LETTER:The role of emotion within the Charismatic Movement

From Mr Chris Pauling

Sir: I am not a member of Sheffield's Nine O'Clock Service, but I have seen enough of NOS to recognise Esther Oxford's report as moonshine. I suggest that if she came out from a service "shaking, sweating, eyes dilated, stomach sick" she should have taken herself off to see a doctor, or perhaps a psychiatrist. Her "fierce, devil-like creature" and black- dressed Fascist guards might be deemed to point to a need for the latter.

Personally I thought it was moving and rather fun. The few people I know who are heavily involved in NOS seem to me to be serious people with a serious spiritual dimension to their lives - if they are cult members then perhaps we need more cults.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Pauling

Sheffield

24 August