Not specific to Scientology which actually makes it all the more interesting.

Rules for Debating with "Alt-med" Believers

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For those about to engage in the (futile) attempt to debate believers in "alt-med," be prepared to enter a place where logic and reason have no meaning - and where the rules for debate are not the same for both sides.

"Alt-med" believers usually feel that they are in a privileged position when it comes to debate. Being in possession of a "revealed truth", Here are the unspoken ground rules that the "alt-med" believers impose on any debate:

[1] The experts you quote are corrupt, short-sighted, narrow-minded reactionaries. The experts they quote are altruistic, visionary, open-minded progressives.

[2] In "alt-med", everyone is a victim - of corrupt doctors, polluting corporations, government conspiracies, etc. Their disorders are never caused by their own lifestyle choices (e.g. overeating, too little exercise, drinking too much, etc.), genetics or random chance. And their symptoms are most definitely NOT psychosomatic or imaginary. To even imply otherwise is a serious breach of etiquette.

[3] Suffering from a disorder, or having a family member (e.g. parent, spouse, etc.) that suffers from a disorder makes you an unimpeachable expert on that disorder. Any lack of formal education, training or expertise is more than compensated by intimate knowledge as a sufferer or "co-sufferer".

[4] Scientific method is merely a ploy to keep the truth of "alt-med" hidden so that corrupt doctors and "Big Pharma" (pharmaceutical corporations) can continue to profit from human misery. This is no different from the oil companies and auto manufacturers that have hidden the secret of cars that run on water or get 2000 miles to the gallon of gasoline.

[5] Peer-reviewed scientific journals are part of a massive conspiracy to suppress "alt-med". Forcing "alt-med" practitioners to show their data is categorically unfair - they are much too busy saving lives to be bothered with proving what they already know is true.

[6] No matter how outrageous their claim is, it is true unless you can prove it false.

[7] You can never prove any "alt-med" claim false because you are "biased" (i.e. you don't already believe them). Only a person who is "open-minded" (see below) can evaluate their claims in a fair and impartial manner.

[8] "Open-minded" means "willing to permanently suspend disbelief." If you insist on holding on to your old, outmoded ideas (such as chemistry, biology, physics, anatomy, physiology or even simple logic), you will be blind to their new truth.

[9] Their anecdotes and testimonials are equivalent to (if not superior to) your data. After all, everybody knows that data can be faked (and that people never, ever lie).

[10] The fact that doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies make money is proof that they are all evil, corrupt and will do anything for a buck (US dollar). When "alt-med" practitioners make money, they are just getting what they deserve for "helping" so many people.

[11] "Tolerance", for you, means swallowing their line of "reasoning" without complaint (or gagging). For them, "tolerance" means letting you get in a few words when they take a breath. You'll know that the debate is over when they call you a "nazi" (or similar epithet) - it's just their little way of showing tolerance for other points of view.

[12] You can't convince them, so don't try to - just enjoy the game. The "alt-med" believers desperately want to be taken seriously, so don't get defensive - it just gives them credibility in the eyes of the public. Try laughing instead. There will probably be other people listening that may see the logic in your reasoning, so your efforts are not in vain.

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