How can I get my mom to stop watching Long Island Medium?

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laircy

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Or am I in no position to… But if I don’t tell her, who will? Such a show is obviously contrary to the Catholic faith.
 
You can bring up the fact that it’s against Catholic teaching, and you can refuse to watch it with her, should the occasion arise.

Other than that, there’s not much you can do. It generally doesn’t work well when children (of any age) try to tell their parents what to do.
 
Even though he’s an atheist, youtube some clips of James Randi (the Amazing Randi).

He made a name for himself disproving psychics for years. His finds are always intriguing to me. Watch some of the clips to see how he exposes not only psychics who bilk people out of thousands of dollars, but also faulty preachers. Anyone remember the Peter Popoff scandal of the early 90s?
 
laircy said:
Or am I in no position to… But if I don’t tell her, who will? Such a show is obviously contrary to the Catholic faith.
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Well, if you are dealing with a fellow Catholic, you can go armed with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to** mediums** all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

This was all listed as a violation of the First Commandment.

Go, also, armed with the Bible.

catholicbible101.com/sorceryandwitchcraft.htm

You could mention it, and then let her make up her own mind. If she changes, you helped win her over, if not, she has at least been warned, so your conscience would then be clear that at least it’s not out of ignorance that she’s acting.
 
laircy said:
Or am I in no position to… But if I don’t tell her, who will? Such a show is obviously contrary to the Catholic faith.
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Watched a clip on YouTube and seriously regret the fifteen seconds I lost.
:rolleyes:

Note that while the Church condemns occult practices (CCC 2116-17) it does not necessarily mean that Catholics are forbidden to watch others performing them for entertainment. And while you can’t make her stop watching the programme, it’s fair to casually ask her why she does. If it’s purely for entertainment reasons, as it most likely is, you probably shouldn’t worry.
 
punisherthunder said:
Even though he’s an atheist, youtube some clips of James Randi (the Amazing Randi).

He made a name for himself disproving psychics for years. His finds are always intriguing to me. Watch some of the clips to see how he exposes not only psychics who bilk people out of thousands of dollars, but also faulty preachers. Anyone remember the Peter Popoff scandal of the early 90s?
Click to expand...
I remember Popoff and I think he’s still going. 😛
 
It is not your place to tell your mother what to watch. Besides, if that is her worst fault, she must be a saint. Be grateful for her.
 
I watch the show sometimes too. I don’t see anything wrong with it. Some people believe in mediums, some people don’t. And the family on the show are Catholics too if I’m not mistaken.
 
Interesting thread. I’ve been curious myself about shows like that, especially when the medium and/or their family is Catholic. I remember the medium John Edward on tv who was Catholic. Will be interested in seeing others’ viewpoints on this topic.
 
Believing in mediums is a sin, and no Catholics should expose themselves to it. However, very few people have enough humility to be open to having someone point out a sin to them. And pointing it out to your own mother is unlikely to go well.

There was a South Park episode in season 6 or so in which they mocked mediums unmercifully. 95% of it is a sham, and perhaps 5% is hearing from a Spirit that is truly not the Holy One.

Pray for her, and I will pray for you both.
 
I agree with the others that it will be touchy to criticize your mother for watching the program but there is a way to go about it. I would just politely tell her why you choose not to watch and then tell her about some other scam psychics. You might even say that you checked the catechism and what it says concerning psychics. I think that most people see this sort of thing as harmless entertainment but it is not harmless. My own parents started on this path and wound up seeking out psychics and astrologers and losing lots of money along the way. They claimed to be “searching”. For what I do not know. The only person we need to search for is Jesus and He is very easy to find!
 
The show is completely contrary to Church teaching. She is practicing witchcraft. Just witnessing witchcraft can turn someone away from the Faith.
 
I would use the show as an opener to talk about mediums. Is your mother a Catholic? I personally find the whole thing interesting. But I’d not engage because people often are talking/engaging with something. And rarely is that something GOOD. That something may be right about certain stuff. Where to find your glasses and such. However, that’s the door opened for the scary to come in.

Obviously, the Catholic church believes this sort of thing is can be real. We have exorcists for this very reason. These people are highly trained to deal with the evil. I don’t think most people are, and they set themselves up for some serious soul damaging.
 
OK, I’m clear on the Catechism, and as a Catholic I will follow the Church’s teaching. But what about Protestants? My wife is a Presbyterian, and not very well informed on Presbyterian or other main line Christian theology. Do the Protestant churches also condemn using/listening to mediums? I would think the same logic would apply but one never knows. Can a knowledgeable Protestant or two chime in here?

Personally I think she’s a phony, but if that is not the case, then the alternative is even worse. There is more wholesome entertainment on TV! :confused:
 
I’ve watched the show a lot. Theresa, the medium says she has been able to see and hear from the departed since she was a child. She has said herself, that she doesn’t like the occult and is spooked by anything scary. She doesn’t like Halloween. With that said, the Bible tells us, “by their fruits you shall know them” (something like that).She does not predict futures, only relays messages of love and comfort to those on this side of the veil. I appreciate those trying to follow Catholic teaching to the letter of the law, but if you watched this show as much as I do, or the mom in question, you would see that this woman is NOT the devil in disguise.
 
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