Jour : 31 janvier 2025

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Jared Greenspan
While Super Bowl 59 looms, the NFL’s best players take center stage for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.
For the third consecutive year, the league’s best will compete in a series of skills competitions and a flag football game, eschewing the traditional tackle football event. Games include dodgeball, tug-of-war and punting competitions.
Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, touting 18 Pro Bowl appearances between them, will return to coach the AFC and NFC teams in the flag football game.

WATCH:2025 Pro Bowl Games LIVE on Fubo (free trial)
Justin Jefferson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Ja’Marr Chase headline a star-studded group of dynamic, young players set to compete in the festivities. The events will take place Thursday, Jan. 30 and Sunday, Feb. 2, creating two days of entertainment and fun.
The Sporting News gets you set for the NFL’s 2025 Pro Bowl Games, with TV and live stream information for all of the events and a complete event schedule.
The NFL Pro Bowl Games begin with a Skills Showdown on Thursday, Jan. 30 starting at 7 p.m. ET. Then, a flag football game will take place at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 2, along with additional challenges.
Below is a breakdown of the events that will be held on each day.
Thursday’s Skills Showdown will air live on ESPN, while Sunday’s Pro Bowl will simulcast on ABC and ESPN.
Both events can be streamed in the U.S. with ESPN+ as well as Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial, so you can try before you buy.

WATCH THE PRO BOWL GAMES LIVE. START YOUR FREE TRIAL TODAY.
For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $59.99, a $25 savings. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
In Canada, viewers can stream the Pro Bowl live with DAZN.
Listen to the Pro Bowl live with SiriusXM.
Get SiriusXM for free for your first month. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
Jared Greenspan is a contributing writer for The Sporting News. Before joining The Sporting News, he covered University of Michigan football and basketball for The Michigan Daily and spent two summers working for the New York Post. Even though they often test his strength, he enjoys rooting for his favorite teams — the New York Mets, New York Knicks and New York Jets.

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Preseason Power 10 softball rankings
🏐 Nebraska volleyball's John Cook announces retirement
🌽 Dani Busboom Kelly named Cook's successor
The 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl will continue the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation dating back to 1925. 2025 marks the 100th edition of the Shrine Bowl and is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
In the 2024 game, the West Team beat the East Team 26-11. In the 2023 game, the West Team won 12-3 while in the 2022 game, the West Team won 25-24. 
This year’s game is on NFL Network at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 30. The game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable prospects in the East-West Shrine Bowl:
You can click or tap here for roster updates.
LOOKING AHEAD: When the 2025 college football season starts
Here’s the full list of East and West team rosters:
Stan Becton joined NCAA.com in 2021 and has since served as a college football, FCS football, track and field, cross country and HBCU beat reporter. He has covered numerous NCAA championship events, including the FCS Championship, DI Track & Field Championships and Men’s Frozen Four. Additionally, he has covered the College Football Playoff and HBCU sporting events like the Celebration Bowl, MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Legacy Classic. Stan graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, earning a degree in Professional Writing and playing football as a five-year letterman. You can follow him on Twitter @stan_becton.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.

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Leader of alleged ‘death cult’ faked own death in San Francisco Bay  SFGATE
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When President Donald Trump needed a fighter to lead his Department of Education, he picked a woman with a proven record of success. Linda McMahon is the perfect choice to fix a broken Department of Education that has failed our nation’s students for generations.
Under President Joe Biden’s administration, student achievement drastically declined nationwide. The National Center for Education Statistics recently published a report in showcasing the decline in student scores from 2019 to 2023. In mathematics, scores dropped by 18 points for fourth-grade students and by 27 points for eighth-grade students.
A recent report from NWEA revealed similar results. The the K-12 assessment and research organization’s report found that the “gap between pre-COVID and COVID test score averages widened in 2023–24 in nearly all grades, by an average of 36% in reading and 18% in math.”
Students will need approximately four to five months of learning in class to catch up to where they should be. The NWEA concluded that achievement gaps “in some cases, now surpass what we had previously deemed as the low point.”
