Hypnosis: Medical, Scientific Or Occultic?

A Christian Perspective Hypnosis Medical, Scientific, or Occultic? Martin and Deidre Bobgan EastGate Publishers Hypnosis: Medical, Scientific, or Occultic? Copyright © 2001 Martin and Deidre Bobgan Published by EastGate Publishers 4137 Primavera Road Santa Barbara, California 93110 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2001089389 ISBN 0-941717-18-6 All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the Publisher. Printed in the United States of America Table of Contents 1. Hypnotic Origins......................................... 5 2. What Is Hypnosis? .................................... 15 3. Is Hypnosis a Natural Experience? ......... 31 4. Can the Will Be Violated? ........................ 37 5. Induction/Seduction .................................. 45 6. Age Regression and Progression .............. 57 7. Hypnotic Memory ..................................... 69 8. Deep Hypnosis .......................................... 79 9. Hypnosis: Medical, Scientific, or Occultic? ................................................ 87 10. The Bible and Hypnosis ......................... 103 11. Hypnosis in Unexpected Places ............. 115 12. Conclusion ............................................... 129 Notes ................................................................ 133 1 Hypnotic Origins Hypnosis has been used as a method of mental, emotional, behavioral, and physical healing for hundreds and even thousands of years.1 Witchdoctors, Sufi practitioners, shamans, Hindus, Buddhists, and yogis have practiced hypnosis, and now medical doctors, dentists, psychotherapists, and others have joined them. From witchdoctors to medical doctors and from past to present, the rituals and results have been reproduced, revised, and repeated. The hypnotic trance begins by focusing a person’s attention and produces many results. According to its advocates, the practice of hypnotism may alter behavior in such a way as to change habits; stimulate the mind to recall forgotten events and information; enable a person to overcome shyness, fears, and depression; cure maladies such as asthma and hayfever; improve a person’s sex life; and remove pain.2 Fantastic claims and the increasing popularity of hypnosis in the secular world have influenced many in the church to turn to hypnotism for help. Various Christian medical doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, 5 6 Hypnosis psychologists and counselors are using hypnosis in their practices and recommending its use for Christians. Christians who support the use of hypnosis do so for some of the same reasons medical doctors and psychotherapists recommend it. These Christians believe that hypnosis is scientific rather than occultic when it is practiced by a qualified professional. They distinguish between those who practice it for helpful purposes and those who use it with evil intent. They believe it is a safe and useful tool in the hands of professionally trained, benevolent individuals, even though hypnotism can be dangerous in the hands of malevolent individuals or novices. Furthermore, they believe that it is safe because they see hypnosis as an extension of natural, everyday experiences. Finally, they contend that a person’s will is not violated during the hy