October 19, 2011

U.K. Pastors’ HIV Prayer “Cure” Causes 3 Deaths

At least three people in London died after they stopped taking antiretroviral medication on the advice of Evangelical Christian pastors who claimed prayer alone could cure them of HIV, BBC News reports. The African Health Policy Network, an HIV prevention organization with operations in England, argues that these three deaths are part of a growing trend in which London churches tell people that prayer can cure their infections. Several high profile British officials, including Lord Fowler, a former health minister, have publicly condemned the practice.

To read the BBC article, click here.

Search: prayer, cure, pastors, pastor, Evangelical, Christian, London, England, Britain, U.K., Lord Fowler, British, church, churches, African Health Policy Network, AHPN

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Previous Comments:

Frederick Wright, Plam Desert, 2012-04-25 14:30:22
This is a very interesting topic on Prayer. And very sad on the deaths of these 3 people for some Christians like my self believe that death is one of the most beautiful transformations that all must experience. I for one believe in the power of prayer and meditation( repeating over and over "God's Love for me" for it stops the HIV stima in my mind, as I go to the great Advocate,I call Jesus. I would not know how to move forward with Joy and Happiness or true prosperi ty my without my Faith.

Nicole Therese Seguin, Detroit, MI, 2011-12-15 11:30:57
I have been HIV positive for 6 years I prayed to God to heal me and to me He blessed me with lifesaving antiretrovirals ! I take my medicine everyday and keep praying for a cure!

barb, seattle, 2011-11-05 13:51:26
Been praying to God since i found out i was poz 33 years ago and i am still poz. Jesus does cure if Our Father allows it to glorify Him. I am the cure because Christ is in me and i still take my meds. Take your meds or don't but a pastors prayer cannot kill folks because he ain't God.

Susan, Nairobi, 2011-10-20 22:11:08
Ignorance is no defense, after a pastor claims you are healed, you ought to take medical check and confirm this claim. it is not a lack of faith, but an exercise of wisdom which God has given us all. The bible says, my people perish for lack of knowledge, hence when we lack wisdom he also expects us to ask. I don't think we need to blame the pastor here, but a lack of wisdom on our part.

billmiller, Gary Indiana, 2011-10-20 18:43:16
I was in Palm Springs a couple years back, and a 'doctor' there gave a talk about quitting meds and taking vitamins, which he of course was peddling. People believe things if they are not fully informed and don't take the time ask their health care professionals.

greg, charlotte NC., 2011-10-20 16:34:01
Why dont they print the Names of these snake oil christian leaders,see how prayer can help them after the world knows who they are.they Print the names in any other crime,This I consider a crime against humanity.When will the insanity of this religeous propoganda,fear mongering end.

J. Combs, Gaithersburg, MD, 2011-10-20 14:29:55
Well, I'm not sure what's worse, having Christian Pastor's" deceive them like that. Or, to get phone calls from "Christian Pastor's" telling you and your infected family should die.

bracams, Chicago, 2011-10-20 13:19:58
Faith is one thing; murder is another. These pastors' and any other person who "convinces" a person receiving scientifically proven treatment to keep HIV at bay, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law - albeit domestic or international!

Greg H, Davenport, FL, 2011-10-20 11:47:00
Unfortunately the gullible and desperate will turn to superstition to find cures for disease. Just look at the children in this country that are allowed to die because their parents believe that the child will be healed by their big sky daddy. Of course when the child dies, it was "god's will." I'm not sure how religion is treated in the U.K., but in this country religion is granted "special rights" and protections not granted to the rest of us. The "pastor" should be prosecuted.

Jerry, Fredericksburg, 2011-10-20 11:34:13
Will stupidty ever cease, meaning the person's that STOP taking their meds !!

Mykelb, Chestertown, 2011-10-20 09:58:51
Religion's answer to reality.

Christopher, , 2011-10-20 09:10:38
Will someone PLEASE arrest these religious snake-oil salesmen already? Hasn't humanity been held back enough for the last 6000 years by the whole religious movement? Please let us move forward into the Age of Scientifically Proveable Truths!