Carol C, you need to tell the many people I know who call themselves 'New Agers' or as 'being interested in the New Age' that they are a catch-all category and meaningless stereotype! Plus the publishers who print their books, and the poor shelves of New Age book departments groaning under their load of rubbish. I'm glad you made the point about 'books written by obvious charlatans' because that cuts right to the heart of this issue. How do you KNOW they're charlatans or not without some kind of system which tests and compares their claims to reality? Ergo, science, or empirical observation, or scepticism, or whatever you wish to call it.

If you beleive in something, (Eg. God) and you can't prove it, call it faith and there is no problem (as long as you don't murder/declare holy war/bore the shit out of other people with it).

If you believe in something and and you can't prove it but claim that it is real and observable, be prepared for requests for proof, and scepticism if you can't provide it.

As for known organised religions I am a passionate member of a notable known unorganised religion - Paganism!

And another thing - you are still twisting my words. This time you said that Docters are attracted to the SUBJECT of illness. I repeat, I said that Docters are NOT attracted to illness itself. (Bone cancer! My favourite! How are you darling - spreading nicely?)