Can exorcists be wrong about the spiritual realm?

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BenSinner

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There seems to be a thing where people take the word of exorcists as infallible in regards to the spiritual realm.

Obviously some things are common knowledge, like if you mess around with the occult, you are opening yourself to demonic activity. But I’ve seen exorcists have somewhat contradictory claims with each other some times.

Also, one example I saw from an exorcist priest was he said that learning Krav Maga opens one up to demonic activity. This really confused me since Krav Maga is a form of self defense that even Women of Grace praise as a lawful form of self defense because it doesn’t have the Eastern philosophy engrained in it.

Just because the priest may see a possessed person say they are possessed due to practicing Krav Maga, or some other activity, does that necessarily make it true? How do the exorcists know the direct causes linking to these types of things, etc.

Another thing that I’ve seen contested is watching horror films. I’ve heard from one exorcist saying that horror movies open up demonic activity and others that say simply watching a horror movie doesn’t do that. (They’re talking about the ones that’s aren’t morally offensive, like ‘The Rite’).

Krav Maga and Horror Films have never been condemned by the church nor ever really warned of demonic risk. Wouldn’t they have made it clear to people if it were the case that these things were spiritually harmful?

So I was wondering, how much trust can we put in the word of an exorcist just because he says a demon saying something to him?
 
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Exorcists can certainly be wrong. They are human.

Some get so into things, and so traumatized, really, they jump at their own shadows. It’s not healthy.

This is why one is prudent to check with a knowledgeable spiritual director who knows one well and not prowl around the internet looking for someone who may not know what they are talking about–even with a respected title.
 
I think some of this they mention out of an abundance of caution. Harry Potter was beneficial for some because it got them interested in reading. For others, it might have been harmful as it got them interested in the occult. Things like feng shui is just logical placement of furniture if you ask me, however, when you start talking about Chi and stuff like that, well there is your abundance of caution. Yoga, stretching, mandalas, a slippery slope, towards godless religions.

PS: If anyone wants to debate yoga again or some of this other stuff, I am really not interested tonight. It’s been overdone.
 
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Yeah they can be wrong. But I would generally take the advice of the expert over the layman. Not always, but generally.
 
BenSinner said:
Krav Maga and Horror Films have never been condemned by the church nor ever really warned of demonic risk. Wouldn’t they have made it clear to people if it were the case that these things were spiritually harmful?
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Aren’t the best authorities within the Church those men whom she has appointed to be exorcists? Keep in mind that we don’t only have the words of contemporary exorcists to draw from, but also the writings of those who have come before them. (Of course, modern exorcists are better equip to discuss issues more prevalent to today’s society, but wisdom can be found in traditional writings as well that can be applied to many modern scenarios). I think it is wise to listen to what they have to say. If the exorcists disagree on a certain matter, then pray about it and use prudential judgement. But it is best to err on the side of caution.
 
The favorite film of Fr. Gabriele Amorth was said to be “The Exorcist.” If you do not trust the advice of an exorcist, I feel sorry for you.

Martial arts? This looks like a troll thread.
 
CatholicSpirit said:
The favorite film of Fr. Gabriele Amorth was said to be “The Exorcist.” If you do not trust the advice of an exorcist, I feel sorry for you.

Martial arts? This looks like a troll thread.
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He’s posted enough to say it’s unlikely.

He suffers deeply from scruples and has a few nutty friends that like to tell him what a bad person he is because he likes XYZ.

However, is own spiritual director (who seems very knowledgeable) has assured him that his actions are fine.

Here we have a case of weaponized theology, and a man being sent on a wild goose hunt in order for his bullies to justify their bad behavior.

He does have insightful, “professional” advice from a member of the clergy with someone who knows him best. Everything else is just fluff.
 
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“The Exorcist” was actually a great film on so many other thematic levels than Linda Blair puking pea soup. I felt so bad for the poor priest whose mother died.
 
I only follow the advice of Fr. Amorth. I read his books and believe he’ll be canonized one day. Great prudence must be exercised to prevent being paranoid. I’ve never heard that Krav Maga is evil. Maybe if it involved weird meditation? I avoid horror films because they’re worthless in value and promote a feeling of negativity and despair.
 
Usually the individual must go through a series of medical and psychological tests. If nothing out of the ordinary is found, then the exorcist takes over. It is unlikely that an exorcist would mistake someone in being possessed as opposed to being mentally ill.

The Las Vegas shooting, for example, does not have any explanation yet as to why this man did what he did. If there is no explanation, then perhaps he did it under the influence of a demon. If that is so, he would most likely be punished to the fullest extent of the law no matter why he did it. The point is, he did it. If an exorcist ever checked on him, he may find something there that could explain his actions. In that case, an exorcism would be in order, but it is unlikely that it would ever convince a court that he was acting under a demon’s power.
 
We were watching the movie “Dracula” when a large picture in the living room fell off the wall. The hook and wall hanger were intact.
 
I have not read or heard this particular exorcist. Perhaps he has witnessed this.

If he is a priest who trained in Rome and appointed by the bishop, better to be safe then sorry, op.
 
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