I’m all for healthcare reform but getting politics more involved does invite strange groups to try to become able to feed at the public trough. And to control other peoples’ lives.

Not a good idea. Religion doesn’t help your aches and pains, belief or faith does though. The Christian Scientists belief in scripture and faith that can heal you, that’s the basis of their Churches, or reading rooms. The only other Churches that I’ve read about using “alternative” treatments are the ones in Oregon and Washington. The children die while the elders pray, instead of seeking proper medical treatment. If the government is going to help perpetuate this type of belief with our tax monies I’m against it. There’s a very good reason for seperation of Church and State, and this is one of them. Prayer treatment should not be considered an alternative to Medical treatment, but as a compliment to each other. Prayer treatment should be directed by Churches in Churches, and the Para-Medical should direct patients to consult with Churches or find one if they are unchurched, and they think it would help them. Every hospital has clergy; don’t know if the hospital pays them or if they volunteer their hours. It’s worked for decades.

So will they be paid by the prayer? By whether or not the patient recovers? Will there be a limit to the number of prayers the government pays for? Will they keep records of whose prayers seem to work better so bad pray-ers can be de-certified?
Will bad pray-ers be kicked out of their churches? Will really successful ones be made high church muckymucks? Will people ask for details before they go to work on a person so they can avoid those who aren’t likely to make it?
Just wondering.

Good questions, nnmns. Just how do you pay a religious organization for it’s prayer time? Insurance companies hate to pay for established treatments and bulk at new ones and now they get to pay a church person? Prayer will be considered as a “real” proven alternative?
Personally? I’ll stick with medicine. If someone wants to pray for me, fine, but that can happen while I’m having the meds put in me, or the surgery done or whatever.

This sure seems to be a slippery slope. How will it play out when parents choose prayer only as a healthcare option? That has been through the courts a few times recently and the outcome is only sad for everyone concerned. Also this opens up the entire homeopathic issue in ways that may prove very difficult to deal with.
I see this as a political bargaining chip that is likely to get set aside in favor of some other more tangible but less politically palatable choice. Politics alone is bad enough. But tossing religious beliefs in like some garnish or side dish is insulting to anyone who is of a religious orientation.

H22 and jest so-called Christians heavens forbid that prayer would have value in healing, after all the Jesus you believe would never suggest anything like that and you choose the words you say He said or didn’t oh that’s right he was just a good man to you.

You are the most arrogant man on beliefnet news, Ck. Don’t presume to know I don’t use prayer, and that I put down my Lord. Words like you throw here at people you’ve made your mind up over is rude, and unacceptable. I’m not a “so-called Christian”, and neither is Jest. We could use all kinds of mean innuendos about you, but we don’t. I think your words as a Christian would drive away many, not draw them.

ck
I am not saying that prayer has no value or use. If anything I am saying it is indeed priceless – as in should have no financial amounts attached to it. The wording of this provisions vague enough to create innumerable headaches when it comes to health regulations and the safety of the people – especially from charlatans and scoundrels that prey upon people who are vulnerable. The purpose to law is to protect people, not set them for crooks to take advantage of the situation. This thing has to be thought through very carefully because you know the miscreants and criminals will find loopholes that will work only to their own advantage.
You seem to be assuming the worst without realizing you and I are coming form similar perspectives.
And why are all these postings in italics?

Yes, cknuck, no one is saying prayer doesn’t help folks…I don’t think folks disagree with that…even I don’t, Pagan that I am. But don’t have health insurance companies paying for someone to pray a person “well”, as honestly I don’t think that is possible without some medical assistance. And as mentioned above by jestrfyl, this leaves a wonderful hole for jerks to take advantage of those who are ill. Many already do…so do we need insurance companies to pay them to take advantage of sick folks? No.

jest I understand the article and thank you for trying to help me understand it. I know this is not going to fly it’s silly. I was referring to my take and you and H22′s indications on prayer and the fact I rarely see any evidence from you two as self proclaimed Christians and the power of prayer or who to pray to. I should have been more clear I often because of hurry because i am in between doing something. I am not trying to be mean but I think that when both you and H22 preach your God is a casual God whose view on salvation is so casual why bother. That in my eyes is a more dangerous than atheist or pagans ever could be. No I don’t give credence to half of the stuff that comes up so as far as insurance companies paying for prayer, what do you think? Pretty much a no brainer right? Just because I don’t agree with you and H22 and I really don’t agree with you does not mean I don’t love you.
blessings

jest the italicized thing is weird huh?