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PrimeTime Live ABC ABC

What they said before the airing:
For decades, millions of people from around the world have traveled to the remote high plateaus of Brazil to seek aid from a man known as John of God, called a miracle man by believers, and a charlatan by detractors.

Is 'John of God' a Healer or a Charlatan?
John Quinones Travels to Brazil to Meet a Controversial Figure

For more than 30 years, millions of desperate people from
around the world - the sick, the crippled, the terminally ill - have made a pilgrimage to the remote high plateaus of central Brazil in search of a cure.

They travel to see a man who is said to have miraculous healing powers and can supposedly perform surgeries without pain or even anesthesia. His acolytes call him "João de Deus" or "John of God."

In an hour-long report, "Primetime Live" co-anchor John Quiñones travels to Brazil to find out whether these incredible stories can possibly be true, whether "John of God" is, as his believers claim, a miracle man or, as his detractors argue, a charlatan.

"Primetime Live" airs Thursday, Feb. 10, at 10 p.m. ET.
Quiñones comes face-to-face with "John of God," who claims that, through him, God heals believers through "visible" surgeries, using some startling and unorthodox techniques - including sticking long forceps up the nostrils and twisting them violently.

Other "visible" surgeries involve cutting believers with scalpels, using no anesthesia. "John of God" claims his hands are guided by the spirits of more than 30 dead doctors, some of whom have been dead for centuries. He also performs so-called "invisible" surgeries without even laying hands on
people. The medium performs such a procedure on Quiñones, in an effort to see if he can heal an old shoulder injury.

"Primetime" follows some hopeful pilgrims as they make their emotional journeys: Matthew Ireland of Brattleboro, Vt., seeking a cure for the rapidly growing brain tumor that threatens his life; Annabel Sclippa from Boulder, Colo., who wants to walk again after being paralyzed in a car accident 17 years ago; Mary Hendrickson, who wants relief from the chronic fatigue syndrome and severe allergies that have made her life miserable; San Francisco attorney David Ames, hoping for a reprieve from his debilitating and terminal Lou Gehrig's Disease; and South African actress Lisa Melman, who has refused traditional surgery to treat her breast cancer.

Later, in a sit-down interview, Quiñones questions "John of God" about his claim that people are healed by his channeling of energy from the spirits.

Quiñones talks with a noted skeptic, who says the whole enterprise is a front for a money-making scheme - even though "John of God" charges no fee for treatment.

"Primetime" examined the medical records of the patients followed in this hour, and also consulted one of the world's most respected surgeons, Dr. Mehmet Oz. He has some surprising things to say about whether there could be
real medical merit to "John of God's" controversial healing methods.

What was said on the show:

Dear Gary,

I figured you would be curious to know how ABC Primetime USA portrayed John of God. To be very honest, if I had not educated myself about “John of God” before, and was not aware of certain things, I do not know if the broadcast would really convince me to go. I do think going to Abadiânia is something one has to experience for one’s self and not take TV programs too seriously.

The reporter gave an overall view about the place where it is located and how people from all over the world come in large numbers seeking healing after modern medicine fails them. Quinones explained about the healing techniques – visible and invisible operations and showed footage of some visible operations. He also explained about the casa and the meditation in the current rooms.

The reporter concentrated on a few individuals who went for healing He gave some background on their illnesses, doctors reports, etc. The illnesses were as follows:

1. Cancerous brain tumor
2. Breast cancer
3. Crippled for about 20 years from an accident (severed spine)
4. I think one was Lou Gehrig's disease
5. Combination of Cornice fatigue & bad allergies

They were all there for 2 weeks, and let me tell you - all determined to be healed.

#1 His tumor shrank and his medical doctor was quite surprised, because he did not give his patient much of a chance to live. The doctor added, in his opinion it could be John of God, but it could also be the patient’s determination to be healed.

#2 The lady with breast cancer refused to be treated by traditional medicine. She was not healed, but still refused medical treatment from her doctor and is determine to heal somehow.

#3 The woman with the severed spinal column has been crippled for about 20 years from an accident. She regained some feeling in her legs and was able to get our of her wheel chair, stand and slowly walk holding on to side rails – this she has not done in about 20 years. When I say she walked - she really walked slowly and was bearly able to put one foot in front of the other. But she had not even been able to do that since her accident. Also, her legs started to sweat, and that also is the first time that happened since the accident.

#4 Not healed. He was interesting. He read one of the books on “John of God” and thought it was rubbish. A non believer at first, but when his doctors gave him no hope, he got desperate. He is an attorney and a very logical thinker, but even though he was not healed he said it was an amazing experience and has no regrets at all. He said something to the effect that maybe it is his path to walk in life.

#5 She got much better, and was a happy camper.

I think the media wants to see things like cripples getting up out of their wheel chairs jumping and dancing.

Anyway, the reporter had a chance to interview John of God. He explained about the spirits helping him and that he remembers nothing. The reporter told John he understands he does not accept payment for his services, but did point out to John that people do give donations, and that John is rich and has a 1000 acre ranch. Oh My! John got really upset, and told him that he is doing God’s work and that the place has to survive some how. I forgot what else he said, but he was offended by the comment.

I just remembered, the reporter’s name is also John. Anyway John the reporter also received treatment for a torn muscle. He had his doctor in the US diagnose it, he said it bothered him for years. He was not healed after 40 days, but did admit that he did not really follow the instructions given to him by John of God.

So, that is it in a nut shell. I will look out for him being featured on Discovery Channel on March 25th.

Got to go, duty calls.

Take care,

Karen

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