A man who says spirits heal sick people through him - shaman or charlatan? That's what RTÉ failed to ask, argues Paul O'Donoghue
Fergus Tighe's documentary about the Brazilian healer, Joao Teixeira de Faria, screened by RTÉ1 on Tuesday night last, illustrated television at its naive worst. In a programme supported by questionable claims, blatant trickery, genuinely sad testimonials and the spurious interpretations of two psychiatrists, one of whom, Jeffrey Rediger of Harvard University, is only a sceptic in the weakest sense of the word, we were asked to believe the impossible. Joao was also highlighted in a very uncritical feature by Kate Holmquist in The Irish Times on the same day.
Also known as John of God, Joao claims to heal virtually any illness, including Aids and cancer, via visible and - most commonly - invisible "surgery" . He is described as an unconscious medium who is possessed by more than 30 entities, which really carry out the surgery. He is apparently unaware of what he does. It is claimed that not a single case of infection has been reported despite the absence of sterilisation procedures.
It was claimed on the programme that Joao works for free. However it was not mentioned that his herbal preparations, holy water and healing stints on his crystal beds do cost. The healing beds consist of crystals suspended above a massage table. These crystals are said to operate on energy points on the body, called chakras by those who believe in them.
In 2002 the crystal beds were being sold by Joao to people chosen by the entities for $3,000 (€2,470). Many of those who have acquired the beds are alternative medicine practitioners who charge for their use back home. Many claim to send 50 per cent of earnings back to Joao as donations. Joao's clinic is big business, although a search of the internet will provide food for thought to those who wish to use their critical faculties.
THE USE OF ill people to lend credence to the work of this man is reprehensible. There is a danger that the documentary will encourage many more patients and their families to spend large amounts of money to visit the clinic in Brazil. This would in all likelihood be a fruitless exercise. The most that might be gained would be some kind of spiritual lift, having more to do with psychological factors precipitated by the euphoria of the staff and "pilgrims" present than any deity.
Michael Corry, a psychiatrist appearing on the show and quoted in Holmquist's article, said that the site of Joao's clinic is a "portal", like Lourdes, through which the healing energies of a greater power emerge with exceptional strength. If he, as a psychiatrist, can be seduced into such an unscientific and nonsensical interpretation, what hope is there for vulnerable and often extremely ill people, who might be tempted to travel to Joao in Brazil, to make rational interpretations and decisions?
While I do not claim to be able to explain all of the claims made in Tighe's documentary, I can certainly suggest many more rational interpretations than that this man is possessed and capable of supernatural achievements.
For example, the insertion of the forceps up the nose of patients is a version of an old and simple stage trick in which a magician puts a four-inch nail up his nose. Also, careful scrutiny of the scraping of the eye sequence, which most people turn away from, suggests that the knife does not touch the surface of the cornea.
In my opinion there was no genuinely sceptical questioning of the claims of Joao presented in this programme.
Sadly, there are many among us who must contend with huge and difficult challenges brought on by illness. Unfortunately there is no magic in the world to undo these things.
There are, however, many scientists and doctors who devote their lives to understanding and healing illness and they continue to make great strides. This is where genuine hope resides, not in clinics such as those run by Joao.
If you saw this programme, do not be taken in by what was presented. Consider what you were asked to believe.
Is it as fanciful as asking you to believe in the existence of fairies? I certainly think so.
Paul O'Donoghue is a clinical psychologist and founder member of the Irish Skeptics Society