I think your analogy to religion is a very good and amusing one. However, while science has done more for human kind in the last hundred years than religion has since the beginning of time, Science really hasn’t done much for our souls. It’s possibly the reason for such a backlash against western medicine – medical doctors are not seen as “healers” but only as “human body mechanics”.

The fact is that psychological issues are also very much part of our make-up which affect our health and I believe it is this aspect that has made alternative therapies so popular. I am blessed with a wonderful doctor who remembers how much of a connection there is between psychology and illness (and it’s interesting to note that Psychology was also, at one time, considered quackery) and so will take the time to talk to people about issues in their life that may be affecting their health.

I think Amanda Hamilton’s Spa is doing more than just giving people a holiday and a rest. People are allowed to explore psychological issues that they otherwise wouldn’t have. This coupled with good, natural food, rest and plenty of water is *in combination* what is so successful.

People are paying a high price in order to do their penance for health sins, but if this ritual of “Detox” helps them make a positive change in their lives without causing them harm, then surely it has it’s place? I had a friend who was a drug addict but after having a religious experience he totally turned his life around. I could have debunked his experience but I didn’t. He traded an addiction for drugs to one for God – at least now he is healthy and happy, just like many of the folks who visited Amanda Hamilton’s Spa.

So in summary, I agree that detox is a lie and that people are paying big money for what is probably nothing more than a very expensive placebo (if studies are correct). I just think that alternative “quack” therapies still have a place until we have more of a middle ground between them and western, pharmaceutical company driven medicine.

Here is an example of pharmaceutical-driven medication with regards to SSRI’s, which may be as effective as a Detox Diet – http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/jun/23/epidemic-mental-illness-why/?pagination=false

If you could demonstrate lower levels of ANY TOXIN WHATSOEVER after one of these courses, or even say which “toxins” are being removed, you might have a point.

As it is, the Detox mantra is complete and utter bullshit – people do have the right to choose, but people also have the right to point out that the people taking the money are either deluded or lying about what they’re selling.