Posted on 11/22/2010 10:20:36 AM PST by null and void
Having just read Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuers's new book, Exorcism and the Church Militant, one of the first things I asked him was whether he was afraid of demons. I shivered more than once reading through its short chapters, arranged as basic questions about the devil, demons, possession, and the rite of exorcism.
"Not at all," Father answered with a smile. "God has given me the grace to remain unafraid."
When I expressed my surprise, he explained, "Demons are basically handcuffed, and they know it."
Father Euteneuer does not speak as a theorist. Since 2003 he's had extensive experience ministering to those possessed by demons. His introduction to the demonic world happened when a family asked him for help for one of their members, and he eventually asked for permission to perform the rite of exorcism. He has been doing them ever since.
Exorcism and the Church Militant is intended, in part, as a warning to parents who allow their children to be desensitized to "the dark world" by books and films like the Harry Potter series and the vampire books of Stephanie Meyer. Father Euteneuer told me possession is almost always a result of someone getting involved in some sort of occult practices, such as witchcraft, Wicca, tarot cards, and Ouiji boards.
"Harry Potter and these Twilight vampires glamorize the power of evil," Father Eutenener explained, "and this has lead to many, many cases of possession among young people." It may begin with a child or teenager simply "playing around" with the occult, but that seemingly harmless act is "opening a window" to possession.
Father Euteneuer emphasized this point, "Demons do not discriminate between intentions -- no matter how innocent -- and children lose the clear distinction between good and evil."
What makes the occult so dangerous is the fact that it is based upon something real -- the preternatural world of fallen angels, headed by Lucifer himself. Below him are the "choirs" of devils and demons who are a reverse mirror, in their fallen state, of the hierarchy of angels.
Yet, as Father Euteneuer made clear, this entire dark spiritual world "cannot operate without permission from human beings." He pointed out that the widely-seen film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, based upon the actual case of Anneliese Michel, makes it seem like a possession can occur against a person's will.
Demons play by the rules, as it were. They can only enter a person when invited, and they will leave when subjected through the rite of exorcism to the authority of the Church. "All demons understand is authority," according to Father Euteneuer. He told me of a time he was with someone who was possessed -- not intending to do an exorcism because permission had not yet been given -- and the demon spoke to him saying, "The Church is not here."
Father Euteneuer reminded me that as fallen angels, demons are smarter than any human being. "The darkest demon is smarter than I am," he said. An exorcist must remain aware of the demon's ability to know everything about the person they are possessing, including family members, and those who may enter the room to cast them out.
One demon attempted to negotiate with Father Euteneuer, offering to help him with his Latin if he would let him stay put. That story prompted me to ask if demons had a sense of humor. "No," Euteneuer replied. "The demon was only trying to resist being cast out. They know what an exorcism is, what is going to happen to them."
Possession usually involves more than one demon. Father Euteneuer explained that when "one demon gets in it will help to create more invitations to other demons." The more powerful ones have biblical names, and he often runs into demons with the same name, as if they had a kind of demonic family name.
The possession of an individual person is a perverse imitation of the Incarnation. "They know they've lost the war in heaven, now they've come to earth and are doing all they can to exert their power and be an obstacle to heaven." That's why demons experience some form of pain when they are exorcised -- Father Euteneuer said demons will often complain that "It burns." They have been deprived of the satisfaction of entering a body in imitation of the Word made flesh.
By the end of my interview with Father Euteneuer, I realized my initial question about being frightened of demons had betrayed my misunderstanding of the limits of demonic power. Exorcism and the Church Militant is a book that should provide guidance to many for years to come, especially for parents who need a reminder that the occult is not innocent entertainment.
Never read the books have you? Rowling manages to make magic look dull to learn and just plain awkward to do to accomplish what we muggles do easily with our ‘magic’ - technology.
Christians never get possessed? Source please?
Oh, and FWIW, I never allowed a Ouija board in my house.
“Do you think watching or reading a work of fiction about characters doing something is the same as actually doing it?”
Nope. But any simpleton should realize that reading or watching something can create a desire within the person to go out and become involved in that activity. Else wise corporations wouldn’t spend billions on advertising.
The point is that there are more worthier texts for study whether its an elective or not. Based on the excerpts of HP that I’ve looked at, it isn’t remotely literary. Harold Bloom wrote good article about the books. He started reading one and lost count of the cliched turns of phrase.
Ah! Excellent! That I can respect, that you speak from knowledge rather that uninformed bias.
I don't agree with you, but my hat's off to your willingness to actually investigate before condemning.
Two questions:
Are you approaching this topic as a committed Christian?
Do you believe that demons are real beings?
My point to jerry557 was that even though something is for children (i.e. the ouija board) it can still have a negative spiritual effect.
Perhaps you should read the books instead of excerpts and others’ criticisms. Then you will be qualified to make a comment about the worthiness of the class. During lunch a future HP Lit student and I discussed Chekhov’s Gun and the snitch that Dumbledore left Harry in his will. 42 minutes later we had not ended the discussion. Last week she and I also had a lovely conversation about about religion and the lack of it in the series. It is interesting how Rowling doesn’t include religion, but yet Harry sacrificed his life so that others might live.
What does fantasy literature have to do with either of those questions?
Why do they celebrate Christmas in the wizarding world?
Oh, and I really believe that broomsticks are capable of transporting me from point A to point B. Do you have an imagination at all?
“So people who watch/read material with murder in it then have a desire to commit murder?”
Yes, that might very well be true - statistically speaking.
Could our murder-themed entertainment have any effect of the rise in violent crime over the past 100 years?
Might people that read about adultery might be more inclined to cheat on their spouse?
Might young people that read of the glories of drug use in the 60 be more inclined to try drugs?
Religion as well. Benny Hinn probably has a whole host of demons pulling the strings.
By that same token, wouldnt a Christian (or any religious person) be more vulnerable to possession than an atheist?
A Christian participates in prayer. They believe in an afterlife and believe in a paranormal existance beyond our understanding. So doesnt that open themselves up to contact with a spiritual realm?
An atheist on the other hand pretty much closes themselves off to all of that.
“What does fantasy literature have to do with either of those questions?”
It’s directly related.
So what are your answers?
How many of us at one time or another, perhaps when no one was watching, stood over a broomstick and really tried to fly?
I’ve been mulling that one for a few years now. I don’t think they are anti-religion, I just think that Rowling didn’t want to deal with the intricacies of how to include religion. Plus, even more exorcists would be up her butt about it. She is really walking a fine line: Include religion and the religious think she is evil for suggesting magic and religion go together, or don’t include any religion and the religious think that she is promoting Satan. I don’t know what the answer is, but I’m looking forward to a discussion about it next semester!
HARRY POTTER DIES?!? Awe, you ruined it for me. I'm in the camp of staying away from anything that is not of G-d. Other people's curses also can harm innocent people.
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