Faith healer John of God: Another Tragic Death
This is heartbreaking news, but true! Remembering Lisa Melman. 
The woman used by Oprah to shamelessly promote Brazilian faith healer John of God to the world as a great healer. Lisa Melman, who had breast cancer was interviewed on Oprah Winfrey Show, episode “Do You Believe in Miracles?“ in 2010. There was a lot of WOO about John of God then on that show and Lisa was influenced and chose to be healed solely by JOG and forgo REAL medical treatment. She suffered as the cancer grew, despite all JOG ‘s ‘spiritual surgeries’. The actual ‘spiritual surgery’ entailed the insertion of a pair of surgical forceps UP HER NOSE! And that’s supposed to heal breast cancer. Recently, The news show 60 Minutes with Michael Usher, did an scathing investigative report of John of God, prior to his arrival to Australia in Nov 2014. Calling John of God’s pretend medical treatment horrendous and barbaric! And grilling him about his sexual molestation charges( in Dec John of God was arrested and charged with sexual abuse, rape and juvenile rape) and the great deal of money he makes(in the millions) by fooling sick and desperate people with absolutely no creditable records of healing treatments! And labeling him not John of God, but JOHN THE CON
She died of the cancer in 2012.
JOG’s subsequently modified their ‘protocols’ and image by issuing press releases stating not to be held responsible or guarantee any physical healings. And ‘visitors’ MUST see a medical specialist for medical problems. Big Business, there! Read Disclaimer: some faith!!!
John of God’s Strange Sex Surgeries
60 Minutes, Reporter Interview
60 Minutes, Extended Interview
Accused charlatan “healer” ‘John of God’ coming to Australia
John of God S Dictionary
ABC’s News investigation of John of god
Wikipedia John of god
Oprah promotion of Quack john of god
US Cancer Journal
Benefits of Psychic Surgery
Lisa Melman of Oprah. Does it look like John of God healed her?
John of God’s right hand man Diego Coppola must know the truth he hears it!! Wonder if he knows a lot more? Google found him here
“Bad Boys, Bad Boys…Whatcha goin do? Whatcha goin do when they come for YOU??”
Just In: Dec 28, 2018
Statement from ex John of God ‘Casa Guide’ Kathleen Dixon:
….When I read Gail Thackray’sblog which stated there is no such thing as a “private room” and “private bathroom”, or “private sessions” that is not true. John of God does have a private office on those grounds and there are always women lined up to go in there after sessions. I have seen this many many times….
Just In, Jan 7, 2018: LINKS BROKEN( 12.26.19)
John of God RAPED his own daughter, and BEAT her into abortion!
#exposeabuse
Giulio Sa Ferrari Facebook
Giulio Ferrari lifeinfilmdocs.com
Now watching this on oprah. Well my my she sure lasted longer than the few years the docs gave her. A shame people believe anything they see!
Kay, I know it’s a shame what people will fall for, especially when they are sick, afraid and unsure. They are easy prey for these fake con artists, Shame on Oprah for promoting this quack, too. BTW, John of God always heals himself by going to a real medical doctor and following his advice. See latest story from Brazil.
I don’t see how Oprah is ‘shamelessly’ promoting the healer nor ‘using’ this woman when she is simply asking this lady about her experience.
Lisa tells her that she wasn’t physically healed.
Lisa also says she has tried conventional therapy and lost hair (so she did not entirely forgo conventional treatments as you state.)
It seems it was her own decision initially to forgo conventional treatments as is the case with a lot of people.
John of God advises not to stop medical treatment. It is recommended people attack the problem from two sides – physically and energetically.
At the end of the day none of us will know if by going to JoG (and trying all sorts of other treatments) gained her an extra year than had she not gone there or if his treatment eased her level of pain thereafter in any way.
This is what happened in the case of Reverend Lonnie Whittington, New Thought Minister. His numb nerve damaged arm was instantly healed upon arrival at the Casa and there is no longer any need for heart replacement surgery. His heart is not 100% but he is back to working at the gym which he could not do before. So a large improvement but not a cure.
Dear LC, perhaps you are not aware and have not seen the abundance of articles criticizing Oprah’s promotion of pseudo scientific medicine and healing. I have attached below for review. Many were made way before Lisa Melman crossed paths with Oprah. Thank you for your comment and concern of Lisa and others. I think we may safely say in hindsight: Lisa received no healing at all from john of god. And her chances of living were far better if she was not persuaded to stop ‘western medicine’. But still today, all the Casa guides ( and even you) still promote that people can be healed of cancers in brazil without providing any medical evidence. Just stories.
