Food for thought for faith

Rating: Null/10 (30 January 2007)

The Exorcist remains one of my all time favorite films, along with "It's a Wonderful Life", "The Godfather", and "The Sound of Music". The Exorcist treats the whole idea of exorcism with respect, in my opinion. It does address the requirements of possession, according the to the rules of the Catholic church. I love the struggle of Father Karras, which is so common to so many people of faith; their logical mind, and what the eye can see, and the invisible world, which follows it's own rules. Karras is a scientist ( doctor ) and a very well-schooled one at that. I love how he thinks of himself as so lowly, so lacking in faith, when in fact he is shouldering such responsibility and the pain of others, and in the end of course, is completely redeemed, by giving his own life to save an innocent. However, it's hard for me to view the movie through the eyes of someone who has not read the book.
The book is fantastic. You see what Father Merrin represents; complete spiritual superiority to so many of us. Yes he has his own little struggles, such as his huge intellect and therefore prejudice of small, trivial minds. And so, what does he do? Does he surround himself only with intellects, where he can freely share his knowledge in the rewarding game of idea exchange and professional validation? No, he puts himself among the most humble, poor and uneducated people he can find, in order to overcome a flaw which he acknowledges within himself. I'm talking about when he is working in Iraq. As Jesus taught, he gains spiritual growth through humility, not high positions and the material gain of this world. He is an awesome character. He beat the demon once before, and I love how he just wants to get to business, as soon as he arrives at Chris MacNeil's home. What time is there to waste? A little girl is dying. In the book, Chris finds safety and comfort, as she opens the door and sees his face, and I think the movie did a pretty good job of conveying that too.
There is some essential dialog missing in the movie, which is in the book. It's during the brief break that the priests take from the exorcism, when Karras asks Merrin about the state of Regan's soul. "There is no sin" Merrin explains. He goes on to say that even though the demon has possessed Regan, and is a threat to her physical life, that the true victims are the ones watching this event, and the terror, anger, doubt and despair which the demon gives, is the demon's intent. The demon wants to hurt everybody, making them turn away from God, and of course Regan is simply his vessel. She, however is completely innocent. As a young Catholic, I was taught that baptism would prevent any demonic possession of that sort. I always felt very safe in that knowledge. ( "Honey, Regan was not baptized" ) However, now as an adult, I know that baptism does not prevent one from Willingly becoming a monster; simply look at the case of Himmler, Hitler's right hand man ( head of SS )to see that. That person was baptized, so that shoots that theory to heck and back.
One thing that bothers me is when people say that the "devil" possessed Regan. No, it was a demon. Big difference. Any Catholic can tell you that there is a hierarchy here, with little demons working for their big guy ( Satan ) and Satan pretty much holding the same position in hell, as Archangel Michael holds in heaven. Keeper of the door, if you will. Satan is a fallen angel, made by God, not the "opposite" of God. If Satan has an opposite, it would be Michael. So it's not "God versus the devil". Just a little peeve of mine. Also, it's interesting how ( in the book ) Chris is still somewhat a committed atheist, in the end. She allows for evil spirits, and forces, being real. However, she still cannot acknowledge the existence of God, and the power of Christ. I always thought that was very interesting. If ANYONE would be converted, you would think it would have been her. And, in that way the story is so cool, because it just showcases the existence of religion and faith, and the enduring wisdom contained within, while the rest of the world goes on faithless, scientific, skeptical, and lost. Way to go, Exorcist!! Great movie, great score, cool message. two crosses up.