New Age Therapies

[Colr]

Known as "Darwin's rottweiler", Prof Richard Dawkins caused a furore with a stinging attack on religion. Now the evolutionary biologist has turned his wrath on "new age" alternative therapies, describing them as based on "irrational superstition".

Prof Dawkins says that alternative remedies constitute little more than a "money-spinning, multi-million pound industry that impoverishes our culture and throws up new age gurus who exhort us to run away from reality".

TV series coming up should be worth watching.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../newage105.xml

[egb_hibs]

sounds interesting.

chesterton and dawkins would be united on this.

wonder if he'll explore scientism, and also wonder at his charge of diminishing our culture. surely he does the same when he feels right to do so?

mind you, john gray reckons there've been no atheistic contribution to culture, the cheeky bugger.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

sounds interesting.

chesterton and dawkins would be united on this.

wonder if he'll explore scientism, and also wonder at his charge of diminishing our culture. surely he does the same when he feels right to do so?

mind you, john gray reckons there've been no atheistic contribution to culture, the cheeky bugger.

Did you see The Bullshit Detective a while back. That was hilarious. Especially when he was doing crystal energy field healing with Werther's Originals. Classic!!!

What's scientism?

[egb_hibs]

broadly speaking...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism

[Colr]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

broadly speaking...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism

Not a thing at all, then, but a form of misunderstanding or an insult.

Werther's Original?

[Burbank Lilywhite]

versus





Without going into the merits of each camp's arguments I do find it amusing when ever there is a print or broadcast media article such as this, it seems the spiritual are always portrayed rather unflattering.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by Colr

Not a thing at all, then, but a form of misunderstanding or an insult.

Werther's Original?

the stuff at the beginning is closest to what i understand by it; the sort of distortion of science into a quasi-religion, where it is applied (even venerated) outside the scope of it's application. of course it would be rejected by adherents, but then so would 'bible basher' or whatever.

[SG7nil]

Which therapies are specifically "new age"?

Apart from crystal healing (without the Werthers originals) are we talking about aroamtherapy, homeopathy.. ??? Faith healing? Acupuncture?

In most cases there is no scientific reason why the therapy should work, however in a few cases some people do seem to derive a benefit from them, whether by pure chance or not it's hard to say, however I had a bad back at the start of the year and has physiotherapy that was very slowly getting me better. One of my friends suggested that acupuncture might help so I suggested it to my Physio (thinking that she'd laugh at the suggestion).... instead she said that if I wanted to try it, that she'd treat me! I decided I had nowt to lose and let her turn me into a pincushion.. It was great... half an hour later I felt a lot better (not magicaly cured, but my pain had decreased by at least 50%).

I don't understand the science of it, but am prepared to give alternative treatments a chance now.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by SG7nil

Which therapies are specifically "new age"?

Apart from crystal healing (without the Werthers originals) are we talking about aroamtherapy, homeopathy.. ??? Faith healing? Acupuncture?

In most cases there is no scientific reason why the therapy should work, however in a few cases some people do seem to derive a benefit from them, whether by pure chance or not it's hard to say, however I had a bad back at the start of the year and has physiotherapy that was very slowly getting me better. One of my friends suggested that acupuncture might help so I suggested it to my Physio (thinking that she'd laugh at the suggestion).... instead she said that if I wanted to try it, that she'd treat me! I decided I had nowt to lose and let her turn me into a pincushion.. It was great... half an hour later I felt a lot better (not magicaly cured, but my pain had decreased by at least 50%).

I don't understand the science of it, but am prepared to give alternative treatments a chance now.

i've an open mind on acupuncture, because i believe there is hypothetically a rational basis for it. not through interrupting energy flows or whatever knickers is claimed, but by stimulating nerve endings.

homeopathy and so on though, can only be working through the placebo effect (which could also explain some 'miracles' )- although that in itself shouldn't be sniffed at if it cures people. until we understand the connections between mind and body (if we ever do) i've plenty time for 'what works', but some of it is amusing too.

[SG7nil]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

i've an open mind on acupuncture, because i believe there is hypothetically a rational basis for it. not through interrupting energy flows or whatever knickers is claimed, but by stimulating nerve endings.

homeopathy and so on though, can only be working through the placebo effect (which could also explain some 'miracles' )- although that in itself shouldn't be sniffed at if it cures people. until we understand the connections between mind and body (if we ever do) i've plenty time for 'what works', but some of it is amusing too.

