Quote:
Originally Posted by Kutless
What an odd assumption I read last night.
"In 1906 America's collective intrigue was focused on a new breed of entertainer--magicians and supernaturalists--not the least of whom was Harry Houdini. It may be a novel idea to suggest that Houdini in some way indirectly influenced the spectacle at Azusa, but when one considers the world-wide fame the great magician was enjoying at a time contemporaneous with the revival, it is not beyond probability that many of those attending the Azusa mission were primed for a supernatural experiences by there exposure to the many media accounts of Houdini's colorful exploits, and those of many other magicians touring the world during that period of time".
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Yes that is quite a leap. The author is not being very honest in making such a flagrant assumption. BTW Houdini was an illusionists who also had a knack for exposing fake spiritualists (talking to the dead). He did tricks. How can doing tricks contribute to Azusa street?