These findings should come as no surprise. The Biden administration’s Education Department wasted an unprecedented amount of funding on woke priorities.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
In a December report, Parents Defending Education found that from 2021, the Department of Education spent more than $1 billion on grants for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Opinion:DEI promotes false perceptions of prejudice. Walmart, Ford finally see the truth.
Out of this exorbitant amount, nearly $490 million was designated specifically for race-based recruiting, training and hiring practices; $343 million was designated for DEI programming such as training and youth activism.
Some school districts received notably more funding than others, such as Montgomery County Schools in North Carolina receiving $21.5 million and Ypsilanti Community Schools in Michigan receiving $15.5 million.
The funds wasted on woke initiatives would have been much better spent improving the nation’s schools academically to ensure that students are better prepared for the real world.
McMahon is the perfect pick to turn this ship around. Whether leading a billion dollar company or serving in Trump’s first administration, McMahon succeeded where others would have likely failed.
McMahon, with her family, led World Wrestling Entertainment into the global behemoth it is today. She served as the chief executive officer of the WWE from 1997 to 2009 and president of the company from 1993 to 2000. Under her stewardship, the company grew from a worth of $1 million in 1982 to the multibillion dollar empire of today – now worth approximately $9.3 billion.
In his first administration, Trump nominated McMahon to lead the Small Business Administration. Under her leadership at the SBA, the economy grew with millions of new jobs added, unemployment reached a low of 3.5% and incomes increased for Americans across the board. McMahon took the time to tour the country and meet with small business owners to understand what assistance they needed to succeed.
The Washington Post reported that the SBA’s “core business is to provide federal guarantees so that banks can offer loans to small businesses that otherwise couldn’t get financing.” The Senate confirmed McMahon to the position in February 2017. By the beginning of 2018, the SBA was “on track to back more than $30 billion in loans which she says has helped create more than 650,000 jobs.”
Opinion:Close Department of Education? Former schools chief Betsy DeVos makes the case.
After succeeding in the position for more than two years, McMahon resigned in April 2019 to lead efforts to advance Trump’s policies outside the administration. She currently serves as chair of the America First Policy Institute, which has pushed to protect students from radical gender ideology in schools and to protect children from irreversible gender procedures.
McMahon has been a tremendous success in every position she has held, from helping to rebuild America’s economy to transforming a small sports venture into a global phenomenon.
The Department of Education crumbled under the Biden administration’s woke leadership. McMahon will have the opportunity to rebuild America’s dilapidated education system into a force that works for our nation’s students.
She is the perfect choice to body slam woke education.
Casey Ryan is a writer at Parents Defending Education.

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Chumba is a great option, but if you’re looking for a new sweepstakes casino on the rise, check out these options. They’re some of the fastest grouping sweepstakes casinos out there, with a wide range of slots, live dealer games, and the best promotions around!
We’ve long been big fans of Crown Coins Casino, and they keep improving. The site has been growing rapidly, constantly adding new features and games. They have some of the best exclusive games between their hundreds of slots, with slots that give you great return-to-player rates while being extremely high quality.
Their promotions are some of the best in the business, though. They’ll start you off with 100,000 Crown Coins and a few sweep coins just for signing up. That makes it extremely easy to start off with a solid bankroll.
They keep the free coins coming, too. With the daily bonus, you’ll earn more free coins every consecutive day that you play up to seven days. So, if you’re a consistent player, it’s extremely easy to keep building up your wallet.
Pair that will all the great tournaments and seasonal promotions, it’s easy to play for months without visiting the coin shop once. However, if you want to add a few more coins to your wallet, it’s simple. They have some of the best coin deals around, giving players 150% bonus coins with their first coin purchase for the $9.99 coin bundle.
All of this comes together to make Crown Coins Casino one of the most player-friendly sweepstake casinos. They’ve been a terrific place to play while giving play some of the best opportunities to cash in. It’s no wonder players have been migrating from Chumba to Crown Coins!
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.} 
Another long-standing sweepstakes casino with a great play focus approach is High 5 Casino. They’ve become one of the largest USA-based sweepstakes casinos, and with great reviews, they’re doing something right. They’re also one of the few sweepstakes casinos to have a dedicated app so you can seamlessly on the go!
