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368,379 people killed, 306,096 injured and over $2,815,931,000 in economic damages

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 baby Age: 25 / 0

Oregon City, Oregon Died during childbirth

March 20, 1990 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 Beagley Age: 16

Gladstone, Oregon Died (heart failure)

June 17, 2008 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 Caceres Age: 54

Santa Ana, California Died

October 28, 2002 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 Crank Age: 15

Loudon, Tennessee Died (untreated cancer)

September 15, 2002 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 Glory Age: 18 days

Grand Junction, Colorado Died (untreated meningitis & pneumonia)

February 1999 He died of meningitis and pneumonia days after birth. His parents were prosecuted for child abuse and sentenced to probation. Read more

Debra Harrison Wichita, Kansas Died (untreated diabetes)

August 2005 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 Laufau Age: 13

Mangere, South Auckland, New Zealand Died

September 1999 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 baby Age: 24

North Webster, Indiana Died (bled to death during childbirth)

July 2, 1976 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 Lincoln Age: 58

Knoxville, Tennessee Injured his back & head in fall

June 6, 2007 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 Littlefield Age: 10 days

Cortez, Colorado Died (untreated bowel obstruction)

1998 Religion (faith healing) Read more

Lucas Long Age: 0

Cory, Colorado Died during breech birth

1987 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 Morris Age: 4

Oregon City, Oregon Died

April 16, 1989 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 Neumann Age: 11

Weston, Wisconsin Died (untreated diabetes)

March 23, 2008 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

East Sussex, England Died (untreated breast cancer)

September 23, 2003 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

Monroe, Ohio Died

May 15, 2005 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 Phillips Age: 11

Oregon City, Oregon Died (untreated diabetes)

February 23, 1998 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 Worthington Age: 15 months

Oregon City, Oregon Died (blood infection & pneumonia)

March 2, 2008 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 people Sukagawa, Japan Murdered

July 1995 Faith healing / exorcism Read more

7 breast cancer patients Karachi, Pakistan Delayed treatment, worsening disease

2003 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

May 2008 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