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Is Hypnosis wrong

keepinitreal

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I have struggled with this for a while. Is hypnosis wrong for Christians to participate in???

I have a non Christian friend who smoked 2-3 packs per day. He went through hypnosis and never touched a cigarette again. I have heard many success stories.

My conflict is I am not sure I believe the hypnosis really did it. I believe he was determined to quit and the hypnosis was just an activity he did to kick it off.

My other conflict is that it seems 'anti christian' to be hypnotized, though I don't know if I have ant real evidence that it is.

What are your thoughts?
 

Uphill Battle

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Well, I've thought of it myself, because I want to kick the habit too. But we are supposed to let nothing control our minds. (Which is the reason for getting rid of nicotene addiction in the first place.) Perhaps somebody with a bit more scripture knowledge can post where that is found in the Word.
 
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keepinitreal

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Thanks! I leaned that way and that is what i thought. I guess it was one of those lesser of two evils thing. I know God does not want me addicted to nicotine, or to be hypnotized, so would it be better to be hypnotized for a while or addicted for life??? But of course that is assuming the hypnotist did not do anyhting else while I was under his/her influence. Anyway, I had decided it was unbiblical, but just needed something to back it up in my mind I guess. So for now I'll keep smokin and prayin!
 
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fanatiquefou

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Despite what movies and television will tell you, hypnosis isn't about being controlled by someone else, or anything like that. It's simply a state of heightened awareness, in which you can often confront things that your everyday fully conscious mind can't. If you've ever really gotten into a movie, or a book, or driving, or something similar, to the point where you're able to be fully immersed in it and to block out all outside perceptions, you've experienced a mild form of hypnosis. There is absolutely nothing about it that goes against Scripture.
 
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Nice Dream

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keepinitreal said:
Thanks! I leaned that way and that is what i thought. I guess it was one of those lesser of two evils thing. I know God does not want me addicted to nicotine, or to be hypnotized, so would it be better to be hypnotized for a while or addicted for life??? But of course that is assuming the hypnotist did not do anyhting else while I was under his/her influence. Anyway, I had decided it was unbiblical, but just needed something to back it up in my mind I guess. So for now I'll keep smokin and prayin!

I think opening your mind up to be messed with by evil spirits through hypnotism is more dangerous than addiction to smoking. I think continuing with prayer and putting your full trust in God is a much safer, more relliable option.
 
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thenewageriseth

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I have struggled with this for a while. Is hypnosis wrong for Christians to participate in???

I have a non Christian friend who smoked 2-3 packs per day. He went through hypnosis and never touched a cigarette again. I have heard many success stories.

My conflict is I am not sure I believe the hypnosis really did it. I believe he was determined to quit and the hypnosis was just an activity he did to kick it off.

My other conflict is that it seems 'anti christian' to be hypnotized, though I don't know if I have ant real evidence that it is.

What are your thoughts?

:sigh: I heard about that too. You can also hypnotize yourself, so I think it's only wrong when someone does it for evil purposes, otherwise, I don't think it's evil. It also apart of the New Age/Psychology genre that I represent, hence: Thenewageriseth I also stand for NewAge Music so that's my opinion....:p New Age is not evil...
 
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Pac Shady

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Yea, I've been wondering about hypnosis as well. I'm talking completely neutral, clinical hypnosis, not connected in any way to any specific faith or belief or spirituality, simply all psychology and the mind. The only thing I could think of would be the whole mind control thing, but then I would think it depends on the level of hypnosis done as to whether it can be classed as mind control or simple tweaking of the subconscious, something that is normally done throughout every day we live but is controlled and directed by the hypnotist. However, I think we can all agree that the kind of hypnosis used on TV shows is perhaps creeping over into the mind control area that Scriptures forbid.

I don't know, I'm not a theologian. Any true Christians with some background knowledge that can confirm this train of thought? (No New-Age "Christians", ta)

'Shady
 
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tgg

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I will say here that I agree with fanatiquefou about hypnosis. It has nothing to do with demonic posession or doing anything against your basic will. Much of what you see on TV and films is nothing but the work of charlatans.

Basically you have got to WANT to agree with being hypnotised and being open to such positive suggestions for it to work. If you are generally a stubborn and closed minded person at heart, then NO other form of treatment is going to work for you.

I have had hypnotherapy last year when I had developed a bad habit of constantly being late for appointments and standing up a woman whom I was trying to date at the time. The doctor who did told me the reason why these things were happening to me was because of the fact that I entertained the fact that I was always late for everything in my mind. When realising that I did not need to entertain these facts again, I broke the habit.

I'm not dating the woman in question, but we are still good friends. :)


tgg
 
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Pac Shady

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Nice Dream said:
Question: How do you know the people performing the 'neutral' hypnosis are not using spiritual means with or without their knowledge? Some people can be used by Satan without being aware of it themselves.

Touché
 
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