> 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.

I can certainly understand this. I just wanted something to start from in posting the other things I had to say.

> 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.

Certainly. There is physical contact, of course. In this particular case, most or all of us put one hand gently on Elvis's shoulders and arms. In addition, there is out-loud praying, generally with one person leading the prayer and others verbally agreeing when they want to. I was praying in tongues at the time, out loud, but quietly; I'm not sure if Elvis would have been able to hear me at all. The prayer is not notably rhythmic, but I am probably not the best judge of that, so I won't try to say for certain that is wasn't.

> "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.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by *just* touching, but I would guess that it is just touching. If you have ever had a friend lay a hand comfortingly on your shoulder, then you've got a pretty good idea of what it's like.

As for the hypnosis aspect, I can say with certainty that if there was any sort of hypnosis, then it was completely unintentional. I realize that this doesn't resolve the situation, though, because I'm sure you would be quite happy to accept unintentional hypnosis as the solution to the problem.

Where I see the hypnosis argument failing, though, is in the results. To the best of my knowledge, hypnosis generally creates a state in which the subject is more susceptible to suggestions; a state of relaxed inhibitions. Unless I am grossly undereducated, though, there is no communication of information in the act of hypnosis itself; generally, words have to be used to communicate the suggestions. In the situation I describe with Elvis, I can assure you that there was no communication of how he should react. The moaning and slight trembling (which I believe I forgot to mention before) were initiated by him with no prompting from anyone else involved. This is the part that I have trouble explaining through hypnosis. I'm curious to hear any ideas you might have on the subject, though.

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

I can certainly understand that. Part of the reason why I haven't mentioned this experience before now is because I think of it as very personal evidence -- less so than most of the things that I trust as support for my faith, which is why I feel it is worth sharing at all in this situation. Of course, you're welcome to come to Calgary and join me on any Friday night that you want. Granted, these things don't happen every week, and it might take you a long time to be in the right place at the right time, but we'll be happy for the extra help in the meantime. ;-)

> -- Dave

Don Monkey