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Dental healer finds share of faithful believers
by Christopher O'Donnell, Herald-Tribune
Thanks to Ranjani for the link.
Reposted from:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070520/FEATURES/705200841
Faith healer says he embodies God's power to repair dental problems -- and, sometimes, to perform alchemy
PARRISH -- A flashlight in one hand, a small mirror in the other, the Rev. Steve Jones shines a light into the wide-open mouth of Parrish resident Don Sturiano.
In the glare, the amalgam fillings in Sturiano's back teeth sparkle.
Earlier, Jones had laid his hand on the man's jaw and prayed for his teeth.
"You can see gold coming in it," Jones exclaimed to the crowd inside the revival tent. "They weren't that color when I first came in."
The 50-year-old West Virginia evangelist, who describes himself as "an interdenominational Christian," will pray for the sick and lame, but it's cracked molars, crooked teeth, toothaches and amalgam fillings that he believes are his calling.
Since he began praying for teeth in 1987, the former coal miner and amateur boxer says he has seen crooked teeth straighten in slow motion, cracked teeth heal, and blackened amalgam fillings turn to silver and gold.
Jones' claims have led to him being dubbed the "spiritual tooth fairy" and "God's dental assistant." But he is not the only evangelist tending to followers' teeth and claiming alchemistic results.
Known as the "gold fillings" phenomenon, worshippers across North America, Asia and the United Kingdom have reported that precious metals -- some in the shape of the cross -- have appeared in their teeth after visiting healers.
"Healing teeth is funny, but turning water into wine is funny, spitting on the ground and putting it in a man's eyes is funny," Jones said.
Born and raised in the Appalachian coal fields in West Virginia, Jones said he has always felt the need to pray for others.
But the urge to pray for teeth came in later.
Dreams of teeth and rivers of silver and gold troubled his sleep. Jones said he was told by Brother Connor, a toothless Georgia preacher, that teeth were his calling. But it took him several years to overcome his reluctance to try and heal teeth in public.
"I was trying to run from what God wanted," Jones said. "Finally, I had no choice."
Since then, he has practiced his orthodontic ministry across North and South America, Europe and Asia.
His appearance in April at a weeklong healing tent revival in Parrish drew crowds of up to 80 people each day. Many of those from Shining Light Baptist Church in Sarasota, where Jones has appeared in the past.
Inside the white tent, mounted spotlights brightly illuminate a small stage covered with faux-grass mats. Citronella candles encased in brown paper bags cast a yellow light in the aisles.
There is no charge to hear Jones preach, but assistants pass out envelopes and ask the worshippers to make a donation toward gas money. CDs, jewelry and tapes cassettes of Jones are available for purchase.
Jones comes on stage dressed in a black shirt and flannel trousers held up by black suspenders. His long, gray beard is wild, in contrast to his tidily brushed-back silver-grey hair. A shiny silver cross hangs from a long, thick chain around his neck.
He paces slowly about the low stage, speaking into a cordless microphone about the people whom his prayers have healed.
Some of the crowd know Jones from his previous visits to Sarasota. Two of them are invited on stage to recall how he healed their teeth.
"It's two years since we've known him; we've never gone to the dentist since," said Sarasota resident Mary Raber, who believes that Jones' prayers have transformed five of her filings to gold or silver. "The Bible says, 'If you believe, you will receive.' "
Jones' message is that it is God who heals. His prayers and the touch of his hand are merely the conduit for the miracle.
"It's the Lord that does the work; man doesn't do the work," Jones said. "All He says is all things are possible."
"That's the truth," one man murmurs in response.
As he becomes more impassioned, Jones' voice begins to get louder. A woman seated behind him at a keyboard starts playing hymn-like chords.
"I have seen some things that would make science realize that there is a creator," Jones told the crowd, his half-tenor, half-baritone voice now so loud that the speakers distort it. "Especially when you watch teeth move in slow motion and straighten; especially when you see God create things that wasn't."
