What is this site?
List of Topics
Children
Famous people
Scientific studies
FAQ
Resources
Contact
Press
Store
New cases (RSS)
For more on this topic:
What's the harm in believing in faith healing?
Faith healing is the belief that religious faith alone can cure medical illnesses. Read more about faith healing
Here are 34 people who were harmed by someone not thinking critically.
Jacqueline K. Beagley & her babyAge: 25 / 0 |
Died during childbirth |
| She was in labor for four days. She died of a massive infection after rupture of the fetal membrane. Authorities said she would have survived if she had delivered in a hospital. Read more & more | |
Neil BeagleyAge: 16 |
Died (heart failure) |
| He had a congenital condition that could have been easily treated. Unfortunately his family belongs to a church that believes in faith healing rather than medicine. He died. His cousin (Ava Worthington) also died in related circumstances. Read more | |
Roberto CaceresAge: 54 |
Died |
| Roberto had a bad rash, and heard about a faith healer on the radio. He was given ointments and pills. After an injection on his second visit, he went into convulsions and died. The healer was charged with manslaughter. Read more & more | |
Jessica CrankAge: 15 |
Died (untreated cancer) |
| A medical clinic told Jessica's mother to take her to an emergency room. Instead, she took her home to pray over her. She died. Charges of abuse were later dismissed. Read more & more | |
Warren Trevette GloryAge: 18 days |
Died (untreated meningitis & pneumonia) |
| He died of meningitis and pneumonia days after birth. His parents were prosecuted for child abuse and sentenced to probation. Read more | |
Debra HarrisonWichita, Kansas |
Died (untreated diabetes) |
| Debra was one of the founders of Consegrity, a form of energy medicine and faith healing. She rejected medical treatment for herself or her family members, and died of undiagnosed diabetes. Read more | |
Tovia LaufauAge: 13 |
Died |
| His parents were told he had a 70% chance of a full recovery from bone cancer. They left the hospital never to return. The cancer spread to his lungs, and the tumor on his leg grew to 30 pounds at his death. His parents got a suspended sentence. Read more | |
Alice Leach & her babyAge: 24 |
Died (bled to death during childbirth) |
| She belonged to a faith healing church. She bled to death after childbirth at her home. One person present was a registered nurse and lost her license over the incident. "Those people thought they could pray her back to life," said her mother. Read more | |
Matthew LincolnAge: 58 |
Injured his back & head in fall |
| At a faith healing service he "received the spirit and fell backwards", but nobody was there to catch him. He struck his head on the floor. He claims this exacerbated his back condition and has sued the church. Read more | |
Keenan LittlefieldAge: 10 days |
Died (untreated bowel obstruction) |
| Religion (faith healing) Read more | |
Lucas LongAge: 0 |
Died during breech birth |
| During childbirth, his mother was attended by unlicensed midwives. The baby had breathing problems shortly after birth, and the church elders were called to pray. "We believe in divine healing" said the grandmother. Read more & more | |
Alex Dale MorrisAge: 4 |
Died |
| He had fever and congestion. Members of his church anointed him with oil and laid hands upon him, praying for 46 days. A medical examiner later said the boy would have been "overwhelmed with fever and pain" and basic antibiotics would have cured him. Read more & more | |
Madeline Kara NeumannAge: 11 |
Died (untreated diabetes) |
| She suffered from a treatable form of diabetes. Her parents chose to pray over her instead of taking her to the doctor. They are now charged with second-degree negligent homicide in her death. Read more & more & more | |
Sarah Parkinson (actress)Age: 41 |
Died (untreated breast cancer) |
| When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was concerned that chemotherapy would prevent her from using IVF to start a family. Instead she used acupuncture, spiritual healing, homeopathy and Johrei to treat it. Read more & more | |
Darrell "Wayne" Perry (songwriter)Age: 55 |
Died |
| He had cancer, but his tele-evangelist aunt allegedly advised him to stop taking medication and allow God to heal him. She then wrote about this in a book. He died, and his children sued for wrongful death, but later dropped the suit. Read more & more & more & more | |
Bo PhillipsAge: 11 |
Died (untreated diabetes) |
| He had a diabetic crisis, but he was treated with liquids, prayer and anointings. When a detective asked his father why he was allowed to die, the father answered, "It was my choice." Read more | |
Ava WorthingtonAge: 15 months |
Died (blood infection & pneumonia) |
| She got an infection, but her parents treated it with prayer instead of antibiotics. They were charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment. Read more & more | |
6 peopleSukagawa, Japan |
Murdered |
| Faith healing / exorcism Read more | |
7 breast cancer patientsKarachi, Pakistan |
Delayed treatment, worsening disease |
| This study found at least 7 patients who delayed treatment of their breast cancer in favor of "spiritual therapy." Read more | |
"John Doe"Lakeland, Florida |
Schizophrenic relapse, hospitalization |
| He controlled his schizophrenia successfully with medications. Then he attended a faith healing revival and was told that he was healed. He stopped the medications and relapsed into psychosis. He had to be hospitalized. Read more | |