High 5 Casino is probably the best mobile sweepstakes casino, with lightning-fast load times, a great responsive design, and intuitive layouts.
Beyond their mobile features, they have some of the best games. They’re set to pay out with many games boasting a 96% return to player rate. Their lineup of exclusive slots has a return-to-player rate of around 96%, so if you’re looking for a generous game, just pick any with the High 5 logo.
They also have a solid selection of live dealer games. You can find roulette and blackjack. So, this may be your best option if you’re looking for something closer to a brick-and-mortar casino!
Their promotions are great, too. A new player will instantly get 250 gold coins, 5 sweep coins, and 600 diamonds. The diamonds may be the best part, too. They’re a third type of currency that allows players to activate individual bonuses. So you can get free spins on games or activate multiples to boost your winnings. Go into the bonus shop and select from a massive array of games to boost.
Beyond the diamonds and the welcome bonus, they have one of the best daily bonus offerings. Players can get 10 gold coins and 5 diamonds every 4 hours. They also offer a portion of a sweep coin every 12 hours. It’s a fantastic system that keeps your wallet topped up while you play!
So, if you’re looking for a rock-solid sweepstakes casino with everything you need, High 5 Casino is the spot for you!
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.} 
Now, onto somewhere a little smaller. Funrize has been one of our favorite smaller sweepstakes casinos for a while. They might not have all the bells and whistles as the larger casinos like Pulsz or Wow Vegas, but they are extremely fun. Their selection of slots rivals just about anyone with high-quality designs from reputable developers. You can find just about anything you’re looking for anywhere.
The best part of Funrize is the rewards. Unlike most sweepstakes casinos, the Funrize rewards program is worth it. It provides excellent extra bonuses like a multiplier on your daily spin of the prize wheel and loss protection that will give you a percentage of your losses back the next day. They have tons of activities, too. Their tournaments are some of the best around. You can enter and play the feature game to compete with others on who’s won the most. You’ll earn great extra rewards if you land in the top 50 players.
They make it extremely easy to keep earning coins even when you’re not winning. Because when you’re playing, you’re still leveling up your rewards tier, which will earn you free coins and bonuses.
Funrize is fantastic at creating one of the best social environments in sweepstakes casinos. They keep the community engaged and have built interesting features, like win trackers, so you can see who has been winning what games.
They’ll even get you started with a free 125k in tournament coins for free when you sign up. So, if you’re looking for something a little better than Chumba, you’ll want to check out Funrize!
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.}
Copyright 2024, Bettors Insider, Inc. If You Or Someone You Know Has A Gambling Problem, Help Is Available. Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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A Lummi Nation elder has been missing since Jan. 21, and law enforcement is asking for the public’s help in finding her.
Besalynn James was last seen near her home on Balch Road in Lummi Nation, according to Lummi Communications.
The Lummi Nation Police Department, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are assisting in the search for the 62-year-old.
Law enforcement is recommending people avoid the Balch Road search radius that is under investigation, according to Lummi Communications. Search efforts were postponed on Wednesday, Jan. 29, until further notice.
Anyone who has seen James or related suspicious activity is requested to call 911. People can also call the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office at 360-778-6663.
James has black hair, brown eyes and is approximately 5-foot-1 and 160 pounds. She has a scar on her right arm and the letters “BES” tattooed on her arm.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
Email newstips@cascadiadaily.com or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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Maybe it’s the result of watching too much football, but I’ve noticed a funny similarity between kids and football players recently.
You can’t watch a televised football game, pro or college (or is that the same thing now?) without seeing this similarity acted out at least a couple times. It goes like this. There will be a long pass downfield and the defender will grab the jersey of the receiver or in some way interfere with his ability to fairly catch the pass. The referee will throw a flag and call a penalty for pass interference. Then, the camera will cut to the defender gesticulating in disbelief and pleading he did nothing, NOTHING, and how could they be calling a penalty on him?
We’ve had instant replay in televised football games for a solid 25 years. Half the time, while the defender is pleading his innocence, there’s a super-size image of him being displayed on the stadium jumbotron clearly interfering or committing the penalty. You know we can see you, right?
