What's the Christian perspective on Reiki?

[airyfairy1978]

I prsctise Reiki and I'm due to do Alpha soon - more as a theological exploration than anything else (but I'm open to all posibilities).
Just curious to hear how christians & the church view reiki...?

I've been a Christian all my life and I don't believe there is an official Christian opinion on Reiki. Maybe there is one but i've never heard it. I know some Christians who believe it works and others who think it's a load of mumbo jumbo.

Given that there are a lot of different denominations then there is likely to be a mixed response. My concern as someone who has been part of the Christian healing ministry for a number of years is that people who come for healing, whether that is Christian or otherwise, are vulnerable and that the people who go on alternative healing courses are not always vetted for their suitablity for that ministry.

Those who run healing ministiries through churches have usually had a lot of training and supervision. My experience is that not everyone who wants to train for the ministry should both for their own wellbeing and for that of others. There is alot of neediness and some downright ill intent out there.

So my concern about those who get involved in healing ministries that are not Christian is that you pays your money, does the course and sets up as a healer and that can lead to some patchy results. There are excellent practitioners and some very poor ones. I've encountered both.

I think the spiritual side and explanations for Reiki might be in conflict with Christian faith. Christianity is about putting our relationship with our Father in Heaven as number one priority and everything else flowing from there.
Reiki and the idea of having power of energy which doesn't relate to/come from God would probably not really fit a Christian understanding of the world and our place within it.

I don't know if Reiki can be practiced in a non-spiritual way though so might well be wrong.

I hope you enjoy Alpha. Do feel free to ask them all your difficult questions!

Beachbum
Your reply mirrors what I thought too-with the exception to Reiki not coming from God. In my understanding the energy does come from God (is ir controversial to compare the healing energy to the Holy Spirit), only it is accessible to all who wish tp learn rather than just the ministry.

That's interesting. I think Christians would also say the Spirit of God is at work in all things and all believers, acknowledged or not... 'in him we live and move and have our being' Acts 17:28

I don't think the majority of Christians do believe in only ministers being able to do things like talk to God or pray for healing etc. All believers are enabled to do all things in God, they just need faith and to trust in God's plans, which might not always involve the outcomes we want or try to find!