How Does Laying on of Hands Work?
Laying on of hands is a practice with diverse interpretations and applications depending on the context. It's a symbolic gesture with spiritual or physical implications, varying across different religious and cultural practices.
In Christianity, the laying on of hands (χειροτονία - cheirotonia) is a ritualistic act invoking the Holy Spirit. It's used in various contexts:
- Baptisms and Confirmations: To signify the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
- Healing Services: To seek divine intervention for physical or spiritual healing.
- Blessings: To bestow a spiritual blessing upon an individual or group.
- Ordination: To formally appoint individuals to positions of leadership within the church (priests, ministers, etc.).
The mechanism isn't described in a physical sense; the effect is considered spiritual, attributed to divine intervention. The Bible teaches about “the laying on of hands,” and how it relates to the work to which individuals are called. This practice differs from other methods like Reiki. Christians lay hands on one another as an act of faith and spiritual connection.
Laying on of Hands in Video Games (Diablo II)
In the video game Diablo II, "Laying of Hands" is a skill with a specific in-game function. Its effectiveness depends on the context:
- Damage Bonus: It provides a significant damage bonus against demons. However, this bonus only applies to direct attacks, not spells. The bonus damage applies immediately upon equipping, but it doesn't affect spell damage. The effectiveness on various character builds and weapon types has been discussed extensively in online forums. [Discussions include whether the damage bonus works with hammers and different spell types](https://www.purediablo.com/forums/threads/does-laying-of-hands-work-with-hammers.29431/, https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo2/comments/v9f94y/laying_of_hands_does_the_350_dmg_to_demons_apply/, https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d2r/t/laying-of-hand-350-to-demon/62914).
Laying on of Hands in Other Contexts
The term "laying on of hands" might also appear in other contexts where its meaning and mechanics need clarification.
- Role-Playing Games (Dungeons & Dragons): In D&D, "Lay on Hands" is a paladin ability to heal other characters, drawing upon a limited pool of healing points. The mechanics involve touching a creature as an action to restore hit points.
- Civ VI: In Civilization VI, the "Laying on of Hands" ability is related to Governors and their influence on units, sometimes affecting healing but not always consistently. The application of this ability is debated, particularly regarding when it successfully heals units.
- Other Games: The meaning and function vary widely depending on the specific game.