The Oprah-fication of medicine, 2009:
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-oprah-fication-of-medicine/
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/how-low-can-oprah-winfrey-go-low-enough-to-promote-faith-healer-john-of-god/
Oprah Winfrey: Bright (but Gullible) Billionaire 2010:
http://www.csicop.org/si/show/oprah_winfrey_bright_but_gullible_billionaire/
Newsweek 2009: Oprah crazy talk
http://www.newsweek.com/why-health-advice-oprah-could-make-you-sick-80201
who is Oprah?
Luis, it’s really nice to know that two guys on this entire planet don’t know who Oprah is? The other guy is a member of the Korowai tribe of Papua, Indonesia. But, more importantly you should ask, What is an Oprah?
Spiritual healing …that is ALL Spiritual healing is sub- conscious healing .Many people create their own disease by fear..anger …strong emotions and harmful food intake .All foods are chemicals .its possible that Faith Healers may transform a persons attitude or behaviour that results in health enhancement .Meditation is a proven activity to still the toxic mind and bring cell harmony within the body .You have 6-7 trillion cells in body all working together to bring you LIFE …so what THANK YOU do you give back to your body cells? ..Are you keeping your body ACIDIC( drugs alcohol starchy carbohydrate intake ) Do you detox at least annually or bi-annually ? There is a MIND / BODY connection so being mindful is a real asset ..These Faith healers bring you HOPE ..when every one else has failed you …even YOU have failed yourself
Yes, is it possible to cure cancers by sticking a pair of forceps up your nose? And yes these Faith healers may bring HOPE. But it is false hope. Sadly, Lisa Melman is proof positive.
Yes I have seen such articles.
Plenty of people go and get chemotherapy and it doesn’t work. Plenty of people try chemotherapy and it does work.
I have spent countless $$ on so called specialists who promise me all sorts of results. Most usually I saw no improvement or if I did none of these results were permanent. I don’t see you mentioning that these people are con artists and rip off merchants.
How are these people any different to John of God?
It is accepted that not all people can be cured by modern medicine. So why is it not accepted that John of God isn’t curing everyone in sight?
I find it convenient that you leave out the part of the show where the sceptic Dr Rediger goes to investigate John of God. He has an amazing unexplainable experience which is captured on camera. As a result of this experience he says his life and beliefs have been totally turned upside down.
Also conveniently there is no mention of Reverend Ernie Chu who had an ‘inoperable’ tumour removed and the results were confirmed by his Dr.
So are you saying that two Reverend’s and two Dr’s are lying on National TV?
I am very open to finding out the truth about this man – the bad, the good, the neutral – and would take your blog more seriously if it wasn’t so biased.
Dear LC, I believe you have see such articles. But what I find hard to believe from your further comments, is that you ever READ them! You ask the question, What is the difference..?
The difference mainly is medicine is supported by written facts, statistics and evidence. Faith healing, etc is not. We can actually look to the medical evidence when we choose or not to choose to have treatment. Strictly speaking with john of god, there are only healing stories told, usually by people financially motivated. Sometimes not, by people such as yourself who truly wish to believe. But can you seriously expect someone to choose on this basis. Your example of Dr Rediger as a skeptic and medical observer is I’m sorry to say, rather flawed. You ( and many others) have been mislead. That is Oprah’s amazing sleight of hand in her pseudo documentary/amazing story. Please read David Gorsky’s detailed examination of Rediger below:
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/how-low-can-oprah-winfrey-go-low-enough-to-promote-faith-healer-john-of-god/
Also please find an article concerning ‘Rejecting cancer treatment: What are the consequences?’
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/rejecting-cancer-treatment-what-are-the-consequences/
Here are some statistics for Breast cancer survival rates:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-survival-by-stage
Where are the medical records of john of god? It would be so easy for him to record the people he treats and what are the results. Don’t you think that it is very suspicious and telling that he does not provide evidence?
Thank you for your comment/concerns. I hope you will forgive my ‘bias’ to openly look at the supported facts and possibly there may be a shift to your perception.
some will cure some will not….
some will gain some time some will not.
each individual have his own soul problems .
that s not right approach to generalize 100 % cure.
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you that john of god is definitely no the right way to cure problems, soul, body or otherwise. This quack’s record shows not only no healing but death.
