Amen, HF! That is why in some cases and for some people, a system like Christian Science can be too extreme.
There are certainly limitations.
My only points, which you seem to agree with, is that a) the Finger Growing Game is not the main thing, it is at best a "finger pointing in the right direction. And b) the whole point of it is to open up the mind to possibilities.
The only reason I bring up the placebo effect (which as you rigthly point out would be unethical in many situations), is because using the mind ala the placebo can be useful in some cases combined with active ingredients. There is even a possibility according to some of the research that is being done that the amount of the "real" drug or medicine can be reduced as the so-called "placebo" begins to work more.
The whole point here is not to move towards a "boxer rebellion" in medicine nor snake oil salesman, but rather to continue to research and use the power of the mind and imagination to increase healing.
And you are correct to caution for one not to go to extremes with this.
But I do not believe that one believing that their finger is growing at the beginning of their practice, even if only for a second or two is analagous to convincing people to stand up to guns and bullets using qi.
I do not know what is "popular on this site". I do know that while there needs to be a balance to trusting too much on the power of the mind, I also know that miracles do happen when people do allow more possibilities. And whatever the popular beliefs here are, I do not sense any danger or dangerous imbalances in people's use of faith or openmindedness from what is written here.
Nevertheless, a caution as you offer can never hurt, just in case there is a lurker reading these threads who ignores serious conditions that need professional attention.
I thank you for appreciation of my exprience. And I thank you for experience and knowledge.
