| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,940,621
|
Article: 20196
[Religious]
Date Posted:
11/13/2008
1:26:28 pm EST
Wvox Stats
Views: 3,337
RSS: 12,751
Comments: 10
|
Dealing With Demons
Author: Tanya Drobness Source: Montclair Times (NJ)
Title: DEALING WITH DEMONS
The Rev. Elbert Maxwell knew the problem was not psychological.
It was the early 1990s, and it was a thriving time for Maxwell’s Irvington-based church, where a woman in her 40s sought an absolution from what she believed was the invasion of evil spirits. And no medical doctor had a remedy.
Sitting in the church’s prayer room, the woman spewed vomit, then suddenly fell from her chair, Maxwell recounted to The Times. Like a serpent, she began to hiss. Her body curled in a crooked contortion on the floor, then a growl jeered from her lips.
"Come out of her now, in the name of Jesus," Maxwell said. He repeated this three times. The woman soon afterward recovered.
Maxwell, pastor of The Theatre Church, The Sword of the Spirit Christian Church Ministries, a Bible-based ministry, performs what is known in charismatic Christianity as deliverance ministry, in which people are not possessed, but feel they are oppressed, controlled or influenced by evil spirits or forces.
Deliverance and exorcisms have seemingly increased during the past 30 years due to the growth of cults, satanic masses and the worship of and interest in witchcraft, said the Rev. John Wassell, a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark.
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 10 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| P.O.V. Perhpas? | Nov 13th. at 10:47:42 pm EST
|
Emerald Tiger (Jamestown, North Dakota) - Email Me
Demon, from the Greek "daimon" meaning "divine power". I believe that is the root of the word. One man's demon is another man's angel.
I am not saying that "demonic" possession is or isn't real. It IS real to those that BELIEVE they are possessed. And a person that is ill and cannot find a traditional cure will turn to ANYTHING to get the relief that they desire. The human body, not to mention the mind, is capable of many things.
I am not saying that there aren't malignant forms and energies out there. There are some schools that believe that in order to be "possessed" one must give consent. Whether active or passive. Likewise, the person who gives the consent also has the right to "cast out" the possessing entity. Although I subscribe to this belief, I also realize that some people cannot (or will not?) do this on their own. There fore, as the article states, things like drugs, abuse, molestation etc., leave the person vulnerable.
This, much like physical health would make sense. When the body is weakened, i.e. lack of sleep or nutrition, it is vulnerable to infection. Likewise, the psychic and psychological body can also be vulnerable due to abuse and such, leaving it vulnerable to something that will take advantage of the situation.
Of course, there is always the possibility of just being an "attention whore" (as a friend of mine would say) .
No matter which model you subscribe to, the use of the Divine Power to heal is real. We may not agree with the politics behind the article (and I agree it is a last gasp of the religious right) or the practitioner but healing is healing. And in the end, isn't healing the goal in these situations?
|
| I Don't Whether | Nov 13th. at 4:38:06 pm EST
|
Azuris-Raen (Austin, Texas) - Email Me
or not I should gag or laugh myself silly.
Unfortunately when your world-view is very limited to one frame of morality, you become desperate to fill in any gaps that there might be to make sense of what others of a different faith believe in.
We may consider this bizarre, but what do you think they think of us Pagans and our "potions and spell casting". They are entitled to their point of view regardless if they were spoon fed Christianity as a child and don't know any different.
2˘
Brightest Blessings!!! ^_^ Azuris-Raen
|
| The Flu Or The Devil... | Nov 13th. at 4:27:00 pm EST
|
Sela (Happyplace, New York) - Email Me
What if besides wanting the attention the woman was just physically ill; throwing up and either convulsing or losing consciousness and falling to the ground...flu/epilepsy /possession might not look all that disimilar to the undiscerning eye...
|
| Oh Puleeze | Nov 13th. at 3:44:53 pm EST
|
Rowan Foxfyre (Indianapolis, Indiana) - Email Me
A return of the "Satanic Panic".....just trying to drum up more "business" as the reaction to the discrimination against others begins to really show itself.
|
| ... | Nov 13th. at 3:06:34 pm EST
|
Draken (Bronx, New York) - Email Me - Web
So why do an article on a cult of crazies like xianity? We know they're a bunch of habitual liars (in spite of what some "OH BUT THAT'S THEIR 'RELIGION!'" trolls keep spewing) , and they'd turn their weapons on us if they had the chance. Their mythology tells them to perform evil actions in the name of their not-so-endowed "loving god."
|
| Rev Needs A History Lesson | Nov 13th. at 2:41:01 pm EST
|
Young Coyote (W. Hempstead, New York) - Email Me
Most of the article is typical Christian BS. Evil is real, demons possess people down on their luck, blah blah blah.
One comment by the Rev made me chuckle though.
"The lessening of Christian culture and the interest in other spiritual cultures have increased these problems..."
Hmmmm...well, let's see, the Catholic Church from which most other churches spawned from rose on the foundation of the Roman Empire. The Romans created a powerful, organized, functional society centuries before the rise of Christianity. You would think demonic possession would have been an epidemic, yet there's no evidence that they even so much as a concern. Maybe it was because they weren't brainwashed yet to believe in things like an ultimate evil bent on taking over the bodies of "sinners"? That they didn't believe there was some sort of "spiritual warfare" going on behind-the-scenes?
Then again, this is a religion that says the world is only a few thousand years old, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. That fossil of a "wooly rhino" they found in Germany? Totally planted there by Satan. He loves that game.
|
| Sad...Sick...Evil | Nov 13th. at 2:32:24 pm EST
|
Avren (Desert, Oregon) - Email Me
I often wonder at how ridiculous people can be. If this lady was plagued by demons she might consider living a life of peace, and giving back to her community. Better yet, seeing a professional would be a better option. I can only imagine the skeletons in her and the reverend's closet. It always scares me a bit whenever I see fanatical behavior. It seems to beget nothing but violence. I hope this doesn't spread like wildfire...It could mean so much pain to those who have a rational mind and loving heart.
|
| Grasping At Straws To Stay Afloat? | Nov 13th. at 2:05:49 pm EST
|
Keyra (Plano, Texas) - Email Me
I hate to say anything negative toward Christianity, but the more I see happening, the more I've come to the conclusion that the Abrahamic faiths are becoming desparate.
Islam is on the rise, where once it was dying off. Yet its rise is a violent one, as if trying to burn its way back into existence. Judaism is dying, albeit slowly, at least here in the United States. Christianity, though, seems more than willing to speed by on the way to the grave.
Church closures, the formation of multi-million-dollar megachurches that put on nothing short of Hollywood-style productions in a vain attempt at reaching today's generation, and now we have this.
"The lessening of Christian culture and the interest in other spiritual cultures have increased these problems..."
In other words, "We are the only religion that is true, all others are Satanic" yadda yadda we've heard it before.
The closer it comes to drawing its last breath, the louder and more virulent (and violent) it will become, I fear. Just as Islam is becoming now.
In truth, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if, 20 years down the line or so, we see the pitchforks and torches crowd rising from the ashes of 200 years ago, only now armed with flashlights and shotguns.
And it's all because Jesus loves you.
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
