h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well that is what is known as the placebo effect. And I´m not sure I want to let people make lot´s of money out of that. And I can´t say I have seen anything to indicate the threefold thing is true. Or karma. But if some wiccan could show me something magical I would be rather happy.
Also just because you start to feel better, it dosn´t mean your tumour has necessarily stopped growing. So such things might be quite bad for you, meaning you don´t get proper treatment before it is too late.

Do you have a tumour?

No, I was just giving an example.

The best thing to do with a tumour is to get it removed.
No-one needs a psychic or spiritual healer to do that for them, they can go and see a doctor.

Yes but some healers claim they can cure cancer. Those philipinos for example.
So do you believe a spiritual healer can actually cure diseases, or is he just able to put you in a better mood?

As an aside here, there is plenty of evidence that people who believe they are overcoming illness, are better able to overcme that illness, even in the example given here, of cancer. Placebos can work very well.

That's not to say we should allow the disreputable charlatans go unchallenged, when their 'powers' seem to be used to line their own pockets, at the expense of vulnerable people, whom in many cases are effectively being exploited.