The Bible and Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been among the dark arts throughout
ancient history until the present. In his book on
the history of hypnosis, Maurice Tinterow says, “Probably
the early soothsayers and oracles relied largely
on the hypnotic state.”

Deep Hypnosis

Professor of psychology Charles Tart spent much
laboratory time investigating hypnosis. He reports an
experiment measuring hypnotic depth with a man
whom he identifies as William. He recorded the experiences
of William, an intelligent, well-adjusted twentyyear-old
college student.1
 After hypnotizing William a
few times to explore hypnotic depth, he asked William
to indicate the various depths while under hypnosis.

Induction/Seduction/Hypnosis

Pierre Janet, an early practitioner of modern
hypnotherapy, had no qualms about deceiving his
patients into a trance. He clearly declared:
There are some patients to whom . . . we must tell
part of the truth; and there are some to whom, as
a matter of strict moral obligation, we must lie.1
These startling words call us to take a closer look at
hypnosis and how it is being used today. Let’s start at
the beginning. What happens when a hypnotist begins
hypnotizing someone?

Can the Will Be Violated?

A primary concern about hypnosis for many people
is whether a person’s will can be violated through
hypnosis. The Concise Textbook states:
A secure ethical value system is important to all
therapy and particularly to hypnotherapy, in
which patients (especially those in a deep trance)
are extremely suggestible and malleable. There is
controversy about whether patients will perform
acts during a trance state that they otherwise find
repugnant or that run contrary to their moral
code.