20/20 special on exorcism

[deucemagnet]

All of this discussion of exorcism reminded me of a special I'd seen some time ago. I found it on youtube (from 1991! Jesus Christ I'm old!). Anyway, I'd like you to give the apologists the complete benefit of the doubt and watch this special, if you're so inclined. Let's assume exorcism never goes wrong and people are never killed. Let's assume it's a benign religious ritual at worst, and a helpful path to getting better at best. Does this justify the physical and emotional trauma endured by the 16-y.o. girl in the videos below? Does it make it okay to physically restrain somebody for hours while pressing a crucifix into her forehead? (This was done by a priest and not an individual with a history of mental illness, btw.) Even if you believe in demonic possession, is it worth the risk to traumatize somebody who may not be possessed? Who may simply be suffering from mental illness? (Skip to parts 2 and 3 if you only want to see the ritual.)

Spoilers for those of you who don't want to watch: After the exorcism young Gina got better! Well, until the same demons starting bothering her in her home later that evening, but then the priest came back and exorcised the house, and things got better! Well, until she was admitted to the children's hospital a few days later and got professional care and was put on medication, then she got really better! Praise God! He is Mighty!

[trotsky]

1. I love oxymorons! "real exorcism" - LOL!

You can tell this is one of the real sore spots for the folks who swear they are all about "tolerance" of religious beliefs and spit venom at anyone who dares suggest that perhaps beliefs aren't always to be respected and admired.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. In this day and age,

I find it incredible that anyone would actually believe in demon possessions. We know so much about mental illnesses today. When exorcism first started, I can understand that people may have misunderstood mental illness, and may have blamed demons---although I cannot imagine that this rite ever helped anyone, even back then. But still believing???? I have no words.

[deucemagnet]

3. They say that they investigated it

and got the OK from a bishop to proceed, so at at least two points in this process people have said,"Yup, there's your problem right there: demons."

The video claims that the prayers said at the ceremony have barely changed since the Renaissance. Maybe the real problem is that their attitude towards modern psychology has barely changed since the Renaissance.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. Well.....

Homosexuality is a sin. Birth control is murder. Virgin birth.

Lots of things have not changed since the Renaissance. Except our knowledge. At least they don't still claim Galileo was a heretic.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. How anyone can, with a straight face, claim that subjecting people with real

mental illness to this sort of treatment is "harmless" escapes me. But then again the same people, just as seriously, can claim that there is no connection between major religious institutions teaching that this idiocy is real and ad hoc exorcisms gone terribly wrong.