Near the end of the evening, Jones invites those who want him to pray for their teeth to assemble in front of the small stage.
Moving along the line from person to person, he places one hand on a shoulder, the other on their jaw. "Thank you Jesus," he says softly, his eyes closed in prayer.
Some shudder at his touch. Others hold their hands out, palms upturned as if in rapture.
Sarasota resident Leann Schlabach came to the revival hoping Jones would heal her cracked tooth.
"It feels better; it was very sensitive," she said afterward.
Sturiano, the Parrish resident, was sure something had taken place in his mouth.
"I came expecting it to happen," he said. "When he prayed for me, I felt the right side of my face go numb."
The sun had long set by the time Jones brought the meeting to an end. Volunteers opened the flaps of the tent, letting in the cool night air.
The crowd filed slowly out. For some of them, Jones said, a miracle may already be in motion.
"Healing doesn't always happen there and then," he said. "It could happen when they're in McDonald's the next day."
Jones will be appearing next in the Ken Clark Building at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, from June 3-8.
Reposted from:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070520/FEATURES/705200841
Faith healer says he embodies God's power to repair dental problems -- and, sometimes, to perform alchemy
PARRISH -- A flashlight in one hand, a small mirror in the other, the Rev. Steve Jones shines a light into the wide-open mouth of Parrish resident Don Sturiano.
In the glare, the amalgam fillings in Sturiano's back teeth sparkle.
Earlier, Jones had laid his hand on the man's jaw and prayed for his teeth.
"You can see gold coming in it," Jones exclaimed to the crowd inside the revival tent. "They weren't that color when I first came in."
The 50-year-old West Virginia evangelist, who describes himself as "an interdenominational Christian," will pray for the sick and lame, but it's cracked molars, crooked teeth, toothaches and amalgam fillings that he believes are his calling.
Since he began praying for teeth in 1987, the former coal miner and amateur boxer says he has seen crooked teeth straighten in slow motion, cracked teeth heal, and blackened amalgam fillings turn to silver and gold.
Jones' claims have led to him being dubbed the "spiritual tooth fairy" and "God's dental assistant." But he is not the only evangelist tending to followers' teeth and claiming alchemistic results.
Known as the "gold fillings" phenomenon, worshippers across North America, Asia and the United Kingdom have reported that precious metals -- some in the shape of the cross -- have appeared in their teeth after visiting healers.
"Healing teeth is funny, but turning water into wine is funny, spitting on the ground and putting it in a man's eyes is funny," Jones said.
Born and raised in the Appalachian coal fields in West Virginia, Jones said he has always felt the need to pray for others.
But the urge to pray for teeth came in later.
Dreams of teeth and rivers of silver and gold troubled his sleep. Jones said he was told by Brother Connor, a toothless Georgia preacher, that teeth were his calling. But it took him several years to overcome his reluctance to try and heal teeth in public.
"I was trying to run from what God wanted," Jones said. "Finally, I had no choice."
Since then, he has practiced his orthodontic ministry across North and South America, Europe and Asia.
His appearance in April at a weeklong healing tent revival in Parrish drew crowds of up to 80 people each day. Many of those from Shining Light Baptist Church in Sarasota, where Jones has appeared in the past.
Inside the white tent, mounted spotlights brightly illuminate a small stage covered with faux-grass mats. Citronella candles encased in brown paper bags cast a yellow light in the aisles.
There is no charge to hear Jones preach, but assistants pass out envelopes and ask the worshippers to make a donation toward gas money. CDs, jewelry and tapes cassettes of Jones are available for purchase.
Jones comes on stage dressed in a black shirt and flannel trousers held up by black suspenders. His long, gray beard is wild, in contrast to his tidily brushed-back silver-grey hair. A shiny silver cross hangs from a long, thick chain around his neck.
He paces slowly about the low stage, speaking into a cordless microphone about the people whom his prayers have healed.
