Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), the great hypnotist-scientist, could duplicate almost anything seen in a modern-day charismatic service. Claiming that he could cure people with magnets, he "cured" a number of hysterical patients who suffered from neuralgia and various other ailments such as convulsions. His theory of "animal magnetism" was that magnets could transfer certain fluids from the atmosphere to the body, thus rejuvenating it. He was unanimously rejected by the scientific community. It was later learned that his procedures were based on the principles of hypnosis. Thus, the word "mesmerized" now refers to one being hypnotized or spellbound. One of Mesmer's tricks was to lay a rod on the shoulder of people who sought a cure. Immediately, these people would fall backward having lapsed into an unconscious state. Mesmer's procedure appears identical to the modern-day healer or evangelist who, placing a hand on the forehead of someone coming forward for prayer and healing, causes the person to lose consciousness and fall backwards "slain" in the Spirit. Mesmer was doing this long before the modern-day charismatic movement began in the early 1900s.
Some non-Christian religions also practice speaking in tongues, healing, and "spiritual dancing." Many consider these practices problematic for Christians because they can be so easily imitated by those who are not Christians. All of these phenomena represent altered states of consciousness that can be induced by a variety of means, including deep relaxation, mixed messages which produce confusion or divided attention, heightened emotional arousal, and physical fatigue. The biblical admonition to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1) still applies. We must exercise extreme caution should our child or loved one join a group where "supernatural signs" are present. Does the church claim that such signs are unique to them? Are the signs accompanied by sound doctrine? Who are the people performing these miraculous signs? Are the healings open to medical verification? Does the pastor forbid others to question his authority or power? If so, the group is probably cultic.
(from Cult Proofing Your Kids by Dr. Paul R. Martin)
3 comments:
Keep up the great work. Families are destroyed by this balderdash. Thank you for taking a stand.
I am slamming your church because their teachings are in serious error. Christianity is in crisis because of churches like Barrie Victory Centre. Glossolalia is not tongues, even though your leadership has you convinced that it is. It is nothing more than what it sounds like -- gibberish! You are obviously a very immature Christian who wouldn't know the truth if it jumped up and hit you in the face. The only person that glossolalia serves is Satan. You are all making Satan very happy with your nonsense. I will not stop writing the blog as long as my sons, Jason, Darren and Glenn and their families are involved with this cult or any other tongues-speaking church. They were brought up with solid teaching and truth in the Baptist church. They, as well as you, are now in the ditch, the sewer, the dung-heap of Christianity. You all need to be rescued from the swill being spewed each week at Barrie Victory Centre. The leadership are not what they seem. You need to get out of there A.S.A.P. if Heaven is your goal.
I am in total agreement with you, Mr. Poo-Bah.. my family has been in absolute chaos since joining Barrie Victory Centre. No-one is talking to each other and family holidays have become non-existent because we don't believe what they do.. my oldest daughter got involved and now the only one who is not involved in it is me. Thank you for saying what needed to be said... and Anonymous should be man or woman enough to sign their name.
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