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Cornelius Macauley wrote:

Hi, guys --

I have a question regarding alternative medicine. I have Epilepsy and have been struggling to control it for years.

Recently, my chiropractor suggested that I talk to his friend who practices Ayurvedic Medicine; she is also a chiropractor.

I don't know anything about it but after talking to this practitioner I see there is a bit of religious myth and philosophy behind its theories.

I am a Catholic.

  • Is it moral to try this even if I don't accept the religious teaching?

Thanks for your help,

Cornelius Macauley

  { Is it moral to try Ayurvedic Medicine even if I don't accept the religious teachings? }

Mike replied:

Dear Cornelius,

No, it would not be morally OK to try this, even if you don't accept their religious teachings. Ayurvedic Medicine has a Hindu god associated with Ayurveda so the basis of its teachings and practices are nowhere near Christianity.

When we surround ourselves with even some indirect practicing of a New Age faith, over time we will come to accept it, while rejecting the true faith, the Catholic Faith. Therefore, we always recommend faithful Catholics who love the Bible but have to put up with a terrible Bible Study, to stick with a Catholic Bible Study or start one themselves!

It's great that our separated Brethren love the Scriptures but many times, their interpretations or lack of understanding of the Scriptures misrepresents the Catholic faith.

Regarding Ayurvedic medicine, I found two good Catholic sources that talked about this. It's worth reading.

Beware! the New Age Movement Is More Than Self-Indulgent Silliness
by Lee Penn
(The first paragraph)

In recent years, the New Age movement has come out of the closet in the Church and in the world. The New Age movement is made up of those who follow a potpourri of beliefs and practices that fall outside the boundaries of traditional Christianity. Its manifestations are protean. Some Catholic nuns walk on labyrinths to contact the "Divine Feminine." Increasing numbers of health insurance companies have heeded consumers' demands to cover offbeat treatments, ranging from Ayurvedic herbal medicine to "therapeutic touch"
— in which a "healer's" hands manipulate "energy fields" but never touch the patient's body.

Hillary Clinton has contacted the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt under the guidance of Jean Houston — a New York-based avatar who runs a "Mystery School," and who inspired the current fad of walking on labyrinths. Millions of Americans with more money than common sense are buying into this trendy, feel-good style of spirituality; they have helped to keep Neale Donald Walsch's Conversations with God on the best-seller lists since 1997. These are the people who proudly say, "I'm spiritual, but not religious." (more)

I hope this helps,

Mike

Bob replied:

Dear Cornelius,

I would stay away from these practices. They call on spiritual energy and power, which is an actual pathway for demonic activity (though they would not recognize what they do as such).

It is not a healing that comes from God, and it can actually make you worse in the end.

I have a good friend with a daughter with epilepsy and she uses cannabis oil, not the kind that is associated with any kind of high, but a very effective remedy for her.

I would seek other natural aids like that, but stay away from Eastern medicine for it is definitely dangerous from a spiritual viewpoint.

Peace,

Bob Kirby

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