Doctors Call for Removal of "Dr. Oz"

Ten top medical doctors have called upon Columbia University to remove Mehmet Oz (“Dr. Oz”) from its faculty. Oz is vice chairman and professor of surgery, but in spite of his impressive credentials, he is a promoter of quackery. The open letter, issued by a group of doctors led by Henry Miller of Stanford University, says that Oz has “misled and endangered” the public and has “manifested an egregious lack of integrity by promoting quack treatments and cures in the interest of personal financial gain” (“Physicians Demand Removal of ‘Dr. Oz,’”Fox News, Apr. 17, 2015). Last year, a U.S. Senate panel accused Oz of endorsing products that are medically unsound and making claims that are not substantiated by fact. Mehmet Oz, together with Daniel Amen and Mark Hyman, have been highly promoted by Rick Warren in spite of their New Age principles. The three men created Warren’s Daniel Plan. Oz is not only a promoter of quack diets; he is a follower of Emanuel Swedenborg, who entertained spirit guides and was deeply involved with Eastern mysticism (“Special Report,” Lighthouse Trails, Jan. 11, 2011). Oz also promotes Reiki, an occultic practice that allegedly channels “universal healing energy.” Amen teaches Eastern meditation, promotes Reiki, and deals in pop psychology and self-help. Amen’s The Brain in Love and Making a Good Brain Great promote Hindu-style meditation through the vain repetition of the alleged primal sounds. Mark Hyman promotes meditation based on Buddhist principles. He claims that “diseases don’t exist; their symptoms are related to effects” (“Rick Warren’s Celebrity Health Plan Draws Thousands,” The Orange County Register, Jan. 16, 2011). To say that disease doesn’t exist apart from human causes is New Age nonsense. While it is true that diet and exercise can affect one’s health, all diseases are not the result of lifestyle. We are fallen sinners who live in a sin-cursed world, and disease and death are realities that affect every individual regardless of his lifestyle. In the book The Bible and Diet, we warn that the alternative health care field is permeated with New Age philosophy. A friend observed that health food stores are New Age chapels. Beware! Although we know that it is wise and godly to take care of one’s body, the Bible doesn't have very much to say about it. What the Bible does have a lot to say about is spiritual health and separation from paganism! “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils” (1 Corinthians 10:21).

(Friday Church News Notes, April 24, 2015, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)

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