Subj : Bible
To   : RALPH ZETTER
From : TODD HENSON
Date : Thu Nov 02 2000 12:55 am

> > That's not unlike modern charismatic Christians, who are taught that in
> > order to commune with 
> > God you have to undergo some intense physical experience, where they hype
> > themselves into 
> > hyperemotional states of consciousness. That causes all manner of physcial
> > manifestations, 
> > like rolling around, falling dowm, "speaking in tongues", etc. These
> > experiences are said to be 
> > of God, but they are more a product of induced altered states. The same
> > thing happens in other 
> > religions too. I suppose the intense emotional experience can serve as a
> > kind of catharsis, and 
> > the person may feel relieved of some things, which simply reinforces the
> > idea that this is the 
> > Holy Spirit making them do this, rather than some practice which
> > philosophers and mystics 
> > have known about for years.
> 
> Wow, that's an interesting perspective. I don't think I've heard that one.
> Round these parts, we 
> have some folks like that. I think they're a little crazy but I'm not a
> Bible expert so I don't know 
> what to make of it. But I do see the sense in saying they are too caught up
> in the sensation. I'm 
> no Christian but I know enough to think twice before someone tells me I
> have to do all that just 
> to be one, but then again I'm no expert.


I'd have to agree with your senses in this case. :-)

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