Some of the crowd know Jones from his previous visits to Sarasota. Two of them are invited on stage to recall how he healed their teeth.
"It's two years since we've known him; we've never gone to the dentist since," said Sarasota resident Mary Raber, who believes that Jones' prayers have transformed five of her filings to gold or silver. "The Bible says, 'If you believe, you will receive.' "
Jones' message is that it is God who heals. His prayers and the touch of his hand are merely the conduit for the miracle.
"It's the Lord that does the work; man doesn't do the work," Jones said. "All He says is all things are possible."
"That's the truth," one man murmurs in response.
As he becomes more impassioned, Jones' voice begins to get louder. A woman seated behind him at a keyboard starts playing hymn-like chords.
"I have seen some things that would make science realize that there is a creator," Jones told the crowd, his half-tenor, half-baritone voice now so loud that the speakers distort it. "Especially when you watch teeth move in slow motion and straighten; especially when you see God create things that wasn't."
Near the end of the evening, Jones invites those who want him to pray for their teeth to assemble in front of the small stage.
Moving along the line from person to person, he places one hand on a shoulder, the other on their jaw. "Thank you Jesus," he says softly, his eyes closed in prayer.
Some shudder at his touch. Others hold their hands out, palms upturned as if in rapture.
Sarasota resident Leann Schlabach came to the revival hoping Jones would heal her cracked tooth.
"It feels better; it was very sensitive," she said afterward.
Sturiano, the Parrish resident, was sure something had taken place in his mouth.
"I came expecting it to happen," he said. "When he prayed for me, I felt the right side of my face go numb."
The sun had long set by the time Jones brought the meeting to an end. Volunteers opened the flaps of the tent, letting in the cool night air.
The crowd filed slowly out. For some of them, Jones said, a miracle may already be in motion.
"Healing doesn't always happen there and then," he said. "It could happen when they're in McDonald's the next day."
Jones will be appearing next in the Ken Clark Building at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, from June 3-8.
Comments 1 - 46 of 46 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #43931 by GoodbyeGodNZ on May 23, 2007 at 4:19 am
That's it. I'm ashamed of being human! Other Comments by GoodbyeGodNZ
3. Comment #43932 by posiedon on May 23, 2007 at 4:20 am
"I have seen some things that would make science realize that there is a creator," Jones told the crowd, his half-tenor, half-baritone voice now so loud that the speakers distort it. "Especially when you watch teeth move in slow motion and straighten; especially when you see God create things that wasn't."
It's a pity God can't make the teeth grow straight in the first place, or give us eyes that don't wear out before we're finished with them, likewise hearing, that fails prematurely.
Other Comments by posiedon
4. Comment #43933 by Awl on May 23, 2007 at 4:21 am
*sigh* ...i'm assuming that there aren't any dental records which back up any of this nonsense?Other Comments by Awl
5. Comment #43949 by scottishgeologist on May 23, 2007 at 4:40 am
Hey a real live Tooth Fairy!!!!I am sure that James Randi would like to hear about it - after all there is $1000000 waiting for this guy. Just think how that money could be used to indoctrinate, lie, deceive, cheat and bullshit. Sorry I meant to say "advance the Kingdom...."
But seriously, whenever I see pictures of these assholes with their arms in the air like that, I think "what a bunch of assholes"......
Do they ever look at themselves doing that? Dont they ever stop to think "I look like a complete asshole with my arm up in the air?"
Of all the deluded faith heads, the very worst are the charismaniacs who indulge in this sort of stupidity.
Other Comments by scottishgeologist
6. Comment #43951 by HunterZolomon on May 23, 2007 at 4:47 am
Dreams of *easy money* and *hot chicks* troubled his sleep. Jones said he was told by Brother Connor, a toothless Georgia *con-man*, that teeth were *big bucks*. But it took him several years to overcome his reluctance to try and *scam people* in public. Other Comments by HunterZolomon
7. Comment #43954 by epeeist on May 23, 2007 at 4:48 am
Comment #43949 by scottishgeologist
Dont they ever stop to think "I look like a complete asshole with my arm up in the air?"
