not admit to my lovely df that i think homeopathy is a load of, well, nonsense?

[ForkInTheForeheid]

My df is a big believer in homeopathy, the homeopathic Dr was the first port of call when we were kids, I'm sure we as kids and my dad have had lots of benefit from the placebo effect over the years. :-) however, as an adult with a critical mind and some scientific knowledge I came to the conclusion that I didn't believe any of homeopathy's claims. So for several years every time DS or I get any illness my dad tells me which homeopathic remedy I need, emphatic that aconite will destroy the common cold if you "catch it early enough" and that rus. tox. (?) will cure chicken pox and stop the spots from turning into scabs, they will just disappear back into the body apparently...

So aibu to politely nod and agree despite thinking it's a load of rubbish (no placebo effect if you don't believe it will work either) or should I admit my scepticism to him? I'm usually pretty honest with people and so it makes me feel icky and uncomfortable but I don't want to hurt his feelings.

My friends mum is really into all homeopathy trreatments. After I had 3 miscarriages in a row, and was under investigations - she told me she believed that 'laughter is the best medicine and why not go along to one of her Laughter Yoga workshops'. Yes - because I really found all my miscarriages hiarious

So, its being old makes religion respectable?

So being metaphysical makes it all right, but thinking it's real, i.e. medical, makes homeopathy OK to ridicule.

Try this one on for size. Catholics believe, when taking Holy Communion, they are eating the actual real body and blood of Jesus, NOT a symbol, but real flesh and blood. How metaphysical is that?

It's still silly, no?

I agree that religion is as daft as homeopathy. Proponents of religion get just as defensive as proponents of homeopathy when you ask them to back up their claims. There are many similarities. I've seen lots of debates on here about religion and I don't agree that it's not seen as acceptable to criticise religious beliefs on MN.

marriedinwhite if you only tried homeopathy in desperation because the eczema was so bad, then the improvement you saw was quite likely to be regression to the mean. As in, a lot of conditions are variable instead of just getting progressively worse and worse, so if you are extremely ill, then you are likely to get better over the next few days regardless of if you take something or not.

Nod and smile. Placebo effect can still work perfectly well even if you know it's bollocks btw. DH, who is as keen a Ben Goldacre fan as I am, still takes homeopathic hay fever pills. We had some that were years past their best before date so I had to hide the box and not tell him just how out of date they were.

AKiss - I haven't been on here that long, so you may know better than me. But in the religion threads I have seen posters have criticised religion, but are pretty much attacked for it by other posters. I guess when a belief is so central to someone's life it is hard to just debate a point.

I'm not giving respectability to religion, I'm saying you are trying to equate two very different things. What has religion got to do with debates on whether something is medicine? You might as well equate it to a discussion on shoe sizes, or whether tall men are better than short men. They have nothing do with each other, other than the aspect of "belief", and people have that for all sorts.
Nobody claims religion to be scientific, thats what faith is for. But people do try and claim homeopathy as being science. I don't understand your need to compare the two.

The thread has become about homeopathy but I think the issue is about arrogance and respect.

He has a view. You disagree.
To tell him at every opportunity that he is wrong and you are right woukd mean thar you would be chosing your delight in being smug and arrogant over his feeling.

Assuming he is making his choices as a grown adult of sound mind I can't see what possible motive would make anyone shove books or opinions at him other than small minded snide imagined superiority.
But there is a lot of that on here.

Pagwatch - Most people on here, including me, have actually said to just smile but quietly ignore what he says. I do this with a friend who is very into homeopathy and gives me advice on ailments.

Can't have that much of a sound mind, but I still wouldn't say anything but no thanks.

I know eatsbrainsandleaves

I mean there is a lot of snide, imagined superiority on mn in general - not on this thread. There is a little bit on this thread.

But...but...but.

How can you help feeling a little bit superior to people who believe in such patent rubbish?

I'm all for keeping an open mind, but, as they say, not so open that my brain falls out!

The similarity between hoomeopathy and religion is clear.

It requires a person to believe in something that isnt there.

what a load of tosh. Clinical medicine has roots in homeopathy! Some people are ignorant and may as well walk around with toads on their heads and onions round their necks. You have to know who to take seriously and who to avoid.

echt - I nod and smile when people tell my they are Christians / Muslims exactly like I do when people tell me they believe in Homeopathy.

They have a belief - I think its bunkum but whilst I think that I keep it to myself (unless directly asked) as they are not doing any harm holding that belief (usually - I would say something if they were) and they are entitled to their belief.

So nod and smile stands for me.

love this:

Seeker is saving me an awful lot of typing

I agree with keeping opinions to yourself if beliefs are doing no harm; but if someone posted on here that they were turning to homeopathy or the power of prayer to cure their child's serious illness, I'd be disappointed if people didn't speak up against it.

yes AKiss, IMO if it's "complimentary therapy" and makes people feel better along with getting other sensible medical advice/treatment then what harm?
but "alternative therapy" where people are told to stop all their western medicine immediately and take some non exact quantity of MAYBE crushed X from an unspecific origin.. then it is dangerous and one thing to choose that for yourself but another entirely to take that route with children

Monkey: That's brilliant, I love Tim Minchin. Love the bit about water having memory yet forgetting all the poo it has in it.

I know I've always wondered that about homeopathy

"yes AKiss, IMO if it's "complimentary therapy" and makes people feel better along with getting other sensible medical advice/treatment then what harm?"

I think there is harm, actually.

There is harm to the individual because they are spending money on something which doesn't work, so they re being deceived, either intentionally or or not.

And there is harm to society at large because the more people who don't apply critical thinking skills, the more vulnerable we are collectively to bullshit.

Brass, I believe you are mistaking homeopathy and herbalism, its herbalism that is the root of medicine. Not at all the same thing. Do try to grasp the basics before jumping in with an opinion.

So I agree homeopathy is complete bollocks. The only good thing I can say for it is that it isn't harmful, unlike some herbal meds etc.

But, your Dad believes it, it works for him. You don't want to have a confrontation, or awkwardness about it.

If he recommends it, smile and nod. Use own judgment. If wanting to appease him, give child required dose of water, either as med or in his juice/milk/water. If not wanting to appease Dad, change subject etc.

If Dad gets pushy, say firmly that you havent' asked him for his opinion on medical treatments, you are comfortable with your own choices.

If this was your partner and you have a different approach, then that's an issue - but your Dad, meh, let him believe it and do your own thing.

But it is about the greater harm isn't it?
It may be that a person is wasting their money - as it happens that is my view too - but within a relationship, lecturing someone because they have formed a view with which you disagree is just crass IMHO.
If there are financial issues or if someone is compromising a conventional treatment then by all means voice your concerns.
But mouthing off just because you can is a bit bad mannered - a bit 'nobody likes a smart arse '
The need to be vocally right all the time is a weakness no less than believing in hocus pocus. Only the people who want to believe they are infallible think it's a virtue. Everyone else thinks they are opinionated bores.

I fuck up all the time. We all do. I would rather remember that than hold myself up as some sort of superior being. Not least because I quite like the fact that people accept my mistakes with kindness, perhaps because I don't ram their faces in theirs.