How would you handle this?

[Freelancer]

10. People who think they have a mission from God often take things upon themselves

Beware of know-it-alls of every persuasion.

Once at a family reunion, my grandmother mentioned that she had messed-up her back. My cousin -- a wanna-be chiropractor -- snuck up behind her, grabbed her, and attempted to pop her vertebrae. She screamed. She could hardly straighten-up for months. My cousin was mortified that she'd caused my grandma even more pain. She said that she was SO sure she knew what needed to be done, that she felt compelled to act. I suspect this father you're talking about is of the same ilk. In his mind, he wasn't inflicting anything on your son, but trying to relieve affliction. He's probably deluded enough to think that your son will walk up and thank him someday in heaven.

It sounds like your son is sturdy, and came through this alright -- possibly even with a better understanding of the natures of some of those around him. I wonder, though, how many other children -- now adults -- there are to whom the same was done by this man.