that are not part of conventional medicine. One of the most common eye disorders for visiting an ophthalmology clinic is dry eye disease (DED), and due to the increasing number of CAM used for eye conditions, 1 in 5 patients has been reported in previous studies to use CAM for eye treatment. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CAM use among patients with (DED). A web-based survey was used to collect the data, the first part of the questionnaire was about demographic data, and the second part included a validated Arabic version of the ocular surface disease index (OSDI). The third part was about practices that alleviate DED other than conventional medicine. The total sample was 282, 61 were males, and 221 were females. Most participants (48.5%) were between 25 and 44 years old, 90% were Saudi, and only 10% were non-Saudi. Of the participant, 70% reported having attained a university or higher education level. The prevalence of the use of CAM among patients with dry eye was around 85%. The most frequently reported type of CAM used among the participants was faith healing (Ruqyah) (41%). This was followed by warm compressors (37%). There was no significant correlation between the severity of OSDI and using CAM, as the p-value was 0.909. In conclusion, our study shows that CAM is a popular choice among patients with dry eye syndrome. Faith healing and warm compressors are the most used types of CAM. However, the lack of correlation between OSDI severity and CAM use indicates that patients may use CAM for reasons other than symptom severity. Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind CAM use and its effectiveness in managing dry eye syndrome.

Saints, Cure-Seekers and Miraculous Healing in Twelfth-Century England

Saints, Cure-Seekers and Miraculous Healing in Twelfth-Century England

The Athletic Religious Faith Scale: Part II—Development and Initial Validation

The Athletic Religious Faith Scale (ARFS) is an instrument measuring religious faith in a sporting context. This study validated the ARFS using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to reach a final version of the scale. Using the EFA, seven domains were classified: religious coping (9 items), religious psychological effects (5 items), dependence on faith (5 items), religious mental healing (6 items), flow (4 items), athletic identity (4 items), and religious dietary practices (7 items). Using CFA, all construct factor loadings were over 0.5. Composite reliability and Cronbach’s alpha values indicated adequate reliability (0.81–0.94) for all ARFS domains. The convergent validity and discriminant validity of all constructs were also established. Overall, the ARFS is a reliable and valid assessment tool for measuring religious faith in athletes. The ARFS could potentially be used with athletes of various religious affiliations in different countries, cultures, and sporting contexts.