In a recent document, a pastor claims he can cure multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) "for a fee" because it is "a simple emotional fear reaction".
Now most don’t doubt that spirituality can help a person cope with the very real fear that the presentation of a legitimate toxic situation produces when one goes into “flight or fight” - a natural reaction that motivates us to protect ourselves. But, this pastor has mixed up the simple difference between a realistic and legitimate fear and a phobia, which is a perceived threat that is unrealistic.
The pastor further claims that the “flight or fight” fear reaction "is" the MCS symptoms that MCSers suffer from. Yet, MCS symptoms such as seizures, loss of speech, respiratory distress, and headache are not even close to being the same as a mere flight or fight reaction in which adrenaline is released increasing the heart rate and giving one the energy to fight or run.
In some cases, flight or fight reaction may be present in the face of a looming toxic threat, but “curing” the alarm reaction will not stop the toxicological MCS reaction that is physiologically mediated.
In fact, denying the flight or fight response may place an individual in direct danger by encouraging lack of action instead of taking the necessary precautionary measures to avoid a bad MCS reaction. Since MCS is progressive, each exposure builds on the ones prior.
Ongoing brain and organ damage has been shown in MCS that can result in end organ failure. It is crucial that avoidance be practiced much like someone with a peanut allergy must avoid peanuts or risk their life if they eat an innocent peanut which most of us enjoy as part of our childhood lunch. The fact that peanuts don't affect everyone in the same way does not mean they are not dangerous or risky to consume.
Knowing that anaphalaxis and possible death will occur, it is logical that a person with a peanut allergy would panic and go into "flight or fight" and become fearful if they accidentally consumed a peanut, especially when their airway is closing and breathing is becoming impossible. Fear i s natural is such a situation and motivates a person into action.
Claiming that a peanut allergy is fear based because of visible outward symptoms of "normal" panic in the face of a life-threatening situation is voodoo medicine. Worse, it would put lives at risk. Much the same, a person with MCS is put at risk by ignoring important warning signs and purposely "walking out" into exposures, as this pastor suggests they do.
Upon providing many studies and supporting evidence for the physiological cause of MCS, the pastor was unswayed. Yet, when asked for proof in the way of studies that have shown the “hundreds” he claimed he cured were actually diagnosed with bona fide MCS prior to healing and were tested as negative for MCS, or in remission, post healing, the pastor could provide no proof. As a matter of fact, he failed to so much as respond.
When asked where these “cured” people are and whether they could be interviewed, the pastor did not answer.
Why have the "healed" not come forth in joy to share their healing? Are they even alive and well? Do they even exist? Or are they figments of a greedy pastor's vivid imagination to boost his self grandeur and wallet at the expense of the chronically ill? Surely one would share their miracle and shout from the rooftops if they were suddenly "healed" from a progressive lifelong chronic illness that results in disability and ultimate death.
The key is that the past won't, or perhaps can't, reply when asked for proof. It just goes to show that we need to be on the lookout for money making schemes, even pastors that "prey" on the sick and desperate for profit.
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical
Now most don’t doubt that spirituality can help a person cope with the very real fear that the presentation of a legitimate toxic situation produces when one goes into “flight or fight” - a natural reaction that motivates us to protect ourselves. But, this pastor has mixed up the simple difference between a realistic and legitimate fear and a phobia, which is a perceived threat that is unrealistic.
The pastor further claims that the “flight or fight” fear reaction "is" the MCS symptoms that MCSers suffer from. Yet, MCS symptoms such as seizures, loss of speech, respiratory distress, and headache are not even close to being the same as a mere flight or fight reaction in which adrenaline is released increasing the heart rate and giving one the energy to fight or run.
In some cases, flight or fight reaction may be present in the face of a looming toxic threat, but “curing” the alarm reaction will not stop the toxicological MCS reaction that is physiologically mediated.
In fact, denying the flight or fight response may place an individual in direct danger by encouraging lack of action instead of taking the necessary precautionary measures to avoid a bad MCS reaction. Since MCS is progressive, each exposure builds on the ones prior.
Ongoing brain and organ damage has been shown in MCS that can result in end organ failure. It is crucial that avoidance be practiced much like someone with a peanut allergy must avoid peanuts or risk their life if they eat an innocent peanut which most of us enjoy as part of our childhood lunch. The fact that peanuts don't affect everyone in the same way does not mean they are not dangerous or risky to consume.
Knowing that anaphalaxis and possible death will occur, it is logical that a person with a peanut allergy would panic and go into "flight or fight" and become fearful if they accidentally consumed a peanut, especially when their airway is closing and breathing is becoming impossible. Fear i s natural is such a situation and motivates a person into action.
Claiming that a peanut allergy is fear based because of visible outward symptoms of "normal" panic in the face of a life-threatening situation is voodoo medicine. Worse, it would put lives at risk. Much the same, a person with MCS is put at risk by ignoring important warning signs and purposely "walking out" into exposures, as this pastor suggests they do.
Upon providing many studies and supporting evidence for the physiological cause of MCS, the pastor was unswayed. Yet, when asked for proof in the way of studies that have shown the “hundreds” he claimed he cured were actually diagnosed with bona fide MCS prior to healing and were tested as negative for MCS, or in remission, post healing, the pastor could provide no proof. As a matter of fact, he failed to so much as respond.
When asked where these “cured” people are and whether they could be interviewed, the pastor did not answer.
Why have the "healed" not come forth in joy to share their healing? Are they even alive and well? Do they even exist? Or are they figments of a greedy pastor's vivid imagination to boost his self grandeur and wallet at the expense of the chronically ill? Surely one would share their miracle and shout from the rooftops if they were suddenly "healed" from a progressive lifelong chronic illness that results in disability and ultimate death.
The key is that the past won't, or perhaps can't, reply when asked for proof. It just goes to show that we need to be on the lookout for money making schemes, even pastors that "prey" on the sick and desperate for profit.
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical
