S3. Ep 35 The History of Christadelphian Hands-On Energy Healing

Today we’re learning about the history of hands-on energy healing in the early Christadelphian community! In this episode, Zinnia discusses the founding of an ecclesia in Edinburgh, Scotland that quickly became interested in practicing hands-on energy healing. These new believers were radical free thinkers who offered sassy -but scriptural- retorts to the demands of Robert Roberts and John Thomas around the validity of baptisms. They also hosted lectures and classes for anyone interested in learning the art of “curative mesmerism”. The Edinburgh ecclesia not only became practitioners of “curative mesmerism” themselves, but also became involved in creating and supporting a local mesmerism organization and promoted the practice as part of the “doctrine of health” to other ecclesias while attributing their healing abilities to God. We also discuss the attitudes that attracted these early believers to Mesmerism and the various theories around what may have contributed to the decline of the practice of mesmerism in this ecclesia. We also learn about Robert Roberts “irresistible” experience with another man, the reason why Robert’s wife was re-baptized after their marriage, and hear about Zinnia’s experiences with hands-on energy healing in the modern day. Please join us for another fun blast to the past learning more forgotten history about the Christadelphians!    Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   References:   The Early History of the Kingdom of God in Britain" by William Norrie  Part one Pg. 128 “The Edinburgh Church of Baptised Believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God” Pg 167 Sassy Rebuttals Pg 178 Edinburgh Church Page 202 Curative Mesmerism Pg 245 On Jane Norrie’s rebaptism   The Life after Leaving Podcast Episodes: S1 Ep 8 Robert Roberts and the Fandom of John Thomas S1 Ep 10. The Bearded Wisdom of the Christadelphians S1 Ep. 13 Hypnosis, Telepathy, and Ghosts S1. Ep 4 Fellowship with Rob S2. Ep 16. Fellowship with Steve S3. Ep 32 Fellowship with Ben   ‘John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith’ by Peter Hemingray  P 131-132 Declaration of Beliefs in 1847 P 127-129 John Thomas’ Rebaptism P 192-194 The Marturion Magazine   My Days and My Ways by Robert Roberts  Mesmerism story pages 78-79   “Dr. John Thomas: His Life and Work” by Robert Roberts   Mesmer (1994)    Alan Rickman   The Brief and Strange History of Mesmerism and Surgery   The phony health craze that inspired hypnotism (Youtube)   The Mesmerist by Wendy Moore    Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud   Referenced by William Norrie: “Messenger of the Churches” issued in July 1858 No. 2   Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas, May 1858   The Zoist: A Journal of Cerebral Physiology & Mesmerism and Their Applications to Human Welfare Volume 12 Christadelphians named as members of the Scottish Curative Mesmeric Association   Reiki   Prana    Qi    The Astrological Roots of Mesmerism   Mesmerising Science: The Franklin Commission and the Modern Clinical Trial   Royal Commission on Animal Magnetism   Mesmerism (History of Hypnosis Documentary Series - Episode 02)   The History of Bad Ideas: Mesmerism (Podcast)