"non-evasive psychic surgery"

[Cuddles]

Here's the thing about scepticism. If it's a person's belief that is making them well, and then a sceptic takes that away from them, who has done more harm?

That's not really a problem, since people's beliefs don't make them well.

[bobdezon]

Touché

[Mongrel]

Here's the thing about scepticism. If it's a person's belief that is making them well, and then a sceptic takes that away from them, who has done more harm?

Amoxicillin works whether you believe it or not...

[ZERO]

Here's the thing about scepticism. If it's a person's belief that is making them well, and then a sceptic takes that away from them, who has done more harm?

Planes into skyscrapers, the inquisition, Waco, the odd person killed by an exorcisim gone wrong and the odd person who dies from cancer because some woo medical practice does not work. just to name a few. Belief does plenty of harm.

When was the last war fought over Scepticism or Athieism?

The world would be a better place without baseless belief in all its guises.

[The Great Bymble]

Planes into skyscrapers, the inquisition, Waco, the odd person killed by an exorcisim gone wrong and the odd person who dies from cancer because some woo medical practice does not work. just to name a few. Belief does plenty of harm.

Here's the latest example of beliefs leading to tragedy -
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...296741,00.html

In this case I don't know what disturbs me the most - that 40 family members watched and apparently did nothing to prevent a death,or that such practices continued after the fatality.

[bobdezon]

Ancient knowledge in action

[mahakala]

Yes of course it is easy to find examples where people did what they did unwisely.

It still doesn't change anything.

If accupuncture or herbology or homeopathy is bunk, why do some people get well?

Or do you wish to deny that anyone is ever helped in any way by any of these modalities.

[mahakala]

Oh I forgot. Millions are deluded. A few know the truth and they call themselves sceptics.

Yup. Church of Scepticism.

[ZERO]

Yes of course it is easy to find examples where people did what they did unwisely.

It still doesn't change anything.

If accupuncture or herbology or homeopathy is bunk, why do some people get well?

Or do you wish to deny that anyone is ever helped in any way by any of these modalities.

Placebo effect.
Its well documented, why don't you read up on it?

Oh I forgot. Millions are deluded. A few know the truth and they call themselves sceptics.

Yup. Church of Scepticism.

Church implies faith based belief.
Skepticism is about evidence.
If you haven't learned that on this site yet you must have a learning disability.

But, you're right. Millions are deluded.

[bobdezon]

I should also be added that sceptics can prove their claims, accupuncturists, herbologists and homeopaths cannot. So yes we know the truth, because we have taken the time to learn it.

[mahakala]

Is placebo effect not belief?

[DrS]

Not if it's demonstrated by evidence, no, I wouldn't say so.

[bobdezon]

placebo is a preparation which is pharmacologically inert but which may have a therapeutical effect based solely on the power of suggestion.

[Mojo]

If accupuncture or herbology or homeopathy is bunk, why do some people get well?

Or do you wish to deny that anyone is ever helped in any way by any of these modalities.

Oh look, the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy and a strawman argument.

[Janot]

If accupuncture or herbology or homeopathy is bunk, why do some people get well?

Put as simply as possible, a lot of illnesses cure themselves when you do nothing. The fact that a patient tried some cure and recovered does not necessarily mean the cure had any effect.