Ugandan Christians are not sensitised about reflexology
http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/-/806314/900976/-/2f6nmtz/-/index.html
Posted Sunday, April 18 2010 at 00:00
TV and radio stations in Uganda are awash with adverts of reflexology centres. Ugandans are covertly being bombarded with the view that reflexology is the solution to all health problems. ‘Doctors’ are stealthily enticing Ugandans to consider reflexology.
It is certainly not wrong to want to be healthy; and we know that many ‘natural’ or alternative remedies are effective and legitimate for certain problems. But when a practice enters into the realm of the occult, Christians are forbidden from taking part. Dr David Sneed lists eight possible dangers of alternative health therapies such as reflexology: Failure to diagnose, failure to treat, emotional harm, wasted money, physical threats, toxic effects, diverted resources, and loss of reality. But what exactly is reflexology?
Reflexology XE ‘Reflexology’, which is also called zone therapy, is the technique of ‘applying pressure to specific reflex points to stimulate the body’s own healing powers.’ It is based on the concept that different parts of the foot correspond to and are somehow connected to various parts of the body. By massaging the foot (or hand) the practitioner can allegedly detect problems and help maintain physical and psychological health. While some reflexologists are basically foot massagers, and only claim to stimulate relaxation and reduce stress, most go far beyond this. TreatYourFeet.com says reflexology “creates a physiological change in the body by naturally improving your circulation” and claims that it is “an effective technique for regaining better health.”
Many reflexologists work on the occultic principle that the body has an energy field that can be manipulated. They call it “life force.” William Fitzgerald XE “Fitzgerald, William” , who invented modern reflexology in 1913, called it “bioelectric energy.” He believed that 10 vertical zones of this energy called meridians run through the body, and by rubbing one part of the foot the practitioner can supposedly manipulate the organs and bones and tissues in that particular zone.
Mildred Carter says, “By massaging reflexes ... you send a healing force to all parts of the body by opening up closed electrical lines that have shut off the universal life force.”
She also says that reflexology is “the healing miracle of the new age we are entering” . Many reflexologists use the New Age technique of visualisation. The Holistic Health Handbook instructs the practitioner to “visualise yourself as being a channel for healing energy that flows through your hands.”
Eunice Ingham, a disciple of Fitzgerald, describes reflexology as “opening the blocked meridians and channeling the healing power through visualisation” It is obvious that reflexology is based on occultic principles and should be avoided by Christians.
Michael George Kizito,
Kizitomg@gmail.com
