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Blind Faith: The Unholy Alliance of Religion and Medicine
Pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions for contraceptives. Surgeons who pray in the OR. Pro-life clinics and end-of-life interventions, intelligent-design activists and stem-cell-research opponents. Is this the state of modern medicine in America ?
In Blind Faith, Dr. Richard P. Sloan examines the fragile balance and dangerous alliance between religion and medicine―two practices that have grown disconcertingly close during the twenty-first century. While Sloan does not dispute the fact that religion can bring a sense of comfort in times of difficulty, he nevertheless believes, and in fact proves, that there is no compelling evidence that faith provides an actual cure for any ailment. By exposing the flawed research, Sloan gives readers the tools to understand when good medical science is subverted and, at the same time, provides a thought-provoking examination into the origins and varieties of faith, and human nature itself.
In Blind Faith, Dr. Richard P. Sloan examines the fragile balance and dangerous alliance between religion and medicine―two practices that have grown disconcertingly close during the twenty-first century. While Sloan does not dispute the fact that religion can bring a sense of comfort in times of difficulty, he nevertheless believes, and in fact proves, that there is no compelling evidence that faith provides an actual cure for any ailment. By exposing the flawed research, Sloan gives readers the tools to understand when good medical science is subverted and, at the same time, provides a thought-provoking examination into the origins and varieties of faith, and human nature itself.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 26, 2009
Sloan (no relation) addresses and answers three critical questions on teh relationship between religion and medicine:
1) Do efforts to link religion and health represent good science?
2) Do they represent good medicine?
3) Do they represent good religion?
Unsurprisingly his answer to all three is a clear NO.
The section on religion and health is somewhat dry, focusing as it must on study methodology. However, this is largely unavoidable, as how can one judge if the studies cited are good science without having clarified what precisely constitutes good science?
The section on good medicine is less dry as it includes more examples, many reasonably compelling. The last, on good religion focuses on the practice or religion rather than specific beliefs.
Overall an interesting and well-argued read, albeit a bit dry at times. By way of disclaimer, as a practicing physician with a good background in statistical methods, it is difficult fro me to judge how accessible and interesting some of the discussion may be to others with different backgrounds.
1) Do efforts to link religion and health represent good science?
2) Do they represent good medicine?
3) Do they represent good religion?
Unsurprisingly his answer to all three is a clear NO.
The section on religion and health is somewhat dry, focusing as it must on study methodology. However, this is largely unavoidable, as how can one judge if the studies cited are good science without having clarified what precisely constitutes good science?
The section on good medicine is less dry as it includes more examples, many reasonably compelling. The last, on good religion focuses on the practice or religion rather than specific beliefs.
Overall an interesting and well-argued read, albeit a bit dry at times. By way of disclaimer, as a practicing physician with a good background in statistical methods, it is difficult fro me to judge how accessible and interesting some of the discussion may be to others with different backgrounds.
February 13, 2015
Would work better as essay. The basic theme is fine except the book just goes on and on - fluffed up essay
June 9, 2017
Long read but worthy of all the pages. True scientific discussion of religion, dissecting all of the points that have been made in recent years connecting religion and medicine. While I was reading to confirm my own beliefs and in separation of medicine and religion, I have come away with new ways of thinking about the topic and plenty of new research to cite.
September 8, 2020
If you are looking for one person's opinion on this topic, this is the book for you. It is not a scholarly book and there are numerous methodological issues with his approach.
December 26, 2013
A book that should be an article. It takes a lot from the thoughts of Steven Jay Gould about the separate domains of religion and science.
There are two main points.
First, for many people, religion bring comfort in times of difficulty.
Linking religion and health trivializes religion
Second, methods of science have contributed nothing to ethics, inspiration, morals, beauty, love, hate or aesthetics. These are beyond the domain of science.
Always hope for the best, even if we do not expect it.
Quality of patients life is better with hope than without.
In all things it is better to hope than to despair. Goethe
Subjectivity over rationality
- actually there was no period of rationality
- before Sputnik nobody studied math
Dissatisfaction with state of medicine
Why has non rational thought about medicine seem to have increased.
Advocacy groups most notably the John Templeton Foundation
Media
- metamedia stories about stories
Metanarratives
What can we believe about medicine and faith based medicine.
- Only reports in peer reviewed journals are valid
- highest quality journals are best
- discount claims at press conferences
- cautious about bold claims
There are two main points.
First, for many people, religion bring comfort in times of difficulty.
Linking religion and health trivializes religion
Second, methods of science have contributed nothing to ethics, inspiration, morals, beauty, love, hate or aesthetics. These are beyond the domain of science.
Always hope for the best, even if we do not expect it.
Quality of patients life is better with hope than without.
In all things it is better to hope than to despair. Goethe
Subjectivity over rationality
- actually there was no period of rationality
- before Sputnik nobody studied math
Dissatisfaction with state of medicine
Why has non rational thought about medicine seem to have increased.
Advocacy groups most notably the John Templeton Foundation
Media
- metamedia stories about stories
Metanarratives
What can we believe about medicine and faith based medicine.
- Only reports in peer reviewed journals are valid
- highest quality journals are best
- discount claims at press conferences
- cautious about bold claims
March 15, 2012
Simple, easy reading -and a bit redundant. Mr. Sloan asks: Do efforts to link religion and health represent good science? Do they represent good medicine? Do they represent good religion?
The first chapters cover a very brief history of medicine and religion. This is followed by explanation of the scientific method and how to think critically about science information. Ultimately, he answers "no" to all three questions.
Really good line on page 57.
"We crave more personal, more caring treatment by the health care system. We want to be treated like people, not cases with one disease or another, not collections of tissues and organ systems."
For anyone who has taken science and critical thinking in an accredited college, this book may not offer anything new.
The first chapters cover a very brief history of medicine and religion. This is followed by explanation of the scientific method and how to think critically about science information. Ultimately, he answers "no" to all three questions.
Really good line on page 57.
"We crave more personal, more caring treatment by the health care system. We want to be treated like people, not cases with one disease or another, not collections of tissues and organ systems."
For anyone who has taken science and critical thinking in an accredited college, this book may not offer anything new.
December 3, 2013
Could the author be more biased or skeptical. Would value and respect the book more if he even tried to be non biased.
Also he picks the low lying fruit of research articles on medicine- ones that focus on prayer and church attendance. There are more articles that focus on quality of life and religion
Also he picks the low lying fruit of research articles on medicine- ones that focus on prayer and church attendance. There are more articles that focus on quality of life and religion
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March 31, 2015A lot of words to tell me what I already knew. Comfort is good in whatever form it comes in. Not to be confused with being favored by whatever god one believes in.
August 8, 2007
Religion and medicine can be mixed - just not by the doctor.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews