The power of Clozapine compels you......

The power of Clozapine compels you....

Oh, we're way beyond those meds....we need Haldol and a stun gun. 

"The power of reality compells you.

The power of reality compells you."

All joking aside: for all those who want to know "what harm?" religion does...here you go.  A raped SIX year old who, now as a teen,  thinks it's her fault that she "cast darkness" upon her family??  If accepting Christ is the only thing that keeps some people from tormenting others, then...by all means, continue to put your energies into Christ. 

Hey Buffoo!

A few years ago, I had a chance to talk to one of the few Catholic priests who are authorized to perform exorcisms.  It was extremely enlightening.  I asked him if I could share his words here, because, well...he is a fairly well known priest (in Catholic circles) and he asked that I not share his name.  But, he did tell me I could share his sentiments on the phenomena of "possession". 

He, a Catholic priest and "exorcist" is of the opinion that, in 99.9% of all cases, the victim of "possession" is mentally ill or somehow manipulating the environment to create the appearance of possession (for whatever reason).  He's been a party to numerous rites of exorcism and says that the ritual is almost entirely about suggestion and psychosomatic relief. 

We all know that the mind is an incredibly powerful tool.  We know that humans are conditioned to see patterns or symbolism in the world.  We *know* that there are chemical and physiological causes for all of the physical manifestations of "possession".  So, what does one have to gain from believing that someone could be possessed by a non-existant, unproven, extremely improbably entity?  What evidence do you have that Satan exists, let alone that such a being would bother to possess a man, woman, or child?

Dang Possum, next you're gonna tell me Benn Hinn has no healing powers...

I mean, just the fact that he can miraculously turn his hair into a visor should be proof enough!

Well possum being an atheist, we already know who you work for and remember the greatest trick of the devil is to convince everybody that he doesn't exist.

If the Devil is able to successully trick people, then people cannot be held responsible for being tricked.  Care to engage the philosophical problems with that?

Let's try this argument:

1.  It is ethical and just to punish the perpetrator of fraud and deceit.

2.  It is unethical and unjust to punish the victim of fraud and deceit.  By definition, a victim of fraud and deceit is not aware, at the time, that s/he is being deceived.

3.  But your (Buffoo) God does punish victims of the Devil's fraud and deceit.

4.  Therefore, your God is unjust and unethical.

Try to find the hole in this argument.

Sigh, some people just don't understand the meaning of the word atheist.

Well I for one am not an atheist, I have seen the winged manupulator of souls in action.......

I'd imagine they're analogous to the 0.1 percent of UFO sightings that remain unidentified after they are investigated.  It doesn't mean they're from another planet -- only that they resisted positive identification.

By the way, Possummomma, what did the priest have to say about the remaining 0.1 percent of cases?

I believe he said that they never officially label them as "possession".  They simply label them "unexplainable".  Which, in my opinion, is probably the only academically honest answer.  How do you prove, beyond reasonable doubt, the anyone has been possessed by a being that similarly can't be proven?

To buffoo - ROFLOL.  Did you really just state that it's your belief that I am in the employ of the devil?  Seriously...do you get away with making ubsubstantiated claims often or is this just a summer thing for you?

And, just for those who are wondering, if I'm one of Satan's minions:  Satan pays crappy wages and his health plan sucks. 

Let's try this argument:

1.  It is ethical and just to punish the perpetrator of fraud and deceit.

2.  It is unethical and unjust to punish the victim of fraud and deceit.  By definition, a victim of fraud and deceit is not aware, at the time, that s/he is being deceived.

3.  But your (Buffoo) God does punish victims of the Devil's fraud and deceit.

4.  Therefore, your God is unjust and unethical.

Try to find the hole in this argument.

in the words of Lightning McQueen - Ka Chow!!!! ;)

Sorry- I've been watching CARS with my two year old, again. 

Here's another argument that ought to put Pax in a corner.  It has to do with the uncertainty and evential dissolution of limbo:

1.  The Catholic Church has the "keys to the kingdom," and as such, they are alone qualified to interpret the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit.

2.  This is necessary because the Bible itself says that some things are hard to understand, and that it is easily misinterpreted.

3.  Yet the Catholic Church never was certain about limbo, and has evolved and modified other doctrines as well.

4.  Therefore, the Catholic Church was not benefiting from the unique guidance of the Holy Spirit, since these more difficult and obscure teachings have either remained unclear, or changed over time rather than remaining constant.

5.  Therefore, the Catholic Church enjoys no special or supernatural benefits of discernment from God.

(The same argument can be applied to any Christian theologian.)

(And that's the generous version of the argument.  Another possible answer is there is no God to clear these things up.)

"He'd take a swing at Father Bowdern in the groin and say, 'How's that for a nutcracker?'"

Maybe delayed payback for a previous priest's molestation?

Thank you.

According to my still intact -- and infallible -- argument, you have likely just refuted Matt 16:18-19.