But, even without the possibility of instant replay, this happens in our house all the time. I’ll be watching as the boys are playing or otherwise coexisting. A boy will shove his brother down. The shoved brother will start wailing. The pusher looks over at me with hands out and an incredulous face — what? I didn’t do anything, ANYTHING, and why are you looking at me?
I know I witnessed the unnecessary roughness. The boy knows I saw it, too. And yet, caught red-handed or not, he will protest the call in disbelief. And just like the football players, this isn’t a one-time thing. More often than not, the immediate response of whoever is getting penalized (football player or boy) is to deny it and protest his innocence.
It all seems so incredibly irrational and ridiculous, and yet if we’re honest, particularly human. It makes me think of behavioral economics and the various studies that have exposed how man’s assumed rationality is an assumption not always based on facts.
Think of the coach arguing a call after it can’t be overturned. Think of the baseball manager getting in an umpire’s face to protest a ruling that’s already been made. This sort of defying of the inevitable, especially when the exercise in futility comes with a large human-shaped blind spot in the mirror, is incredibly common and all too relatable.
So I guess we shouldn’t be surprised about this in kids. Kids are little humans after all. In one sense their irrational arguing is more reasonable as they don’t have the same benefit from life experience that adults do.
But what about those professionals crying foul despite the instant replay evidence showing they committed one? I guess that’s why they say sports are for kids.
Harris and his wife live in Pflugerville with their seven children. Please email comments or suggestions for future columns to thoughtsforcaleb@gmail.com.

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1
Declining enrollments force Korean universities to fight for survival
3
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5
Trump will pursue complete denuclearization of N. Korea: White House
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9
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Trump’s Iron Dome executive order includes improving missile defense of allied territories
13
N. Korean media report on Yoon’s insurrection indictment
15
15 dead in India stampede at Hindu mega-festival
17
White House orders pause on federal grants, loans starting this week
19
Everyone aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter is feared dead
2
Air Busan plane fire raises battery fears
4
Commerce secretary nominee accuses Korea, Japan of having ‘taken advantage of’ America’s ‘good nature’
6
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8
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N. Korea’s Kim inspects nuclear-material production base, urges strengthening of nuclear shield
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14
Alibaba releases AI model it claims surpasses DeepSeek-V3
16
Neuroscientist’s book on psychology of obeying unlawful orders resonates in Korea
18
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20
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Close for 24 hours
ShamAIn, an AI fortune-telling system developed by a research team at KAIST / Courtesy of KAIST
An exhibition hall in Insadong, Seoul, houses a small shrine just large enough for one person, where colorful ribbons, bells, ancestral tablets, candles, and a single cushion are carefully arranged.
When a visitor inputs their personal information into a digital ancestral tablet and sits on the cushion, the soft voice of a middle-aged woman begins to speak: “I am a being that transcends human knowledge. I know truths beyond your understanding and can foresee the future. If you have any questions, ask me.”
This shrine is ShamAIn, an artificial intelligence fortune-telling system introduced last month by a research team led by KAIST industrial design professor Nam Taek-jin.
The AI shrine provides divination services based on Korea’s traditional fortune-telling concepts. Users enter their name, birthdate, and occupation, and the AI responds according to the principles of saju, a form of traditional fortune-telling based on a person’s birth year, month, date and time.
The setting is carefully designed to resemble a shaman’s house, complete with lighting, sound effects, and moving decorations.
According to the research team, many participants initially approached the AI shrine out of curiosity but later found psychological comfort in sharing their personal concerns.
“We focused on how a super-intelligent AI shaman, perceived as superior to humans, interacts with people,” Nam said. “We observed the potential for AI to function not just as a tool but as an authoritative entity influencing human judgment and emotions.”
The AI’s ability to deliver messages through spiritual engagement suggests that it has ventured into the domain traditionally held by shamans.
This is not the first appearance of an AI shaman. AI-powered fortune-telling services based on large language models (LLMs) have gained popularity among young Koreans.