You mention that you “agree with you that john of god is definitely no the right way to cure problems, soul, body or otherwise.” Yet, nowhere in luis’ comment did he mention anything regarding this. Also, name calling generally does not come from a place of love, rather a place of fear. Perhaps you should look into why that fear is there, and why you are so passionate about this. My aunt had breast cancer that spread into her lungs and lymph nodes, and she was given 1-2 months to live with NO chance of survival. She turned to an alternate healing group that used nothing more than prayer, positive energy and love towards her. There was no money exchanged. If a person with seemingly no other options to prolong there lives by an alternate route, and even wants to pay for that, who am I to tell them not to? I am certainly not God, to tell them whom to seek out for care, if at all. At the end of the day, if a person with a life threatening condition wants to seek out John of God or any other alternate form of healing, it is truly there decision, and not anyone else’s. Much love and healing to you lakisajohnson.
Thank you for your concerned comment. Am I to understand that after reading all the facts about quack faith healer john of god and the millions of dollars he makes off of fooling sick and desperate people, you believe in this nonsense because because of your sick aunt? Who by the way, was she treated SOLELY by alternate healing group? You do not say. I am assuming she was tested in a hospital and treated in unison with other modalities. I do think that people should seek out the care they feel comfortable with . But let them have all the facts.
I do take exception to your comments directed at me. Suggesting as always that there must be some fault of the writer or her intentions. Is it so easy to dismiss what is said? In your opinion it seems that I am fearful and that leads to name calling, which is bad? But perhaps you may come to realize that if someone is a QUACK, calling them a quack isn’t name calling. It’s the truth. Further, it’s not fear to report on someone who is doing these shameful things to sick people, but disgust and outrage. Godly people call this Righteousness!
Please reread my comment, as nowhere in it did I mention I believe or disbelieve in John of God. I did not mention this because.it is not relevant. Much love to you.
OK, Bearded Mystic… I am sorry to misunderstand you. On rereading though…I still cannot fathom what you were trying to say and why you felt the need to respond to a post re: quack john of god… when you have neither an opinion or have tried to seek out the truth.
Hi Lakisha, can you just clarify for me: is it your understanding that no one has ever been healed by JOG?
Chris, It is definitely tragic what happened to Lisa Melman at the hands of john of god. You may be wise to check what 60 Minutes reported in 2014.
Attached to this post are much cited up to date links and references examining john of god. How much money he makes. His stage show quackery. The bogus claims of healing by financially motivated ‘tour guides’ taking advantage of the sick, gullible and desperate. Good luck on your research. And take care.
I would also like to know if it is your understanding that no one has ever been healed by John of God. Your response to Chris mentions Lisa, however that’s not what he was asking nor does it answer his question, just more name calling. Truly, sending much love and healing energy to you.
Dear BM, if you really wished to know about quack faith john of god and all the evidence of how he treats cancers by old carny tickets like sticking stuff up your nose…there is plenty info out there. My posts links quite a few.
Start at Wikipedia
Oh, and to answer your question directly….My answer is No! BTW… john of god has claimed to treat over a million people…How many would constitute good healing results.. 33%
That’s 330,000 people. You think you’d been able to find evidence to that? Well, start with one person.
Good luck.
As any human being, Mr Joao is not perfect, but has a gift that has been tetimoned by millions of people along six decades. Don’t let your prejudice, and a n = 1 or 2, form your opinion before knowing, in person, the Casa.
Go to the Casa, talk to people. Study Portuguese and watch the other videos at YouTube. Try this one https://www.google.com.br/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiczZ3MnrzLAhXDxpAKHWz0BGsQtwIIHTAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Djtz6PIyZGN8&usg=AFQjCNEFUKp1KcBNOYqUaViF14qP2acmfQ.
I have personally known a couple of people who have been sent home to die by physicians – 10, 20 years ago – ad who had at the Casa their only and very last hope to live. These people are still alive and healthy, some of them without any conventional treatment. At the Casa it is expressly told that people MUST NOT (sorry, this is not a shout) abandon their regular treatment. If they do so that’s done on their own. Some people receive immediate cure, some take a longer time, some others do not cure their body illness but have a deep spiritual healing, sometimes have both spiritual and body cures.
I used to teach Evolution and were, for some years, very, very skeptical, acidic in my commentaries about religion and spiritual things. Nowadays, after having been passing through so many spiritual (at the Casa and elsewhere) and regular treatments, I have no problem in understanding that Evolution and the spiritual realm can go along together. Hard brain, I had to see and to feel things happening in my body, to recover my faith, quite like Thomas Didymus.
Read Teilhard de Chardin, read John Paul II’s article (and commentaries) published in the Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, go to the Casa, go to so many other places were skeptical close their mouths, and you will see, and maybe even feel, that there are mysteries unknown, for many, for all of us. I do not criticize anybody here for not believing, as each person has its own path, its own convictions, and these, quite often, change along their lives, sometimes smoothly, sometimes abruptly, sometimes never. But, just like myself, and St Thomas, give the doubt a chance.
