duranie (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} duranie) wrote,@ 2006-05-16 07:41:00 |
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Exorcism
I have to weigh in on this issue because what I saw today on GMA was a complete joke.
There is this guy - Bob Larson - who holds "free" seminars about exorcism and then performs them himself.
In the first 30 minutes you are shown a video depicting other seminars where people act out, scream, flail, fall to the ground, swear, throw up, etc. and Mr. Larson claims that these are demons being exorcised from these folks.
He then says after the video that if you would like to be exorcised he fully understands that an array of things may happen, "You may choke me, you may kick me or swear at me...and that's ok." pretty much giving them carte blanche to do whatever they wish.
Strong power of suggestion.
Oh, and he also asks for a donation of $120 to help build his "Temple of Exorcism" or something like that.
What a hoax.
Nontheless, the reason for my writing this at all is about what was mentioned as a tiny footnote near the beginning of the piece.
Essentially it said that all of the Catholic diocese's were being instructed by the Vatican to have at least one in-house exorcist and to hold classes for these soon.
Now, THIS truly alarmed me. Growing up Catholic I learned all kinds of things about God and demons. I also know that performing exorcism's for the Catholic church is akin to getting a loan at a bank when you are homeless. The amount of red tape and holes you have to jump through just to get it considered a "true" demonic possession are incredible.
That should alarm anyone.
I have always been interested in this kind of stuff, mainly because it helps to reinforce belief in God & the Devil. There can be no evil without good. And at one time, wanted to write a book about it all. Which led me to read about Ed & Lorraine Warren - where, if you really want to get the shit scared out of you, read their books or go to one of THEIR seminars. I have never been but would still like to someday. Ed and Lorraine are the ones who originally investigated the Amityville house. http://www.warrens.net/main.htm
Nontheless, that's my "need to blog" today.
I have to weigh in on this issue because what I saw today on GMA was a complete joke.
There is this guy - Bob Larson - who holds "free" seminars about exorcism and then performs them himself.
In the first 30 minutes you are shown a video depicting other seminars where people act out, scream, flail, fall to the ground, swear, throw up, etc. and Mr. Larson claims that these are demons being exorcised from these folks.
He then says after the video that if you would like to be exorcised he fully understands that an array of things may happen, "You may choke me, you may kick me or swear at me...and that's ok." pretty much giving them carte blanche to do whatever they wish.
Strong power of suggestion.
Oh, and he also asks for a donation of $120 to help build his "Temple of Exorcism" or something like that.
What a hoax.
Nontheless, the reason for my writing this at all is about what was mentioned as a tiny footnote near the beginning of the piece.
Essentially it said that all of the Catholic diocese's were being instructed by the Vatican to have at least one in-house exorcist and to hold classes for these soon.
Now, THIS truly alarmed me. Growing up Catholic I learned all kinds of things about God and demons. I also know that performing exorcism's for the Catholic church is akin to getting a loan at a bank when you are homeless. The amount of red tape and holes you have to jump through just to get it considered a "true" demonic possession are incredible.
That should alarm anyone.
I have always been interested in this kind of stuff, mainly because it helps to reinforce belief in God & the Devil. There can be no evil without good. And at one time, wanted to write a book about it all. Which led me to read about Ed & Lorraine Warren - where, if you really want to get the shit scared out of you, read their books or go to one of THEIR seminars. I have never been but would still like to someday. Ed and Lorraine are the ones who originally investigated the Amityville house. http://www.warrens.net/main.htm
Nontheless, that's my "need to blog" today.
