Fisherman wrote:Howdy!
What is the Biblical stance on hypnotism and what do you think of it? (two separate questions. To the Christian, it'll be one question though.)
Someone called today wanting us to do some SEO for their website and some other work and I'm not sure I want to do it. I think he quit selling used cars to go into this. I dunno.
Thanks
Well, some others may have some strong opinions on it.
I think that there are varying degrees of it in use.
It's a soft science. I believe it can be a psychological tool useful in working in areas such as repressed memories, post traumatic stress syndrome and the like.
That being said, I know that the application of it in motivational applications such as smoking cessation etc, there is a great deal of hype that goes beyond what is scientifically supported.
Earlier in my life, I might have bought into the point of view promoted by those whose ministry I sat under that any form of hypnotism was to be avoided as a point of contact or a pathway to negative spiritual influence. Some would even go so far as to state that it could lead to demonic oppression or even possession. I'm not quite as sure now that I believe that that is necessarily true. There certainly are elements of trances and openness to spiritual influences that should be avoided. I think in a clinical situation where there is a clear purpose and trained personnel involved, that I would not advise against it necessarily.
I think there is a great deal of popular application that to me smacks of hucksterism and carnival sideshows. I'd avoid that like the plague. I'd not necessarily write it off completely in all situation though.
I don't endorse this link, but it does give some insight as to a conservative Christian viewpoint on this issue and maybe it will be helpful.
http://www.letusreason.org/Nam3.htm