US bishops: Reiki is dangerous, superstitious

[Denise]

US bishops: Reiki is dangerous, superstitious
March 27, 2009

In a document released March 25, the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops blasted Reiki, a practice developed in Japan in the late nineteenth century that has gained acceptance in some Catholic retreat centers and other institutions.

After distinguishing between natural medicine and supernatural healing effected by Christ, the bishops conclude:

Reiki therapy finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief. For a Catholic to believe in Reiki therapy presents insoluble problems. In terms of caring for one's physical health or the physical health of others, to employ a technique that has no scientific support (or even plausibility) is generally not prudent.

In terms of caring for one's spiritual health, there are important dangers. To use Reiki one would have to accept at least in an implicit way central elements of the worldview that undergirds Reiki theory, elements that belong neither to Christian faith nor to natural science.

Without justification either from Christian faith or natural science, however, a Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition, the no-man's-land that is neither faith nor science. Superstition corrupts one's worship of God by turning one's religious feeling and practice in a false direction. While sometimes people fall into superstition through ignorance, it is the responsibility of all who teach in the name of the Church to eliminate such ignorance as much as possible.

Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy.

The bishops add, “Some forms of Reiki teach of a need to appeal for the assistance of angelic beings or ‘Reiki spirit guides.’ This introduces the further danger of exposure to malevolent forces or powers.”

[Marguerite F]

We need to pray that this is not too little too late!

Reiki gained it's ground in the US shortly after Chiropractors. Many practitioners worked for Chiropractors as message therapists.

The person who performs the massage in Reiki is always"channeling" a spirit, the "light spirit or Rei" is called upon to effect a healing of the muscles and "energy" of the patient.

Demons and minor spirits can then attach themselves to the patient and the results are havoc in the patients lives.

Feildenkrse is another new age massage theapy often used in clinics and hopitals. While these practioners often are new age in faith, the massage is more clinical than Reiki spirituality.

Praise God for Holy Bishops who are sounding the Clarion Calls.
Blessings,
Marguerite F