Interview with an exorcist

[Brian Johnson]

I thought this was pretty cool.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/observer/story.html?id=1d165e5a-6792-41a8-86a5-64ad2b4a4755

[Suzannah]

That is a very interesting article.  I have a background in Eastern Orthodox theology.  The field of exorcism is one that fascinates everyone, whether they are Christian or not.  I appreciated one comment the priest in this article makes which most people tend to overlook:

"...worked with him over a period of time..."
This is what tells me that this priest was an actual exorcist.  Many people today, with mail-order ordinations are running around doing "exorcisms" of homes, people, etc.  They whip up a lot of emotionality and then say, "See!  The devil is gone!"  This is not an exorcism, but rather, an event of a hysterical nature.

The Eastern Orthodox church performs exorcisms practically on a daily basis.  In the Roman Catholic world, such things are reserved for "special occasions" for lack of a better term.  In the Eastern Christian experience and expression an "exorcism" is something that in theory, people should be doing all the time.  According to the eastern Church, in theory, every baptized Orthodox Christian is an exorcist.  But here in the west, it seems to be reserved for Catholic priests due to their own theological conclusions. 

I find it interesting however, that in the west, only the most severe cases ever get to an exorcist.  While it is important to ensure that medical/psychiatric conditions should be ruled out right away, there in fact may be something else going on and westerners are too quick to dismiss that possibility.  In the east, people are just as intelligent as they are here, and when medical and psychiatric conditions have been ruled out, they still admit the possibility.  For your interest, I submit this video of a Greek Orthodox priest performing an exorcism in Church, with the entire congregation in attendance.  Rather interesting if you have not seen one before.

The priest is chanting the prayer of exorcism in Greek.  This prayer is the same in every Orthodox Church, only the language used will vary. (Greek, Russian, Syrian, Serbian, etc...)

The man in the white shirt is shouting expletives at the priest and saying "Get me!" "You are nobody", etc...
The lady in the priest's lap is apparently the man's wife .
there is another lady and another man, apparently possessed who are also being exorcised at the same time.

http://revver.com/video/807187/exorcism-in-greece


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjLrwcph96E

[Kristen]

That is something I have never seen.  I think what I find most interesting is the congregation is so calm.

[ttjoon]

That is something I have never seen.  I think what I find most interesting is the congregation is so calm.

Perhaps the congregation is so calm becausssssssssse.....maybeeeeeee.....it'sssssss......fake?  Hmmmm.  Makes one wonder, doesn't it?

[Suzannah]

And maybe the congregation is so calm because they see it all the time. 

To the western mind it does look "fake".  Especially when you have neither the language skills nor the cultural background to assess it.  In that case, it's much easier and certainly more convenient, to dismiss it.  But then, I am not a westerner nor do I especially revere western rationalization.

[ttjoon]

And maybe the congregation is so calm because they see it all the time. 

To the western mind it does look "fake".  Especially when you have neither the language skills nor the cultural background to assess it.  In that case, it's much easier and certainly more convenient, to dismiss it.  But then, I am not a westerner nor do I especially revere western rationalization.

Ohhhhhhhh Suzannah, can't we all just get along?  Hmmmm?

According to you, I may not have the "language skills nor the cultural background to assess it", but my dear, what is so great about being an American, is that we can all have our own opinions.  Wouldn't you agree?

I hope my "western rationalization" didn't infringe upon you too much.

[Suzannah]

And maybe the congregation is so calm because they see it all the time. 

To the western mind it does look "fake".  Especially when you have neither the language skills nor the cultural background to assess it.  In that case, it's much easier and certainly more convenient, to dismiss it.  But then, I am not a westerner nor do I especially revere western rationalization.

Ohhhhhhhh Suzannah, can't we all just get along?  Hmmmm?

According to you, I may not have the "language skills nor the cultural background to assess it", but my dear, what is so great about being an American, is that we can all have our own opinions.  Wouldn't you agree?

I hope my "western rationalization" didn't infringe upon you too much.

In the common vernacular:  Whatever.
You are obviously not interested in other people, other cultures, other viewpoints.  I withdraw and unsubscribe from this forum and i respectfully beg your pardon.

[ttjoon]

In the common vernacular:  Whatever.
You are obviously not interested in other people, other cultures, other viewpoints. 

Darn.....foiled again!

[ellie]

Ok well this is a sensative subject being that it is about, dah dah dah, religion. Many, Many wars have been based on this, so get over it, I think most exorcisms are just some one person, more educated in the posative influences of faith, trying to convince a (how would I put this)  "depressed Sinner" to realize that no matter what you do you will be forgiven, and loved by at least something, weather it be god, or themselves, or whatever that person believes in. To me it's a state of mind, and it really helps those, who tend to be broken people, to find strength within them selves and or their faith. So hah, bring it on all you sinners, please argue with me, just so I can tell you that I am right and you are wrong, for the sake of proving how immature even adults can be. By the way NO ONE is RIGHT about this stuff, and NO ONE is wrong.

[johnny]

i trust organized religions as much as I trust governments, not much at all.

[ttjoon]

i trust organized religions as much as I trust governments, not much at all.

Ditto!!

[dwalters]

I shall hold my tongue....or perhaps turn the other cheek?

I have such an open mind that I respect opinions...all opinions...even the ones that make me cringe...I will respect it.

[ellie]

kind of exactly my point in so many words.