May 2007, VOLUME 35, NUMBER 1, Abstract 3
Christianity and Hypnosis: Personal Reflections
John Spring, Anglican Priest, The Order of St Luke the Physician
Hypnosis and meditation are trance-related practices widely used in the community at large and increasingly amongst church members. Many religious behaviours and church practices also have a trance dimension. Yet apart from the Roman Catholic Church, the churches in Australia have maintained silence on the subject, seemingly implying disapproval. In some church quarters, both hypnosis and meditation (other than the rational study of, and reflection upon, the words of the Bible) are condemned as evil, even demonic, and as a treat to religious faith, moral integrity, mental soundness, and spiritual health. In this article, a call is made to the churches to acknowledge frankly the hypnotic implications of much religious behaviour and practice, and to encourage their members and ministers to undertake appropriate training and put safeguards in place to prevent injury and abuse.