"It's frightening what can happen when you invite entities into your life which are not meant to be part of God's world."

He said one woman he had met had been plagued by demonic manifestations since taking part in a playground witch game as a child.

Sell crazy someplace else. We're all stocked up here.

"It's frightening what can happen when you invite entities into your life which are not meant to be part of God's world."

From the Creed professed at all masses:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth, of all things seen and unseen. [emphasis mine]. So:

If an entity exists, God created it.
If God created it, it's obviously intended to be part of God's world.
Ergo, there are no entities in existence that are not intended to be part of God's world.
Unless it's inconvenient to think about.

The only "mystery of faith" for me is how I managed to believe for so long.

So how old is Linda Blair now? I hear she's still turning heads.

I lived in Brisbane. I could see this happening there.

i enrolled at priest school but all the classes seemed to be about how to touch little boys.

I blame Global Warming.

Maybe Bush.

Father Amorth said: "Too many bishops are not taking this seriously and are not delegating their priests in the fight against the devil.

I imagine Father Amorth as the classic ineffective substitute teacher.

"Okay, come on you guys. Seriously. We have work to-- alright, who threw that? I'm writing your name on my list. I am not kidding around."

CarolynLibrarian: The only "mystery of faith" for me is how I managed to believe for so long.

Actually, I would say that believing in something (not necessarily Christianity specifically) is actually quite normal. If not monotheism then polytheism... if not that then a form of nature worship. There is a huge variety of spirituality which has been a part of every human culture. Spirituality and religion is innately human.

It is the recent development of "modern" atheism and this complete rejection of spirituality that is outside the norm in human history.

LOL

I just spit pea soup all over my keyboard

/not really

Did anyone else read that as "fight the devil with head on"?

/Holy water. Apply directly to the forehead.

Ernie McBert: Father Amorth said: "Too many bishops are not taking this seriously and are not delegating their priests in the fight against the devil.

I imagine Father Amorth as the classic ineffective substitute teacher.

"Okay, come on you guys. Seriously. We have work to-- alright, who threw that? I'm writing your name on my list. I am not kidding around."

"Who worked on the sabbath? Did one of you work on the sabbath? I'm not going to keep going until one of you fesses up!"

like I said in another thread, I take great comfort in my belief that there is no god, no soul....just us, and the earth.

a lot of people have trouble with this.

I don't believe in the afterlife, but to put a Daoist spin on things, to quote my professor:

"if you freeze water, it becomes ice. if you throw an ice cube on a frying pan, it becomes vapor. nothing dies. everything is just always changing"

I don't see us coming back as something else, but when we die, we get absorbed into the ground. we are just carbon matter, and I simply have no belief in any god or superior creator or being out there.

I'm not bashing believers. I just find it comforting to think that its just us. its so simple. so final. so minimalistic. its beautiful.

all that universe, and its probably just us.

its nice.

/IMO

The power of idiocy compels you!

I can't imagine living in any period in time and me, being me, believing in a faith. The whole concept just strikes me as ridiculous.

If people have faith in something, I'm fine with that. They believe what they believe -- my brain just refuses to subscribe to that particular newsletter.

/It's like, do bacteria think of us as higher powers?
//This post means NOTHING to the article. Booyah.
/// Am I doing these slashes right?

NeuroticRocker: I'm not bashing believers. I just find it comforting to think that its just us. its so simple. so final. so minimalistic. its beautiful.

all that universe, and its probably just us.

its nice.

/IMO

I'm a believer. But, I think the most important part is finding a religion or spiritual perspective that helps you in your life. Spirituality is something that is innately human... just as is the social drive or the sex drive. Can't really escape it.

+1 you for being happy with your belief.

Funny... my ex now lives in Brisbane. She must be sucking the soul out of yet another poor asshat. Hope they get her in time.

Dispector: CarolynLibrarian: The only "mystery of faith" for me is how I managed to believe for so long.

Actually, I would say that believing in something (not necessarily Christianity specifically) is actually quite normal. If not monotheism then polytheism... if not that then a form of nature worship. There is a huge variety of spirituality which has been a part of every human culture. Spirituality and religion is innately human.

It is the recent development of "modern" atheism and this complete rejection of spirituality that is outside the norm in human history.

No offense, but I disagree. That's like saying the development of "modern" medicine and the complete rejection of voodoo-type healing rituals is outside the norm in human history. The voodoo may have been around for a long time, but that doesn't mean it was right or innately human.

The need to believe, and to form like-believing groups is a social trait, not a biological one. We all do have the need to believe in things that aren't really provable, yes. I just can't get over how I swallowed the religion thing for so long when I really did know better.

Skrattybones: can't imagine living in any period in time and me, being me, believing in a faith

The only problem with that is knowledge. When you were brought up being told by your family, freinds, pastor, etc, with no other input you'll probably believe exactly what your told.

