Expert: Scott Talbot - 10/18/2010

Question
Why some worshipers fall backwards when Pastors lay hands on
them to Bless? This act repeats on some without a
result/Healing.
The Bible does not support this fall either.

Answer
Hello Nihal,

It's nice to hear from you.

I do not have a lot of experience with this practice. I live in the United States, and there are only a few groups (Pentecostals, charistmatics) who focus on divine healing through "healing services" and laying on of hands.

My guess is that the one on whom hands are laid is expecting a physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit. A combination of this expectation, as well as a high level of emotions lead the individual to fall backwards.

This falling backwards may also be a way of demonstrating trust ... much like falling backward and trusting someone to catch you.

Perhaps it has become a tradition. Because one has witnessed many others falling backward in such instances, he believes it is the appropriate thing to do.

Personally, I do not put a lot of stock in such practices, and I question their authenticity. I do believe God can heal. But I'm a bit skeptical of such showy practices of miracle-healing-on-demand.

I hope this helps.

Scott