Between the price gouging and scandalous profit margins, Big Pharma has become the most loathed industry in America. Their sins have not only driven millions into the alternative market where consumers are being exposed to a whole new slate of misdeeds, but they have also spawned a phenomenon known as the Big Pharma Conspiracy Theory. Just how much of this theory is fact, how much is fiction, and how should Catholics regard it?
Author Archives: Susan Brinkmann
Was Jesus a Buddhist?
SDM writes: “We have been in California for several months and we have heard this ‘new age’ idea that Jesus was a Buddhist! Do you know who started this absurdity? What would you say to the people that really believe this?”
Psychic Disturbances and “Mental Schizophrenia”
DV writes: “What did the Pope mean when he said in the Letter to the Bishops on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation that body positions coupled with breathing and meditation could lead to a kind of mental schizophrenia which could also lead to psychic disturbances and, at times, to moral deviations. I would like a deeper understanding of what he was warning about.”
Masonry and Ancestral Sins
EO writes: “My grandfather was a member of the masons, and my mother was a member of Eastern Star. Are there ramifications to the soul for belonging to those organizations? Also, is there any truth to the idea that their descendants would suffer because of their affiliation with organizations not in line with God?”
How Are Pilates and Yoga Related?
ML asks: Many of my friends are into pilates and I’d like to get involved too but many of these moves look very much like yoga. Are the two related in any way?
Is There a Problem with The Shawl Ministry?
RG writes: “At my (Roman Catholic) church today, some women in the narthex were promoting a “prayer shawl ministry” and handed me a brochure promoting this website: http://www.shawlministry.com/. Overall, it sounded like a good idea – providing comforting prayer shawls for the homebound and hospitalized. I thought it odd that there was a reference to “applied Feminist Spirituality.” So when I went home, I checked out the website. There are a few troubling non-Christian things discussed there such as where they talk about “chakras” under Symbolism –> Aroma therapy. They also talk about a “mothering God” which sounds a bit New Age-like to me. By the way, they are willing to teach people how to knit and crochet, and I would like to learn (learned as child, but forgot). I just don’t want some New Age agenda pushed on me or to do anything contrary to my Christian faith. Would like your comments.”
The Questionable Opinions of Anthony DeMello, S.J.
KK asks: “I noticed on your website that you have a new age section and was wondering if you considered Anthony DeMello and his book Awareness to be new age?”
The Hijacking of St. Hildegard by New Age Enthusiasts
SM writes: “I read your article about mandalas and how they are prayer ‘gimmicks.’ I was just wondering what you think about the artwork (mandalas) of St. Hildegard of Bingen, especially since she is now a Doctor of the Church. It seems to me that you are saying some of her practices were new age.”
Beware of Therapies That (Secretly) Require a Religious Conversion
One of the greatest threats to Christians in the burgeoning field of alternative health care is when these therapies require a person to adopt a belief system that is not compatible with the faith.
Can Shamanism Be Compatible With Christianity?
CF writes: “Google keeps sending me this banner for Shamanic healing across the top of my e-mails. Out of curiosity, I went to look at what the newest in “new age” was offering. Can you believe (no pun intended) that the 4th bullet point says that “you won’t find anything contrary to to your religious beliefs”…WOW! I bolded the actual bullet…see below. I am so sick of new age being pushed down our throats! I asked Google to stop these banners!”
