From: David.Rice@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: alt.atheism
Subject: Demonic Possession
X-Sender: newtout 0.02 Sep 21 1992
Date: 28 Sep 92  16:26:50

Tag: Scott S Parish (parsons@cis.ksu.edu (Scott S Parish))
 
DR> "[...deletions...] Exactly my point---it is this irrational
DR> WRONG belief that causes so much pain and mental bondage.
DR> [...] You will find that people 'demonically posessed' are
DR> very sick mentally, or sick emotionally, of very much in
DR> need of attention to keep the loneliness at bay."
 
SSP> "You need to get into contact with some missionaries who
SSP> have any time in the field, then you will see that you are
SSP> the one who has a wrong belief about demonic possession."
 
Prove demons exist. Now prove demons can possess humans. I have
attended a "healing" revival, where "demons" were cast out. I
find that anyone who holds out a paper bag at these events will
have someone oblige them and vommit a demon into it.
 
SSP> "However, knowing the atheist mindset you'd find some way to
SSP> write their experience off."
 
Sure, you may dismiss me out of hand--- I'm hardly dissapointed.
However, I did not "write off" their experiences. These people
are hurting, sick, and in need of help. Throwing in occult prattle
such as "demonic possession" is hardly the way to help them.
 
SSP> But on the subject...Most people are severely crippled in their
SSP> knowledge of the subject of possession, and I don't profess to
SSP> be an expert. There is a difference between possession and
SSP> oppression by demons. The majority of people who are under
SSP> demonic attack are oppressed not possessed. There are
SSP> different levels of oppression ranging from doubt to depression
.                                                ^^^^^
SSP> to fear and anything else you can probably think of. NO, not
SSP> all or even most cases of emotional problems or mental illnesses
SSP> are due to demons. But demonic attacks can and due happen."
 
Are skeptics demonically oppressed / possessed? (See "doubt" above).
Let me tell you something: I went to the North Pole and met Santa
Claus face-to-face, boinked His wife, goosed Ruldolph's red nose,
and made off with all Santa's toys. Do you DOUBT me? (SMILE!!!)
 
I am versed with "oppression" vs "possession." I've read the
Fundamentalist Christian book "Confrontations with the Devil,"
among others. When I was a small child I thought I was possessed
because I had hundreds of Out-of-Body experiances, where I actually
-FELT- hands pull me out of my body: my search to understand what
was happening to me lead me to the knowledge that even bizare events
are explained with mundane facts.
 
Only children and fools believe in demons.
 
Schizophrenics often have religious experiences, as well as aversion
to "religious artifacts." This is because the people in their environment
ignorantly attribute occult / religious power and value to these objects.
Without Christian occultism or other religious bagage, severe mental
and emotional illness often takes on other forms--- animal sounds, etc.
People who believe in demons find it much easier to attribute madness
to God (see Job) or demons: that removes / eases their responsibility
and guilt (and people =CAN= drive others "crazy").
 
If you have evidence of demons, feel free to share it with the
rest of the world--- no one else has.
 
Let me ask yet another question, please. Would you rather see to
it that a sick individual receive medical treatment, or would you
rather that person be prayed at? If the latter, do you call that
Christian compassion? Are you THAT willing to wager someone's health
and well-being on something as silly as "demonic possession?" (I have
more compassion for my neighbors than that.)
 
Disclaimer: I'm armchair psychoanalyzing. Other opinions will vary.
I will always entertain an alternate view: just provide the proof.

--- Maximus 2.00
Newsgroups: alt.atheism