Faith healing refers to physical healing that comes through spiritual power accessed through religious belief and prayer rather than physical treatment. It is a philosophy present in various religious traditions around the world. Some rituals of faith healing are quiet, personal, and passive (such as silent prayer) and others are more public and performative, including chanting, vocalizations, and the laying on of hands. While many traditions encourage faith healing alongside other medical treatments, there are some that rely exclusively on faith healing, which amplify ongoing controversies and discussions around the very real question: How do we heal?