Let me tell you EGB, once I got the pins stuck in me, my whole body seemed to heat up. She covererd me with a light blanket but I was sweatin' like a proverbial pig... dripping off me it was! So although I don't know why it worked, it seemed to do something to my body's ability to regulate it's temperature..... it was slightly bizzare, but as I said I'm definitely more open minded now....

However if someone starts dangling Werthers over me and chanting, I'll just eat the sweets and gtf out of there!

[Haruki]

Originally Posted by Colr

Known as "Darwin's rottweiler", Prof Richard Dawkins caused a furore with a stinging attack on religion. Now the evolutionary biologist has turned his wrath on "new age" alternative therapies, describing them as based on "irrational superstition".

Prof Dawkins says that alternative remedies constitute little more than a "money-spinning, multi-million pound industry that impoverishes our culture and throws up new age gurus who exhort us to run away from reality".

TV series coming up should be worth watching.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../newage105.xml

Read all about it in The Times. Can't wait to see it. Dawkins makes me laugh like few humans can. IMHO he's one of the minds of our century and can do it with the very minimum of verboseness.

I think one of the series of the century could be him against Sir Robert Winston debating. Best of friends but very, very differenent view points. If they balk then how about ColR against EGB? I'd pay to watch either. I really would.

[egb_hibs]

i get a good laugh at dawkins as well, i have to admit.

[Louis Prima]

Suffered from a bad back for years. At one time could hardly lift myself out of the chair and decided I needed a chiropracter. Asked around at work and was advised to get in touch with this wummin down at East or west Linton. Fine. Prior to going, a sheepish workmate admitted that it was all a bit "new agey" and laying on of hands etc. Anyways I had made the appointment and decided to go. After a half hour session of massage etc (no not those kinds of extras) I said ta and gave her the fee. Got into the car back still louping £50 down to depress me even further. Drove back up the road cursing myself for being a twat, stopped and got petrol. Got back into the car and started to drve home and realised a couple of miles down the roadthat I had got in and out of the car pain free. This was about three years ago and my back has been trouble free. Something worked and I can reasonably say that it was not a placebo effect as I am one of the most cynical of people. So who knows but I would now allude to my own experience before dismissing it out of hand

[Colr]

The power of suggestion and the power of placebos are well documented - and rather amazing.

[hibadelic]

Reiki - what a crock of shite.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by hibadelic

Reiki - what a crock of shite.

i agree. it's feckin bogging stuff

[egb_hibs]

some atheists i know have 'programmed' crystals in their homes which, depending on the programme, sort out this or that.

it's a remarkable technology and a demonstration of the way that rational enquiry can make the world a better place.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

some atheists i know have 'programmed' crystals in their homes which, depending on the programme, sort out this or that.

it's a remarkable technology and a demonstration of the way that rational enquiry can make the world a better place.

What are you wittering on about?

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by Colr

What are you wittering on about?

just what i say; literally - i know some etc...

you don't have to be one to get on the act though. these crystals can be programmed for anyone apparently.

it's the age of aquarius, apparently.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

just what i say; literally - i know some etc...

you don't have to be one to get on the act though. these crystals can be programmed for anyone apparently.

it's the age of aquarius, apparently.

Energies and all that stuff?

Bad science!!! Some people should have paid more attention at school.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by Colr

Energies and all that stuff?

Bad science!!! Some people should have paid more attention at school.

colr, i wouldn't even dignify it with 'bad science'. i think it's just bollocks tbh.

but yes it is premised on something to do with energies. no matter how hard i plead, i have been unable to get anyone to demonstrate the programming process to me.

it's ironic really col me old chum, but in the real world, i'm often charged with being a spiritually barren rationalist.

[Colr]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

colr, i wouldn't even dignify it with 'bad science'. i think it's just bollocks tbh.

but yes it is premised on something to do with energies. no matter how hard i plead, i have been unable to get anyone to demonstrate the programming process to me.

it's ironic really col me old chum, but in the real world, i'm often charged with being a spiritually barren rationalist.

They seem to be requiring blind faith from you. Now where have I heard that before?