New-found fear of "The Paranormal?"

[HabemusFrancis]

Hey everyone. I am sure everyone is aware of the recent lucrative “cottage industry” surrounding the “paranormal” or things that go bump in the night.

The past 7-8 years have seen a massive increase in tv shows of ghost hunters and people who claim to be victims of evil spirits haunting their houses. Certain Catholic writers (such as some priest exorcists) have found their books/writings in greater demand.

Being naturally intrigued and intellectually curious, I have had an off and on interest in this topic for the past several years. I thought it was kind of “fun” similar to reading about bigfoot, aliens, or conspiracy theories. Something that “could” be true, but with a reasonable chance that it wasn’t.

However, as I have increased in my faith, I have slowly come to realize how dispiriting and scary the whole “paranormal” world is, if one truly believes it happens. The thing that really “scared me straight” on this wierd slice of the world was reading “Hostage to the Devil” by Malachi Martin.

I was only able to get through the first story before putting the book down and losing any desire to read any more of it. It wasn’t that the story was “scary” or “suspenseful” since I never believed the priest or his assistants would be harmed. I just got an overwhelming sense of sorrow, despair coupled with the idea that the possession taking place was terribly “wrong.” Idk… maybe people who have read these books or ventured into that world know what I mean.

Has anyone gone through what I have? I’ve never been in volved in any occult practices for the record.

 

[po18guy]

A working knowledge of the forces of evil is a good thing, as knowledge is power. However, we do not want to dwell on evil, but on good. Rather than sorrow or fear (since evil has run rampant since the fall), consider that God’s power over evil is infinitely stronger and absolute. The Catholic Church is like no other regarding the arsenal of spiritual weapons she possesses against evil. Beginning with the Sacraments, the Rites of Exorcism, and extending to the Communion of Saints and spiritual warfare prayers.

The Blessed Mother is our powerful ally in spiritual matters. She is untouchable by the evil one himself, or by any of his minions. The mention of her name weakens demons. Here is a brief interview with exorcist Priest Fr. Pedro Barrajon. Have a read and gain confidence: regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?id=14318&se=364&ca=118&te=782

Note the power that Mary’s name has when casting a demon out:

At the end, the priest says to the demon, “Go away! Disappear!” The demon usually answers, “No, I don´t want to.” It rebels and revolts. Sometimes it says “You have no power over me. You are nothing to me.” But after a while, its resistance weakens. This usually happens after the invocation of the Holy Mother, she´s very important for that. No demon ever dares to insult her during an exorcism. Never. Does he have more respect for Mary than for God himself? Apparently. Otherwise no holds are barred, and everyone is insulted: the priests, everyone present, the bishops, the Pope, even Jesus Christ. But never the Virgin Mary. It´s an enigma.

This has given me great confidence on many fronts.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

I find the subject interesting as well. But I’ve always believed the subject to be real. Hopefully your melancholy will subside and you will again approach the subject, with more respect this time. I think it is good to know your enemy and the ways in which he can attack. Mabey the more graphically detailed stories can be left to the exorcists.

 

[mikekle]

Hey everyone. I am sure everyone is aware of the recent lucrative “cottage industry” surrounding the “paranormal” or things that go bump in the night.

Being naturally intrigued and intellectually curious, I have had an off and on interest in this topic for the past several years. I thought it was kind of “fun” similar to reading about bigfoot, aliens, or conspiracy theories. Something that “could” be true, but with a reasonable chance that it wasn’t.

.

It is no coincidence this kind of stuff is so popular in todays world, make no mistake, we are being led down a certain path regarding belief of these things, and its for a reason (to draw as many people away from God as possible). These things are only going to get more popular imo.

I am like you, I have had a strong interest in this stuff for awhile,(especially aliens, ufos), I still read over all the sightings reported, and have noticed one very prevalent trait…the triangle (trinity), whether its a formation of lights people see in the sky and then they disappear to the shape of a strange craft that makes no sound.

The triangle represents the trinity, in this aspect, I think these things are part of the ‘signs and wonders’ God said he would send upon the earth.

