FROM: Terry Lynch@aol.com; POB 241035; Montgomery, AL 36124-1035
Phone: (334) 272-4217 voice, 270-0926 fax 

DATE:  Feb. 24, 1998 

TO:  Letter to the Editor      WORD COUNT: 250 

REF: Using Newspaper To Teach Faith Healing Dangerous

Regarding the Montgoemry Advertiser Feb. 24th 2,000 year old report, "A Dying Girl,
Sick Woman," there is no scientific evidence to support a belief 
or practice in faith healing.  In fact such practices in modern 
times can result in people dying instead of getting medical 
treatment which may cure their sickness or relieve their symptoms 
and improve the quality of their lives.

I am amazed that fundamentalist harp about their being no 
scientific proof of evolution, yet accept without question 
Biblical stories about faith healers and miracle workers.  In 
fact, there is much to suggest that the latter behavior is the 
result of charlatans and con men.

Many diseases, such a hemophilia or bleeding which will not stop, 
have scientific explanations and proven therapies.  Two thousand 
years ago the cause of hemophilia was not known.  Yet today we 
know these people lack a protein called anti-hemophilic globulin 
or Factor VIII.  We also know that hemophilia is a genetic 
disease, passed from generation to generation by female 
"carriers."  According to the AMA Family Medial Guide, "about 1 
male in 10,000 has hemophilia.  In about 75 per cent of cases, 
there is a family history of the disease, but in the remaining 
cases, the hemophiliac is the first of his line, probably because 
of a mutation, or spontaneous change in the genes of his mother."  
Teaching faith healing will not stop the bleeding of a 
hemophiliac but infusing a concentrated form of Factor VIII into 
a vein can usually control bleeding.

This is but one example of how modern science and medicine have 
laid to rest superstitions of the past.  Why do people continue 
to believe in this type of faith healers and miracle workers? 
Could it be media endorsed and promoted ignorance?

If the ADVERTISER is going to reprint Bible stories which could 
result in people being hurt or coned by modern day faith healers 
or by their failure to seek medical attention, then the 
ADVERTISER should devote an equal amount of space to informative 
articles on science and medicine.  Otherwise the ADVERTISER will 
contribute to the public ignorance and so be partially liable for 
any hurt or harm which results.  For example if someone with 
Hogkins lymphoma seeks out a faith healer instead of radiation or 
chemotherapy, death instead of cure may result.  Bible stories 
are fine entertainment but ineffective medical care.  The 
ADVERTISER does a disservice to the community promoting faith 
healing.  What we really need is an newspaper which will help 
inform and educate the public and support programs to provide the 
best health care money can buy for all our citizens!

Sincerely,
Terry Lynch
Montgomery, AL