Patient Preparation and Perceived Outcomes of Spiritist Healing in Brazil

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2464800
AutoresDarrell Lynch (autor de correspondencia)
Año2004
Volumen15
Número1
Páginas10-41
Fecha de publicación2004-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAnthropology of Consciousness (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1053-4202 • E-ISSN: 1556-3537
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1525/ac.2004.15.1.10
OpenAlexW2103997413
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas26

This paper examines patient preparation and perceived outcomes of treatment given by the popular Brazilian Spiritist healer, Dr. Fritz. The data utilized include the results of 40 personal interviews of Spiritist patients conducted by the author during a seven month stay in Fortaleza, Brazil, plus subsequent follow-up information. The study finds that a clear majority of the patients expressed belief that their treatments were successful. Certain trends in the types of illnesses for which the Spiritist surgeries appear to have greater success are also suggested. The author stresses the strength, sophistication, and appropriateness of the healing system in its cultural context and the extensive use of powerful symbolism in both the ritual preparations and the surgeries themselves as key factors in the healing system's success. The findings likewise have clear theoretical implications for the current literature on symbolic healing systems in general

Context (archaeology · Social science · Sociology · Sophistication · Empathy and Medical Education · Hermeneutics and Narrative Identity · History · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology