The pharmaceutical industry dominates the United States today. From Hepatitis B vaccines at childbirth, to 1 out of every 3 commercials on TV, to the largest presidential campaign donations. Pharmaceutical companies have had a stranglehold on our society for some time now, and it is only getting worse.
When looking at the word “pharmaceutical” itself, it is interesting to find out where the word originated, and what the origin actually means. To some, it might be surprising. To others, like myself, not so much.
Pharmaceutical- 1648 (pharmaceutic in the same sense is from 1541), from Latin pharmaceuticus “of drugs,” from Greek pharmakeutikos, from pharmakeus “preparer of drugs, poisoner,” from pharmakon “drug, poison, philter, charm, spell, enchantment.” Pharmacology is attested from 1721, formed in Modern Latin (1683) with Greek -logia “dealing with the topic of.” -From etymonline.com
I found the meaning of the “pharmakon” very interesting. Drug, poison, philter, charm, spell, enchantment. Those are not words synonymous with provable science, like the pharmaceutical companies would have us believe they stand for.
I looked at some of the roots of the word pharmaceutical, and looked those up on Wikipedia. Here’s what I found:
“The term “pharmakos” later became the term “pharmakeus” which refers to “a drug, spell-giving potion, druggist, poisoner, by extension a magician or a sorcerer.” A variation of this term is “pharmakon” meaning either a herbal remedy, poison, or drug. From this, the modern term “pharmacology” emerged.“
Then I looked up pharmakeia and found this:
“Pharmakeia is a Greek word that appears several times in the New Testament, including the Epistle to the Galatians and the Book of Revelation. It is frequently translated as “witchcraft” or “sorcery.” The English word “pharmaceutical” is derived from the same root as this word. The admonitions against it in the Bible are often used as the basis of claims that mind-altering drug use is sinful, as the ancient pagans used hallucinogens in their sorcery.”
Anti-depressants anyone?
War On Drugs? Seriously?
Now I know in some rare, select cases, prescription drugs are necessary. But when over 200,000 Americans are dying each year from effects of prescription drugs as opposed to 20,000 a year from illegal drugs, you know the so-called war on drugs is completely misguided.
So what do we label as the charm, spell, or enchantment? The pharmaceuticals themselves, or the thought that people need them to survive?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for your article and shining light on the pharmaceutical industry. But it gets worse:
http://moniquemonicat.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/so-is-this-a-conspiracy/
I can appreciate the need for sound bite length messages, and in that regard, I think the etymology approach is a good one, but I have a couple points of contention:
1: It does not go without saying what the power of etymology is. People are being schooled in such a way that spelling tests have been eliminated, and a true understanding of language and its nuances is being glossed over. A parallel example may have been appropriate. Something, because understanding of the true power of language is not commonplace.
2: It is not sufficient on its own. The etymology reference requires fleshing out here with a little more backup to make this piece respectable, and give it a fighting chance to get the reader to look further, or even consider a different point of view. It would be too easy as it is for the finger to be pointed right back at us with the same accusation.
I understand we chiropractors are all very busy trying to help the world to be a healthier place, but if we are going to put writing out in public, I would like to see our general grade of writing to be a little better in support of our image. I think one great piece is worth the extra time and effort over incomplete arguments produced en masse.
I think my argument has been completed against the pharmaceutical company time and again on this blog. Just do a search up in the top of the sidebar and look. My argument has been far from complete. I just happened to find the etymology topic when applied to pharmaceuticals an interesting one to write about.
I didn’t ever say it was sufficient on its own. That is your perception. And I assume the readers of this blog are intelligent, so I would be surprised if anyone reading this has never taken a spelling test or never learned what the origin of at least one word meant. The people who don’t know those things are not searching the Internet for this blog or this topic, I can assure you.
If you are tired of “incomplete arguments produced en masse,” start your own blog and write your very own completed arguments. It’s very easy to criticize, but equally hard to actually do something about it.
Thanks for the reminder Brandon! I have done my own research into the origins of the word pharmaceutical some time ago and had some concerns as to the origin too!
Praise Jesus,
Many blessings and peace in the name of Jesus
Well, I do not have any letters behind my name. I do not spell very well, and my writing is not eloquent, but the God I serve is True and Faithful.
I have been led by the Lord to look into the massive deception that is taking place in this world.
I know that people are being taught lies about the origins of many medical practices. I know the Bible teaches not to learn the customs of the heathen. Which caused me to inquire: What did the heathen used to do? I have learned that some of their practices included, decorating and worshiping trees, cutting themselves, blood letting, drinking snake venom, exchanging organs, and drinking human and animal blood for healing purposes.
Jesus has allowed me to see that what the world calls “modern medicine” is not so modern at all. It is but a more sophisticated administration of witchcraft, and doctors are practicing this craft on people.
The only hope is Jesus. I speak of the True and Living God, and not the false Jesus of Catholicism and the other 37,000 plus religious denominations/ businesses.
But the Real Jesus, who is merciful, humble, righteous, kind, pure, longsuffering, gentle, holy, and just. Who gives FREELY AND ABUNDANTLY to the poor and needy? Who has commandments and laws of Righteousness… it is this Jesus who we desperately need.
JESUS gave His life, so that we could have life, and have it more abundantly. AND it is not His will that any should die, but that all would have eternal life.
Sin is killing the world. We must Repent and seek Jesus.
I appreciate this information… it was needful to for me to use at this time.
May the Lord Jesus God Almighty Bless you.
I’m glad you found this post useful DeShanne.
However, I would not say doctors in general are bad people. Many MDs, and doctors of other professions, really want to help people. Some of their methods might not be what we agree with, but to generalize doctors overall as people who are practicing witchcraft is not correct, in my opinion. It’s the pharmaceutical companies that are the problem.
Also, criticizing Catholics by saying they worship a false Jesus, along with 37,000 other religions is not what I would call Christ-like behavior. I know a number of devout Catholics who worship the same Christ you and I read about in the Bible. From what I know of the scriptures, it is Christ’s job to judge others, not ours.