Posted on 01/16/2004 3:56:46 PM PST by mylife
Bishop bans hypnotist from Catholic schools Fears 'immoral acts'
Roseann Danese CanWest News Service
Friday, January 16, 2004
WINDSOR, Ont. - A hypnotist scheduled to appear at two Catholic high schools was told to stay away after the bishop of the London, Ont., diocese raised fears the performance could induce "immoral acts."
Blair Robertson, an Ottawa-based hypnotist, was set to appear at Cardinal Carter and Villanova high schools in the Windsor area in November, until he heard from the schools' principals cancelling his performance.
"It was literally out of their hands," Mr. Robertson said yesterday from his office in Ottawa. "They just basically called and said, 'We're not allowed to have you, we're sorry, we have to cancel your show.'"
In a letter to school board directors, Bishop Ronald Fabbro said he had learned that some high schools were inviting hypnotists to entertain students and staff. "This has become a matter of concern for some, including myself," he said in a letter to school board directors.
Bishop Fabbro quoted from the Catholic Almanac -- a source of information on Catholic doctrine -- which forbids the practice of hypnotism "for the sake of amusement" because "hypnotized subjects may be induced to perform immoral acts which, normally, they would not do."
In response to Bishop Fabbro's letter, Michael Moher, director of the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, wrote his own memo to schools supporting the Bishop's position and asking principals to "do the same."
Mr. Robertson, 37, started hypnotizing people for entertainment when he was in high school.
The show begins with Mr. Robertson inviting a group of students from the audience to the stage. He helps them achieve a "suggestive state" by using relaxation techniques. Then, depending on the show's theme, he may have the participants travel on a rocket ship to Mars, where they might meet an alien and take part in a shootout with laser guns.
Upon his command, he has had macho football players make statements about wanting to wear women's lingerie and shy girls stand up and shout "shut up."
"It's slapstick humour," Mr. Robertson said. "Nobody does anything X-rated."
The Bishop was in Rome yesterday and could not be reached for comment.
Reverend Larry Brunet, pastor of the Catholic board, said the Church does not oppose "legitimate" uses for hypnotism, such as helping people quit smoking or lose weight. "But for entertainment, it's a serious violation of our human dignity. It takes away our freedom and our capacity" to make sound choices, Rev. Brunet said.
Catholic educators say the Bishop's opinion carries a lot of weight.
"When the Bishop speaks, it's incumbent upon us to listen and take his guidance," said Leo Clark, principal of Cardinal Carter High School. "He certainly gives recommendation and guidance to us as Catholic educators."
Helaina Gaspard, a student trustee who attends Cardinal Carter, said the cancellation of Mr. Robertson's performance came as a surprise to students, considering there had been performances in the past by hypnotists.
"The general notion from the students was that it was pretty much harmless and they were just really caught off guard," Ms. Gaspard said. "They had a great time last time and they thought it was really funny and they were just surprised we had to cancel it."
But she said she did not have a problem following the wishes of the Bishop.
"We fully understood. Obviously when there are circumstances such as that, when the presentation itself counters some aspects or values of the Catholic Church, as a Catholic school, we obviously have to adhere to them and support the Bishop in his instructions."
Mr. Robertson, meanwhile, said he continues to perform at many schools, including Catholic ones, in other jurisdictions and across North America.
"Hypnotism is not satanic. Hypnotism is not evil. Hypnotism is not anything like that. I don't have a pipeline to the higher powers, but I'm pretty convinced God would not say, 'Blair can't come do the show because it's evil and satanic.' "
I wonder if he's ever had his ass kicked for embarrassing people like that.
Upon his command, he has had macho football players make statements about wanting to wear women's lingerie and shy girls stand up and shout "shut up."
Some people are more suggestible than others.
His first ban should have been priest.
Oh wait, that would be biblical (Col. 2:8)....and who reads that old thing anymore, anyway?
What can be achieved by non-hypnotic techniques is astounding.
And, yes, someone can be hypnotized without her knowledge, without her consent, and despite her most desperate attempts to avoid it.
But, as I said, Hypnotic trance is unnecessary to achieve spectacular results, for good or evil!
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