|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 | ||||||||||
Taliesin New user Virginia 52 Posts |
The Bible does indeed have an objective meaning, and Christ called Himself the Truth, meaning that Truth is singular and is a person. But even among Christians who believe this, there are differing interpretations and have been since the very beginning of Church history. The fact is that we are all fallen creatures, and, even if we're not actively sinning as we interpret Scripture, the noetic effects of the fall are still there. This is why Paul tells Timothy to be diligent in studying that he may interpret the Scripture rightly, as Terry pointed out a few posts up.
|
|||||||||
ohiomagic New user 60 Posts |
I do not see why it makes a difference if you mention mind power or not. It is a show , with a script and outline etc. Unless you are taking old ladies money and talking with their sons they lost in the war I see nothing wrong with playing the role of a mind reader. I never heard of the jewish community have a disliking for anyone who has ever played Hitler on t.v or african americans disliking anyone the was white in the movie Roots. Reason being it was a show a fictional happening that takes you out or reality for a breif period of time and I don't think christians should get upset with someone playing a character . Just my opinion. I really don't like how everyone dances around christians and makes sure everything is to their liking and not offensive to them. Noone ever considers any other religious group and offending them by claims of supernatural things etc. Point is if it is all done in good tatse and in the name of entertainment and not fraud than there is nothing wrong with using "mind power" .
|
|||||||||
Todd Bernard Loyal user 263 Posts |
I agree with you, but I'm not a christian. The main focus for a gospel magician is supposed to be about the message. If you are offending them with the magic or any type of entertainment then the message will not be received. I take it you are not a christian either. Christians are suppossed to be sensitive to others who may have issue with certain types of entertainment, especially when the goal is to witness to them.
|
|||||||||
ohiomagic New user 60 Posts |
Todd ,
I guess if you are performing "with a message" I can see where you may try to be more sensitive. I guess I am just thinking from a strictly theatrical view and not the magic with a message view. And you are right I am not a christian either , in fact I am an athiest but I respect anyones beliefs and never judge them by their belief. So just to make clear in case it comes up now ,I was not attacking christian in my last post I was just looking at it from a different point of view. I have seen some great christian magicians. I enjoy Andre Koles presentations very much. I myself do not make any claims one way or another when I perform. I just do it and let the audience make of it what they will. But again it is more of a character playing the part and not a show with any message or spiritual over tones. |
|||||||||
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Todd Bernard and ohiomagic - your points are well-taken. And to be sure, the number of Christians who are likely to be put off by a performed "demonstrating mind power" is small, and most are not likely to come to a magic performance. And I did specify (I think ...) that I'm not performing in churches or with a gospel message.
However, as a long-term "Jesus-life" Christian myself (vice a nomial church-going believer in "some kind of God"), I do understand some of the sensitivities of my friends - the same way certain other religious or ethnic groups have sensitive issues. Sometimes the lines are hard to see and harder to define - but if you are one, then you know where they are. My magic character isn't likely to have much of a mind, much less much power in it! And neither my friends nor I are "into" anything with Ouija boards, ESP cards, and the like. So I asked for methods other Christian performers may have discovered to still do these types of effects without raising the hackles of the audience. One of the effects I mentioned was Jay Sankey's "Instrumental". As he presents it, it's pure mindreading. Thanks to an earlier post by Doug Higley and some thought and inspiration, I have a great presentation in the works that won't push any buttons. Ed |
|||||||||
magicFreak2 Inner circle 1220 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-09-23 20:11, Ed_Millis wrote: Just thought of something. Do the 5 card trick. You know that uber lame one where you have a 5 of diamonds four cards from the bottom? xD Never fails to impress, but it doesn't seem like YOU are the demon possessed one |
|||||||||
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
I use to feel guilty and give a bunch of disclaimers then a friend of mine who is also a Christian and in the band where I work just told me I didn't need to do all that. Just do the show and if I get questioned after the show, never claim powers. I tell them Im an entertainer. Even if you tell them its all fake, provided you do a good performance, they will still believe you are doing it for real.
