The Global Forum of Spiritual Healing
| Introduction | Healing / Healers | The Future | Dates | Associated Organisations / Groups |
The Global Forum of Spiritual Healing Update September 2001
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO SPIRITUAL HEALING?
The Global Forum held its inaugural meeting on the 11 November 2000. Approximately twenty Spiritual Healing organisations were represented. The main aim of the Forum is to protect the status of the Voluntary Spiritual Healer, those who have and still continue to work for the tremendous reward of seeing people benefit from the healing they receive.
The House of Lords Select Committee on Complementary & Therapy produced its Sixth Report in November 2000. Shortly after the Government gave its response to it and agreed with the recommendations.
Healing was put into Group 2 and was given the following definition:-
A system of Spiritual Healing, sometimed based on prayer and religious beliefs, that attempts to tackle illness through non-physical means, usually by directing thoughts towards an individual. Often involves 'the laying on of hands'.
At a London Conference in January 2001 a member of the Select Committee is quoted as saying that Spiritual Healing was only included, because it gave comfort to people.
Most Spiritual Healers are aware that this type of healing is as old as time itself and has brought some amazing results into the lives of many people. We know it is safe, because it draws on creative energy that we are all part of. It is an inborn ability, you either have the gift or ability to transmit the energy to others or you have not. It is therefore unique compared to other forms of therapy. However, those who wish to practice their gift benefit from training, but not to a high academic level.Think of the past and indeed to a degree in our present time, many could not read or write, but as channels for the inflow of the healing energy, some amazing results were seen. We have people today with learning difficulties, but again , they are wonderful channels. This is what the Global Forum is about. But it does not deny those who wish to integrate into the National Health Service, but rather promotes a two-tier system.
Myself and my colleague Sheila Hill attended several meetings at Stansted Hall , with representatives of the National Federation of Spiritual Healers ,British Alliance of Healing Organisation, Spirtualist National Union and the World Federation of Healing. We were not happy as things progressed and therefore left. There are those who wish to remove such words as God,Spiritual and Prayer from Spiritual Healing I wonder why? In case it offends? One person practising ' Therapeutic Touch' told me that no one in his organisation would wish to be associated with any organisation that made reference to God or Prayer. To each his own.
WHAT THEN IS THE FUTURE?
Now is the time for Spiritual Healers , especially those who work on a Voluntary basis to stand and be counted. Do not allow a few sat round a table to dictate your future. Many will not be able to afford the cost. Some potential Spiritual Healers may not pass the test academically. I have often heard people say I work for God and Spirit - now put that into action.
The Forum wrote to Healthwork UK a National Training Organisation, we had no reply, yet it is rumoured that some contents of our letter was discussed with a group proposing a Lead Body. We also wrote to the Department of Health, we did have a reply; this was followed up by a telephone conversation with the author of our reply letter. It was fairly obvious that he did not have much knowledge of what Spiritual Healing was about. The Lords Report and Government response, refer to profession throughout, when told that Spiritual Healing was not a profession, he seemed a little lost and could only reply, " I think you will find that the other group think it is". Do the other group think that Spiritual Healing is a profession or are they deliberating? Would not true Spiritual Healers agree that Spiritual Healing is a ministry? We administer to the sick,in Body, Mind and Spirit, do we not?
Some Spiritual Healers have received a letter from the White Rose Ltd. The content of this letter is pure scaremongering. It states that the title Spiritual Healer will be protected and unless you are part of the system you will not be able to practice. The representative from the Department of Health knew nothing of this and did not know where such information had come from. For a title to be protected there would have to be an act passed by the Government, which means a therapy becomes Statutory regulated.
It is claimed that there will be a more in depth training. I heard the comment said why worry about the old dear who just wants to heal in the Spiritualist Church down the road. But the old dear may have far better results without academic knowledge, but could she afford the cost. Annual assessments of all Spiritual Healers. Think of the recent bad publicity the doctors are having , are they ever assessed? Their trearments can be far more lethal than those of Spiritual Healing . Who has lost the essence of what Spiritual Healing is about? I have heard it said that Spirituality has gone out of the Spiritual Healing and commercialism has taken its place.
The question was put to the representative from the Department of Health about Spiritual Healers in religions such as the Church of England, the Baptists, the Methodists, the Christian Scientists and so forth, no real response. However, the question was put in writing again , the same representative replied in writing as follows:-
" If in future there is a case for the statutory regulation of Spiritual Healers, THEN the Government would look to ALL practitioners of Spiritual Healing to form a united front".
A reply at last, but there is a vast difference in the way Spiritual Healing is trained and administered in these other religions. If the time came for statutory regulation, would they form a united front? Did I hear you say, " What of the Human Rights Act"? In most religions healing forms an integral part of their teaching and belief. The Human Rights Act states:-
"Everyone shall have the right to freedom of though, conscience and religion. This freedom shall include the freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as perscribed by law and are necessary for the public safety, order,health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedom of others"
The representative mentioned that Common Law had not changed in the UK, therefore anyone can practice what they wish, we pointed out that we were aware of this ,but informed him that we were aware of laws such as for example the Consumer Protection Act which could be brought into force in the event of malpractice, he agreed.
He was asked if he thought the Global Forum was braking any laws, to which he replied, NO.
I understand that the proposed Lead Body has appointed an Independent Chairman. I was speaking to a person familiar with this situation and she informed me that an Independent Chairman can claim around £250.00 per day in attendance, plus other expenses, such as travelling, overnight stay, meals, telephone costs etc; Some organisations may well have paid staff, running costs of offices,where will it all end.
Where will all the money come from [ YOUR POCKET ]. I wonder what the old pioneers might say about all this.
The Global Forum will continue to work for the Voluntary Spirtual Healer.
What does the Forum require of its associated organisations/groups?
The Forum has models of most of the above which can assist any organisation/group wishing to become associated. There is no affiliation fee; we share the cost , no paid staff, we all work for the Love of doing so. We operate by consensus not dictatorship; we work from the bottom up , not from top down.
If you are reading this information and are not a member of an Organisation or Group associated with the Global Forum and maybe feeling threatened , please write to :- the Global Forum, 16 Roath Court Place, Cardiff, CF24 3SJ. and we can give you a list of organisations / groups possibly in your area, to which you may wish to become a member of.
Ray Williams
Administrator
Telephone:- 029 20633256
Fax.......... :- 029 20652558
E-mail theglobalforum@hotmail.com
Website www.theglobalforum.co.uk
