Posted on 11/22/2010 10:20:36 AM PST by null and void
Having just read Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuers's new book, Exorcism and the Church Militant, one of the first things I asked him was whether he was afraid of demons. I shivered more than once reading through its short chapters, arranged as basic questions about the devil, demons, possession, and the rite of exorcism.
"Not at all," Father answered with a smile. "God has given me the grace to remain unafraid."
When I expressed my surprise, he explained, "Demons are basically handcuffed, and they know it."
Father Euteneuer does not speak as a theorist. Since 2003 he's had extensive experience ministering to those possessed by demons. His introduction to the demonic world happened when a family asked him for help for one of their members, and he eventually asked for permission to perform the rite of exorcism. He has been doing them ever since.
Exorcism and the Church Militant is intended, in part, as a warning to parents who allow their children to be desensitized to "the dark world" by books and films like the Harry Potter series and the vampire books of Stephanie Meyer. Father Euteneuer told me possession is almost always a result of someone getting involved in some sort of occult practices, such as witchcraft, Wicca, tarot cards, and Ouiji boards.
"Harry Potter and these Twilight vampires glamorize the power of evil," Father Eutenener explained, "and this has lead to many, many cases of possession among young people." It may begin with a child or teenager simply "playing around" with the occult, but that seemingly harmless act is "opening a window" to possession.
Father Euteneuer emphasized this point, "Demons do not discriminate between intentions -- no matter how innocent -- and children lose the clear distinction between good and evil."
What makes the occult so dangerous is the fact that it is based upon something real -- the preternatural world of fallen angels, headed by Lucifer himself. Below him are the "choirs" of devils and demons who are a reverse mirror, in their fallen state, of the hierarchy of angels.
Yet, as Father Euteneuer made clear, this entire dark spiritual world "cannot operate without permission from human beings." He pointed out that the widely-seen film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, based upon the actual case of Anneliese Michel, makes it seem like a possession can occur against a person's will.
Demons play by the rules, as it were. They can only enter a person when invited, and they will leave when subjected through the rite of exorcism to the authority of the Church. "All demons understand is authority," according to Father Euteneuer. He told me of a time he was with someone who was possessed -- not intending to do an exorcism because permission had not yet been given -- and the demon spoke to him saying, "The Church is not here."
Father Euteneuer reminded me that as fallen angels, demons are smarter than any human being. "The darkest demon is smarter than I am," he said. An exorcist must remain aware of the demon's ability to know everything about the person they are possessing, including family members, and those who may enter the room to cast them out.
One demon attempted to negotiate with Father Euteneuer, offering to help him with his Latin if he would let him stay put. That story prompted me to ask if demons had a sense of humor. "No," Euteneuer replied. "The demon was only trying to resist being cast out. They know what an exorcism is, what is going to happen to them."
Possession usually involves more than one demon. Father Euteneuer explained that when "one demon gets in it will help to create more invitations to other demons." The more powerful ones have biblical names, and he often runs into demons with the same name, as if they had a kind of demonic family name.
The possession of an individual person is a perverse imitation of the Incarnation. "They know they've lost the war in heaven, now they've come to earth and are doing all they can to exert their power and be an obstacle to heaven." That's why demons experience some form of pain when they are exorcised -- Father Euteneuer said demons will often complain that "It burns." They have been deprived of the satisfaction of entering a body in imitation of the Word made flesh.
By the end of my interview with Father Euteneuer, I realized my initial question about being frightened of demons had betrayed my misunderstanding of the limits of demonic power. Exorcism and the Church Militant is a book that should provide guidance to many for years to come, especially for parents who need a reminder that the occult is not innocent entertainment.
So what if the books aren’t “literary”?
They are fun, entertaining stories.
Her target audience was not literati sophisticates. It’s children.
No they are not.
Whether I am a Christian, committed or not, does not affect how I read a book about a fantastical, made up world.
Whether or not I believe that demons are real does not affect how I read a book about a fantastical, made up world.
The part you should get out of this is that HP is about a fantastical, made up world. It’s not real dude, get that through your skull. Until you can accept that these books are fantasy literature, much like Alice in Wonderland, I can’t continue this discussion. I discuss magical issues within the books as things that can’t ever happen, because THEY AREN’T REAL!
However, your comment that *Harry sacrificed his life to save others* makes me think of all the unbelievers and atheists who reject God, that I have met in my life, who say to me, "We dont need God, we can be *good* people without him". And I'm sure they believe that.
However, as Jesus said, None but the Father in heaven is *good*. So whatever *goodness* these people purport to have which is not of God, is pretty worthless.
Also any business person can look at the phenomenom of the Potter books and see a machine--- personally I rather doubt Rowling is the sole author-- more likely a set of people, like Disney-- cranking out a purposeful money making empire. There's nothing wrong with making money, mind you --but it might cause some of us to wonder just what was the purpose of infusing impressionable minds with a veritable onslaught of occult books, teaching that people can be noble and good without God. Sounds atheistic and can we say socialistic, Communistic -- laying the groundwork, moving the football. Get minds while they're young.
What is G-d?
Rowling leans communist. Her greatest hero is Jessica Mitford (she named her daughter after her), committed communist and wife of Robert Treuhaft who was the communist party's top lawyer in the USA.
Because she leans communist is it very likely Rowling is against christianity so it's no wonder her great theme is magic which is opposed to Christianity.
Do you read the newpaper?
Over the Harry Potter years, I can't find a criticism that could not also be justly applied to the Lord of the Rings.
And Rowling never pretends that evil does not exist. She also makes Harry full of flaws, like any struggling hero, conscious of his own anger, desire for vengeance, propensity for telling lies to almost anyone in authority--
Please do let me know it you reach any consensus.
“Whether I am a Christian, committed or not, does not affect how I read a book about a fantastical, made up world.”
Well, by not answering you’ve pretty much answered my questions.
Let’s say I made up an extremely engaging story, aimed at a young audience, about two men living in a fantasy world who decided that they were in love and wanted to be married.
Would you similarity demand that all “dudes” get it through their thick sculls that such a book is alright because it’s in a “fantasy” setting?
What lies? Other than the types of lies that a typical teenager makes, I don’t remember any really big lies. As for desire for vengeance, he is obviously angry at Voldemort for killing his parents, but unlike Voldemort he never allows his anger to overcome him. He never once said or indicated that he desires vengeance. As for his anger, he is again angry that his parents have been killed, but it also does not consume him. He is portrayed as living a pretty happy life. We all get angry at times, as does Harry, but I’ve never read anything about him being conscious of a constant nagging anger.
“Do you read the newpaper?”
Did you ever notice that there is a difference between a newspaper article and novel?
Two men would have to be in a fantasy world if they thought they were romantically in love. I personally would not want to read the book, but I would not criticize someone else for it. The moment we start burning books is the moment we go back to 1933. Also, “sculls” is spelled “skulls.”
He got better.
LOL!
Good post.
Completely agree.
It would seem that for some, they spend more time fearing demons than trusting and loving God. Its also a great money maker for some of those TV preachers.
Send me your money and I will set you free, yuk.....
One is fact, one is fiction. It's submitted that reading about murder can make you inclined to want to commit murder. Why would only fictional accounts have this effect, while factual / historically accurate accounts do not?
One is fact, one is fiction. It's submitted that reading about murder can make you inclined to want to commit murder. Why would only fictional accounts have this effect, while factual / historically accurate accounts do not?
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