Conference paper
THE PHENOMENON OF MIRACULOUS HEALING THROUGH SUGGESTION IN THE CONTEXT OF FAITH AND MAGIC - PSYCHOLOGICAL-THEOLOGICAL APPROACH
Josip Blažević
; "Croatian Areopag" Centre for Interreligious Dialogue, Croatian Provinces of Conventual Friars, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The example of the practices of three eighteenth and nineteenth century physicians, the author points out the importance of the
profile of healers whose role (suggestion) in the healing process was more effective than their controversial methods. The following
represents the impact mechanisms of suggestion (placebo effect) on the amazing healing phenomenon, indicating the possibility of
the fatal consequences of suggestion in the context of (black) magic (nocebo effect), corroborating the facts stated. It warns of the
frequent confusion of the fields of psychology and religion (the resuscitation of Mesalianism, the ancient misconception of confusing
authentic spiritual experiences with psychological states), which has become the dominant feature of New Age self-help literature
and psychology. It concludes with Christian miracle theology and features of Christian prayer for healing, suggesting guidelines
useful for the pastoral and therapeutic work that has been derived from this research.
Keywords
faith; magic; suggestion; miracle; healing
Hrčak ID:
272508
URI
Publication date:
19.10.2021.
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