Probably, but then they think "but its earning me a large number of dollars"
Other Comments by epeeist
8. Comment #43959 by eoinc on May 23, 2007 at 5:05 am
Scottishgeologist,"I am sure that James Randi would like to hear about it - after all there is $1000000 waiting for this guy..."
James Randi covered this guy already in his book The Faith Healers. Apparently, this man's pen-flashlight that he uses when peering into people's mouths has a feeble, yellowish glow, which causes the fillings to appear gold when they reflect the light. Many people who have been healed incidentally report that their fillings reverted to their ordinary silver colour when they got home.
He also used to say that the fillings put in by God were cross-shaped, which he interpreted as being God's own "seal of approval". Randi dryly noted that most fillings are made that way, as it gives strength to the structure.
This guy was debunked was published almost twenty years ago in that book, and yet the gullible masses are obviously still eager to be duped.
The most comical (or, if you prefer, tragic) aspect of all this is that Rev. Steve Jones' own teeth are in dreadful condition. Physician, heal thyself.
Other Comments by eoinc
9. Comment #43977 by savagemickey on May 23, 2007 at 5:43 am
These people need to see god's proctologist and have him miraculously pull their heads out of their asses.Other Comments by savagemickey
10. Comment #43983 by dawgdoc2000 on May 23, 2007 at 6:05 am
The most comical (or, if you prefer, tragic) aspect of all this is that Rev. Steve Jones' own teeth are in dreadful condition. Physician, heal thyself. -eoincWhy doesn't he help his toothless buddy Brother Connor grow some new teeth too?
Other Comments by dawgdoc2000
11. Comment #43984 by alfonso on May 23, 2007 at 6:05 am
From Wordnet:The noun fraud has 3 senses (first 3 from tagged texts)
1. (5) fraud -- (intentional deception resulting in injury to another person)
2. (2) imposter, impostor, pretender, fake, faker, fraud, sham, shammer, pseudo, pseud, role player -- (a person who makes deceitful pretenses)
3. (2) fraud, fraudulence, dupery, hoax, humbug, put-on -- (something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage)
And as far as I know, fraud is a crime. How come this people get away with it?
Other Comments by alfonso
12. Comment #43998 by eoinc on May 23, 2007 at 6:40 am
"Why is the DA not doing her job and arresting this loon for practicing medicine without a license?"Because, technically, he isn't practising medicine.
Other Comments by eoinc
13. Comment #44000 by flyingscot on May 23, 2007 at 6:48 am
Well, this is amazing.I wonder if the insurance companies pay him directly for his incredible dentistry. Wait, perhaps the people that come to him are not covered with dental insurance!
Then again, it is my understanding , that it is illegal to actually practise dentistry without first actually quallifying as a dentist!
I wonder if he has malpractice insurance!!
It is hard to understand how fraudsters like Jones get away with this crap.
It would be merely amusing if he only practised his toothfairy dance in circus town but it is not quite so funny to see that he has perpetrated this fraudulent behaviour in so many countries.
Other Comments by flyingscot
14. Comment #44025 by Blue Monster 65 on May 23, 2007 at 7:41 am
He was an "Amateur Boxer." After being smacked in the head a few times, I'll bet he probably believes what he preaches to be true!Sad, sad, sad.
Woof! - Scott
Other Comments by Blue Monster 65
15. Comment #44053 by dawgdoc2000 on May 23, 2007 at 8:24 am
And as far as I know, fraud is a crime. How come this people get away with it? Probably because he doesn't charge for it. Donations are "optional". And technically, he's not practicing dentistry if he's not actually doing anything. Still, I wish there was some recourse for these idiots. Now people are forgoing trips to the dentist because of this guy. Why are people so damned stupid??????
