PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE: As some posts can be, this one may - I emphasize *may* - be a sensitive subject for some. However, it is not a place to denigrate or debate others regrading their beliefs. Anyone is welcome to express their personal feelings or beliefs about the topic and that is welcome, but arguing with others about what they believe is not. I just wanted to get that out there. This is also going to be somewhat of a precursor discussion on the ethics of technology, something we will cover later in the semester.
Remember the post about Skyping with the deceased? Well here we go again, except this involves something many take much more seriously; this one involves none other than demons possessing humans. Like several of our previous blog topics, this one has also been the plot and subject of many, many books, movies, TV shows, songs, and artworks. If someone believes they have been afflicted by a demon or other unwanted guest, one option is to apply for an exorcism to be conducted. It is, according to those who believe, the only way to cleanse the person possessed. But simply getting approval for the procedure can be a lengthy, involved endeavor in which medical causes have to be ruled out, and valid signs of a true possession need to be present.
However, and I'll interject some opinion here as I tend to do, there are those who would exploit believers as well. I don't claim to know one way or the other about demonic possession, but I know what I'm about to tell you seems very suspect. According to the Huffington Post, and I'll forewarn you there is some intolerance expressed in this article, there is now a Reverend in Arizona who will conduct exorcisms via Skype.
Photo credit: abc15.com, Arizona
He charges almost $300 per session, and donates the money to a charity. He claims it's a real exorcism and the people are truly afflicted, while others feel a true exorcism can't be performed in this way. It should also be noted that the reverend's web page sells many products, he's trying for a TV show, he goes on tour, and his daughter along with her exorcist-peers tout their abilities as though they're advertising for a teen drama on the Lifetime Channel. Prepare to be offended by the video on that page.
Again, I'm no expert, but it seems something as serious as an exorcism would require personal contact and involvement. As was mentioned in the linked article, someone truly possessed by a demon wouldn't sit in front of a monitor and allow themselves to be vanquished via videoconference. I find the claim of using Skype to rid someone across the world of a demon more unlikely than the possession itself.
I agree with you. I feel that something like an exorcism would require a physical presence. And I second that some sort of physical constraints would have to be used since a demon would prefer to stay in the inflicted person rather than be expelled. This appears to be a families lust for fame, money, and recognition.
ReplyDeleteI don't know many real facts on a exorcism, all I know is from what i've seen on movies and TV shows. I personally don't believe it can be done via skype or through the computer screen. If you've seen movies that are "based on real events" they're all held down and strapped with ropes and such and it is extremely an intense situation. I think this is just someone trying to gain fame/money or anything in that aspect. I don't think many people will buy this idea and it won't get as much attention as I'm sure he'd hope.
ReplyDelete-Kristen Lalli
I agree with what you states. The only exorcisms I have witnessed were on tv with hollywood creating them. The situations are very vile and violent with the person being restrained. I this this reverend, like you stated is trying to get money out of people.
DeleteI see a large difference in this article when comparing it to interacting with the deceased in a web based forum. The reason why is because the Reverend and the person possessed are both living. Faith and demons are both very personal things. I suppose the ultimate decision on if this will work or not is up to the person receiving the exorcism. Whether you’re with the Reverend in person or over Skype, essentially you have to have faith and comfort in the prayers and process. Whether in person or not, if you don’t have those two things it may not work either way. I can’t help but compare this to a placebo study. At times it’s shown that it’s up to your own mind on if you’re cured or not, not necessarily the exact way you’re doing or receiving something.
ReplyDeleteThis is really strange! Ethically speaking, I feel like the Reverend is stealing people's money for fame. The fact that he is trying to be on a TV show and get known, is a significant red flag that this man is a fluke. I also do not know much about exorcism, but the little that I understand it's hard to believe that a demon would allow the exorcism to occur voluntarily. As Kristen pointed out in the movies that are based on true stories, exorcism is a difficult process. It seems that human contact is a requirement and Skype cannot offer this. Technology can do many things, but I do not think it can helped a person who is possessed with a demon.
ReplyDeleteAn exorcism performed through Skype? I don't think so, normally IF an individual needs an exorcism, from what I have watched and know about them, demons are not very nice(according to the Catholic Church). I don't know if Hollywood makes things up, but usually the person is restrained and they are attaching. They are not in front of a computer screen and calm.
ReplyDeleteMya Taylor
This topic is really strange. I, as well as the others, do not think that you can perform and exorcism via Skype. I personally think that if you are possessed, you would have to have some sort of physical presence involved in the exorcism. If you are possessed there is no way that you are going to be able to sit at your computer and have a live video conference with someone if there is a demon inside of you. You need to have something there to physically hold you down, like that of the video from ABC, but I wouldn't know, since I have personally never seen such a thing in real life, just in movies and on television.
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds like it is straight from Hollywood and could become the next idea in the Paranormal Activity Franchise. As for Bob Larson, I wouldn't be surprised if he does get his own Reality TV show, simply because look at the ones that are currently on television, like Ghost Hunters. If Bob Larson claims he can do this via Skype he could be the next big Reality TV show out there.
I must admit while reading this article I was laughing, this is just crazy how can someone really perform an exorcism via Skype? That doesn't even sound right, or even possible to perform such an act via the internet. It's even crazier that this person actually charges people $300 to do this service via Skype. What if it doesnt work is there a refund policy? My personal belief is that I do not believe in demons and folks being possessed. This just sounds like another person trying to make a quick buck off of people's beliefs and that is not right. Another question is what qualifies him to be an expert in performing exorcism? Then he has a website that sells products and he is trying to get a TV show, but you want me to take this seriously?? Not going to happen I promis the love for money makes people do so unbelievable things.
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with everyone on this one. However, it does say that the $300 charged gets donated back to charity. I wonder what charity that is exactly. It does support that he is doing this to get noticed. Being in agreement with everyone that I do not think that doing this over Skype would be effective. Would we accept a baptism via Skype? Some how I don't think we would accept that as being a legitimate baptism. My daughter enjoys watching the paranormal shows on tv. I do not believe in demons myself. But we definitely have enough bad people in the world today.
ReplyDelete