Posted on 06/16/2013 5:47:16 PM PDT by workerbee
I am currently reading The Day Satan Called by Bill Scott.... somewhat interesting, but at this point (about a quarter into it) not very well-written or even believable. I'm interested in your opinions or suggestions for non-fictional accounts of demonic possession, Satanism, and the like -- I'm considering Malachi Martin's Hostages of the Devil. I'd also be interested in your thoughts on these topics as they relate to ouija boards, Enneagram charts, or even yoga, as well as any personal experiences you may have with said topics. I'm especially concerned with a Roman Catholic or Orthodox point of view but any Christian viewpoint will be appreciated. Thank you!
It’s very easy to get stuck in too limited a reality. For example, to say that there are just angels and man and demons makes as much sense as to say that the only animals are pigs, dogs and cats.
Just because you’ve never seen an anteater before, doesn’t mean it is a demon, because you don’t think angels look like that.
To make things more confused, while man cannot make life, he can describe and label it, most of the time. But there are some things that are off limits to this.
A good example are the Abdala, a very old myth that only still exists in much mutated form among the mystical traditions of the Sufi Muslims. It predates Islam and likely had its origins in Hebrew traditions.
They are indescribable beings that maintain reality in the world. They have a direct relationship with JHVH, as well as their own covenant with Him. Humans are strongly cautioned to leave them alone. We are not supposed to describe or attempt to label them with other than this vague outline.
But of course this was like waving a red blanket at a bull, so there are any number of elaborate contrived descriptions and labels people have tried to apply to them. Lots of anthropomorphism, imagining them as like people.
Bottom line is that they are neither angels nor demons nor men. And they are far from alone as things we don’t know about, that may or may not know about us. Invisible things that may be more like plants, or animals, or man, or things greater than man.
You can learn a great deal through fiction.
/johnny
Hostage to the Devil is one of the best books I have ever read. It is thoroughly engrossing, and his prose are impeccable. I must have read it four times in all.
I would also recommend ‘The Demonologist: The Extraordinary career of Ed and Lorraine Warren.’
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“The Conjuring” is coming our in July and is based on the Warrens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k10ETZ41q5o
That book is a sick joke on humanity. It was soundly rejected by the Church just three years after it was first published.
Reading these comments is like time travel back to a burning medieval plague village. Grow up, people. Once you’ve had your inner Toto show you “the man behind the curtain” none of this tripe will ever have any effect upon you whatsoever. After Sigmund Freud was thrown out with the bathwater, nobody has a had a decent set of terrain maps for the human subconscious, and that’s were all this hocus pocus action is. If that remains in darkness, YOU remain in darkness. Start with his “The Psychopathology of Everyday Life”. Try to conjure up a little rationality.
Words of wisdom: “Play with fire, you may get burned.”
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Indeed. If I got into my background it would get long-winded....and, quite frankly, I could write a novel.
Wise words from others on this thread. Stay well away from anything having to do with the occult. Period. Just mark my words.
-— , but do you believe that demonic power can actually be “caught” or “brought forth” by reading a book about the topic? I don’t ask this in a sarcastic sense; I really want your opinion of the concept. Because if so, I can only wonder as to the purpose of the authors who write such books.——
Thanks. I appreciate that.
Demons can be attached to physical things, as in demonically infested homes, objects, such as ouija boards, and people (demonic oppression and possession). The exact mechanism of attachment is mysterious.
Additionally, the evil angels are very intelligent, and like the devil, “prowl around like a lion, looking for someone to devour.” They can’t read minds, but they can observe us, and if they observe behavior which could indicate interest in the occult, it is reasonable to assume that they would see it as an opportunity to attack.
The latter may have been the case in my reading of Martin’s book. But I don’t ascribe malice to Martin.
Dreams of my Father by B. Soetoro for insight on demons and possession.
Total Resistance by H. Von Dach for a practical guide to exorcism...
:)
yeah blah blah blah i am going to be forever jung
/johnny
look to Christ for inspiration not Satan...you will find nothing inspiring there.
if your interests are scholarly learn about the life of Christ...if they are spiritual visit a Church.
If you must continue....whether to help yourself or someone you love talk to a Catholic priest, stay away from the occult and remain humble always
Satan’s defeat comes not from reading a book but by loving your fellow man and God.
It’s possible to be beset by them without actual possession. Some families have them for generations. It can become a familiar spirit, convincingly portraying itself as a long-dead family member or ancestor. Some are associated with a place, like an old historic family home or even a geological feature or formation. Some are associated with individuals. Some are drawn to tragedy. All of these give rise to “ghost” stories. There are no ghosts of dead people wandering this world disembodied. There are spirits of fallen angels, demons, doing so though. Understand this and you won’t be deceived. Reject it and you might.
Thank you for sharing that. I’ve read many similar stories from people who dabbled with ouija boards.
Glad the story ended well for you.
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