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!
Good story, well told. You oughta publish it somewhere.
Oh really? How about this then:
If all of this stuff is hokum, then it would be a waste of the OP's time to pursue supposedly factual or spiritual information on the topic. (Now, the OP clearly does have some belief in this stuff, so a warning about the topic from fellow believers might be a useful tactic.
If some of this stuff is not hokum, then the warnings to be careful are certainly called for.
Personally, I believe that most of this stuff is hokum, most possessions actually are psychological or mental illness and maybe charlatanism, etc., but that a small slice of it is something altogether different. Something very real. BTW, that is the general view of the Catholic Church, too, FWIW.
I am Catholic.
Unless you are being targeted by evil, you should leave this alone. If you are being targeted, consult an exorcist.
Very seriously, if you are not being targeted, leave it alone.
Angelic intelligence and strength are much greater than those of humans.
Focus on God and pray.
This could be a temptation which should be passed over before it grows larger.
I recommend caution. This is disturbing stuff particularly for sensitive constitutions.
The video that appeared on Discovery some years ago, In the Grip of Evil, is a pretty good documentary of the true case possession at the Alexian Brothers Hospital in St. Louis in the late 40’s
Ok FRiend, I get your perspective. I posted a question with honest intentions, so please cease & desist. Thank you!
me too "listen, it don't really matter to me baby you believe what you want to believe you see you don't have to live like a refugee"...
—— Reading these comments is like time travel back to a burning medieval plague village. Grow up, people. -——
Perhaps you’be been blessed by never having experienced the demonic. Be grateful for that. I hope you never do.
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in your philosophy.”
Cool, let me answer your initial question. Partly.
I know a fellow, a lay Catholic, whose hobby horse has become campaigning against yoga, meditation and occult. I don’t believe that yoga and meditation lead to the devil. Don’t the Catholic monks meditate? This man is a former hippie and drug user, and this may be a way he thinks he’s paying for his sins, I don’t know.
You appear to be implying dishonesty or overactive imagination, there.
You’ve never experienced lucid dreaming or sleep paralysis, I take it. The one can spill over into the other, to the point that waking reality and dream state merge, lying there in your bed. And you can’t do a thing about it but hyperventilate, until it passes.
The phenomenon is quite real, and can be terrifying. I’ve experienced it off and on since childhood, but have been mercifully free of it since I returned to Christianity.
Thus far at least.
Huh? Appearances can be deceiving, and you appear to seek an edge to disagree and report your story whatever it is.
-— The video that appeared on Discovery some years ago, In the Grip of Evil, is a pretty good documentary of the true case possession at the Alexian Brothers Hospital in St. Louis in the late 40’s -—
Yes. Very well done. This was the real-life case that the movie, “The Exorcist,” was based on, correct?
If there was no sarcasm and implication of falsehood in the reply of yours reply to which I responded, then I apologize.
If there was, then there’s no need.
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!
Why? What's your motivation?
Personally, I'd avoid it. Anything outside of scripture is going to be speculative, fictional, and/or deceptive. The spiritual reality behind this is not something I'd want to mess with.
There was no sarcasm, what you saw is what you got.
No sarcasm, check.
Implication of falsehood?
Generally, I don't think they do, either. But from your other responses I don't think you believe in the devil to begin with, so....?
I guess I'm not sure your intent here. It seems you want to mock me, or others, who believe in and/or are discussing the concepts of good and evil, heaven and hell, holy versus evil spirits...? I don't know. I posed a question in search of comments/information from those who either share my particular beliefs (Catholic) or have a foundation of same (Christian). But I welcome anyone's seriously considered thoughts on the topics; this is not meant to be a "religious" discourse per se, but the Religion forum seemed to be the most appropriate given the subject matter.
Caught or brought forth?
You’re walking a fence between the Christian life and witchcraft.
Every believer has the authority through faith in Christ to bind or loose those fallen ones. It is important to first remain in fellowship with God through faith in Christ in all things. We are to pray continuously, never ceasing. If that sounds strange, it’s no more strange than walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time, nor to breathe continuously.
A good study book is The Invisible War, by Donald Grey Barnhouse, Zondervon Press 1965. I believe Chip Ingram has also recently published a book by the same title.
Do demons, aka fallen angels exist. Yes. I wouldn’t wish them on anybody. They are very real. No body, but they can cause physical and mental harm.
If troubled by them, first, return to God theough faith in Christ,...just place faith in Him and Christ has authority over them, and let God handle the situation.
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