Other Comments by dawgdoc2000
16. Comment #44055 by sims on May 23, 2007 at 8:26 am
"Healing doesn't always happen there and then," he said. "It could happen when they're in McDonald's the next day."
...or maybe it won't happen at all.
Other Comments by sims
17. Comment #44070 by padster1976 on May 23, 2007 at 8:50 am
'Jones' claims have led to him being dubbed the "spiritual tooth fairy"'No shit.
Other Comments by padster1976
18. Comment #44071 by padster1976 on May 23, 2007 at 8:52 am
'"Healing teeth is funny, but turning water into wine is funny, spitting on the ground and putting it in a man's eyes is funny," Jones said.'Mad as a plate of frogs.
Other Comments by padster1976
19. Comment #44081 by Duff on May 23, 2007 at 9:35 am
This from the newspaper in the town in which I live. I'm going to find this Chris O'donnell character and ask him why he wrote such laudable article about this major criminal charlatan.In the local paper one of the pictures they included was of a bunch of menonite women lined up to have their inbred tonsilature reconstructed. I wonder how God fouled up so badly with some of his chosen people?
Other Comments by Duff
20. Comment #44084 by bluebird on May 23, 2007 at 9:42 am
These people's cheese have slipped off their crackers!!
Other Comments by bluebird
21. Comment #44090 by steveroot on May 23, 2007 at 9:55 am
13. Comment #43998 by eoinc on May 23, 2007 at 6:40 am
"Why is the DA not doing her job and arresting this loon for practicing medicine without a license?"
Because, technically, he isn't practising medicine.
The correct terminology would be "practising DENTISTRY without a license". It's not clear to me that what he's doing is actually *practising* dentistry since the "hands-on" component traditionally associated with dental treatment is missing. Jones's form of "hands-on" is something else.
Sadly, what he IS doing is deluding folks with real dental needs into thinking that their problems are solved. Sometimes these problems will be present in a sub-clinical form and them recur with a ("the Lord's") vengance. The "healed" cracked tooth, for example, probably stopped being a problem because the pulp tissue inside the tooth went from being inflamed (usually quite sensitive to cold) to being necrotic ("dead"; non-sensitive to cold). However, these teeth usually become infected, and potentially serious consequences can occur. The fellow who described his face "go numb" might have something much more seriously wrong with him- like a brain tumor (or maybe he was just drunk!). Unrealistic and foolish conclusions all around; for example:
"It's two years since we've known him; we've never gone to the dentist since," said Sarasota resident Mary Raber, who believes that Jones' prayers have transformed five of her filings to gold or silver. "The Bible says, 'If you believe, you will receive.' "
"Gold *or* silver", eh? Well, "amalgam", which is what fillings are often made of, is 50% silver and 50% mercury- and "silver" in appearance, so god didn't have to work too hard on that one! Sometimes amalgam fillings can assume a "gold-ish" cast but usually when they aren't brushed properly. And Ms. Raber hasn't seen a dentist in 2 years. I see "plates" in HER future!
Of course, everyone knows that the toothbrush was invented in West Virginia, don't they?
If it had been invented anywhere else, it would have been called a "teethbrush"! ;-)
(Apologies to those multi-dentate residents of West Virginia!)
Steve
BTW, I am a dentist and a licensed specialist in endodontics, so I know something whereof I speak.
Other Comments by steveroot
22. Comment #44094 by rufustfirefly on May 23, 2007 at 10:06 am
There are times I'm ashamed to be from West Virginia.Other Comments by rufustfirefly
23. Comment #44107 by Dower on May 23, 2007 at 10:21 am
"It's the Lord that does the work; man doesn't do the work," Jones said. "All He says is all things are possible."
Which means, it would be possible for the Lord to restore the legs of an amputee. Highly improbable, though. I have yet to see or hear about it. I will withhold judgment until then.
Other Comments by Dower
24. Comment #44108 by flyingscot on May 23, 2007 at 10:28 am
Just received this email today, so had to share it here...A Scotsman phones a dentist to enquire about thecost for a tooth extraction.
