Demonology and Emily Rose

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The movie “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” based on a real life trial in Germany in the 70s is coming out. Now my question is this: Is studying demonology a sin in itself? Is learning about the devil and his minions and their tricks a good thing or bad? Is reading things on Catholic exorcisms helpful in learning the ways? A penny for your thoughts on this subject.

Is it morally alright to help families that might be plagued with demons? do we have a moral obiligation?
 
as to the study of demonology, Albertus Magnus said,
A daemonibus docetur, de daemonibus docet, et ad daemones ducit (“It is taught by the demons, it teaches about the demons, and it leads to the demons”)

a little too scary for me…

🙂
 
I think that very very few people are truly called to this sort of study. If you are not training to be an exorcist, then I have to wonder why you would want to study demons.

I think that any priest who becomes an exorcist probably finds himself there quite accidentally and perhaps even a little against his own will.
 
I was thinking perhaps if you know your enemy, which the Devil and his minions indeed exist, you may be able to to spot warning signs or the like. Forwarned is forarmed. I’m not saying learning how to Exorcise for only priest know exactly what needs to be done, and not even all of them know it.
 
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Fox:
I was thinking perhaps if you know your enemy, which the Devil and his minions indeed exist.
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Let me make a WWII analogy.

In WWII, we had several military psychologists who studied the minds of Hilter and his top generals. They read over his works, they studied his life and even his familiy relationships and lovelife, in order to understand him in the hopes of predicting his moves.

But such lines of study would be unnecessary, perhaps even dangerous, for the average soldier.

Now, we, the Church Militant, definiately need to know our enemy, but I don’t think that diabolical psychology (aka demonology) is the appropriate use of time for any but a small few.
 
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Fox:
I was thinking perhaps if you know your enemy, which the Devil and his minions indeed exist, you may be able to to spot warning signs or the like. Forwarned is forarmed. I’m not saying learning how to Exorcise for only priest know exactly what needs to be done, and not even all of them know it.
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actually exorcist was the second of the four minor orders…

The practice of exorcism was not confined to clerics in the early ages, as is clear from Tertullian (Apologet., 23, P.L., I, 410; cf. De Idolat., 11) and Origen (C. Celsum, VII, 4, P.G. 1425). The latter expressly states that even the simplest and rudest of the faithful sometimes cast out demons, by a mere prayer or adjuration (Mark 15:17), and urges the fact as a proof of the power of Christ’s grace, and the inability of demons to resist it. In the Eastern Church, a specially ordained order of exorcists (or of acolytes, or door-keepers) has never been established but in the Western Church, these three minor orders with that of lectors as a fourth) were instituted shortly before the middle of the third century.
(( New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia ))

now, tho, only priests do it… with permission of the Bishop…

still too scary for me tho…

🙂
 
Oh yes it scares me too, I would just want to know what I’m looking for if a loved one or friend could be under attack or influence from an entity.

I wonder if there is something within our Church that layman can go to learn about these things.
 
Every great warrior knows that the key to victory is to know the adversary better than one knows himself. As Christians, we are warriors against Satan and his evil, so in my opinion, demonology is actually a good thing. I find it very strengthening for my faith to read about real life possessions and exorcisms.

And the fact that possession stories make for an exciting read doesn’t hurt, either. 😉
 
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Fox:
I was thinking perhaps if you know your enemy, which the Devil and his minions indeed exist, you may be able to to spot warning signs or the like. Forwarned is forarmed. I’m not saying learning how to Exorcise for only priest know exactly what needs to be done, and not even all of them know it.
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Actually, I’ve heard of laymen performing successful exorcisms. It just requires a lot of practice and even more faith. Take M. Scott Peck, a bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist. I recommend his book, Glimpses of the Devil, for anyone interested in this subject.
 
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Fox:
Oh yes it scares me too, I would just want to know what I’m looking for if a loved one or friend could be under attack or influence from an entity.

I wonder if there is something within our Church that layman can go to learn about these things.
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I think I know what you mean. You are not interested in demons in the same way one might be drawn to the occult. You are not seeking to use them or know how to control them (as if you could, lol). You want information to better protect yourself and your loved ones.

So I think the question is how do we go about getting this information without inadvertently putting ourselves in danger, right?

Malia
 
I think it is important to know your enemy, but we must be careful to not become obsessed with the subject matter. Also, one must feel strong in their own faith before diving into this sort of study.
 
Well said RichT!!!👍 We have to know the enemy,I don’t think demonology is a sin.It is the study of demons.
 
See I see it as if I can help a person, it would all be worth it. Of course my prayer life would need a boost and all. I’ll pray about it.
 
i think in this case, rather than “know the enemy”… i’ll trust in
my Protector… 🙂

having a curiosity about demonology isn’t bad… learning some
things about demons and exorcisms isn’t bad… just make
sure, absolutely sure… that the sources your use, are church sources…

but as for helping someone, i think that the reason the church has made this something that only priests, with the consent of the bishop, are allowed to do, is because of the difficulties of determining if it is a true posession, and then judging the proper course of action…

you might learn something about aneurisms, but i wouldn’t let
you do surgery on me… (( unless you are a surgeon… lol ))

trust in the Lord, and your baptism for protection… not in your
own knowledge, or abilities…

🙂
 
There is a verse in Scripure where moses tells the people, “be still and Yahweh will fight the battle for you.” I think this is good advice when discussing the issues of spiritual warfare and demonic attacks. There is no need to study demonology for the average lay person. We call on Christ in times of attack and allow him to deal with it. Christ is our shephered and he will protect his sheep.
 
Then explain the ones that do get attacked and need help in combating it.
 
There is a huge difference in knowing your enemy and doing battle against him by yourself. It is important to know your enemy and the ways he can attack you and take over your life. Think of those who dabble in New Age stuff without knowing any better. Before you know it, they are deeply involved in something much bigger than they imagined.

I prefer to know the capabilities of my enemy so I can steer clear of his evil ways, however, I wouldn’t think of entering into battle without my Savior and His army of saints and angels leading the way.

I would suggest reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. This book will give you a different point of view, and will probably reinforce the importance of knowing your enemy.
 
well, common sense would tell anyone if they … dabble… in
things like the occult or new age or paganism… they are
opening themselves up to trouble…

i’m not saying it’s wrong to study demonology… it is up to
each person’s own feelings and beliefs… study is not a sin…
study of any subject is not a sin…

i’m just saying, i know about as much concerning demonology
as i want to know… which isn’t much, but it’s enough to scare
me… lol

🙂
 
I know nothing of demonology, but I can say just seeing the trailer for this movie scared the pants off me!! Does make one curious about the facts of the case aside from just Hollywood’s version.
 
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