There is a growing movement to incorporate religion into the practice of medicine. Proponents claim that hundreds of studies have shown the benefits of intercessory (distance) prayer, energy healing, and so on. Anecdotal stories of miraculous interventions abound. The media has been glutted with supporters of various religious links to healing and medicine.

But is it true? Does solid, empirical evidence really exist to prove these claims?

Richard Sloan, Ph.D. and behavioral medicine professor at Columbia University, disputes the validity of these findings. In his new book, BLIND FAITH: THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE OF RELIGION AND MEDICINE, Sloan examines the impact of religion on healthcare. He not only takes a critical look at the sources of supporters’ research, but at the mental, spiritual, and physical effects of blending religious ideals with medical cases. In addition, he raises the concern that sponsoring such research is harmful to religion; that to take something transcendent and try to make it scientific is to trivialize it. Toward the end of the book, Sloan posits:

“Recognizing the effort to bring religion into clinical medicine as bad science, bad medicine, and bad religion is not a critique of religion at all. In fact, it’s an effort to protect religion against the trivialization of being simply another part of the scientific enterprise.”

Ultimately, Sloan does not dismiss the importance of religion to patients and some doctors. However, he uses this platform to expose the dangers of mingling religion and health in inappropriate ways.

“But recognizing that religious and spiritual concerns arise in times of illness doesn’t mean that doctors should take these concerns on as part of their responsibility,” Sloan writes. “… doctors lack the time, the training, and the experience to engage in spiritual interactions with patients.”

This book is an important look at a growing movement. Sloan’s voice needs to be heard above the din, lest the system goes completely awry.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
10/17/2006

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