"£85 for an extraction, sir" the dentist replied.
"£85!!! Huv ye no'got anythin' cheaper?"
"That's the normal charge," said the dentist .
"Whit aboot if ye didnae use any anaesthetic?"
"That's unusual, sir, but I could do it and knock
£15 off.
"Whit aboot if ye used one of your dentist
trainees and still without an anaesthetic?"
"I can't guarantee their professionalism and
it'll be painful. But the price could drop to £40".
How aboot if ye make it a trainin' session, ave yer student do the
extraction with the other students watchin'
and earnin'?"
It'll be good for the students", mulled the dentist. "and it's going to be
very traumatic, but I'll charge you £5."
"Och, now yer talkin' laddie! It's a deal," said
the Scotsman. "Can ye confirm an appointment for the wife next
Tuesday then?"
Of course, he hadn't heard of the Rev Steve Jones!
Other Comments by flyingscot
25. Comment #44115 by konquererz on May 23, 2007 at 10:41 am
"I came expecting it to happen," he said. "When he prayed for me, I felt the right side of my face go numb."
Wait, she had a stroke?
"Healing doesn't always happen there and then," he said. "It could happen when they're in McDonald's the next day."
Um, why did god have to wait? Was he busy or not feeling well? Or why not stop it from happening to begin with? If there was a provable god, there still would be no rational explanation for why an all powerful god would wait till the next day!
Other Comments by konquererz
26. Comment #44120 by steveroot on May 23, 2007 at 10:46 am
Um, why did god have to wait? Was he busy or not feeling well? Or why not stop it from happening to begin with? If there was a provable god, there still would be no rational explanation for why an all powerful god would wait till the next day!
It turns out that god is something of a procrastinator: "never do today what you can put off 'til tomorrow"!
Steve
Other Comments by steveroot
27. Comment #44126 by Tonocats on May 23, 2007 at 10:58 am
'Jones' claims have led to him being dubbed the "spiritual tooth fairy"'That fits right in with my definition of God: "spiritual truth fairy"
Other Comments by Tonocats
28. Comment #44133 by drive1 on May 23, 2007 at 11:31 am
Sturiano, the Parrish resident, was sure something had taken place in his mouth.
Yeah, well a bit of activity 3 inches higher up might do this twerp more good.
Other Comments by drive1
29. Comment #44137 by Corylus on May 23, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Hmm, maybe he could tell me where to find an NHS dentist taking on patients ... now that would be a miracle!I know, I know I mustn't ask too much of the Lord.
Other Comments by Corylus
30. Comment #44138 by 3legcat on May 23, 2007 at 12:06 pm
"Dreams of teeth and rivers of silver and gold troubled his sleep."jesus, me too.
i made street light go out.
Other Comments by 3legcat
31. Comment #44177 by ? on May 23, 2007 at 2:27 pm
"Dreams of teeth and rivers of silver and gold.."?! God likes David Lynch movies, apparently. Was there a backwards-talking dwarf. '(spooky backwards, then dubbed forwards voice) Heal...their...teeth...' Other Comments by ?
32. Comment #44179 by pewkatchoo on May 23, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Flyingscot. That is a very unlikely scenario. A Scotsman making a dental appointment. Nah! Have you seen the state of the average jockos teeth? Other Comments by pewkatchoo
33. Comment #44194 by ? on May 23, 2007 at 3:20 pm
There is nothing wrong with the hands in the air posture of the folks in the above photograph. I also tend to do that when being robbed by a dangerous lunatic. Other Comments by ?
34. Comment #44210 by Skeptyk on May 23, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I wrote about this a few years ago:http://www.metaphoria.org/ac4t0207.html
same article here: http://quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/cam.html
The dental healing part is in paragraph 7 to 9.
Thanks eoinc and steveroot, you hit the nails right on the head: incandescent flashlight makes amalgam fillings look gold, etc. As for cross-shaped fillings, well, that is a pretty common pattern on molars considering the morphology of the chewing surface and how those fissures frequently decay.
