(Note This paper is taken from the Appendix of the book “The Walls Come Tumbling Down”)
Premise; Altered States of Consciousness (ASC’s) have a direct relationship with Occult Practice and; certain drug usage is an occult practice (be it recreational or ritualistic). This paper presents evidence from a wide range of sources. To my knowledge all the sources are from non-Biblical worldviews; apart from Gasson (1985), Bobgan (1984) and Dr John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon in their work ‘The Worldview and Practices of the Occult’. Nevertheless all the sources offer evidence in support of the above premise. The phenomenon that we …show more content…
From Siberia where the term ‘shaman’ is found. Types of shamanism occur in North and South America, among the Aborigines of Australia, in South-East Asia, Indonesia, China, Tibet, and Japan. (Drury; 1989; p 11). The TCD’s of ritual and induced ASC are important. Ritual consists of symbols, dance, dress, incantations etc. These rituals have a number of roles. The ritual is usually shrouded in mystery or secrecy giving the shaman respect and authority within his or her society. Hidden knowledge is the basic meaning of the word occult. A ritualistic routine is important but not essential . The role of an ASC as an occult practice need not be part of ritual. ASC’s do not require the presence of a shaman. These types of ASC’s in and of themselves are an occult practice. We will briefly explore the role that ASC’s play in shamanistic, Occultic rituals and practices Michael Harner PH.D writes, One of the most typical aspects of the shamanistic experience is the change to another state of consciousness, often called a trance. (Michael J Harner; 1973; p xii). Hypnosis has had many claims made about it. In spite of much scientific research, no one yet knows what hypnosis is or how it works; (Bobgan; 1984; p 9) With regard to the possible onset of False Memory Syndrome associated with Hypnosis, who or what is the origin of such memories? Evidence suggests that false memories can …show more content…
(Drugs And Magic; 1997; IllumiNet Press). The Church, and Western society in general must wake up to the fact that the use of such drugs is an occult practice. The so-called recreational usage of these drugs and the Western worldview are no safeguards against the dangers involved. In the introduction to the book ‘Hallucinogens and Shamanism’ Harner writes, The use of psychedelic agents is only one of the ways of achieving the trance-like states conducive to a sense of seeing and contacting the supernatural. One of the most typical aspects of the shamanistic experience is the change to another state of consciousness, often called a trance, with the shaman feeling that he is taking a journey. During the past years it has become common to speak of ‘taking a trip’ with psychedelic substances, and this is no coincidence.(Harner;1973; p xii). Elsewhere Saunders