Some services simply provide fortune readings based on user-inputted data, while others incorporate personality tests, blood type analysis, and even facial reading for more refined predictions.
A woman interacts with the AI shaman at Ground Seoul, a gallery in Insadong, last month. Courtesy of KAIST
The rise of AI in religious roles extends beyond shamanism. In Christianity, “AI pastors” are emerging, while in Buddhism, “AI monks” are making their presence known.
In Germany, St. Paul’s Church in Bavaria recently introduced an AI-powered pastor, developed using ChatGPT, to deliver sermons. Appearing on a large screen as a bearded man, the AI pastor told congregants, “Let go of the past and focus on the present.”
Similarly, Korea’s Jogye Order of Buddhism introduced “Ma-ae Buddha AI,” a chatbot offering spiritual counseling at the Seoul International Buddhist Expo last year. At the Busan International Buddhist Expo, they showcased an AI monk designed to deliver sermons.
A tool for spiritual training or a threat to faith?
Reactions to AI’s presence in religious settings are mixed. Some welcome AI as a tool for spiritual training, while others express concerns over technology infiltrating the sacred domain of faith.
Awake Corporation, a Korean startup, has developed Chowon, an AI pastor providing biblical guidance. The service, which boasts 150,000 monthly users and receives around 2,000 daily inquiries, generates responses based on theology reviewed by a panel of pastors and theologians.
Proponents argue that AI clergy can quickly provide Bible verses and compose prayers, aiding individual spiritual training. They also highlight that AI lowers the barrier for believers who may feel hesitant to consult human clergy.
However, skepticism remains about whether AI can replace religious leaders. Critics point to AI’s potential for misinformation and the lack of established guidelines.
Religious leaders worry that AI could misinterpret doctrine or spread incorrect teachings, potentially leading to confusion and the decline of faith.
Similar concerns arose regarding “AI Jesus,” a holographic AI developed as part of the God in the Machine project at Lucerne University in Switzerland. The project allowed visitors to converse with the AI in 100 languages and confess their sins, but backlash over the perceived desecration of confession led to its termination after three months.
Some scholars also caution against AI being perceived as a divine entity. Anthony Levandowski, a former Silicon Valley engineer, founded the Way of the Future church, dedicated to worshiping AI, sparking controversy over AI’s growing spiritual significance.
An AI pastor created by ChatGPT delivers a sermon to congregants at St. Paul’s Church in Bavaria, Germany, in September, 2023. Captured from AP’s YouTube channel
Can religion evolve in the AI era?
As AI advances at an unprecedented pace, its impact on religion remains a topic of heated debate. While opinions differ, there is broad agreement that AI is an irreversible trend.
Kang Sung-wook, a theological researcher and author of “Religion and AI,” sees AI as a double-edged sword.
“AI provides quick and efficient responses to life’s questions, promoting spiritual training and new religious experiences,” he said. “Beyond counseling, AI can enhance religious communities through tailored education and online services.”
However, Kang warned against allowing AI to overshadow faith itself, stressing that while AI may supplement religious rituals, it cannot replace spiritual connection.
“AI should be embraced as a tool to complement existing religious practices, but religions must focus on their core essence,” he said. “The key question is whether religion can renew itself in areas of spirituality and emotion that AI cannot fully replicate.”
His final thought was particularly striking: “AI might not be here to destroy religion — it could be its savior.”
The interactive AI Jesus installed at a cathedral in Lucerne, Switzerland. Captured from YouTube
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.

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Faith and spirituality undoubtedly complement medical treatment but should never replace it
The recent concerns raised by the Department of Pediatrics at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar have shed light on a grave issue that continues to plague the healthcare system in Kashmir: the prevalence of quackery. In a region where cultural beliefs and limited access to evidence-based medicine often intersect, unverified treatments provided by quacks, fake faith healers and fake doctors are putting lives at risk. A letter written by the head of the Pediatrics Department highlights the need for immediate action to curb such practices and protect public health.
Quacks are individuals with little to no medical training who pose as healthcare providers. They exploit the desperation of patients seeking quick relief from ailments, offering unscientific remedies and treatments that can cause irreparable harm. Many quacks use fake credentials and operate in rural areas where access to qualified medical professionals is limited. Their treatments often result in delayed diagnosis, worsening of diseases, and, in some cases, fatal outcomes.
