4-year old girl dies in brutal exorcism ritual in Missouri. Parents, neighbors charged.

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Carl Emerson

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Reading this thread is like stepping back into the Middle Ages.

There's a fine line between religion and superstition.

OB

Jesus had no hesitation dealing with spirits that bound peoples lives.

Moses dealt with the demonic powers that manifested through the magicians of Egypt.

The Church continues with Jesus authority in dealing with such entities.

So it goes way back beyond the 'Middle ages'...

The longevity of a practice does not negate it's validity, if anything the reverse is the case...
 
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Occams Barber

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Jesus had no hesitation dealing with spirits that bound peoples lives.

Moses dealt with the demonic powers that manifested through the magicians of Egypt.

The Church continues with Jesus authority in dealing with such entities.

So it goes way back beyond the 'Middle ages'...

The longevity of a practice does not negate it's validity, if anything the reverse is the case...

My Medieval comment wasn't a reference to the concept of demons or exorcism. What I found Medieval was the way the exorcism was done. Apparently the child was tortured and repeatably ducked in a pond. This is reminiscent of the witches ducking stool used to identify witches or the torturing of heretics - both employed in a less enlightened time.

OB
 
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Rene Loup

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My Medieval comment wasn't a reference to the concept of demons or exorcism. What I found Medieval was the way the exorcism was done. Apparently the child was tortured and repeatably ducked in a pond. This is reminiscent of the witches ducking stool used to identify witches or the torturing of heretics - both employed in a less enlightened time.

OB

Your post was vague enough to be seen as a direct insult to the Christian faith.

If there is any mistake on my part, then I apologize for misunderstanding your post.

God bless!

On January 1, 2021, at roughly 2:40 PM Eastern Time, I have made some edits in efforts to make this a bit more understandable in layman terms and to give more respectful language. Pardon my manners.
My apologies, I am still learning because I am a flawed human being who is predisposed to selfishness.
 
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Occams Barber

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Your post was vague enough to be taken as a shot at Christian belief. If there is indeed any mistake on my part, then I apologize for misunderstanding your post.

God bless!


I'm an atheist - we don't get offended.

Rereading my post, it was (unintentionally) a bit vague so your concern was understandable.

OB
 
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Rene Loup

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I'm an atheist - we don't get offended.

Rereading my post, it was (unintentionally) a bit vague so your concern was understandable.

OB

You and I are both fallible human beings. Both science and Christianity confirm that.
 
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Occams Barber

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I know that many Christians believe in the possibility of demonic possession and, occasionally, the need for exorcism.

Since exorcism is potentially a harmful process (in both the spiritual and psychological sense) is there an accepted standard way of doing it which minimises possible harm?

It sounds like the people who performed this 'exorcism' were making up their own rules.

OB
 
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Nithavela

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I know that many Christians believe in the possibility of demonic possession and, occasionally, the need for exorcism.

Since exorcism is potentially a harmful process (in both the spiritual and psychological sense) is there an accepted standard way of doing it which minimises possible harm?

It sounds like the people who performed this 'exorcism' were making up their own rules.

OB
I think the catholic church has some rules for that. But on the other hand, there are christians who believe the catholic church to not be something to model their behaviour after.

This whole beating stuff is folk superstition. It's supposed to make the demon/spirit/whatever so uncomfortable that it leaves on its own.
 
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Larniavc

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Psychology was not an established field of science until the 19th century AD.[4]
I really don’t get your point. Please explain. I have a degree in psychology and ‘demons made me do it’ isn’t part of psychology.
 
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Larniavc

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Also, I have added more questions to one of my previous posts for you. Answers are greatly appreciated.[5]
You haven’t asked any questions. You only posted some links.
 
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Larniavc

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Christians beliefs have nothing to do with beating a child, is like beating a citizen to death when they did nothing wrong because you believe in the constitution or somehing.
Innocent people have been executed in America. No doubt the executioner was a Christian.
 
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Rene Loup

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You haven’t asked any questions. You only posted some links.
I really don’t get your point. Please explain. I have a degree in psychology and ‘demons made me do it’ isn’t part of psychology.
You are assuming they exist. Please substantiate their existence.

If you are going to continue playing games with me, then I am going to walk away from this.

On January 1, 2021, at roughly 2:35 PM Eastern Time, I have removed a line that could be seen as a personal attack. Pardon my manners.
My apologies, I am still learning because I am a flawed human being who is predisposed to selfishness.
 
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Arc F1

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Please read my post again:

4-year old girl dies in brutal exorcism ritual in Missouri. Parents, neighbors charged.

Psychology was not an established field of science until the 19th century AD.[4]

According to the Bible, angels have been around since creation.[1] According to the Jewish calendar, the world is nearly 6,000 years old.[2][3]

My question: Do you agree that the world is older than 120 years? Why or why not?

As I have said before, angels have been observing humans long before us humans even started empirically understanding how the human mind even works.

Also, I have added more questions to one of my previous posts for you. Answers are greatly appreciated.[5]
  1. Genesis 1:1-2
  2. https://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/day_cdo/aid/150485/jewish/Adam-Eve.htm
  3. https://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4764/jewish/The-Man-In-Man.htm
  4. Brief History of Psychology
  5. 4-year old girl dies in brutal exorcism ritual in Missouri. Parents, neighbors charged.



The supernatural extends far beyond simple temptation.

Demon Possession
- Acts 19:1-22, Mark 5:1-20, Matthew 8:28-34
Actual Demons - Ephesians 6:10-20, Jude 1:5-11, 2 Peter 2:4-11

Based on the above Bible passages, would you attempt to physically fight a fallen angel, or at least a man possessed by a one? Why or why not?

Remember, we are using your own standards. Please answer honestly.[1]
  1. Proverbs 16:18
On December 30, 2020, at roughly 8:00 PM Eastern Time, I have changed the wording of this post. My apologies, I am still learning because I am a fallible human being.

Yes I would fight against a demon, fallen angel or demon possessed person without hesitation. Why? Because defending against evil has to be done. We are not told to lay down and take it.
 
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Larniavc

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If you are going to continue playing games with me, then I am going to walk away from this.

This is not logic, this is manipulation.
If asking you to clarify your point is manipulation then enjoy your lonely walk.
 
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