(January 9, 2014 at 12:29 pm)Ivy Wrote: He/she might not be lying. Perhaps this person really does believe that what was seen was a possessed person. I was a theist and watched my mother "pray the demons away" from people often. These people would do weird shit, like crawl around and quiver, mop the floor on their bellies like snakes, hiss, talk in a different voice, change personalities, etc. Being a theist that was huge on faith, the only explanation was: demons. Now I feel awful that these people weren't sent to psychiatrists or hospitals. It's sad. Even my mother, now recovered from religion, feels awful about it. We were blind to reality by faith. Typical "I don't know, therefore, demons".
Then again, I might be a demon, according to the bible institute that I went to. Boo!
Just another example of how Christianity substitutes imaginary causes for real life afflictions and then offers its own snake oil as the cure.
If I ever saw a "demon-possessed" Evangelical who suddenly became calm, rational, articulate, and charming as a result of the alleged possession, then I might be willing to grant it. After all, that would require some real demonic juju. But a bunch of bumpkins rolling around, hissing, roaring, and spouting gibberish just seems too much like church.
