morganr@csu-cs.UUCP (05/25/83)
Well, well, well... thekid has fallen into the clutches of my latest research in our cult library... namely, the phenomena of abreactive shock. William Sargent, in his book 'The mind posessed', has observed many facets of this occourence. A.S. is essentialy an emotional breakdown, brought about by *any* strenuous situation. For a period of time afterwards, the mind is highly suggestible. This was originally observed by Pavlov, who noted that when his dog pens were flooded, bringing much strain to the dogs, many of them were 'wiped clean' of conditioning. The first place he observed it (take note, thekid), was in battlefield situations! Abreactive shock occoured spontaneously, alowing release of emotional tension (remember this), and discharge of pent-up neuroses. Soldiers that continued to be placed in stress would often have to have this abreactive shock brought on by drugs or by hypnosis. An extension of this is the now much abused shock treatment. After the war (WWII), the author began doing research with African tribes, and observed *the same phenomena* in their religous worship, prayers, and trances! This should offend no-one, since we're certainly not Africans. The real kicker, however, is that upon his return to the states, he managed to observe this in the great majority of rapid conversions! To anything, including Christianity! His thesis, which he supports quite well, is that the emotional tension built up by singing, fiery preaching, etc. was sufficient to produce a mild abreative shock, and the subsequent suggestability. What he also observed, was that this suggestability was not limited to religion, but included highly promiscuous sexual activity. I wouldn't reccomend that anyone read the whole thing, unless you really enjoy detailed case studies of obscure african tribes, but the introduction and his observations on fundamentalist Christians are fascinating. I propose that there are two types of 'conversions'. One is the 'path of least resistance' conversion, where one desires to please one's family, friends, etc. The other, quite obviously, involves abreactive shock. In reading Mike Warnke's book 'The Satan Seller', I discovered that it read like Sargent's case studies. Both Mike's conversion to Satanism and later to Christianity occoured in highly stressful circumstances. So, thekid, your 'Athiests in foxholes' statement does nothing but support the psychological explanation for rapid conversion. No miracles, no divine intervention, just the human mind protecting itself from stress. There and Back Again, Karl of Godelbach Stonehaven, Outlands, Atenvelt, SCA Fort Collins, Colorado hao!csu-cs!morganr