Some folks say they got a new gold crown from God. Why did God not make the tooth brand new? And what cement does God use, a polycarboxylate, a GI resin, frankincense?
Cheesh.
Other Comments by Skeptyk
35. Comment #44219 by steveroot on May 23, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Apparently, this man's pen-flashlight that he uses when peering into people's mouths has a feeble, yellowish glow, which causes the fillings to appear gold when they reflect the light. Many people who have been healed incidentally report that their fillings reverted to their ordinary silver colour when they got home.
He also used to say that the fillings put in by God were cross-shaped, which he interpreted as being God's own "seal of approval". Randi dryly noted that most fillings are made that way, as it gives strength to the structure.
I must admit that the brightness of the light had not occurred to me, but that is a perfectly plausible explanation for the color. The guy was too cheap to buy new batteries, bringing new meaning to the term, "dim bulb"!
The "cross-shaped" fillings are, in fact, based on the general anatomical features of most molars, as indicated by Skeptyk above (35/44210). This is especially true of lower *second* molars. Of course, we know that prior to the time of Jesus, human lower molars had pentagram-shaped grooves in their biting surfaces, so *OF COURSE* they are cross-shaped in the C.E.. ;-)
At the dental school where I teach there is talk of being able to grow new teeth in "test tubes"- doing god's work!
Steve
Other Comments by steveroot
36. Comment #44227 by k1mgy on May 23, 2007 at 7:21 pm
"I have seen some things that would make science realize that there is a creator," Jones told the crowd, his half-tenor, half-baritone voice now so loud that the speakers distort it. "Especially when you watch teeth move in slow motion and straighten; especially when you see God create things that wasn't."--
Notice the photo? "Crowd" of 3, plus the reporter.
..
Someday we may evolve socially to a point where it becomes necessary, for the good of all, to assist wayward folks like the "Reverend" towards a life path that does not infect others with whatever disease it is he's carrying. Just as consideration is being given to quarantine large segments of populations in the event of the massive spread of a deadly infectious disease, so too should some form of protection be given society from the disease of ignorance.
In the least, the "Reverend" ought to be sanctioned simply for steering the dumb away from the appropriate medical care they deserve.
Fact is many diseases begin in the mouth and are a result of improper dental care, so the "Reverend" may well be contributing to a greater problem, besides bilking hope and treasure from his victims.
I would prescribe a 2 week stay in an appropriate locked unit for close observation, therapy, and the necessary pharmacological adjuncts to assist the "Reverend" to re-join the reality-based community and lead a more productive life.
Once he's on the mend, I'd also send him off to an English language school. Besides the psychological, health care and financial threat he represents, ANYONE who emits the phrase "things that wasn't" is in my view a total danger who ought to be locked up before any more harm is caused.
Other Comments by k1mgy
37. Comment #44228 by philos on May 23, 2007 at 7:24 pm
steveroot: are old and young Stroner still there?Last I heard Dr. Rice was still there, too.
cheers ;)
Other Comments by philos
38. Comment #44254 by Shuggy on May 23, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Comment #43959 by eoinc on May 23, 2007 at 5:05 amScottishgeologist,
"I am sure that James Randi would like to hear about it - after all there is $1000000 waiting for this guy..."
James Randi covered this guy already in his book The Faith Healers. Apparently, this man's pen-flashlight that he uses when peering into people's mouths has a feeble, yellowish glow, which causes the fillings to appear gold when they reflect the light. Many people who have been healed incidentally report that their fillings reverted to their ordinary silver colour when they got home.
No, believe it or not, that was another guy pulling the same sca- um, with the same gift. His name is The Reverend Willard Fuller of Palatka, Florida.
Incidentally, Randi also has a chapter in that book about Oral Roberts.
