NCAHF Consumer Information Statements
on Faith Healing and Psychic Surgery (1987)

Faith Healing

• "Faith healing" refers to the apparently beneficial outcomes of rituals or religious activities on behalf of the afflicted. Unless such outcomes are clearly miraculous (eg, the restoration of an amputated body part) they may simply be regarded as fortuitous and probably involving psychological mechanisms. This does not deny the value of "faith healing" for psychological conditions but places limitations upon its usefulness for the purpose of minimizing unnecessary harm and maximizing its possible therapeutic value.
• Faith healing should never be done publicly or in such a manner that the afflicted must demonstrate his/her faith by discontinuing needed medications, removing supportive braces, or performing potentially trauma-inducing acts.
• Faith healers should provide their "gift of healing" without fee or acceptance of donations (i.e., in the example of Christ in who's name they often claim to heal).
• Potential healees should be psychologically prepared to accept null effects to prevent them from taking such results as a sign of Divine rejection or punishment.

Psychic Surgery

• The alleged removal of diseased tissue from the body without leaving an incision as has been practiced in the Philippines for some years is denounced as a complete fraud; not only does it waste money and cause psychological harm through promoting false hope, it can keep people from seeking valuable health care before it becomes too late for effective therapy.