The way I see it, all debates I’ve seen on these forums make this one common mistake: it’s on the assumption that it’s only a two-way debate. The truth though is it’s actually three-way. The three contenders are:
1.) Catholicism
2.) Occultism
3.) Atheism
No doubt, I get the feeling there’s influence from the
Screwtape Letters in my head as I type this but I also know which ideas are strictly my own conclusions.
As Catholics, we are called to reject both 2 and 3. Atheism denies the spiritual reality whilst occultism attempts to tame the powers of that reality through dangerous means.
However, and this is my own conclusion right here, Catholics are so preoccupied with antagonizing 2 and 3 that they don’t realize that both of them are in complete opposition to each other as well!
Atheism rejects the occult. To the die-hard atheist, New Age, Wicca, and Neo-Paganism are just more branches of the great superstition they call religion.
Now while there are flaws in their materialistic and empirical viewpoint, they make their own strong case against the occult. Evidence supporting the ‘power of the gods’ is no less scrutinized than evidence for our own beliefs.
Yet, these are the same people who many religious claim to be a danger to people’s souls as well. Granted, atheism comes with its own flaws but there is something you might miss here.
How can Satan advocate disbelief in the same era where people are claiming that they are resorting to him? It’s like sucking and blowing at the same time.
You can’t claim that fewer people are believing in God and the devil then at the same time, believe that people are resorting more to the latter. The latter requires belief and therefore, rejects the atheistic premise.
Furthermore, our material reality is by default, closer to our perception than our spiritual reality. The spiritual reality is distant, separated, and otherwordly. We have little to no clue about it. Our knowledge and understanding of the material reality on the other hand is higher. We know why things fall. We know how electricity works. We’ve developed more advanced ways to predict the weather (unlike your local rain dancer
).
Let’s face it folks. Supernatural explanations are dying out. Occult practitioners have a lot more to lose on that regard. This is where I bring the Church’s condemnation against superstition. This is one thing that separates us from Occultists. We’re one of the few religions to admit (generally at least) that science plays a significant role in understanding our universe, not the occult. As a result, we’re more open to scientific explanations before supernatural ones (ideally at least, or else Bayside would’ve been an approved apparition). Our Faith also doesn’t depend too much on signs and wonders. Remember Jesus’ words?
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
What we’re ignoring here is the fact that maybe, as far as our own reality is concerned, one of our two opponents has a better understanding of how this reality, the material reality, works. Now when people are possessed, what does science see? It just sees someone suffering convulsions and hallucinating episodes.
Secondly, let’s take into consideration a macro-perspective. Is this an epidemic? Do you see people rushing their kids to the hospital? Are these ‘demonic occurrences’ responsible for a major disaster like a city-wide fire?
No matter what you say, the evidence is right there: This is does not happen a lot.
Despite the increasing hostility I’ve observed from ‘spiritual warriors’ towards science, it’s science that’s painting out a clearer picture of the devil’s limits. He may be all powerful in the spiritual reality but in this reality, even some random thug with a knife is more dangerous than he is.
Why? Frankly, the lack of impact he’s been having is minimal. For example, people report demonic occurrences and these occurrences don’t affect anyone beyond the possessed. Once more, the rarity of these cases speaks volumes of how effective it is to demonstrate supernatural demonic power. This is where my little ‘spitting nails’ example comes in. You all know that scene from
The Rite? It’s easy to imagine a skeptic asking, if Satan can do that and is so powerful, why can’t he just make the girl spit nails like a lethal projectile?
Another piece of evidence I’ll presence is the existence of organizations like the famous James Randi Foundation. They’ve been in existence since 1996. You think their cash prize challenges only applies to Christian believers? Don’t fool yourself. Other faiths make their own claims as well. So, why haven’t any of them triumphed? Why is James Randi short of a million dollars? If Satan could rule the world through the use of occult power and worshipers, his cult would have a financial backer right there already!
See, unlike us Christians, who are discouraged from monetizing the supernatural, you’d think the embodiment of pure evil would be all about fueling man’s greed. Why aren’t occultists lining up in front of the Foundation’s headquarters and coming home with a cash prize?
As you can see, science covers much knowledge over our reality. When ‘spiritual warriors’ and occultists alike make claims of supernatural phenomenon, they’re basically claiming that the spiritual reality has bent the material to its own whim. Science however, with its knowledge of how our material reality works, just goes to show such occurrences are minimal at best. Negligible. Weak.
Once more, I say: “All fear the dreaded Prince of Darkness.
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