There was also some very strange findings about supposed alien abductions, apparently calling out the name of Jesus put a stop to the activity and the fright, I believe a catholic priest wrote a book on this subject as well, comparing modern day ‘alien’ behavior to demonic activity…I really believe they are both the same thing.

 

[Sarcelle]

Hey everyone. I am sure everyone is aware of the recent lucrative “cottage industry” surrounding the “paranormal” or things that go bump in the night.

The past 7-8 years have seen a massive increase in tv shows of ghost hunters and people who claim to be victims of evil spirits haunting their houses. Certain Catholic writers (such as some priest exorcists) have found their books/writings in greater demand.

Being naturally intrigued and intellectually curious, I have had an off and on interest in this topic for the past several years. I thought it was kind of “fun” similar to reading about bigfoot, aliens, or conspiracy theories. Something that “could” be true, but with a reasonable chance that it wasn’t.

However, as I have increased in my faith, I have slowly come to realize how dispiriting and scary the whole “paranormal” world is, if one truly believes it happens. The thing that really “scared me straight” on this wierd slice of the world was reading “Hostage to the Devil” by Malachi Martin.

I was only able to get through the first story before putting the book down and losing any desire to read any more of it. It wasn’t that the story was “scary” or “suspenseful” since I never believed the priest or his assistants would be harmed. I just got an overwhelming sense of sorrow, despair coupled with the idea that the possession taking place was terribly “wrong.” Idk… maybe people who have read these books or ventured into that world know what I mean.

Has anyone gone through what I have? I’ve never been in volved in any occult practices for the record.

I’ve come across these shows and I watch for a while but I find it to be boring.

 

[HabemusFrancis]

Although I have tried to curb my curiosity about the goings on in “exorcism land” I am intrigued by the idea of “damned souls” being possessing spirits in an exorcism: religiousdemonology.com/questions.html

This man claims that damned souls are essentially the property of satan and the demons, and are sent as possessing spirits. He further claims that they retain more of their free will than demons and don’t need to obey the exorcists injunctions to the same degree.

In an interview I heard with him, he claimed to have encountered Judas Iscariot once or twice.

Anyone know anything about this?

 

[mikekle]

Although I have tried to curb my curiosity about the goings on in “exorcism land” I am intrigued by the idea of “damned souls” being possessing spirits in an exorcism: religiousdemonology.com/questions.html

This man claims that damned souls are essentially the property of satan and the demons, and are sent as possessing spirits. He further claims that they retain more of their free will than demons and don’t need to obey the exorcists injunctions to the same degree.

In an interview I heard with him, he claimed to have encountered Judas Iscariot once or twice.

Anyone know anything about this?

Think about this for a minute…Satan and the demons were thrown out of heaven for rebelling, satan wanted to take Gods throne for himself, while he is an angel, he is NOT in the same league with God.

If God punished him so severely, why would he allow Satan to ‘keep’ any human souls as property, or somehow be their ruler in hell?

Ive heard this mistake made many times before, people assume Satan and the demons sort of run and rule over hell, but that cannot be the case, Why would God punish them and then set them up with exactly what they were wanting? It would not make any sense.

Satan and the demons are nothing more than angelic sinners to God, no better than any human souls, why would they have any special privileges or powers (especially seeing how they tried to overthrow heaven).

 

[ffg]

It is an interesting subject.

Maybe someone could post the picture of Dante’s lowest level of Hell.

I think it’s a great example of hell, simply frozen in alone-ness forever. Complete opposite of relationship.

I wouldn’t write-off the ability to communicate and be possessed due to the freedom’s provided in the act of love by God.

If someone wants to walk down a path that appears to be relationship with satan and others, we are free to choose any path.

If the Dante representation is close to true, appearance may not be reality. Perhaps, good to consider before walking and getting caught in snares too tight to break.

 

[mikekle]

The lowest level of hell, would be where satan and all the demons will be after Jesus returns, but when I think about this, Satan and the demons committed a sin that NO human is even capable of attempting…they were already in heaven, so they had to chance to try and take over…no human could ever try such a thing, if we reach heaven, I doubt anyone would try the same thing as satan did, and if someone on earth wanted to try, there is no way he could even get into heaven, to take it over (or at least try).

Although Im not sure Dantes version of hell is accurate, it sounds very symbolic when reading.