Inspirited Wellness Podcast, Episode 6 – Is Homeopathy Compatible with Christianity?
Is homeopathy new age or demonic? Apparently, some Christians think so. I began looking into this idea and was appalled at the misinformation and ignorance by those with no understanding of homeopathy and how it works.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Christian.
It’s not my intent to convince anyone of anything. You’re free to believe anything you’d like – even it it’s not true. If you have a sincere conviction that homeopathy goes against your religious beliefs, then stay true to your conviction and don’t use it. But there’s no need to seek out some convoluted, blatantly false reason for your choice. If your belief is based on faulty information, then you should educate yourself and seek out the truth. At the very least, don’t repeat fictitious information!
Homeopathy and the FDA
False claim: Homeopathic medicines aren’t regulated by the FDA.
Homeopathy is a federally recognized form of medicine here in the United States. We have the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the U.S. and the Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) 400.400.*
The Homœopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States (HPUS) is the official compendium for Homeopathic Drugs in the U.S. The CPG 400.400 outlines standards for the manufacture and marketing of homeopathic medicines.
Say what you want about the government — I’ll probably agree with you, but I promise you that there’s nothing in the HPUS or the CPG 400.400 about spells or incantations, or any other form of magic or demonology. Homeopathic remedies are prepared in a very systematized fashion and you can get details on manufacturing processes from any homeopathic pharmacy.
*The FDA has recently pulled the CPG 400.400 and has issued a new Draft Guidance on homeopathy. For more information on how you can help protect homeopathy in America, visit Americans For Homeopathy Choice and comment on the FDA docket.
Is Homeopathy is Based on Eastern Spiritualism?
Samuel Hahnemann is accused of having mystical beliefs and some people use this to allege that homeopathy is based on eastern spiritualism. As a homeopathy student, I’ve read a lot of his writing and can tell you that the man absolutely believed in God. But even if he didn’t, the fact is that homeopathy is not based in eastern spiritualism, or any spiritualism. It’s based on the logical, empiric, scientific observation of health and human disease and is tested on healthy humans, not the sick.
Hahnemann’s use of the term “vital force” is another reason for the accusation that homeopathy is based in occult spiritualism.
Let’s break this down. I think we can agree that all living things have an enlivening energy that keeps their physical bodies alive. This energy has been observed throughout cultures. The Chinese call it Chi, in India, Prana. All living things have this energy and the dead do not. It’s clearly observable and can be detected and measured with current technology.
This energy is what keeps us alive and is always in a state of flux – reacting to environmental stimuli and maintaining homeostasis. Homeopathy works with this energy to stimulate the body’s innate healing power.
I wonder why this is a difficult concept because Christians believe in the spirit realm. We have souls. Jesus cast out dozens of “unclean spirits” in the bible. There’s the Holy Spirit. We know that there is a nonphysical realm that we can’t see and don’t understand a lot about. None of this can be quantified by science, but Christians still believe it.
On a side note, I believe that all truth is God’s truth. Just because a non-Christian culture observed a natural phenomenon and then incorporated it into their own religion or philosophy, does not mean that the actual truth or concept itself is ungodly. Do you know how many advances in medicine and mathematics came from non-Christian cultures? But that’s not what happened with homeopathy. Homeopathy was developed within Christian Europe and spread rapidly…because homeopathy works!
Homeopathy is based on principles that even Hippocrates, considered the “father of modern medicine,” observed in the human condition.
It doesn’t matter what religion or non religion you practice. Homeopathy works.
The Religion of Science
This brings me to the last point I want to make. Several articles stressed that the believer should look to science for answers — and I don’t completely disagree. I love science and am very appreciative of the wealth of knowledge and technology we have because of it. It’s systematic and logical, but not perfect.
Many people fall into the trap of believing that science has all the answers. We’re seeing a very alarming group-think that vilifies anyone who questions current science and there’s an ever increasing dogma that insists that the “science is settled” on certain subjects. This is an incredibly scary and unscientific mindset. Science has become a religion.
As our knowledge and technology grow, we learn new concepts and information and often discover that we were wrong about things we thought were facts. It’s always been that way.
One article states:
“Hahnemann began to eschew the western methodology of testing and observing data for more eastern ideas of treating the human body.”
I don’t think the author realizes how barbaric “modern medicine” was back then. Being treated by a doctor was as likely to kill you as heal you, and you probably had a better chance of survival without medical treatment. But at that time in history, the scientific and medical minds were absolutely sure they were right, just as they are today.
Hahnemann began to eschew testing and observation? Homeopathy is ALL about testing and observing data! Hahnemann spent years observing, testing, and perfecting homeopathy.
We must always be willing to search for truth because science is practiced by fallible human beings. Mistakes are a given because we bring our biases and preconceived ideas into everything we do.
The science is never settled.
How many times has a study shown a different result that turned a previously held scientific fact on its head?
How many medicines have been “FDA approved” and then taken off the market after they’ve caused enough death and irreparable harm?
The tide is turning as far as homeopathy is concerned. Technology is catching up and we’re starting to get some answers about how homeopathy works. There are now a plethora of good quality studies that show the effectiveness of homeopathy.
Taking the science argument to it’s logical end…
There’s no scientific proof of a God.
Science can’t explain the miracles of Jesus.
Christianity requires an element of faith.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” ~Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” ~Hebrews 11:6
“For by grace you have been saved through faith.” ~Ephesians 2:8
It’s not a blind faith though. There’s plenty of evidence for the existence of God. Science just can’t prove it. Science puts no stock in faith, but only believes in what it can observe and quantify. Therefore, science is limited in its scope.
On the other hand, homeopathy doesn’t require belief or faith. It’s not fairy tales, magic, or fantasy. It works simply, beautifully, and gently with your body to promote true health and healing. At the end of the day, that’s all a suffering person desires over almost anything else.
Until next time, much love and many blessings to you, and yours.
Christina