FTFA:

One priest, who asked not to be named for fear of "reprisals",...


...The priest source, who is based in Brisbane, is the only one permitted to do exorcisms in the state. He said he had travelled to Rockhampton, Cairns, Townsville and Toowoomba to save people.


That's some mighty fine reporting...what a way to reveal your source. SATANIC_FACEPALM.JPG

The sad part is, a lot of these people are paying for these exorcisms on credit. They go through all this trouble, just to get repossessed.

I'm going to need an young priest and a old priest...

/sick as a dog

There just isn't anything in that headline I'm alright with.

CarolynLibrarian: No offense, but I disagree. That's like saying the development of "modern" medicine and the complete rejection of voodoo-type healing rituals is outside the norm in human history. The voodoo may have been around for a long time, but that doesn't mean it was right or innately human.

The need to believe, and to form like-believing groups is a social trait, not a biological one. We all do have the need to believe in things that aren't really provable, yes. I just can't get over how I swallowed the religion thing for so long when I really did know better.

No offense taken. I wasn't speaking in regards to "modern" religions or forms of spirituality. I was speaking in regards to the practice in general. I think the necessity to believe in something greater than ourselves is innate.

I would disagree about the attraction of like-behaving groups is a social trait and not a biological one. Social behaviors stem from biological inclinations. Humans are social animals by nature. From these biological inclinations stem social inclinations.

skinbubble: I lived in Brisbane. I could see this happening there.

Well.... sure.

Bris = covenant
Bane = death

Death of the covenant. Where else do you expect demons to live?

They're a special breed, the Banana Benders. They haven't quite cornered the market on Crazy Christians in Australia, but they do seem to have a lot more than the rest of us.

Arthur Jumbles: skinbubble: I lived in Brisbane. I could see this happening there.

Well.... sure.

Bris = covenant
Bane = death

Death of the covenant. Where else do you expect demons to live?

Cleveland.

Dispector: I would disagree about the attraction of like-behaving groups is a social trait and not a biological one. Social behaviors stem from biological inclinations. Humans are social animals by nature. From these biological inclinations stem social inclinations.

Not necessarily. I wish I could properly cite the stuff I've read on this. A good but basic overview was put forth by Dawkins in "Breaking the Spell", but there are other papers I've read that suggest that the religion meme (and I agree with those who think religion - the need to believe - is a meme) is a result of sustained group behavioral factors. Perhaps from a wise tribal elder millennia ago, who realized that uniting people around a core belief made for better social organization and banding together against enemies of the tribe. From this evolved ancestor worship, then polytheistic and monotheistic forms.

It was an interesting little study for a while, though I make no claim to any expertise. But it does sound far more plausible than the Christian version.

The sad part is these people need real mental health treatment and instead are turning to some quacks.

Dispector: NeuroticRocker: I'm not bashing believers. I just find it comforting to think that its just us. its so simple. so final. so minimalistic. its beautiful.

all that universe, and its probably just us.

its nice.

/IMO

I'm a believer. But, I think the most important part is finding a religion or spiritual perspective that helps you in your life. Spirituality is something that is innately human... just as is the social drive or the sex drive. Can't really escape it.

+1 you for being happy with your belief.

Really?
Maybe I got too much of it as a kid or something but I need no comfort from myths. Life is a hell of a ride and if something exists after death I am not concerned but in this case can wait to find out.

Bob Larson is amused.

Look, I'm a Catholic and we believe some pretty weird shiat. That's why it's a religion. Any doctrinal religion takes a hard line on certain issues when you strip away the ecumenical modernist platitudes. Ultimately in some areas there can be no compromise. That's why there's a respect, and sometimes sainthood, for martyrs (although martyrdom is not something that should be sought out). In terms of Wicca and animist religions Catholic thinking isn't that the spirits aren't there, it's that they are malevolent.

Like I said, weird shiat.

However, that doesn't mean that more mundane causes of the sort of behaviour an exorcist deals with aren't considered. Particularly when there's a greater understanding of mental health today.

"One priest, who asked not to be named for fear of "reprisals", said he was carrying out at least one exorcism a fortnight."

Must know about fark.

I guess I never got the gene for spirituality.

my mom and dad were raised jewish, but they never imposed anything on me. in fact my entire family is pretty secular. what's funny is my brother married a woman who was raised catholic and is semi-religious at best. she prays and believes, but she's not a nutso.

for me, I never believed. I always listened to people, but religion and spurituality never caught on for me. I don't blame people for inventing it.

but its just so out of hand. I just feel that with life, we are born from nothing, and we die.

