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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Good News! » » Mentalism with a Christian Message (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

je4thomas
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Now in Southwest China
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Any ideas on using mentalism to tell a Christian message? Can anyone tell me if there is such an application?

Thanks in advance,
Eric
ChrisG
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Batavia, Ohio
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Eric
If you do a search of Mentalism with a Christian Message I think you will find plenty of information.
You might try this link. http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=16

ChrisG
"Consensus is the negation of Leadership"

M. Thatcher
trickyvicar
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Hi Eric,
I am a Christian Priest and a Mentalist!
I love BOTH worlds. Both are to do with opening people up to that 'something' bigger than themselves... for the Christian - God. For the Mentalist - wonder, awe, mystery, magic, etc. For the Christian Mentalist - The whole caboodle (God AND wonder, awe, mystery...). Surely this experience of wonder can also lead people into the very questions that (eventually) arrive at the notion of God - the Divine. So perhaps mentalism is naturally evangelistic?
Of course, great care must be taken with how to combine mentalism and a Christian approach. When performing as a priest / magi I prefer to use a disclaimer and say that it is illusion. (You've heard it before I'm sure, the line: 'I'm going to use my five senses to create the illusion of a sixth'). This disclaimer (in my humble opinion) makes mentalism no less of a concern to the Christian magi than magic. Indeed some folk out there are 'bound' to see any type of magic (mental or not) as the work of the devil. I've done coin tricks in the past had Church folk wanna exorcise me!
Many thanks for your very important question Eric.
Mark
'Bringing Wonder back to Life'
dbearden
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Oneonta, AL
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Eric:
I highly recommed a book by Eric Reamer, entitled "Think Ahead! Everything you need to know about using mental magic in the church." This is a great book that includes 12 complete routines, tips on dispelling fears, comments on using larger illusions, discussion on different styles of presentation, and some extremely powerful Gospel applications (as printed on the cover of the book). I have had this book for a few years, and it has been a very valuable tool. I don't use a lot of "mental" magic in my shows, but I do use some from time to time. Just the information on how to handle the subject of mentalism in the church is worth a fortune, plus the routines are great. I'm sure Eric has a website; I think I bought my copy through Duane Lafflin.
mrtricky
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Denver, CO
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My ears were burning!!!

Eric, you have touched on a passion of mine - mental magic in a church setting. I just lectured on my second set of notes, soon to be released as a second book on this topic, "STILL Thinking Ahead! - Mental Magic for the Masses!"

I believe that mentalism is just as valid a branch of magic as levitation or creating the illusion of something vanishing into thin air. However - as my friend Mark mentions above - the pre-work you put into your presentation makes a huge difference!! One does not have to reveal the workings of a trick to demonstrate the natural nature of what you are doing - but one SHOULD consider explaining up front that what you are doing is not real...

Then go ahead and rock the collective worlds of your audience - use the invisible deck, or the magician's choice force, or any of Corrinda's stuff, or Anneman's... or Max Maven has some incredi-stuff... all of which is great for your presentation, provided it adapts to your message!

Go get em!

Eric Reamer
paulmagic
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Malaysia, now In New Zealand
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Mr. Eric Reamer

How does one go about ordering your books? Thanks
Many Blessings!!

Paul
mrtricky
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Denver, CO
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Paul, email me directly at Eric@illustratedillusions.com and I'll get you connected!

E
Brian Caswell
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I have always felt there was quite a spiritual content in the work of Barrie Richardson (Theater of the mind).

Brian Caswell http://www.unearthlymagic.com
merlin1979
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What a great topic! I'm thinking of doing some mentalism for a church audience but was scared somebody would try and exorcise me! As already discussed I think most audiences would be able to enjoy the show if a disclaimer is given at the beginning. However, there are always going to be some who are determined to believe it's the real deal, whatever you say...
First do no harm...

http://www.impossibottle.co.uk
Reuben Dunn
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The concerns that have been expressed to me have been more along the lines of "deception" as opposed to "Illusion" in that there is the "fear" that what I am doing, e.g., a word/name/design test, is somehow using "powers" that are not of God.

I do use a disclaimer, e.g., the use of the five senses to create the Illusion of a sixth. I follow the mindset of Chuck Hickcok ion that I'm using the abilities that we already have.

One area that I am shying away from, sad to say is the Q&A in that I've yet to find a way to explain how I'm able to get the impressions for the questions and the answers without giving the appearence that my answerws are form less than good sources.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be more than a little interested in hearing them.
Good Thoughts.


Reuben Dunn


www.reubendunn.com
daffydoug
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Eternal Order
Look mom! I've got
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Quote:
On 2006-11-18 04:12, trickyvicar wrote:
Indeed some folk out there are 'bound' to see any type of magic (mental or not) as the work of the devil. I've done coin tricks in the past had Church folk wanna exorcise me!


Been there, done that!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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