Qld: Man takes up paranormal challenge

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2001
Qld: Man takes up paranormal challenge

By Paul Osborne

BRISBANE, Aug 1 AAP - A Queenslander has taken up a challenge to win almost $2 million
by proving he has psychic abilities.

Noted American sceptic James Randi will visit Brisbane this month to test the challenger
during the Ideas at the Powerhouse festival, from August 16 to 19.

Mr Randi has a long-standing offer of $US1 million ($A1.89 million) for anyone who
can scientifically prove their psychic ability.

David Miers, a fossil and crystal prospector from the central Queensland city of Gladstone,
claims to be able to alleviate aches and pains by holding his hands over an afflicted
part of the body.

Mr Miers, who works in his sister and brother-in-law's pet store, has accepted the
challenge of removing pain by placing his hands 3cm from six people's bodies.

"The energy from my hands removes the pain," Mr Miers told AAP.

"I've been doing it for eight years. I do it time and time again on people.

"I've used it on people aged between three and 85 and I've never had anyone say I've
left them in a worse state.

"A woman introduced me to the energy and from there it has been my own personal journey
and experiences."

Mr Miers said that by removing pain, the body could do its own natural healing.

"If your mind is concentrating on pain, your body doesn't heal," he said.

Mr Miers, who has never accepted money for his treatment, said every person had the
ability to tune into the energy, but society had lost the knowledge because of its focus
on money.

A spokeswoman for the Ideas at the Powerhouse festival said others wishing to take
up the challenge should email Mr Randi on randi@randi.org by August 10.

Anyone passing preliminary testing, which attracts a prize of $US10,000, will go on
to a final round where they can challenge for the $1.89 million.

AAP pjo/arb

KEYWORD: RANDI

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