God bless John of God and all the Entities. God bless you. Open your mind, open your heart. Sorry for my English.
Senor, Thank you for your interest and concern. And taking your time to comment. I totally agree with your view of St Thomas Didymus. “Seeing is Believing” But there has been absolutely no ‘seeing’ of healing from john of god. There have been further no factual documented evidence. Why is it so hard for the Casa people not to record the names and healings? Because what is seen is a scam. A circus side show act to fool the sick and gullible. Even your leaders of the Catholic Church have warned people away from this swindler.
Oh, btw n=0
Heather Cumming wrote a book called John of God. Hundreds of stories of healing are documented in her book with the names and occupations of those interviewed.. I just saw John of God and had one of the most life changing experiences of my life. God, through him, has healed me. Many of my friends have gone and have all experienced life changing healings from Him. Until you’ve actually experienced him you’re relying on other people’s interpretations and perceptions. To be a voice of truth in the world you have to seek the truth. No one else can seek it for you. Experience it for yourself, then you can write about it as a person who actually was in the arena, on the ground. You’re sitting on the sidelines, relying on other people to tell you there experiences.
I have experienced him, and I also had a mystiscke experience, but that doesn’t mean it was good. In fact in was not. Many people and places can make mysticle experiences. And people then automaticle think is God/ comes from good. Sai Baba and Cohen from inlightenment next also send people into theese altered states of counsciousness to gain followers, but at the same time theese cult leaders would be abusive to other people! And the people who initially ” Saw the light” saw it only once, and the rest of the time were being somewhat exploited. Dont automacly assume things…. People who give themselves out to be holly ore inlightened people now a days are usely not what they give themselves out to be. Just like anything else now a days.
Knowledge is power……
LC, I am interested in what you think of accused serial rapist john of god now?
Angel of truth, How culpable is Heather now? She must know a lot about john of god’s predatory habits.He has 40 plus years of abusing women. 11 kids from 9 different women and nobody says NOTHING?
My dear Angel of Truth, you are being misguided and have made many false assumptions. One: stories are stories, not documented evidence. Regardless of what Heather Cummings has said. She works for John of God and her business is making money in Abadiania. Don’t you find it telling that as much as Medium Joao tells medical people to witness his business there isn’t one medical record of healing at the Casa. In 40 years they haven’t kept any records. Why not? Two: you are mistaken that I have not been to Abadiania and seen first hand Medium Joao. Three: Lisa Melman’s death was caused indirectly from her blind belief in John of God. And Four: Joao de Faria himself doesn’t even believe in what he peddles. Just recently he was treated for stomach cancer. Not by the Entities, but by the most expensive and modern medical hospital in Brazil. Not with his visible surgery like up your nose, but by the best surgeon in Brazil and chemo, etc following.
In light
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo%C3%A3o_de_Deus_(medium)
http://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/the-right-chemistry-brazilian-healer-john-of-god-leads-cancer-patients-by-the-nose
Pingback: In defence of weak naturalism – Post 2: a response to Gary Robertson - Rational Razor
Medicine is not only supported by scientific facts but by business, money. Did you know that in some developed countries doctors are paid extra for prescribing chemotherapy? A few patients a month and doctor has a second salary. It is business. It is much more profitable for pharmaceutical companies to keep people on drugs for years (diabetes or blood pressure treatments or cancer) than allow the type of medicine to cure the illness completely.
The problem is not that there is no cure but that pharmaceutical business rules medical help. I happen to know about a cancer treatment in tablets that has been discovered and produced by medical scientists in Italy. Scientifically tested on 100 of people with various stages and types of cancer, 98% cured, most after 3 months. The medicine is in distribution but quietly. Why? Lawyers advise was clear, if you will advertise the medicine and make it known, you will get shut down.
There are people who use mindfulness and diet to cure their bodies from all source of problems. Traditional medicine can help too but often it fails, on purpose.
You clearly have not met many people who have tried both, the traditional and non traditional treatment and they have been healed only when they worked on their mental and spiritual (energy) shift and diet. Very powerful but you have to understand it first. You want scientific proof? Go and meet the people who were cured. What better proof do you need? Although, the neuroscience will give you a lot of evidence too.
The major difference is that traditional medicine focuses on fixing the symptoms of the illness, the natural healing if focused on eliminating what causes the illness.
Like some readers previously stated, both ways of healing do not work every single time but both are proven (yes, scientifically) to have a healing power.
If you want to challenge it, tell me what you need a scientific evidence for and I will get back to you with one. It just requires to research a bit or know people who have access to unpublished science results.
If you will ever suffer with any illness, do yourself a favor and keep an open mind, try different angles to really help yourself. Be well!
