I thought about exorcisms today...uggh

I didn't think I wanted to keep listening but I challenged myself and finished the podcast.  I don't want to believe it but I am not sure I can't nor sure that I can. It left me asking, "what kind of universe do we live in?"

The episode was called "Deliver Us From Evil", #60 on the Deconstructionist podcast.  Father Gary Thomas opened a window into the world of spiritual conflict resolution including intervention prayers and formal exorcism rites. He is certified by the Vatican to perform the rite of exorcism.

The challenge for me is Thomas' "both/and" view of reality. By that I mean he acknowledges that mental illness is a thing. Depression, disassociation, multiple personalities can exist apart from demonic activity. But once those causes have been ruled out as probable cause for presenting disturbed behavior he considers demonic possession a real possibility.

He has cast demons out, seem victims spit vast balls of foamy saliva, demonstrate super human feats of strength, shriek and turn sick in the presence of "the holy". The movie "The Rite" starring Anthony Hopkins is based on his life.

The way to be safe? Maintain a relationship with God, hit your knees and pray daily, take the Eucharist weekly, and spill your guts in confession monthly. Catholics are safer but if that's not you, it is still possible to hedge your bets by living a morally upstanding life and avoid opening yourself up through occultist activity, porn, drugs, or non-exercise yoga.

If demons are real, it would make sense that God could be real too. But what activity would reveal his presence?  Why is he hiding now if he did burning bushes in the past.

If God is real, what the hell is he/she/it like? I struggle to find a coherent picture of God from Scripture. Loving but hates some. All knowing but surprised. Never changing yet dynamic.  Insert the plethora of biblical "tensions," here. 

My imagination could really run away here.  What if life really is like a thriller movie where we are here on this cosmic dust ball with some kind of spirit(s).  Humans have had vastly different encounters with said spirits and history of religions tells the rest of the story. What if the choice of God of Abraham vs. No God or divine being isn't the only choice?  For most of human history people have lived in this area of the religious terrain: Pantheons, demi-gods etc. Monotheism could seem much better.  A cosmic friend is supremely more desirable than a gang of fickle, powerful, morally questionable deities. But whatever the truth really is, we don't have a damn ounce of choice or leverage.

Nevertheless, I prefer a world with no demons, angels, or gods. Humans really don't need these mentors anyway, we've succeeded in becoming both demons and angels on our own.

The materialistic view of the world makes sense to me. So much magical thinking has been disproved. Folk religion and folk medicine had their day as our human ancestors tried to make sense of this perplexing world. But we've figured so much out even though there's still so much to learn.

How foolish would I feel trying to convince Father Thomas that demons don't exist?  How would I convince a witch doctor that hexes and spells are impotent? How would I answer their laughter? How would I respond to the involuntary fear that would undoubtedly wrap its coils around me in their presence?

I'm agnostic.  I don't have a fucking clue what kind of universe this is.

I still suspect the threat of demonic attack is a great way to promote fear and maintain control.  Not unlike in the movie "The Village" where the founders created a world of creepy creatures to keep their progeny from leaving the tribe.  Real or not, that is the same function that the demons-are-real view serves.  Especially as Father Thomas shared the Catholic version. 

Fear is so powerful...humans cave before it. What a dismal world...yes, if gods and demons exist then life is like a horror movie.  If the enemy is just us...is it any better?  I suspect it is. And if it gets too bad, you die and there is an out. But in the gods and demons version, you could want out but never be allowed out.  How sick is that? A stomach turning reality created by the most loving, benevolent, supremely moral and perfect being.  The epitome of Good also happened to create  and sustain the sickest, most horrible scenario imaginable.  WTF?

I'm out.