I really believe all this living is for nothing, and that we do what we can to stay sane for the few decades we are given, but really, we are all insane and we have the curse...not gift...of rational thought.

the 3 things that do not scare me are:

-death
-being alone
-dying alone

the last 2 used to keep me up, but death is inevitable, and we only feel not alone when we trick ourselves into thinking we aren't alone (ie: marriage)

but when it comes down to it, when your spouse dies, when your prayers aren't answered, when the world is big and chaotic....

we die alone. and we are alone. once I learned to accept that, life became simpler for me.

I live in Brisbane, so I'm really getting a kick out of these replies...

"Being possessed by a demon is terrifying in one's mental and emotional life," he said. "Some of these manifestations are extremely powerful, causing people to be plagued by disturbances. They hear voices and see hideous creatures in their sleep.

Uh, that's usually called schizophrenia these days, father.

I'd give her a good exorcising!

I drink your milkshake... I drink it up!

everyone has a belief system. if you believe in god, jesus and the creation....or believe there is nothing but emptiness and carbon (like me), you believe in something.

each belief system is tuned to a specific frequency, like a radio.

and you absorb the information that supports your beliefs, and you receive the information that counters it, but its all static.

that's how its supposed to be.

we all have a belief, and all we have to do is accept that some people want country, others want rock & roll, and not to sell your beliefs to someone else....IT WONT WORK.

just chill with the people on the same frequency, and grin and bear it with the others.

when people try to sell me religion, its like trying to sell a steak to a vegan.

no matter how juicy, and tender and succulent the steak may be, they don't want it.

/mmmm, steak.

If you don't pay an exorcist, do you get repossessed?

/DNRTFA, just wanted to tell that joke.
//Not all that funny really.

CarolynLibrarian

If an entity exists, God created it.
If God created it, it's obviously intended to be part of God's world.
Ergo, there are no entities in existence that are not intended to be part of God's world.
Unless it's inconvenient to think about.

The only "mystery of faith" for me is how I managed to believe for so long.

And that line of reasoning is what did it? Really.

chimneyfish: If you don't pay an exorcist, do you get repossessed?

/DNRTFA, just wanted to tell that joke.
//Not all that funny really

And late, as well.

aerojockey: And that line of reasoning is what did it? Really.

Oh, no - it took a long and arduous journey to reality. That's only a teeny-tiny part of it.

cantsleep: And late, as well.

DNRTFThread either.

CarolynLibrarian

Oh, no - it took a long and arduous journey to reality. That's only a teeny-tiny part of it.

Ok, good, because that line of reasoning was quite silly and simpleminded.

Dispector:

Actually, I would say that believing in something (not necessarily Christianity specifically) is actually quite normal. If not monotheism then polytheism... if not that then a form of nature worship. There is a huge variety of spirituality which has been a part of every human culture. Spirituality and religion is innately human.

It is the recent development of "modern" atheism and this complete rejection of spirituality that is outside the norm in human history.

Of course. Humans have always created things in their minds to help them cope with the unknown. Ignorance and superstition thrives in the absence of science and reason. Now the unknown is slowly but surely being discovered. The gaps are disappearing, and the magic practitioners of our time are desperately clinging to to the past.

NeuroticRocker: everyone has a belief system. if you believe in god, jesus and the creation....or believe there is nothing but emptiness and carbon (like me), you believe in something.

each belief system is tuned to a specific frequency, like a radio.

and you absorb the information that supports your beliefs, and you receive the information that counters it, but its all static.

that's how its supposed to be.

we all have a belief, and all we have to do is accept that some people want country, others want rock & roll, and not to sell your beliefs to someone else....IT WONT WORK.

just chill with the people on the same frequency, and grin and bear it with the others.

when people try to sell me religion, its like trying to sell a steak to a vegan.

no matter how juicy, and tender and succulent the steak may be, they don't want it.

/mmmm, steak.

Well put, I concure.

CarolynLibrarian: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth, of all things seen and unseen. [emphasis mine]. So:

If an entity exists, God created it.
If God created it, it's obviously intended to be part of God's world.
Ergo, there are no entities in existence that are not intended to be part of God's world.
Unless it's inconvenient to think about.

The only "mystery of faith" for me is how I managed to believe for so long.

Faith ≠ Logic

Dispector: It is the recent development of "modern" atheism and this complete rejection of spirituality that is outside the norm in human history.

That's because science has rendered God unnecessary to understand the universe.

chimneyfish: If you don't pay an exorcist, do you get repossessed? i chuckled.

Father Gabriele Amorth, 82, the Pope's Exorcist-in-Chief, i want one of his business cards.

Toowoomba, heh, say it. it's fun. Toowoomba Toowoomba Toowoomba

submitter: Brisbane exorcisms are in such high demand the Catholic Church has opened a priest school

And yet, TFA makes zero mention of any "priest school" for Brisbane. Which is generally called "seminary" anyways, subby.

It does mention that the Church is considering increasing the number of exorcists worldwide, but not due to any "high demand" in Brisbane.

I'd say FAIL, but you got what you wanted: Catholic Bashing Thread!