Possession – Fact or Fiction?
March 2, 2008
Of all the things in modern theology which often get thrown aside as nothing more than Medieval superstition of no concern to the present society. Often enough, people associate the devil with the personification of all evil. Sadly, this belief is exactly what Satan wants, since it is in this, that he triumphs. For how are we able to fight that which we do not believe in? Satan is known to be an actual being, and one may easily attribute his existence to that in Scripture, tempter, lier, and murderer. It is by these traits he is most identifiable in our society, as murderer in abortion, lier in the sinner who is a hypocrite before God, and tempter as the serpent in the garden.
Fiction
An interesting thing to note, is how many people actually take the existence of the devil as a light matter, and throw it aside as nothing more than an idea put forth out of Hollywood’s horror flicks. Sadly, that is the effect which Hollywood has had upon the Christian audiences of the world. There have been many ‘exploitation’ films out of Hollywood which often enough use Satanism, Demonic Possession, and Demonic Infestation as means of pulling in an audience for horror flicks. Indeed, this idea works, since nothing makes a better horror film than something based off of reality. Films like the Amityville Horror, and the watered down Exorcist series give the issue of possession a bad name. Taking away from the utter horror and reality of those circumstances.
Fact
Often enough, Hollywood indeed bases it’s movies off of a real life incident or story. The Amityville Horror, the Exorcist, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose are perfect examples of such films. But alas, even they are just as quickly ‘Hollywoodized,’ and are stretched to a point where they no longer resemble the actual incidents. The Exorcist is loosely based upon a book about the demonic possession of a young boy in early 20th Century America. Emily Rose is based upon the case of Anneliese Michel, a victim of demonic possession who died during the period of exorcism. The Amityville Horror is a film based on the chilling experiences of a family in a Demon infested house. The Demonic are a real and frightening presence, often witnessed and experienced by many, yet thrown lightly aside as nothing more than hoaxes and Medieval Superstition. There are plenty of references to Satan in scripture. Not only as himself as the tempter of Christ in the desert, but also in many instances where Our Lord drove demons out of the possessed. If there is a clear case of there being actual demonic possession, then may I ask, why is it that many Catholic bishops of today are actually AFRAID of giving permission to a priest who requests the bishop’s approval to conduct an exorcism? Well, I know the answer, which is as crystal clear as day. They either: 1. Deny the Existence of Satan and the Demonic, or 2. They are afraid of the media making them look like a bunch of religious quacks. Well, if we are to follow Christ, who are we to care what the world thinks of us? Humility is essential to the soul which desires to follow Christ. It is a sad fact how many people who are in actual need of Exorcism and deliverance are denied that help, all because of the Church Officials who ought to have more faith than what they have.
Master Paul Xavier
Illustrious marceg
Miss Angela Rose
Lady Kerin
mjlovesballet
March 2, 2008 at 10:06 PM
I had read at stat. some where and it said that there are more possessions in Italy alone than there has ever been before, and yet there are fewer exorcists in Italy than ever, not saying that this stuff only happens over there but that is what the stat. said. I also rember having a conversation with the vocation’s director in my diocese that the offical exorcist in the diocese is only known by the current bishop and the man himself, I found that to be quite interesting.
March 2, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Tis’ very sad indeed how so many people are ignorant of the evil in this world and hence ignore the truths about hell. I loved how Father Ignatius said it in his homily the other day about the reality of hell at Fatima.. and how so many people water down the realities of it for children when the Mother of God herself showed the torments of lost souls in hell to small children..Jacinta was only 6 years old at the time!!
No..Satan and his servants are indeed very real..we just need to pray that people see that before it is too late.
And of course we will not escape persecution if we stand up for our beliefs..which is a good thing..for we cannot gain humility without humiliation.
Bring on the tomatoes!!
March 3, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Yes indeed. There are many cases of possession, and few exorcists who can administer to those cases. Another difficult thing is distinguishing between Possession and Mental Illness. Sometimes illness (as in madness) may imitate possession. While possibly often enough, the demonic may imitate illness. The children of Fatima realized the authenticity of the devil. Teach the children while they are interested in their faith, and before the seeds of doubt have a chance to be sown.
March 6, 2008 at 11:30 AM
The Devil as a tempter is common to many religious traditions. The phenomenon of possession is equally universally accepted in all the cultures that I am aware of. However in the West such awareness is absent. The truth of the Devil, like the truth of God, may be hard to put into words, or at least be best understood in a manner personal to the individual. However, it was once pointed out that those cultures which accept the existence of demons and do not deny their power and influence, in fact many cultures incoporate practices to placate demonic forces, have pleasant and friendly atmospheres, whereas those secular cultures are rapidly becoming unfriendly and hostile. In short they are becoming more hell-like. The theory is that in denying demonic power these cultures are opening themselves up to such powers with extremely negative effects for the people living there.
June 11, 2009 at 10:31 PM
I don’t know much about exorcism, but I did live through a pretty tramatic ordeal when I was young. my parents had got a divorce and my father found a small house in the historical area in Springfield, Ohio, I was approximatly 9 years of age, and remember this event like it happened yesterday (for the most part). Things were not right with the house I remember my mom telling someone on the telephone. I didn’t understand what she was so afraid of until, she invited several family members over to spend the night. It was that evening that changed her life and that of each person who walked thorugh that front door. Hair brown/black was laying all over the kitchen floor when we got home, mom put some in a jar to have analized later. We were in the living room when we heard the window from the bedroom slamming up and down, I was laying on the floor next to my uncle. I was frightened. I used to think that all of us were hallucinating that night. So much happened in one evening, its hard to type about it here. I was bitten on my side and so was my uncle. I didn’t feel anything, i can only say, that I will never forget that evening, or the priest who came to our home the next day, (or) it could have been before this one evening. My mom could write about this more in much better detail. I remember us trying to leave the home, my mom, and five other adults, we were unable to open the front door, and the windows seemed glued shut. Once we were able to open the door, we heard a large roar, I can’t explain how it sounded. I can only say that once we were in the car, something quite heavy, black/ or brown was on top of our car, I don’t want to remember what it looked like I don’t think. I get goosebumps thinking of what happened. One thing I can say for sure was, if a person believes in God, they must consider the evil that exist. My aunt had saunces and wedgie boards, etc.. I don’t know if people participating in this type of activity opens a very bad door to a much darker side of life. I have to consider that what I experienced was as real as the text that I am typing tonight. I do think that people should spend a lot more time with God, then watching the movies that deal with evil/horror stories. However, maybe its good in a way to have these stories told, to get the word out that these things do exist. I have mixed feelings about movies and horror stories. I too am a writer, and I have often wanted to write about my past experience. The only problem is, I am afraid of going back to that evening, or spending too much time on a project that deals with so much evil. I would much rather write about how God has helped to change my life. I feel much safer writing about the good then all the rest. –Survivor of The House on York Street.