'No proof Jesus heals Aids'

2007-04-24 23:00

Cape Town - An advertisement for a religious campaign has been ruled out of order for lack of evidence that Jesus can heal Aids.

The Advertising Standards Authority made the ruling after receiving a complaint about a newspaper advertisement last month for a "Miracle Crusade with Reverend Angley".

The advertisement claimed among other things that Jesus "heals Aids".

The ASA said it had tried unsuccessfully to get a response to the complaint, but the advertiser had "failed to provide the ASA with verification of the claim in question".

For this reason, it ruled that the ad was in breach of the ASA code, and misleading.

The ASA said advertisers had to have documentary evidence to support all claims capable of "objective substantiation". It noted that an element of faith could be involved when viewing advertisements such as this.

US evangelist

"However, caution should be taken when referring to HIV/Aids, as an incorrect assumption based on religious faith could result in further infections," it said.

Although the ASA ruling did not go into details, the Rev Angley to which it referred appeared to be Ernest Angley, an evangelist based in the United States.

He specialises in praying for the sick in the name of Jesus, in a ministry that, according to on-line encyclopaedia Wikipedia, "takes him all over the world via television and crusades".

His website suggests people can be healed by putting their hand against his on a computer or television screen.

- SAPA