I haven't responded to your post because, as I said, it deserves more thought. I have no experience whatsoever with charismatic Christians, apart from a brief description Sam once gave me based on his own experiences while briefly attending a charismatic church. And there wasn't a whole lot to that other than a quick rundown of some of the things they did, not how they did it or what the results were.

> If we accept 4 as true, then I can state with
>certainty that no form of suggestion, hypnosis,
>or impression was a part of the events in
>question. Again, arguable, if you really want
>to bring it up.

In fact, I do. Can you describe exatly what you do when you "lay on hands"? Is there chanting, out-loud praying, or anything else involved? I'm assuming touching is involved, what with the name and all.

"Hypnosis" comes in many many disguises. The debate still rages about whether it's really an altered state of consciousness at all or just play-acting, perhaps at a subconscious level. Anyway, many things can induce a sort of hypnotic state in people--flashing lights, rythmic chanting, or just a fast talking-to in a low steady voice. I suspect that with a bunch of people standing very close and touching you, most probably mumbling or praying or chanting or something (I assume it's not *just* touching, am I right?) that that might be sufficient for inducing a "hypnotic" state.

Again, I really can't make a judgement without more information. Ideally, I'd like to witness this myself before really deciding anything.

-- Dave