Faith healers hold a significant cultural position in Kashmir, particularly among patients with psychiatric or chronic conditions. They claim to offer miracle cures through rituals, prayers, and charms. While faith and spirituality can provide comfort, reliance on unverified methods instead of medical intervention can exacerbate health issues. A study by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) revealed that 80% of psychiatric patients in Kashmir had consulted faith healers before seeking professional care. This alarming trend underscores the need to educate the public about the risks of delaying medical treatment.
Fake doctors, who operate with counterfeit degrees or licenses, are another menace. These impostors exploit the trust of vulnerable patients, often charging exorbitant fees for substandard care. They may prescribe inappropriate medications or perform unsafe procedures, leading to severe complications. Such practices erode trust in the healthcare system and put lives at risk.
Unlicensed Alternative Medicine Practitioners: While alternative medicine can be beneficial, unlicensed practitioners often misuse traditional systems like Ayurveda, Unani or herbal medicine to prescribe unverified treatments.
Unauthorized Cosmetic Procedures: Many unqualified individuals offer cheap cosmetic surgeries or skin treatments, leading to severe infections and disfigurements.
Black Market Medications: Selling expired, counterfeit, or smuggled medicines without prescriptions poses significant risks to patients.
Improper Use of Traditional Healing Methods: Practices such as cupping therapy (Hijama) or bone-setting, if done without proper knowledge or sterilization, can lead to infections or complications.
Desperation: When faced with severe illness or chronic conditions, patients and their families often seek immediate solutions. The promises of quick cures and miraculous recoveries can be tempting.
Cultural Beliefs: Deeply ingrained cultural practices and superstitions play a significant role. Many people believe in the supernatural causes of illnesses and turn to faith healers for remedies.
Lack of Awareness: A lack of education about the importance of evidence-based medical care leaves people vulnerable to exploitation by quacks and impostors.
Limited Access to Healthcare: In remote and rural areas, access to qualified medical professionals and healthcare facilities is often limited, making unverified practitioners the only available option for many.
One of the reasons people continue to trust quacks and faith healers is the occasional improvement in symptoms. This can be attributed to several factors:
The Placebo Effect: Belief in the treatment can trigger psychological and physiological changes, leading to perceived improvement.
Self-Limiting Conditions: Many illnesses resolve on their own over time, regardless of the treatment.
Coincidence: Natural recovery may coincide with the use of a quack’s remedy, giving the false impression of efficacy.
However, relying on such practices is not a sustainable or safe approach to healthcare. For every case of perceived improvement, there are countless others who suffer severe consequences due to delayed or inappropriate treatment.
Awareness campaigns must be launched to educate people about the dangers of quackery. The government, healthcare institutions and NGOs should collaborate to spread information through print and electronic media, social media platforms, religious gatherings and community outreach programs. People need to understand the importance of seeking treatment from qualified professionals and the risks associated with unverified practices.
Authorities must enforce strict regulations to identify and shut down the operations of quacks, fake doctors, and unverified faith healers. Regular inspections and verification of medical practitioners’ credentials are essential to prevent malpractice.
Enhancing access to healthcare facilities in rural and remote areas is critical. Mobile medical units, telemedicine services and community health workers can help bridge the gap and ensure that people have access to qualified professionals.
In cases where faith healers are consulted for psychiatric issues, it is essential to address the stigma surrounding mental health. Promoting mental health education and providing accessible psychiatric services can reduce reliance on unverified practices.
Faith and spirituality undoubtedly complement medical treatment but should never replace it. Religious leaders and community influencers can play a pivotal role in encouraging evidence-based practices that align with cultural beliefs.
Takeaway: The prevalence of quackery in Kashmir is a public health crisis that demands immediate attention. While cultural beliefs and traditions must be respected, they should not come at the cost of people’s health and safety. Quacks, fake faith healers and unqualified doctors prey on the desperation and ignorance of vulnerable individuals, leading to devastating consequences.
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