PS: Not everything I do are tricks anyways. I am also a hypnotist and a lot of what I use is suggestion mixing it up with magic, psychology etc. Blessings Can
ClICK HERE for HOW TO MAKE TRANSITION FROM MAGICIAN TO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER WORLD NEW BOOK!
Click here for NEW PROMO TRAILER! 90 seconds of pure laughs without a standing ovation! Click here for Magicians Austin Mentalist Performance https://www.facebook.com/AustinMagicians https://www.speakermatch.com/profile/gianicano/ Magicians Company Entertainers in Dallas, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sHW_zVuSc https://about.me/motivationalpublicspeaker |
|||||||||
Dan Bernier Inner circle Canada 2298 Posts |
It's also good to know a bit about the church you are performing for. I like to meet with a representative of the church and go over what I do before ever performing for them. I recently joined a new church and spoke with the youth pastor, and the senior pastor's wife. The senior pastor's wife, Margaretta said some may have a problem with the word magic. I replied that I had no problem changing it to illusionist.
We have to be sensitive to those who we perform for, and some times make adjustments to ease thier concerns. Sometimes a disclaimer may be appropriate if there may be a chance that some might be offended by what we do because they don't understand. Although I don't do mentalism, but do a few mental tricks, I believe the same would go for those who perform mentalism. To me mentalism is based a lot on the performance and the convincing that you are reading their minds, but I have heard that some christians who perform mentalism are able to do so without implying that they are actually reading people's thoughts.
"If you're going to walk in the rain, don't complain about getting wet!"
|
|||||||||
mralincoln Loyal user If I wasn't so busy, I'd have more than 220 Posts |
As I posted in another, but related thread, as a long-time amateur magician, a pastor, as well as a Bible college professor, I believe the practice of HYPNOTISM (turning your mind over to another's direct influence is not only in opposition to the ideas of Scripture, but dangerous. Our minds are to be spirit-controlled--surrendered to God, not surrendered to someone else's influence. I believe to relinquish control of our minds to others via hypnosis is truly dangerous. In contrast, Paul, in 2 Cor 10:4-5, wrote:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Our thought-life is to be under the control of the Spirit--not someone else, etc. As well, when I present the magic/mentalism effects, I make it CLEAR that what I'm doing is a "trick"--it's a visual puzzle, if you will. And, I do make disclaimers, because I'm not trying to "BE A MENTALIST"--but a God-pleasing Christian delivering the message of Christ. I'm not to get in the way of that message. So, I believe strongly that disclaimers are a MUST for the Christian believer who performs mentalism, given the biblical prohibitions against those who practice the occult and the weaker believers and unbelievers alike who might be, unfortunately, mislead by what they witness in such a performance. In addition, in the postings there was mention of the idea of talents being given by God, and the idea of "someone is always going to be offended," etc.--and I understand both of these points. However, and this is where spiritual discernment and spiritual maturity comes in, as has already been stated, we must put the spiritual welfare of others before our own desire to "perform"--and if the "offense" is legitimately going to harm a weaker brother/sister, we are to choose NOT TO "offend." As Paul said about meat offered to idols--1 Cor 10:28-33: 28 But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do,not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. So, if the disclaimers are properly made, and if one avoids causing the weaker brothers/sisters to stumble, I believe they can. However, based on what Paul said in Romans 14, if a Christian is unable to perform mentalism with a clear conscience, it is sinful for that particular Christian to perform it. That does not mean that no one can perform it--but the individual who has reservations about it needs to refrain from it. (Again, in Romans 14, Paul was inspired to write on the subject of eating meat offered to false idols, but the principles inspired by God are applicable to our discussion here.) God's Word says, in Romans 14:19-23: 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. So, from a biblical perspective, the Christian performer has much to consider when he is planning out what to include in an act, developing his persona, and his performance choices. I am a pastor doing visual puzzles (object lessons, if you will) to get and maintain the interest of brothers and sisters (and those who don't yet know Christ who are in the crowd, as well) in order to emphasize the message of the Gospel and exalt the name of Christ. To do anything that would hinder listeners spiritually is in stark contrast to my calling and purpose. Again, as God's Word says, in 1 Corinthians 10, vv. 23-24: 23 "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Good News! » » Doing mentalism without mentioning "mind power"? (2 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |