First day of school for aspiring Vatican exorcists

[Cheese]

You know I was gonna type something up on here after my wife and I went to see the Exorcism of Emily Rose. I walked out of that theatre thinking, " I wonder if this film had any funding provided by the Catholic Church?" Right from the start of the flick I felt like it was an advertisement for people to hurry up and get to church or else!

Well what do we see today?

Interest in the devil and the occult has been boosted by films such as this year's "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," and last year's "Exorcist: The Beginning," which was the sequel to the original "The Exorcist" in 1973.

"There is no doubt that the devil is intervening more in the life of man these days," Father Paolo Scarafoni told the students, most of them priests who want to learn how to tackle the demon if they should ever encounter him.

One planned lecture is called: "Problems related to exorcism and correlated issues."

I know the answer to that one....having a demon spew green pea soup all over your frock?

Sorry...The Devil made me do it!

[troutman]

http://www.skepdic.com/exorcism.html

Believing in demons is one thing; believing you have the ability to call up a supernatural being with infinite power and perfection who will cause demons to move on at your behest seems certifiable. The whole coven of exorcists and exorcized are deluded.

Many people fear possession by demons, but the exorcists themselves can cause great damage.

These evangelical exorcists might be self-deceived and be guilty of confirmation bias. Even if their intentions are good, they are most probably deluded and certainly causing harm to those they exorcize who should be under psychiatric care.

[Cheese]

Originally posted by troutman@Oct 13 2005, 01:51 PM
http://www.skepdic.com/exorcism.html

Believing in demons is one thing; believing you have the ability to call up a supernatural being with infinite power and perfection who will cause demons to move on at your behest seems certifiable. The whole coven of exorcists and exorcized are deluded.

Many people fear possession by demons, but the exorcists themselves can cause great damage.

These evangelical exorcists might be self-deceived and be guilty of confirmation bias. Even if their intentions are good, they are most probably deluded and certainly causing harm to those they exorcize who should be under psychiatric care.

Geez if skeptics get it....what does this say about the millions who dont?

[Tower]

Blasphemy! You are all going to HELL! Lord save their souls!!!! save their soooooouls!!!! The Evil Dead 1/2 and the Army of Darkness are real proof!

[dancynator]

i had heard things about the movie it was geared toward the "unfiathful" it was supposed to a real eye opener about religion and the power of God, much how constantine made for me God and heaven and earth and satin intersting. The movie is supposed to teach you and get you intersted, not to say that it definetly would though.

[Displaced Flames fan]

I like to be scared, so I'll probably rent the DVD. God and religion aside, there is something unsettling about the concept of evil vs. good in the movies. Tough to explain. I mean the concept of an eternal struggle between the two. I think you can buy into that without being particularly religious. For instance, the first couple of Omen movies were freaking great IMO despite their 'Catholicness'.

Is it possible to be entertained by something you don't believe in?

BTW...I avoided seeing The Exorcist for years and years because of how scary I thought it would be. When I finally saw it I wondered why. Scary at times, but it's not that bad and not that disturbing. The Shining is disturbing!

Curious Cheese....do you think that posession is possible or is it too dependent on the classic God vs. Satan thing?

[HOZ]

Maybe Sutter should give them a call and excorcise all the deamons from the "Obsolutely, certain, 100%" next Stanley Cup champs? :innocent:

1-4!!!!!!!!

[Cheese]

Originally posted by Displaced Flames fan@Oct 13 2005, 10:04 PM
I like to be scared, so I'll probably rent the DVD. God and religion aside, there is something unsettling about the concept of evil vs. good in the movies. Tough to explain. I mean the concept of an eternal struggle between the two. I think you can buy into that without being particularly religious. For instance, the first couple of Omen movies were freaking great IMO despite their 'Catholicness'.

Is it possible to be entertained by something you don't believe in?

BTW...I avoided seeing The Exorcist for years and years because of how scary I thought it would be. When I finally saw it I wondered why. Scary at times, but it's not that bad and not that disturbing. The Shining is disturbing!

Curious Cheese....do you think that posession is possible or is it too dependent on the classic God vs. Satan thing?

Im a horror buff Dis....I loved the Exorcist when it came out, but as you found its shock wore off aafter a number of years. Remember when it came out it was the first of that genre.
I can watch a movie with religious aspects as long as it doesnt get toooooo preachy...thats what I found with Emily Rose. Not to mention the movie was basically a borefest. They had some good scenes but not worth the coin at the big box theatre. I also agree the Omen movies were fantastic...the first especially was scarier than hell<sic> when it originally showed.
and finally...nope I dont believe that posession is possible or likely in the least! Im with those that believe these people are suffering a mental disorder and use their religious beliefs to sell the fact that the Devil is hiding under their skin. Its pretty much the same as those who "talk in tongues".
Its time to get real folks and quit living in Fantasy Land. Leave the cartoons for Saturday morning!

[Displaced Flames fan]

Well, the brain is capable of pretty spectacular things so it wouldn't be a surprise to me if it could make people do and say the things that are mistaken for poesession.

I'm not convinced, though, that when we die we simply evaporate. So I can't completely rule out spirits and such.

I think there's a lot that's possible that we aren't smart enough to comprehend.

[Abstract]

One things for sure, if there is a god you're screwed Cheese!

I was brought up Catholic but just dont believe it. As far as preachy films etc go I know its been discussed before but i felt the Da Vinci Code went a bit too far in the other extreme as in blaming Catholicism for everything. I dont want to get in to a debate about it, just using it as an example of how it annoys me too when people let their beliefs or beefs get in the way of telling a story!

[Cheese]

Originally posted by Abstract@Oct 14 2005, 07:33 PM
One things for sure, if there is a god you're screwed Cheese!

I was brought up Catholic but just dont believe it. As far as preachy films etc go I know its been discussed before but i felt the Da Vinci Code went a bit too far in the other extreme as in blaming Catholicism for everything. I dont want to get in to a debate about it, just using it as an example of how it annoys me too when people let their beliefs or beefs get in the way of telling a story!

well the right hand side (Religion) has been preaching for a LONG time Niall. Hence your early education in its system. Its only been the last decade or so...maybe 2 decades that the other side has finally started to smarten up and suggest that perhaps there is no God? Thats ok and I think we need much more of that!
As to me...well based on how Ive lived my life and that fact Im divorced, had premarital sex, post marital sex, drank, smoked, drove fast cars, eyed a beautiful neighbor in her bikini and had dirty thoughts....I think Im not in line for the heavens treatment anyways.