Exorcism In The Real World

[Mu Shu]

I'm confused as to why anyone needs an exorcism.   Once Jesus died on the cross, he absolved believers of having to carry all these burdens. If you believe that and release your burdens to Jesus how can demons even get through?     I sent that priest who was featured on Paranormal Witness an email to that effect, and am waiting to hear back.

Sort of off topic, but a word to the wise.   That drinking fountain thing in a Catholic Church entrance is not to drink from. 

[Guest]

You may discuss your thoughts on exorcism in the real world here.  You will do that in a civil manner and be respectful of other member's opinions.

[Epeolatrix]

There is no one answer. Many people would suggest that no one needs an exorcism because the religious beliefs that support such a thing are inherently faulty. If you do believe, you find that different interpretations of Christianity have different takes on possession, exorcism, and "deliverance". Again, there's no one answer. A simple Google search bears this out.

"The collective teaching of Scripture is that demons can never spatially indwell a true believer. Indwelling by demons is only evidence of a lack of genuine salvation." So you'd need an exorcism if you're doing Christianity wrong.

"Now I am convinced not only that a Christian can have demons but also that there are demons that operate in the realm of theology, encouraging us to argue and debate endlessly over doctrine rather than meeting the needs of people who are hurting. Demons actually help promote the teaching that a Christian cannot have a demon, because they gain strength from staying hidden. They can operate in their destructive ways without being challenged!" So you'd need an exorcism if demons are really sneaky.

"Believers may be tempted, deceived, accused by Satan and may yield to these attacks (though they do not have to). If they do not resist Satan (Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9), they may become entangled in the behavior so deeply that they cannot escape it without special help from other believers (1 Cor. 5:1-5; Heb. 12:1-13). A person, believer or non-believer, could be dominated by a demon in a way akin to a wife being dominated by an abusive husband. It could be to the point of alteration of their personality and loss of a sense of personal control. However, such a person will never be abandoned by the Holy Spirit or left to merely human resources as in the case of an unbeliever (Psa. 27; 90; Isa. 41:10-16)."

Some advocate exorcism as a way to deal with a mentally ill person who believes they are possessed, thinking that an imaginary possession can be cured by an imaginary exorcism.

[CabotCove]

cool topic, OP ?

[Mu Shu]

There was this man who used to come into a bar I worked in Miami Beach.  Everyone was convinced he was Satan and such.  I will tell you the entire atsmophere changed when he came in, i.e. Got colder and felt heavy.  I can also tell you he ordered a drink called a Presbyterian, and was quiet and a good tipper.    I always wanted to chat him up, but he wasn't one for conversation.   Oh, and when he left he sort of just disappeared.  Very odd things happen in a lot of South Florida, though.

[kitticup]

On October 3, 2016 at 7:43 PM, Mu Shu said:

There was this man who used to come into a bar I worked in Miami Beach.  Everyone was convinced he was Satan and such.  I will tell you the entire atsmophere changed when he came in, i.e. Got colder and felt heavy.  I can also tell you he ordered a drink called a Presbyterian, and was quiet and a good tipper.    I always wanted to chat him up, but he wasn't one for conversation.   Oh, and when he left he sort of just disappeared.  Very odd things happen in a lot of South Florida, though.

Did he do anything else that made him seem supernatural?  

[Epeolatrix]

More info on real-world exorcism:

Anneliese Michel, the famous case of a young German woman who died as a result of a Catholic exorcism. Her parents and the priests responsible were charged with negligent homicide. Inspired a few movies (The Exorcism of Emily Rose [horror], Requiem [drama], and some cheesy other thing).

10 Deadly Exorcisms (Listverse. Several religious beliefs covered.)

What's the harm in exorcisms? ("1,089 people who were harmed by someone not thinking critically." Several religious beliefs covered.)

Idaho Exorcism Rates Soar As Population Booms (In the State of Idaho, there is a faith-healing exemption from prosecution if such practices result in medical neglect or even the death of a child.)

Islam also has a tradition of exorcism that has turned fatal at least one case in the UK.

[ennui]

Law & Order had a few episodes dealing with exorcism that results in death (murder). I would assume they were 'ripped from the headlines,' and/or based on actual instances.

Edited October 7, 2016 by ennui

[Mu Shu]

19 hours ago, kitticup said:

Did he do anything else that made him seem supernatural?  

No, he just appeared and disappeared without anyone ever seeing him coming or going.  I mean they were drinking and I was busy, but it was unusual.   I don't think he was evil myself, but he was very different. 

[kitticup]

Thanks for replying Mushu. 

[RedheadZombie]

Roland Doe, whose story inspired The Exorcist, was taught to play with a Ouija Board by a beloved aunt.  It sounds like he had no other children to play with, so he became close to this aunt, who was a spiritualist. 

The family first sought help from their Lutheran minister after experiencing strange events involving the boy.  The minister observed Roland over night and witnessed objects moving by themselves.  He told them to seek out a Catholic priest.

After a failed exorcism which was called off when Roland freed himself of a restraint, and was able to use a bed spring to harm the priest, the family left the area.  They then went to St. Louis seeking help, and stayed with family.  Two priests visited and documented all the classic symptoms of possession, and permission for an exorcism was granted. 

Apparently exorcism over days was again unsuccessful, and they moved the boy to a hospital on hallowed ground, and were successful.  One of the priests left very detailed records of his experience.  

This last Halloween there was a special in which that St. Louis home had an exorcism performed.  In theory I believe in this stuff, but I'm very skeptical and suspicious.  It really creeped me out.  And unless the people involved were Oscar caliber actors, they were creeped out, too.  One of the things done was an attempt to contact Roland's aunt via spirit board.  They said protective prayers and called to only positive or benign spirits, but they quickly shut that down when the room grew cold, one of the women began having chest pressure, and a negative presence attempted to communicate on the spirit board.