Clinical Services Instead of Sermons Cover Image

Kliinilised teenused jutluste asemel
Clinical Services Instead of Sermons

Author(s): Tuija Hovi
Subject(s): Customs / Folklore
Published by: Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum
Keywords: Finland; Healing Rooms; intercessory prayer; prayer clinic; religion

Summary/Abstract: Contemporary religiosity is undergoing a process of transfer that emphasises and combines different processes, such as individualisation, democratisation, fluidity, hybridism, relocation and breaking of boundaries. But traditional religion has not lost its influence and relevance either. An increase in new kinds of religious and spiritual activities and practices, the process of fragmentation and the emergence of global networking are expanding the spectrum of choices in the field of spiritual and religious services. Since the early 1990s, various independent Neo-charismatic congregations in Finland have been offering fundamentalist Christian choices to meet the needs for more experiential religiosity. This article deals with a Christian ‘prayer clinic’ practice called the Healing Rooms. This clinical practice type of intercessory prayer service seems to provide a functioning symbiosis between the members of prayer teams and their clients. The team members get an opportunity for personal spiritual self-actualisation in a supportive spiritual community and for clients the Healing Rooms offer a tailor-made support for the seamy side of life – discreet and individual care with an easy access that does not take much time, is free of charge, and demands nothing in return.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 55
  • Page Range: 93-108
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Estonian
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