A Christian organisation in Bath, England has been asked to take down claims stating that God can heal certain illnesses after a complaint from an "unofficial adviser to the media".
The Advertising Standards Authority accused Healing on the Streets (HOTS) of giving false hope to the sick, preventing those with specific illnesses including cancer, asthma, and other conditions from seeking medical assistance due to their prayer claims.
But the organisation asserted that all they were doing was offering prayer for people, giving them the chance to encounter a Heavenly Father who loved them, the group explained to The Christian Post.
"It's up to the individual to decide for themselves if they would like to receive prayer," said Paul Skelton, the founder of HOTS. "We don't force them, we don't make guarantees, we simply offer and that's all."
But Hayley Stevens, the blogger who submitted the complaint to the ASA asking them to investigate the group, believed that there was potential "for damage to be done", especially for people who already mistrusted doctors and conventional medicine.
Stevens, a humanist and co-host of the Righteous Indignation Podcast, initially witnessed the group offering healing to people outside of a cathedral during a visit to Bath last year and began researching for more details on their website.
HOTS typically ministered to people in the square below Bath Abbey every Tuesday, Thursday and second Saturday of the month under a "Healing" banner.
"I was quite concerned at the claims I found there about illnesses and conditions that this group seemed to be promoting as healable through prayer," she wrote on her personal blog. "At the same time I became conflicted about what to do next because I knew that no matter what I did, I would be accused by people of being anti-religious."
But as time passed and she became more aware of their activities and claims, she did not feel comfortable ignoring her concerns and made a complaint to the ASA.
"I did not feel that the claims being made and the emphasis being put on their success was justifiable," she added. "I felt the ads were irresponsible, because they provided false hope to those suffering from the named conditions and that is why I made the complaint."
HOTS' website states that their vision is to "promote Christian healing as a daily life style for every believer, through demonstration, training and equipping".
"We are working in unity, from numerous churches outside the four walls of the building, in order to: heal the sick, share God's love, and equip the Church," HOTS also noted.
Additionally, the site has a small section featuring testimonials of people being healed after receiving prayer from the group.
"My stepfather said he came and found you on the streets and you guys prayed for him and he's feeling much better," one person wrote. "I am so pleased he came to see you, he said something just propelled him out of the coffee shop into the Abbey Courtyard...wow....great stuff..."
The ASA adjudication also highlighted a leaflet available for download on the HOTS site, which read, "Need Healing? God can heal today! Do you suffer from back pain, arthritis, MS, addiction...ulcers, depression, allergies, fibromyalgia...or any other sicknesses? We'd love to pray for your healing right now! We're Christians from churches in Bath and we pray in the name of Jesus. We believe that God loves you and can heal you from any sicknesses."
Stevens, who personally experienced a life threatening condition in her ear that required surgery, argued, "I couldn't care less if somebody believes it is God, Allah or the Flying Spaghetti monster that will heal the sick, but I do care when claims are being made that might be [providing] those who are extremely ill with hope where hope does not exist."
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Advertising authority rules against healing ministry
By: Eryn Sun, The Christian Post
Monday, 6 February 2012, 14:36 (IST)
Copyright © 2012 Christian Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior permission.
Have your say on this article
Added: Tuesday, 7 February 2012, 2:43 (IST)
Why is everyone worried about other people receiving hope? Surely hope is good in any form. If they want to have prayer who are other people to stop them? If someone does not agree or believe they have the right to ignore us. We do not force people into the prayer chairs.
Neil, Taunton
Added: Tuesday, 7 February 2012, 14:08 (IST)
Such a sad development. But the people who made this decision, no doubt basing it on oodles of grand-sounding ASA considerations, have once again demonstrated the unreasoning fear so many exhibit when faced with something beyond their understanding. Jesus healed and said: "The things that I do ye shall do also, and greater things than these shaall ye do." Get over it! Doctors and nurses do a wonderful job for many. But they are often no better than children fumbling in the dark. And the truly compassionate ones readily admit that fact. There can be only one reality - what God is and knows! That is how Jesus healed. He saw others as God saw them. Jesus' healing works are being replicated today. I know many people who have relied on God as their medicine and have spent decades of drug-free health. It is a medicine that reliable, permanent and has no unwanted side effects. It doesnt require health insurance or a deep pocket. Instead its' currency is commitment, humility, a willingness to listen, obedience and, most importantly, unconditional love.
Jamie, London UK
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