Evangelical Churches' Claims of Healing HIV Probed in Undercover Investigation

Claims by evangelical churches in Britain that they can heal HIV infections have led to deaths of at least six patients who were HIV positive but were told that they had been healed.

An undercover investigation carried out by Sky News has found that churches in Manchester, London, Birmingham and in Glasgow are claiming that they can heal HIV infections with the help of God. The "treatment" involves a pastor shouting for the devil residing inside the body of the patient to come out with water being sprayed on the face.

Three undercover investigators visited the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) and told that they were HIV positive and the church assured them that they would be cured. The investigation revealed that people from across Europe come to the church once a month and have to hand over a letter from their doctors as evidence of their condition. The church records before and after testimonies prior to the start of the healing process.

A reporter said that one of the pastors, Rachel Holmes, said that even when the patients come back to the church saying that their symptoms persist, they send them back assuring them that they have been completely healed.

"We have many people that contract HIV. All are healed. We've had people come back before saying, �Oh I'm not healed. The diarrhea I had when I had HIV, I've got it again'. I have to stop them and say, �No, please, you are free'", Ms Holmes said.


Source: Medindia