Yes, Lisa kept an open mind and heart. You forgot to mention all the fake and fraud swindlers that deal in ignorance, gullibility and false spiritual belief
Pingback: President Oprah’s Pseudoscience | JOHN oF GOD: The CON
Joao de Deus ability is real, you can prove it by your self, just go there and see!!! .. i can’t understand all people who make such bad articles and videos about Joao, huffft… i’m speechless, i just pray to you all who make bad articles and videos, may god bless you… here… i wanna show you another proof that this kind of ability is real, check this man on youtube, his name Syahwir Papude, he does exactly the same kind of healing like joao does, and he’s younger than joao… check all of his videos on youtube, or you can search on youtube “Semesta Alam Spiritual”.
“Lots of Things that we don’t know in this life.. so we must be selective, carefully and we have to find out more to know about something, we can’t just judge someone freely”
My friend Adit, thank you for your comment and concern. Unfortunately, I believe you are being mislead and misguided. First, your belief that I have never been there is wrong. I have experienced john of god at the Casa like you. But on my last visit my eyes were finally open. Check ‘faith healer’ on Youtube for another perspective
https://www.youtube.com/user/johnofgodexperience
if you really are sincere about finding the truth.
Second, though you are absolutely right when you say ‘[ There are..] Lots of Things that we don’t know in this life’ But I truly believe if you look at all the crazy quackery and stage shows that de Faria does, all the money he makes( over 14 million a year),
the fact that he had stomach cancer and did not have the ‘Entities’ remove it ( it was done with the best Modern Medicine money could afford). And for god’s sake…what makes anyone believe that sticking a pair of scissors up your nose is going to cure your cancer. And what does his records show? How many have visited and how many were cured by these practices. Oddly the record is nonexistent
God bless you in your search
Straight up, there’s a lot of crazy stuff that happens between patients( visitors) and the casa guides and employees.
http://badboyreport.kr/2013/01/married-medium-likes-to-use-special-spiritual-entry-on-naive-believers-diego-coppola/?ckattempt=1
Of all the people who commented negatively above, not one of them ANY of them has actually BEEN to Abadiania or MET John of God in person. NO. NOT ONE OF THEM. Education dispels ignorance.
Go see for yourself AND THEN form an opinion.
Maybe Ana, But Zahira HAS been there. And look what happened to her. And what about John of God’s daughter. I begin to think you go thru life with your eyes closed!
Ana, How about asking the over 300 women and girls victims want they think? Now, the verdict is in! On the first charges! 19 years in prison! What about his accomplices?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazil-spiritual-healer-sentenced-to-19-years-for-four-rapes/2019/12/19/e21d760a-2299-11ea-b034-de7dc2b5199b_story.html
I HAVE been there. Multiple times. I stand with the people who claim to be victims. I stand with all the people who were duped by this “healing” place. I went to see John of God many years ago. I had heard rumblings about his sexual abuse. Noone wants to believe this can happen but please do not be blind. There ARE rooms and other offices you may not know about. Heck they are “private” for a reason but they are there. This type of stuff happens all the time. Educate yourself. There are so many people making money from the Casa. Hotel owners, shops, people who sell them food and the guides. This healing place is BIG BUSINESS. He withdrew millions of dollars. Where did he get these dollars?
Everyone so wants to be healed, to be loved, to be supported. I know! However, the last time I was there I knew I could not return. When I looked within I knew something was also very wrong there. I knew it in my heart. The people I met and am still friends with today nearly 16 years later were wonderful but Joao of God? There is another side to the healing story and it really is bad for the victims.
Also, I have posted this on the John of God facebook page and it was deleted …. of course. It’s unfortunate becasuse the news does not have this as a story that is getting much focused attention. It is on the site but I have had to search it out. People are going there who might choose otherwise if they were to see these stories.
It’s an expensive, exhausting trip if you are ill. Think before you get on that plane.
I am often to blogging we actually appreciate your posts. Your content has truly peaks my interest. I will bookmark your internet site and maintain checking for brand spanking new details.
Thank you for your comment and concern. John of God’s Brand has certainly diminished. If he truly was john of GOD he martyr himself in jail by taking the noble way out .
It¡¦s really a nice and useful piece of info. I¡¦m satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I stumbled across this during my hunt for something regarding this.
Now, the verdict is in! On the first charges! 19 years in prison! What about his accomplices?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazil-spiritual-healer-sentenced-to-19-years-for-four-rapes/2019/12/19/e21d760a-2299-11ea-b034-de7dc2b5199b_story.html
Pingback: Oprah’s Leap of Faith | JOHN oF GOD: The CON