IN the heart of Islamabad, amidst all the modernity, lies the shrine of Bari Imam (Sufi Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi), witness to the enduring traditions of devotion, painting a mesmerizing picture of spiritual resilience that transcends time and space. Sun was setting over the shrine, casting a golden glow over its weathered domes and bustling courtyards, the timeless rituals of faith healing continued to unfold. I encountered an old woman wrapping her young daughter in a Chaddar with Arabic scripture on it.
Upon inquiring, she explained how this blessed piece of clothing will cure her daughter’s symptoms and get her married. I quickly realized that the symptoms she was referring to as mystic distress was actually schizophrenia and her grandmother had suffered the same, implying it was hereditary. I wanted to urge her to take her daughter to a good psychiatrist but as a psychologist I knew better than to distress people in moments of intense hope in their faith. This was just one of the many cases, both psychological and physical, that could be resolved by a simple visit to a healthcare facility.
Faith healing is a practice where devoted individuals seek help for their troubles via spiritual means. They delve into the metaphysical world of mysticism, out of hope or ignorance, rather than relying on contemporary medicine. I recognize the importance of hope and faith when it comes to healing any ailment, our mind is a powerful tool and whatever we feed it will have physical outcomes. That being said, there is an overwhelming need for awareness. Psychological toll of faith healing cannot be overstated, with unwavering trust, the disappointment that follows failed healing attempts are devastating. Guilt, shame and feelings of abandonment often accompany these setbacks, compounding the emotional anguish of individuals already grappling with illness. Misery is prevalent.
Despite its allure, faith healing poses significant risks as it operates on the premise that spiritual intervention alone is a cure all, forgoing medical intervention and treatments. By dismissing evidence-based medicine in favour of faith-based remedies, I believe that individuals risk delaying essential medical interventions, leaving life-threatening conditions untreated.
Furthermore, vulnerable people are often susceptible to manipulation and abuse because of the absence of governmental control around faith healing. Charlatans posing as healers take advantage by promising miraculous cures with no responsibility. In addition to undermining public confidence in respectable healthcare institutions, the unrestricted spread of pseudo-spiritual activities feeds a vicious circle of disinformation and superstition.
Faith healing exerts a broader societal impact by perpetuating harmful stigmas and inhibiting scientific progress. The promotion of the notion that illness is a manifestation of spiritual shortcomings fosters a culture of victim-blaming, further marginalizing an already vulnerable population. Thus, they divert resources and attention away from evidence-based research and treatment, and hamper efforts to improve public health. Lastly, these places often serve as breeding grounds for moral dysfunction. Corruption, sexual exploitation, and drug addiction thrive within their walls, ensnaring unsuspecting individuals in their web of deceit. These nefarious phenomena cast a dark shadow over the very essence of faith and healing.
In the light of these considerations, I suggest, it is imperative that society confronts the dangers of faith healing with vigilance and skepticism. While respecting individuals’ rights to religious freedom and spiritual beliefs, we must also advocate for the prioritization of scientifically approved medical practices. Health authorities and religious leaders alike should emphasize the need for a balanced approach, encouraging believers to seek proper medical treatment while also maintaining their faith traditions.
—The writer is MPhil scholar and researcher at National institute of Psychology, Centre of Excellence, Quaid e Azam University.
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