OK, let's count testimonies of dowsing by those of us who either can't
explain it or really didn't expect the rods/limb to move in our hands:
A. I personally have observed the dowsing process by others several
times, and have experienced "the pull" on brass rods one time,
B. Burgy felt a "definite pull" once, although he dismissed it as
something like a fluke,
C. Dick Fischer's friend Mike could "witch" for water even though he
was a scoffer and didn't want to to it. Dick confirmed that the limb
was being "pulled" in Mike's hands. Even though dowsing worked for
Mike, it didn't work for Dick.
Dick, Mike, Burgy and me, four skeptical individuals who independently
describe very similar experiences. If dowsing were the result of some
type of weak or, as yet, undetected magnetic or unknown natural force,
the force should work consistently, at least for the same individual. I
felt the pull once, then I prayed, and the pull went away and I have
never again experienced it.
When I decided that dowsing must be a display of demonic power, I read
the book of John again with this in mind. Realizing that there are
physical manifestations of supernatural causes which have no real-world
counterpart cause gave a whole new meaning to the miracles of Jesus and
the power of Satan as related in the gospels.
I remember Walter Martin, who had a ministry against cults, saying that
one night alone in his motel room, he was sitting up in his bed reading
when unseen demons tried to choke him. Only after he managed to whisper
the word "Jesus" did they release him.
I appreciate the skepticism that many who read this will have. It is my
considered opinion, though, that miracles are just as much a part of
life today as they ever have been, and many miracles are completely
disconnected from any naturalistic explanation. Both God and Satan have
the power to alter the normal cause-and-effect continuum of events that
we, especially Westerners, take for granted.
Bill