Other Comments by Shuggy
39. Comment #44270 by sheepscarer on May 24, 2007 at 1:28 am
The tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth. Other Comments by sheepscarer
40. Comment #44271 by logical on May 24, 2007 at 1:34 am
Now I know: There is a proof that would make me believe in the existence of a god: If I got perfect teeth, (now at age 50) the way people with an acceptable childhood grow them.I am European, so I do have health care and get my fillings checked regularly, and buying new teethbrushes is also something I can afford, unlike those poor Americans without health insurance!
I can understand the feeling that they would rather have a miracle than vote for political change like health care for everyone, this is one of the topics where you cannot get perfection by affordable medicine, but waiting for perfection in form of miracles makes everything worse.
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41. Comment #44275 by rokort on May 24, 2007 at 2:42 am
I couldn't help but feel really stupid i actually read the whole thing just now... Other Comments by rokort
42. Comment #44292 by Stuey on May 24, 2007 at 6:11 am
So after they filed out of the tent in the evening, did they all file into MacDonalds the next day? What is it about MacDonalds and the healing of teeth? Have Burger King seen through this flame-grilled whopping lie?God Bless America. Land of the free, home of the brave, tent of the maniac.
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43. Comment #44296 by Nick Brennan on May 24, 2007 at 6:25 am
"Healing doesn't always happen there and then," he said. "It could happen when they're in McDonald's the next day.""Healing" and "McDonalds" are not terms that I would generally expect to see in the same sentence.
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44. Comment #44298 by yogibear on May 24, 2007 at 6:32 am
Novocaine for the soul, slippery boy that he is.Wonder if the wait is as long as a dentist in Britain.
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45. Comment #44312 by John Turner on May 24, 2007 at 9:18 am
'Some shudder at his touch.''"When he prayed for me, I felt the right side of my face go numb."'
I can imagine reacting to the guy this way aswell.
'Others hold their hands out, palms upturned as if in a tent with a crazy guy, and not having a fucking clue what is going on.'
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46. Comment #44353 by DanishDentist on May 24, 2007 at 12:08 pm
...said Sarasota resident Mary Raber, who believes that Jones' prayers have transformed five of her filings to gold or silver...
So what?
Ignoring the incredibly low possibility of God's existance and for the sake of argument assuming that the fillings were changed to gold or silver leaves me with one question: So what?
Whenever a filling needs therapy the problem is usually secondary caries and/or fracture of the filling or the surrounding tooth substance.
The trouble could also be about leaking bacteria under the filling accessing and fouling a root filling causing infection in the tissues around the tooth. Changing the metal of the filling is in no way adressing those problems.
Metallurgic problems (allergy, current generation) are extremely(!) rare.
It appears rather obvious to me that neither the "good" Rev. or his followers know anything about dentistry.
Comment #44090 by steveroot on May 23, 2007 at 9:55 am
Sadly, what he IS doing is deluding folks with real dental needs into thinking that their problems are solved.
Exactly. Some of them even admitted that they had not been to the dentist for 2 years because of the "good" Rev.'s influence. If they never see a dentist there is even less of a chance that they will call his bluff.
It reminds me of another patient fooled by "alternative dentistry" who wanted treatment because of her horrible dental state:
She had lost several teeth to caries and all the remaining teehth were severiously carious. The carious destruction was advanced by her use of a "herbal extract soft drink", supposedly able to make new teeth grow out of her jawbone if consumed in heavy amounts. (!)
On closer inspection the softdrink didn't contain anything worth mentioning except sugar and vitamine-C.
Adding to the serverity of the situation was her complete unwillingness to use mouthrinses or toothpaste that contained flouride. (!)
This foolish woman suffered more than necessary because her "health advicer" had been feeding her this nonsense that a random softdrink makes teeth regrow and that flouride is a poison in ANY amount.
Just like the followers of this "good" Rev. she pays people to misguide her.
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1. Comment #43920 by scottbly on May 23, 2007 at 4:06 am
Gold fillings from god?I'm going to stop brushing!
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