Phenomenon

[RandyWayne]

NBC has a show every Wed night called Phenomenon. It is another "eliminate someone every week till we have a winner" style game show where the goal this time is to find someone with supernatural powers. It is hosted by the infamous Uri Geller, who has always claimed supernatural powers himself, and Chris Angel, star of his own show, Mindfreak, who does not claim any but is a very very good magician.

See what happens when a REAL magician is confronted with a cheap knock off that claims to have real powers.

[YT="Phenomenon"]mNTZsv7GwE8[/YT]

[Praxeas]

lol...wow. Chris got him

[The Mrs]

What a riot!

Reminds me of things that go on around here sometimes! When you can't prove your point, do the next best thing, resort to attacks and name calling!

[RandyWayne]

lol...wow. Chris got him

He did. And when confronted with a REAL challenge ALL of the so-called psychics back down (with excuses about the "energy" not being conducive at the moment or other hogwash).
Chris Angel is an exceptional magician but that is all he has ever claimed to be, even running a few specials on debunking those who do claim to have "real" abilities. I am not in Chris's class but being an amateur magician myself, it gives me a unique perspective on certain things that happen in the church and how the reality is far less amazing then the supposed miracle that many think just took place. (With a special spotlight thrown on the whole word-of-knowledge thing.)

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

He did. And when confronted with a REAL challenge ALL of the so-called psychics back down (with excuses about the "energy" not being conducive at the moment or other hogwash).
Chris Angel is an exceptional magician but that is all he has ever claimed to be, even running a few specials on debunking those who do claim to have "real" abilities. I am not in Chris's class but being an amateur magician myself, it gives me a unique perspective on certain things that happen in the church and how the reality is far less amazing then the supposed miracle that many think just took place. (With a special spotlight thrown on the whole word-of-knowledge thing.)

When I was a teenager I attended an Apostolic Camp Meeting for the first time. I was very hungry for Christian fellowship and desparate for something from God. In other words, I was young and vulnerable.

There were a couple of guys from another district that somehow were put in charge of one of the daytime services. They did the old "one leg is shorter than the other leg" trick with a lady pulled from the crowd. I didn't know many of the people there at the time so I have no idea if the sister was also in on the act.

A bunch of us had kind of swarmed around the platform area where they had the sister lay down. Even though I had heard about this particular trick before I was open to the idea that maybe the poor sister really did have back problems caused by on leg being shorter than the other. When one of the Oklahoma guys started yelling that he could "see" her leg growing eveyone crowded around. The sister looked bewildered and no one but the two guys from out of state "saw" any miracle. The crowd was unconvinced and I was really disappointed in the whole charade.

Guys like that show up regularly to tell folks around here that they "don't have enough faith" or that they need "better" holiness standards. They fizzle out after a while and either go back home or to the district next door.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by pelathais

When I was a teenager I attended an Apostolic Camp Meeting for the first time. I was very hungry for Christian fellowship and desparate for something from God. In other words, I was young and vulnerable.

There were a couple of guys from another district that somehow were put in charge of one of the daytime services. They did the old "one leg is shorter than the other leg" trick with a lady pulled from the crowd. I didn't know many of the people there at the time so I have no idea if the sister was also in on the act.

A bunch of us had kind of swarmed around the platform area where they had the sister lay down. Even though I had heard about this particular trick before I was open to the idea that maybe the poor sister really did have back problems caused by on leg being shorter than the other. When one of the Oklahoma guys started yelling that he could "see" her leg growing eveyone crowded around. The sister looked bewildered and no one but the two guys from out of state "saw" any miracle. The crowd was unconvinced and I was really disappointed in the whole charade.

Guys like that show up regularly to tell folks around here that they "don't have enough faith" or that they need "better" holiness standards. They fizzle out after a while and either go back home or to the district next door.

Pelathais,

One year before you and I first met, the Lord grew my left leg two inches. It really DOES happen. No matter if what you witnessed you believed to be a charlatan like RandyWayne always seems to mention at work in the church, I was there.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

Pelathais,

One year before you and I first met, the Lord grew my left leg two inches. It really DOES happen. No matter if what you witnessed you believed to be a charlatan like RandyWayne always seems to mention at work in the church, I was there.

I've seen "charlatans" at work in all kinds of venues. Selling cars, selling political favors and selling religion. hmm... I notice that they're often selling things.

And I remember your healing. I've also seen things that if I were to try and explain, folks would think I was either wacko or up to something. I am sceptical by nature, probably like RW. That may be why we bump into each other here without making sparks. For a time I lived in the "Show Me" state - so that's gotta count for something.

But I'd like to think that I also have an open mind. And I've had a few (very few over the course of my lifetime, but a few) personal experiences that I simply cannot explain away.. And, there have been times when I was motivated to explain it all away, I just never could.

We live in a world filled with wonder. God does not appear to be at our beck and call to fulfill our every whimsy, but He does answer prayer. One of the most stiring things I have ever seen was a dying man praying for and healing the sick. And then he died. Made absolutely no sense to me - at first glance ...

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

He did. And when confronted with a REAL challenge ALL of the so-called psychics back down (with excuses about the "energy" not being conducive at the moment or other hogwash).
Chris Angel is an exceptional magician but that is all he has ever claimed to be, even running a few specials on debunking those who do claim to have "real" abilities. I am not in Chris's class but being an amateur magician myself, it gives me a unique perspective on certain things that happen in the church and how the reality is far less amazing then the supposed miracle that many think just took place. (With a special spotlight thrown on the whole word-of-knowledge thing.)

Right, my dad was an amateur magician too and because he practiced on me I got to learn some things too.

Some people would be amazed at the simplicity of a trick that they never even considered.

BTW Chris is a really good magician, but what people don't realize is for the greats half of the magic trick is showman ability. Mind Freak has that in it. For others it's half naked women walking around so only the women i the audience (not gay) might figure it out

[Praxeas]

I went to a revival for a Spanish Apostolic church and the evangelist did just that, the leg trick. I knew it was fake. He was telling stories about fillings turning to gold...some even having images of bibles on them and eagles. He had everyone bring bread so he can pray for it. It was sad

[RandyWayne]

I've seen the "one leg is shorter than the other" one before and it always fools those who have the simple belief that no falsehood will ever come from the pulpit mentality.