I was packing my props into my car after a show following a successful and rousing, over-the-top event. The security guard who was hired that night by the venue followed me to the car. He felt compelled to confront me with a problem he was having with the show he just saw. “Why don’t you use your gift to work for God instead of siding with the devil?” He was so upset. I put my ego on ice and I pondered his reaction to the show. Everyone had been laughing their heads-off. Was he skulking in the shadows somewhere way in the back refusing even the slightest snicker to escape from him? Never had this happen before.

I also was somewhat taken aback because these shows are hilarious and truly good, clean fun, always characterized by non-stop, raise-the-roof laughter. How could he object to that, I wondered? I assured him that hypnosis is truly a very natural state of being, nothing dangerous and certainly nothing to be afraid of. But most importantly, for one solid hour the attendees could find a respite from financial problems, marital strife, work-related stress, family issues, health challenges, grief or any of the other myriad of woes that are prevalent in the human condition. Laughter has been scientifically attributed to mental and emotional healing, so an hour of it , I explained, was in my opinion a good thing not a bad thing. He said what I was doing was “mind control”, hence the devil’s work.

I could only respond that I’m sorry he didn’t enjoy the show and made my exit.