Rasputin and Serums and Herbs--Oh My! (page 2)

violias

I have not read the blog yet either( but will) but know jws tend to go to extremes a lot of times. I think we can avail ourselves of modern medicine and use some alt. medicine too. I once had a sis try to sell me a line of Vits - the catch was I had to really believe they would cure me. I declined. Pills either work or they don't . The wtbs has a long history of supporting quackery . If you had access to the Golden Age you'd see some of the ridiculous things for sale in them. I like to use a website called http://www.quackwatch.com/

I knew a sister who nearly killed herself with herbal meds. She damaged her liver. Herbs are not side effect free. I own Herb and vit and supplement guide books and use them . they can be helpful but not everyone should take them , in other words, RTFM. before taking herbs, vits or supplements.

I think you might be able to get the best of both western and eastern medicine that way.

Miles you comments were great, you just did not understand the topic.

btw, wanted to add jws are not the only folks who use almost voodoo medicine. lots of folks do this.

millie210

Cofty,

Really, that is beneath you to be quoting what I clearly stated I wish to remove but cannot because it was past the allowed post editing time.

No point in your kicking a dead horse since I am not going to continue to litter a thread designed for support with a contradictory viewpoint.

I have already told rebel8 that I am sorry I even walked in the door of this thread.

Quote a viable post or start your own thread - its a little more classy.

violias

I just read your blog and recall all of that Rebel- all of it. We were once invited to a cong get together and it turned out to be a Shaklee party. We showed up and everyone was dressed up really fancy, party. I found out it was a recruiting party for Shaklee and told them we were not the least bit interested - we were asked to leave. We were surprised but not too much having remembered how the jws got all messed up with the pyramid schemes of the 60's.

truthseeker100

Rebel I don't remember the Shaklee stuff but everything else sure rings a bell. Maybe the shaklee stuff was an American thing?

rebel8

I really don't know if the Shaklee thing was widespread among jws at that time. I've heard it was but I don't personally remember. I was pretty young then and had little exposure to the rest of the dubs' herbal practices. Or maybe I just don't remember. It was definitely a big thing in my area, along with iridology, muscle testing, kinesiology, and a form of hypnotism to recover supposed suppressed memories (I can't remember what they called it). Oh and that thing where you hover your hands over someone to manipulate their qi. I do know dubs in other areas who to this day still are really into this stuff, even doing it as their main source of income.

Please remember, I have a very rare disorder, and as such, my experience was pretty unique. I'm sure the run-of-the-mill dub never has a conversation about Rasputin or is called a vampire in the kh ladies' room. I aim to point out the scientific illiteracy, coupled with a paranoia about proof and an affinity for the unproven, is dangerous.

rebel8

Oh boy. I just now thought to search the litteratrash for keyword Rasputin. Yep, no wonder why they were on about that so much with me.

"July 17, 1918, the date of Nicholas Romanoff’s execution by the Bolsheviki, is not too long ago for us to remember the last of the Russian czars, Nicholas II. Of him The Encyclopedia Americana (volume 20, page 315) says: “His superstition was shown by his consultation of fortunetellers, spiritualists, mystics and charlatans in his desire to secure a male heir, his first four children being all girls.” He is all too well known for his connections with the notorious Russian Monk Gregor Novikh, nicknamed “Rasputin,” meaning “dissolute, profligate, libertine, licentious,” because such he was. Rasputin came of a peasant family with an inherited gift of mesmerism. He started a new cult, in which dancing and debauchery were mixed in with mystical seances. He was introduced to the Russian Imperial Court, where for years he exercised a powerful influence with Nicholas II, who retained him in his court, even against the protest of others." - "The Watchtower," 9/1/55, pp. 528,529.

j dubb

JWs are rife with every alternative practice and multi-level marketing sceme out there.

Amway, Herbalife, Melaleuca, Shaklee, Noni juice, Excel Communications, 2Xtreme, etc etc etc. Some congregations become dominated by members involved in a certain company. The lack of critical thinking skills enables dubs to easily become involved in MLM scemes as well as the alternative medicine stuff.

truthseeker100

Amway and Herbalife were big for sure.

LisaRose

I think there is a common thread to the two things. The average JW thinks they know something that others don't, that they know more than the "experts", those more well educated than they are. It's a conceit, one encouraged by the Watchtower, it flatters their egos to think they are better than others, people they resent for having an education. The Watchtower slams traditional religions, implying that the clergy knowingly deceive people, but they have the "magic cure" in their belief system.

It's the same with those who who don't believe in traditional medicine. It's a common misconception by many, not just JWs, that the drug companies and doctors conspire somehow to deprive people of better cures, that they are invested in people being sick. Of course this is propagated by those with a "miracle cure" of some sort. It's nonsense, but works because it plays into people paranoia and resentment of people with a better education.

That is not to say that all alternative medicine is bunk. I have used meditation, acupuncture and massage therapy, but those are fairly mainstream, with some science to indicate they are effective. You just have to be careful, there is a lot of questionable therapies and the internet is full of misinformation. Most of these cures are being pushed by someone who has a financial stake in it, so that is a red flag.

HeyThere

I believe balance between both modern medicine and homeopathic/dietary methods for true health.

There are many ways we can all care for ourselves...and what we eat is huge. I believe this is step one. Diet has been linked to cancer, headaches, diabetes, heart health, etc. Obesity is a plague of its own. We tax smokers, increase health care costs, etc. But no action has been taken that I'm aware of to do the same for morbid obesity. Although similiar health risks are involved.

Modern medicine has brought to light some amazing medical interventions, surgeries, technologies, medicines, etc. I have had my experience with modern medicine event though I am in relatively excellent health.

I am 35, and have spinal issues that I take 7 medications for multiple times each day. These medicines have some scary long term use side effects, from liver disease to....just not something I am looking forward to. If I lived in a state with medicinal marijuana I could likely stop taking every single one of these pills and have less side effects.

On the other hand, surgical and other procedures have helped significantly.

As with everything, there must be balance.

Rasputin and Serums and Herbs--Oh My!

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