Recently,  I received a physician consult to work with a woman for pain management.  As I explained the process of relaxation, imagery, and hypnosis, I could see that she was very responsive.  She said, "I am really looking forward to the experience, but I need to tell you that my daughter is a self-proclaimed born again Christian and she may say something negative to you about this.  If so, do not pay any attention to her, for I am the one who is hurting and I want to do this." As I completed the induction, the phone rang.  I told the patient, "Just allow the ringing of the phone and my answering it to add to your relaxation."  I answered the phone, "This is Mrs. Doe's room.  As she is in therapy, please call back in 30 minutes," and hung up the phone. When the procedure was completed, I walked out of the room and there was her daughter standing in front of the door with arms folded over her chest. 

She said, "What have you been doing to my mother?"  I explained that I had thought her relaxation and self hypnosis and pain reduction. She responded, "I am not sure about this hypnosis! I am a born again Christian!"  Before she could continue, I raised my hands and said, "Praise the Lord, so am I."  She was speechless, so I continued, "I will bring you some information on hypnosis, but regardless of how you feel about hypnosis, your mother has found it very helpful in the reduction of pain, so don't say anything negative to her about this." Religious Organizations Position on Hypnosis: Hypnosis is neither anti religious nor pro religious.  It can be used for good or bad depending on the hypnotist and the subject. 

Today most religious groups accept the proper use of hypnosis.  Exceptions among Christian groups are Christian Science, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah's Witnesses and some individuals of various churches. In recent years, the Seventh Day Adventist have lessened their resistance by using relaxation and
suggestion therapy.  Though many in various churches opposed to hypnosis use the principles of hypnosis (including Christian Science and seventy Adventists) in their healing service, they denounce hypnosis. Jehovah's Witnesses have had relaxation article in their publication for the reduction of stress.) The Roman Catholic Church has issued statements approving the use of hypnosis. 

In 1847, a decree from the Sacred Congregation of the Holy office states, "Having removed all misconception, foretelling of the future, explicit or implicit invocation of the devil, the use of animal magnetism (Hypnosis) is indeed merely an act of making use of physical media that are otherwise licit and hence it is not morally forbidden provided it does not tend toward an illicit end or toward anything depraved."

The late Pope Pius gave his approval of hypnosis.  He stated that the use of hypnosis by health care professionals for diagnosis and treatment is permitted.  In 1956, in an address from the Vatican on hypnosis in child birth the Pope gives these guidelines:  (1) Hypnotism is a serious matter, and not something to be dabbled in.  (2) In its scientific use the precautions dictated by both science and morality are to be need.  (3) Under the aspect of anesthesia, it is governed by the same principles as other forms of anesthesia.  This is saying that the rules of good medicine apply to the use of hypnosis.

Except for exceptions noted, no other Protestant Churches have any laws against the use of hypnotherapy.  To the best of my knowledge, there has been no opposition to the use of hypnosis in the Jewish Faith when it is used for the benefit of mankind. Many of the Far Eastern Faiths:  Buddhism, Yoga, Shintoism, and others approve the use of hypnosis and they often use hypnosis techniques in their worship.  The Christian Church also uses many hypnotic techniques in their worship. The use of eye fixation on the candles, cross, and pulpit; the bowing of the head in prayer; and the closing of eyes in prayer.

The Moslem religion has no opposition to hypnosis that I have been able to discover. For those who oppose hypnosis on religious ground, I remind them of the words of Jon Baptist Van Helmont, "Hypnosis is a universal agent...and is a paradox only to those who are disposed to ridicule everything, who ascribe to the influence of Satan all phemanema which they cannot explain." Some say that hypnosis places the soul in a passively receptive state and opens the door to morbid spiritual influences. 

If this is correct, then prayer, meditation, the process of going to sleep, and chemical anesthesia place the individual in a similar state to hypnosis.  Jesus indicated by his teachings that we should help peoples live life to its fullest and relieve pain whenever possible. Hypnosis should not be condemned as anti religious just because a few people misuse it. Some oppose hypnosis because it is used by the occult, but do we condemn prayer because prayer is used by the occult? Hypnosis is a very helpful tool of counseling. Without apology and when appropriate, hypnosis should be used for growth, health, overcoming unwanted habits and the benefit of people.