I would of course have to see both Gary and Dr Davies at the same time. And even then one of them might be Nina Knowland in drag.
Well, that's the reason I don't proselytise for skepticism. Dashing someone's illusions, whether about the paranormal, alternative medicine or about religion, even if I could do it, would merely make them feel worse.
Unfortunately this approach risks the growth of woo-woo to the stage where it becomes dangerous - and us skeptics find ourselves a persecute minority
I knew there would be a simple explanation for these names not existing, have faith in Gary
Sceptics are always a pain in the backside. My predicament is the 2 medical professions I mentioned that back my work. Thankfully I mis spelled ones name and called the other by the name I personally call him (i also thinkI need to check his last name as I spent some time with his family last yar and assumed he had the same last name as them) and I think I got his potion wrong he is a physiotherapist for northwick part hospitall but apprently not the head which honstly is news to me :-D. Do I come out with the real names - would clear my name in that case but I fear they would be harrassed just as some of the centers I am working at are being harase at the moment. Evenb recieveing threats!
But you won't. Tangled web Gary.Sceptics are always a pain in the backside. My predicament is the 2 medical professions I mentioned that back my work. Thankfully I mis spelled ones name and called the other by the name I personally call him (i also thinkI need to check his last name as I spent some time with his family last yar and assumed he had the same last name as them) and I think I got his potion wrong he is a physiotherapist for northwick part hospitall but apprently not the head which honstly is news to me :-D. Do I come out with the real names - would clear my name in that case
Threats? Why, thats terrible! By all means post proof/evidence.but I fear they would be harrassed just as some of the centers I am working at are being harase at the moment. Evenb recieveing threats!
Name and shame.
Not necessarily, since the only one that he has so far managed to name correctly didn't exactly back him up (unless he considers "I will ask him to refrain from using my name in his future talks as I was only investigating his talents at the time that I have known him", and "I do share your concerns about his extravagant claims. I have yet to be impressed by him" to be supportive comments).Do I come out with the real names - would clear my name in that case...
Perhaps that's why he's unwilling to give correct names for the others.
It looks like Gary is going to allow rainbows/lara123 to check the 2 names.
From "spiritlove".
Gary,yes if you would email me the names i will check them out and at least the name issue will perhaps be solved one and for all.
Nullius in verba.
If lara123 happens to read this - and frankly I would have thought she'd be too busy chatting with dead embryos to take much of an interest in Gary's affairs - here's a useful tip:
When you find these mysterious people, don't forget that we need statements directly from THEM - a message from you to the effect that "X fully supports Gary Mannion's claims" is worthless. Unlike the woo merchants we know that the plural of "anecdote" isn't "data". Incidentally lara, while you're at it you might like to find out which hospital/cancer specialist was "shocked" when "Rodger Andrews"' terminal cancer vanished within two days of Gary's treatment.
It's glaringly obvious to any thinking person that the reason Gary named Dr Gowri Motha, Manesh Naidoo and Dr Glen Davies is that he knows his target audience. People who are into psychic surgery, clairvoyance, crystals and the rest of the steaming pile of Newage are, almost by definition, people with little or no curiosity about the real world. When Gary Mannion uses the names of famous - or at least medically qualified - people, he knows that the faithful are highly unlikely to make their own enquiries.
That leaves us with "Brain Gym". More precisely, it leaves us with the copyright symbol that should follow "Brain Gym". I brought Gary's use of this COPYRIGHTED technique, which we know he used in at least one workshop (at Nash Manor last month) and described in an online Q&A session on "spiritlove", to the attention of a member of the "Brain Gym" executive committee. She told me that the organisation has no record of Gary training with them and that his description of the technique on "spiritlove" was emphatically not an accurate one.
And let's get something else straight: Gary must have a pretty warped view of the world if he thinks that "sending an e-mail expressing concern over a person's lies and evasions" is tantamount to "harrassment". Yes, I have contacted the venues on Gary' schedule for the next few months. I've also contacted the relevant Trading Standards authorities because in my opinion Gary is a rogue trader. His use of saccharine New Age spirituality to sell his imaginary skills doesn't alter the fact that he's on the same moral level as a cowboy builder.
Finally, I think any venue hosting Gary's gigs should be made aware of his treatment of cancer patients. It's obvious from the statements Gary has made on this forum that he believes he can cure cancer but knows perfectly well that it's illegal to make this claim. Bear in mind the farcical get-out clause Gary used on "spiritlove": ""Anything mentioned by me is MY OPINION. I do not medically claim anything and do not state that what I say is correct". Then read the testimonial from Rodger Andrews:
Rodger Andrews: Aged 61, Littlehampton
Rodger came to see me because he suffered with Liver Cancer and was told he had 3 years left to live if he had Chemo and radiotherapy. However he was told that he would not recover from this cancer. 2 days after seeing me he went for a scan at his hospital to find the cancer had disappeared. The hospital being shocked sent him for repeat scans and other tests again to find the cancer had gone. They have no explanation for this. To this day the cancer is still nowhere to be seen. He is happy to recommend me to anyone.
http://abehealing.org/7.html
Put yourself in the position of a terminally ill cancer patient desperate to try anything as a last resort. Which would you want to believe? Doesn't this testimonial have the words "Yes, I can save you from certain death but the law doesn't allow me to say so openly" written between the lines?
