Description. Dowsing is
a practice employing divinatory implements and methods in order to
search out information, such as a site of water, the nature or
location of disease and its proper treatment, lost objects, or missing
persons.*
Founder. Unknown; the
practice is ancient.
How does it claim to work?
Dowsing claims to work through a practitioner’s supposedly natural
sensitivity to nature’s geomagnetic phenomena, "water radiations," or
by some allegedly unconscious "motor ability" operating in an unknown
manner.
Scientific evaluation.
Controlled testing has not confirmed dowsing powers scientifically.
Examples of occult
potential. The development of altered states of consciousness,
psychic powers, or spirit contact are almost always possible.
Major problem. Dowsing
is not the natural human ability many assume; it is a spiritistic
power.
Biblical/Christian
evaluation. Dowsing is rejected by description (Hosea 4:12) and by
nature, i.e., divination (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).
Potential dangers.
Financial loss and other deception through dowsing failures; health
risks through improper medical diagnosis or treatment; occult
influences.
*Technically, dowsing is a
type of radiasthesia and, by extension, a form of psychometry.
