The prophet Elijah praying for the recovery of the son of the widow of Zarephath, from the Bible's Books of Kings<unk>  is the practice of prayer and gestures (such as laying on of hands) that are believed by some to elicit divine intervention in spiritual and physical<unk> , especially the Christian practice. Believers assert that the<unk>  of disease and disability can be brought about by religious<unk>  through prayer or other rituals that, according to adherents, can stimulate a divine presence and power. Religious belief in divine intervention does not depend on empirical evidence of an evidence-based outcome achieved via<unk> . Virtually all scientists and philosophers dismiss<unk>  as pseudoscience. Claims that "a myriad of techniques" such as prayer, divine intervention, or the ministrations of an individual healer can cure illness have been popular throughout history. There have been claims that<unk>  can cure blindness, deafness, cancer, HIV/AIDS, developmental disorders, anemia, arthritis, corns, defective speech, multiple sclerosis, skin rashes, total body paralysis, and various injuries. Recoveries have been attributed to many techniques commonly classified as<unk> . It can involve prayer, a visit to a religious shrine, or simply a strong belief in a supreme being. Many people interpret the Bible, especially the New Testament, as teaching belief in, and the practice of,<unk> . According to a 2004 Newsweek poll, 72 percent of Americans said they believe that praying to God can cure someone, even if science says the person has an incurable disease. Unlike<unk> , advocates of spiritual<unk>  make no attempt to seek divine intervention, instead believing in divine energy. The increased interest in alternative medicine at the end of the 20th century has given rise to a parallel interest among sociologists in the relationship of religion to health.<unk>  can be classified as a spiritual, supernatural, or paranormal topic, and, in some cases, belief in<unk>  can be classified as magical thinking. The American Cancer Society states "available scientific evidence does not support claims that<unk>  can actually cure physical ailments". "Death, disability, and other unwanted outcomes have occurred when<unk>  was elected instead of medical care for serious injuries or illnesses." When parents have practiced<unk>  rather than medical care, many children have died that otherwise would have been expected to live. Similar results are found in adults.
Faith healing
Harm reduction
Rejuvenation
Derealization
Wound ballistics
Wound healing
Depurination
Harm avoidance