There’s an illusion that I perform in our show, “Sens de Vie” where a newspaper is ripped to shreads and instantly restored back to its original condition. Every page is shown front and back, both at the beginning and at the end. Audiences love it.
This past weekend, in the process of performing the illusion with a copy of the USA Today, I noticed a page with a huge photo of a guy holding a deck of cards, along with a headline referencing magic. After looking into it, I discovered an incredible article titled, “Neuroscientists: Why is the brain deceived as if by magic?”
There was a large meeting recently in Chicago where scientists gathered to watch magicians performing their art, and then had a large discussion about attention, memory, and perception. The article featured a great quote by Thomas Carew, the president for the Society of Neuroscience:
“There is no better way to see how the mind works than to study how we can be deceived.”
Amen to that!
The scientific community and its researchers are now hoping to learn from illusionists, because apparently, they’re now realizing that we understand how deception works on an incredibly deep level, and our expertise in the area of how people are fooled is unmatched by any other field.
What if the church did this? What if christians listened to magicians who understand deception? What could they learn?
Me and some of my illusionist friends have been talking about deception for years now, specifically from our unique perspective, yet it still seems like the church isn’t listening. At the same time, there is just as much deception taking place in the lives of Christians as in the lives of anyone else. As an illusionist, (an expert in deception), and a follower of Christ, there is a unique perspective that I have the ability of bringing regarding illusions we all believe, and the deception that permeates our lives. It’s sad when a medium is abandoned based on the fear of its use, while the message of truth that medium is capable of delivering could dramatically change lives.
The article is USA today is a good one, and I highly suggest you read it. It’s really, really fascinating.
It’s a great idea to ask yourself, “How have I been deceived?”
It’s a good question, but the chances are pretty good that you can’t fully answer it. If you could, you’d likely choose the truth over the lies your mind has believed. You’re deceived every single day, but you don’t even realize it. The problem is not a limited access to truth, but a major lack of awareness of how we are deceived.
So here’s a better question: What if you’ve been deceived, and don’t even realize it?
Tags: bj harris, christian, Christian Illusionist, church, deception, Harris, Illusion, illusionist, neuroscience, Sens de Vie, usa today
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by BJ Harris, III and Michael Scott, Doc Jones. Doc Jones said: MAGIC NEWS: Scientists ask Magicians, “How are we deceived?” Should the Church … http://bit.ly/2HBjFs [...]
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by HarrisIII: New blog post: “Scientists ask Magicians: How are we Deceived? Should the church start asking, too? http://tinyurl.com/yznln5t #fb…
Thanks, I will be thinking about that. Hey, your website looks great. I’ll be praying for you. Christopher
P.S. I saw a shortened version of your show at the Upward Sports Conference in St. Louis. Your presentation and message were awesome!
Incredible thought Harris! I am very intrgiued by your blog and your overall mission. What an priviledge to see a vessel being used by the Master. This issue of deception has become seriously evident to me in the last few months. And with the realization of deception comes the need for pride-smashing, Bible-searching, and knee-shattering amounts of prayer. Indeed, I agree that the Church, all those who call themselves believers, should take step back, or in cases like mine, get up off of the Couch of Comfortable Mediocrity, and question the traditions that we have fallen into. In this age of technology, there are ample resources virtually at the fingertips of a generation of believers who have the power to shed light on the lies cloaked in ritural if only they will take to time check themselves and research.
I do realize that only the L-rd can prepair the heart to recieve stir the heart to know more, and open eyes that are blinded to the truth. That is no small matter.
Thank you for the challenge, for loving Him enough to say to the masses, “Hey, question things! You may have been decieved!” I know I have been.
Keep fighting the good fight! My prayers are with you.
Blessings.
I have been dealing with this very same thing. Why is the church not asking? Here is my answer I don’t want to be a part of any illusionist show/act. The word of God let us know that we can not serve two. We are to choose whom we are going to obey.