Which Religions Approve of Hypnosis?

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Permalink Reply by Jess Marion on September 5, 2010 at 6:37pm

I thought I had read somewhere a while back that the RCC had no problem with hypnosis as long as it was being used in ways that are beneficial like therapy and pain control. Perhaps there is a Catholic who knows exactly though.

As for other religions.. Hindus and Buddhists have no problem with it. I fairly certain it's fine in Judaism as well. I don't know about Islam though.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on September 5, 2010 at 7:06pm

Chad,
I am doubting you will find any clear "for it or agin" statement in catholic or protestant theology. You will find folks from many of these traditions promulgating opinions based on thier interpretation of someone else's interpretation of scripture. However that usually doesn't hold up as theology. The catholic Church did publish a bull a half century ago that condoned it as an adjunct to childbirth, but has done little since then to formulate a position. There are many non denominational churches who use scriptures based on necromancy and fortune telling to denounce it Several excellent hypnotists who are also Ordained ministers are hypnothoughts members and regular contributers. Chaplain Paul Durban among others is an excellent source of information on the topic.
Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest on the Planet

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on September 5, 2010 at 8:01pm

Hypnosis & Religion
http://www.durbinhypnosis.com/hypnosisreligion.htm
HYPNOSIS AND RELIGION VOLUME 2
http://www.durbinhypnosis.com/hypnosis_and_religion_volume_2.htm


Hugh Cole said:

Chad,
I am doubting you will find any clear "for it or agin" statement in catholic or protestant theology. You will find folks from many of these traditions promulgating opinions based on thier interpretation of someone else's interpretation of scripture. However that usually doesn't hold up as theology. The catholic Church did publish a bull a half century ago that condoned it as an adjunct to childbirth, but has done little since then to formulate a position. There are many non denominational churches who use scriptures based on necromancy and fortune telling to denounce it Several excellent hypnotists who are also Ordained ministers are hypnothoughts members and regular contributers. Chaplain Paul Durban among others is an excellent source of information on the topic.
Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest on the Planet

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Permalink Reply by Ricky Strode on September 5, 2010 at 8:32pm

Technically all religions use it. However, whether they appove it depends more on the individual "believers of the faith". There are no scared religious documents that I know of that specifically pertains to hypnosis. However, anyone can interpet anything to mean anything if they really want it to. I have studied religion my whole life to help me understand those who follow it a little better. In every denomination and siffernt "church" or religious organizaion (even the ones that say they follow the same faith as other churches) all vew things differently on either a mass majority scale and even an individual basis. I hope this helps clarrify things for you.

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Permalink Reply by Graham Old on September 5, 2010 at 10:16pm

Catholicism "officially" approves of it for "healing", but not for entertainment.

There is no vehicle for official statements in Protestantism, so we can't say. However, it seems that any groups who are against it tend to be from the Evangelical and/or Charismatic wings.

Scientology is against it, but then uses it heavily.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Collins on September 5, 2010 at 11:02pm

Catholicism in Poland does not approve hypnosis and is even aggressive against that.
But we need to remember that probably it is not an official point of view but rather sigle priest or bishop's position.
Reigions do not want to say it, but they use forms of hypnosis (especially Catholic church).
The real problem is not with hypnosis itself which is not rejected by any saint scripts etc, but with an interpretation of that.
Many chruches have a tendency to reject science and any form of self-improvement which may directly or indirectly teach you critical thinking.

No offence here but many religions are simply irrational and their main goal it mind control.
So if one rejects science, or hypnosis, or NLP or whatever- the point is, that by restrictions religions want to control you.
And usually there is no argumentation, no explanation "why" but calling it simply a "sin" or "devil's work".

If yopu are dealing with a religious person check this person's beliefs.
There are many religious and non obsessive people who still think rationally.
Otherwise I would leave such a person. It will be fighting with someone's beliefs.

What you may notice everywhere is, that usually people who do not have anything to say, no real knowledge usually bring an attack forms related to "religion", "sin", "ethics".
If they do not have any logical arguments they will call for this kind of weapon.

I think, that the most important thing for you is your set of mind.
If you believe it does not contradict with your religion, than use hypnosis.
If you believe it contradicts- change the religion, your set of mind or hypnosis to something else.

I am an atheist.
From my point of view there is no sense to discuss religious points of view at all.
I believe that religions are nothing else than free will restriction.


Graham Old said:

Catholicism "officially" approves of it for "healing", but not for entertainment.

There is no vehicle for official statements in Protestantism, so we can't say. However, it seems that any groups who are against it tend to be from the Evangelical and/or Charismatic wings.

Scientology is against it, but then uses it heavily.

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Permalink Reply by chris john on September 5, 2010 at 11:48pm

Why does it matter?
If someone does not wish to be hypnotized for therapy, they simply wont look
at it as an idea.
If you put on a show, they simply wont turn up.
Is that an easier answer for you.

The world doesn't have to be difficult worrying about other people beliefs
when your trrying to work.

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Permalink Reply by Henxy on September 6, 2010 at 1:54am

And there I was thinking that it was the Vatican which was in charge of RC doctrine! (Which as Graham said, issued that supporting statement for therapeutic use).

Ian Collins said:

Catholicism in Poland does not approve hypnosis and is even aggressive against that.
But we need to remember that probably it is not an official point of view but rather sigle priest or bishop's position.
Reigions do not want to say it, but they use forms of hypnosis (especially Catholic church).
The real problem is not with hypnosis itself which is not rejected by any saint scripts etc, but with an interpretation of that.
Many chruches have a tendency to reject science and any form of self-improvement which may directly or indirectly teach you critical thinking.

No offence here but many religions are simply irrational and their main goal it mind control.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny Lynn on September 6, 2010 at 3:06am

I find it counter-intuitive that ANY religion would object to it, though I know they do. As a hypnotherapist and a practising buddhist of 27 years, there has never been any conflict for me and certainly no dictat from on high as to what or how I should live my life. I'll even be lecturing soon at Eurotas in Switzerland on buddhism and psychotherapy, which isn't hypnotherapy specifically, but will incorporate hypnotherapeutic principles. I wonder what fear pervades a religion that dictates to its faithful what it should and shouldn't think.....?
Jenny
www.readyourclient.com

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Permalink Reply by Francis N. J. Taman on September 6, 2010 at 4:52am

While you will at times get knee jerk reactions from many evangelical Christians regarding things they do not understand, the aspects of hypnotism which are most likely to draw legitimate criticism theologically (please note this qualification) generally are contained in your script and, hence, are controlable. Script language with what conservative Christians would see as "New Age" overtones - most obviously things involving or hinting at spirit guides - is an obvious one. Also potentially at issue are any wordings that suggests that human perfectability is possible without the involvement of the Holy Spirit, which runs contrary to the most fundamental of Christian doctrine, though properly worded, such a concept could be acceptable. For example, many would not object to the concept of being the best one can be.
Having said that, there is a very broad spectrum in Protestantism, both in terms of the doctrine and how that doctrine is practically applied. Moreover, even within a demonination or a specfic church you will find very broad ranges of belief and belief structures, including an openness to accept things that, if one were to step back and examine them in light of what that individual professes to believe, are at odds with an individual's faith.
As noted by another contributor, with much of the Protestant church being more or less congregationally based, it is very difficult to identify an official position on many issues. Indeed, it seems many times even if something is acceptable on a denomination level, it is no guarantee a specific congregation or member will find it acceptable. Stage hypnosis for entertainment is probably less likely to be problematic, but again there will likely be many exceptions.

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