Re: Off topic but really curious -

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Posted by JoeM on May 10, 2002 at 08:41:12:

In Reply to: Off topic but really curious - posted by Raven - on May 10, 2002 at 03:06:23:

When a Pentecostal preacher (to mention one religion of the many who do this) annoints an ailing person with oil and calls on God to heal the person of his or her affliction, is he "practicing medicine without a license?" No. Is a midwife, who charges a fee to help a stranger deliver a baby at home, required to have certification? Yes in many states, but the midwife is not required to have a nurse's nor a physicians training nor license. On the other hand, anyone NOT CHARGING A FEE for their services nor fraudulently claiming certification or knowledge that they do not have, can NOT be accused in a court of law of "practicing medicine without a license." Most shamans have a box where grateful patrons can give donations if they wish, but NO ACTUAL FEE IS CHARGED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND NO MEDICAL CERTIFICATION OR TRAINING IS CLAIMED. The shaman is calling on powers, spirits, entities, gods, or God, just like a preacher. He can legally charge ONLY for his personal advice, just as a writer can charge for his personal advice by selling that advice in the form of a book, or as a professional speaker can sell advice when he gives a talk.

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: When a Pentecostal preacher (to mention one religion of the many who do this) annoints an ailing person with oil and calls on God to heal the person of his or her affliction, is he "practicing medicine without a license?" No. Is a midwife, who charges a fee to help a stranger deliver a baby at home, required to have certification? Yes in many states, but the midwife is not required to have a nurse's nor a physicians training nor license. On the other hand, anyone NOT CHARGING A FEE for their services nor fraudulently claiming certification or knowledge that they do not have, can NOT be accused in a court of law of "practicing medicine without a license." Most shamans have a box where grateful patrons can give donations if they wish, but NO ACTUAL FEE IS CHARGED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND NO MEDICAL CERTIFICATION OR TRAINING IS CLAIMED. The shaman is calling on powers, spirits, entities, gods, or God, just like a preacher. He can legally charge ONLY for his personal advice, just as a writer can charge for his personal advice by selling that advice in the form of a book, or as a professional speaker can sell advice when he gives a talk.

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