I'm wondering if anyone out there know what the Biblical take on hypnotism is, if there is one? Additionally, does anyone know the Biblical view on empathic feelings? By empathic I mean the type of relationship/feelings two people share who are emotionally connected on some deep level where they can feel and know each others' feelings. For instance, one person knows when the other is in trouble or is feeling a certain way and it affects them to the point that they feel it and experience it, though they may be thousands of miles apart. I don't mean ESP or psychic abilities, but empathic abilities, being empathetic toward a certain person in particular. If you have any info, please give me some references such as scriptures. Thanks.
2007-03-29 00:15:39 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good points from the first 3 of you so far, thank you. Yes, I've heard of the empathic thing being most common in twins and mothers/kids that sort of thing. One thing I failed to mention earlier is that would hypnosis-actually being hypnotized in order to change feelings or attitude or whatever the case; would that be considered giving up your free will that God gives us in the sense that you are allowing another person to gain control of your mind and you essentially are forefiting your own thoughts and self control? At least how I've seen it, people can lose all control and will do whatever the hypnotist tells them to.
2007-03-29 01:09:23 · update #1
The Bible rejects 'spell casting'.
2007-03-29 00:23:07 · answer #1 · answered by rangedog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Empathy is the core of most psychotheraputic help. It is now also being brought into many other areas of care, emotional and relationship help. Indeed, I do not know what the bible has to say on empathy but I do know that its use in the field of helping has been pioneered and developed by active Christians.
As for hypnosis. There are many Christians who at one and the same time reject it as the works of Satan (without knowing anything about it) yet use it in their propaganda. The healing meetings are using all the techniques of stage hypnosis to heal and mesmerize. The danger with unqualified and low skilled people like the Evangelists is that they are not getting to the core of the problem.
By the way - there is very little danger in hypnosis itself. It is actually a completely natural process and each and every person uses it many times a day:
1/ when waking or drifting into sleep all go through a stage call the hypnotic state. This is hypnosis.
2/ when reading or listening etc. a person shuts out all that is around. This is also hypnosis.
To condemn the use of hypnosis is like condemning the use of drugs as a therapeutic intervention just because some abuse the substance.
Added note:
Hypnosis cannot make you loose all will to the hypnotist and you cannot be hypnotized against your will. The stage shows rely on people wanting to 'lark around'. The Christian do's rely on the people believing that they are 'in the presents of the Lord'.
If you or I were to attend, it would just be a very interesting spectacle, Akin to going to say - a Hindu festival. It would have no effect.
2007-03-29 00:53:50 · answer #2 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The empathetic thing is strange, I have a twin sister(I am a guy) and we have that 'sense'. No idea what it is or where it comes from, or what causes degrees of sensitivity, but it is there. I know of no mention in the Bible about it. Hypnosis is the same and not specifically mentioned either. However, hypnosis or 'induced' trances are very very ancient, and have mostly been used in evil ways.
2007-03-29 00:24:58 · answer #3 · answered by Charles V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about other sects of Christianity, but Catholics condone hypnosis. In fact, my father, who suffers from OCD was hypnotized several times by his therapist, and it did wonders! His therapist is also Catholic, and does a lot of work within the church.
2007-03-29 04:44:25 · answer #4 · answered by asrai780 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