Hypocrite or Hippocratic?

Today I completed my article about the debate and controversy stemming from the differences of traditional medicine and that of alternative, homeopathic treatments. (CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE) What spurred me to write it was the report by the source The Telegraph in the UK about the medical community passing a blanket ban on all homeopathic and holistic teaching. One chairman actually called homeopathy "witchcraft".


Being a part of the traditional medical field, I am not one that subscribes to the healing powers of crystals and electromagnetic therapy, but I do not fault others who do. In researching and writing the article, I found that there are more techniques that the commonly known practices of homeopathy. Some of the practices I myself do on a daily bases: Meditation, Yoga, etc. I do them because I know from my previous psychology training that these are ways to focus the mind and body are good for mental health as well as physical health.


Even with this information, I still would not describe myself as a homeopathic believer or follower. I would sill not choose to seek medical advise from someone other than an MD. Heck, I have trouble just seeing a resident when I go to the Medical University Of South Carolina. So I ask this - Since I practice homeopathic techniques at home in my private space, but would not recommend them to a person in my public life, does that make me a hypocrite?


While I am not a medical doctor myself, I do strongly believe in the ethics set forth by the hippocratic oath, which in summation states to do no harm. I try to bring this philosophy into my professional life as I work with patients, my public life when I am out with family and friends, and my private life when I am at home with husband and child. Perhaps it is this respect for life, and the other people in it, that has me so angered by the statement of Dr. T. Dolphin. He is the British MD that declared homeopathic practices to be "Witchcraft". I feel that it flies in the face of the impartial opinions that a medical physician should hold while addressing the public, but hey, maybe they do things different in the UK.


You know, the more that I think about it, I am not sure that Dr. Dolphin has any idea about "witchcraft" anyway. Most, albeit not all, people who practice witchcraft as a religion are earth based people who believe that life and the environment are precious. Giving the term witchcraft a negative connotation is unfair and ignorant of the religion behind it. Perhaps this is where I am a hypocrite again... I have studied and researched Wicca and other religions that practice some form of witchcraft. I find their beliefs to be very sincere, their views defendable, and will continue to advocate for their rights to practice a religion that is not in the "mainstream", however, I am a Christian and can not believe that there is not one omnipotent and powerful God.


Ok so is there a middle ground that I could be considered a part of? How about Hypo-cratic? I think that is along the lines of a republicrat...Oh man, politics are best left for another entry. I'm not sure I want to make that leap.