Gary, I'm afraid you'll have to come to terms with the fact that your days of uncritical adulation as a wonder-working "Indigo Child" are over. You managed to slip under the radar for a while but you've finally come up against people who aren't afraid to say that this particular New Age Emperor is wearing no clothes.
Last edited by Julia; 16th February 2008 at 02:00 PM. Reason: Typo
This is the e-mail I sent to the venues and Trading Standards Authorities in question. I leave it to readers to decide how "threatening" it is:
"Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to draw your attention to the claims and activities of Mr Gary Mannion, a 20-year-old practitioner of alternative medicine who will be appearing at ---- on ----.
Mr Mannion's claims are currently being investigated by representatives of the websites www.badpsychics.com and www.skeptics.org.uk. We are particularly concerned by the following aspects of Mr Mannion's work:
A) On many occasions, most recently at a "demonstration of psychic surgery" at St James' Church, Piccadilly, Mr Mannion has claimed to have worked with Dr Gowri Motha ("obstetrician to the stars" and pioneer of the waterbirth technique), Manesh Naidoo (Head Physiotherapist at Northwick Park Hospital) and Glen Davies, a homeopathic doctor with 30 years' experience.
Dr Motha has informed me via e-mail that although she knows Mr Mannion, she has not seen him for a year and has "yet to be impressed" by his abilities. Dr Motha added that she is concerned by his "extravagant claims", so concerned in fact that she has asked him to stop using her name in future.
Manesh Naidoo is not Head Physiotherapist at Northwick Park, and a spokeswoman for the hospital tells me that no-one of that or a similar name has been employed at Northwick Park in the five years she has worked there.
Dr Glen Davies does not appear on the registers of the General Medical Council, the British Homeopathic Association or the Society of Homeopaths.
B) Mr Mannion has used the copyrighted technique "Brain Gym" (http://www.braingym.org.uk/) in at least one workshop and has described it in misleading terms several times in an online Q&A session, yet his name does not appear of the register of accredited instructors. "Brain Gym" has no record of him attending any of their training courses.
C) Mr Mannion appears to be using and even teaching hypnotherapy, yet refuses to say what qualifications he has, if any.
D) Most disturbing of all, Mr Mannion treats cancer patients. One of Mr Mannion's websites includes a testimonial from "Rodger Andrews" which insinuates that his terminal cancer completely disappeared within two days of Mr Mannion's treatment (http://www.divinemessengers.com/GM%20Testamonials.htm).
Although Mr Mannion goes to great lengths to insist that he does NOT claim to cure cancer - even using the farcical get-out clause that "Anything mentioned by me is MY OPINION. I do not medically claim anything and do not state that what I say is correct" - it is perfectly obvious to anyone, particularly terminally ill people desperate enough to try anything, that Mr Mannion is actually saying "I believe I can cure cancer but I'm not legally allowed to say so".
On behalf of those members of UK-Skeptics and BadPsychics who have gone to a great deal of time and trouble to expose Mr Mannion's lies and evasions I would ask you to look further into Mr Mannion's claims before allowing him to exploit vulnerable people in -----."
Threats? Harrassment? I don't think any recipient of that e-mail will be rushing to report me to the police...
Gary claimed that the Brain Gym was just a mistake on the flyers? I wonder how that happened.
I saw this on one of his other websites regarding the cancer patient earlier.
http://www.garymannion.com/Rodger Andrews: Aged 61, Littlehampton
Rodger came to see me because he suffered with Liver Cancer and was told he had 3 years left to live if he had Chemo and radiotherapy. However he was told that he would not recover from this cancer. Due to the law regarding cancer I have removed the text that was here and reiterate I do not claim to cure cancer. What I can say is Rodger is currently well, still with us and happy to recommend me to anyone.
Very interesting...thanks for pointing that out!
This has also appeared very recently at the top of Gary's "Testimonials" page.
All testimonials featured are of the opinion of the person that wrote them: Gary Mannion takes no responsibility for anything stated and would like to make it clear for legal reasons that he does not claim to have healed or cured anyone. Even if no medical explanation can be given for a persons recovery.
Hi Gary.....
Bi Gary (6.50pm)
Last edited by bindeweede; 16th February 2008 at 06:51 PM.
If I was a healer, I wouldn't be scared by 'legal reasons'. I would love my day in court to prove my ability really existed. This guy is getting more slippery by the day. If we continue at this rate, there won't be anything left for him to claimOriginally Posted by bindeweede
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