Need a Quick Answer about the Exorcist. Please

[The Mystery Machine]

I guess my question is ..and I am afraid to ask it after reading this article, why is it only the Catholic Priest could perform the ritual....could it not be performed by any Christian AND how about primitive tribes who believe that some of their members are possesed....while the article is informative I just wonder if it is slanted with the underlying message, Catholic is the only true religion so that is why the Protestant (Lutherin minister)sent the boy to a priest and in the end he was for all intents and purposes saved when he was baptized Catholic.
I am not asking this question to start an argument I am just curious b/c as i said the article seemed very slanted.

Well....in the Catholic religion there are respected "Exorcists". They have the gold standard checklist for possession, miracles, etc...

So it is just that it is their level of expertise, esp. back in the time that it happened.

You have to remember that most of the world was not aware of all the primitive tribes that performed exorcism like we do today.

Information was lacking back then. So understand from a "time perspective" if that makes sense.

 

[DISUNC]

I am not the expert on those boards, but I am one time I did some research because of a story that I had heard in the family that happened before my time

From my understandings, first of all you should not use a board by yourself. Two ppl and a third that can take notes, sometimes the answers come unclear or in anagram form. And some go back to see how the history of the session went.

When contacting that side of the world, you do no know if it is the same spirit or a different one, bad spirits can lie to make u believe it is the same one. (reference to bad demons, and fallen angels, they know both sides)

By naming the board it made a direct connection with her, kindof like an identity that is was her. When using the board by herself, she allowed the spirit to enter her world. The board gained her trust. By gaining trust telling truths, things you know are true -- then it became an addiction. When their is one person that allows easy entry from the bad world to here.

Hope that makes sense, if not ask away I will try to answer if I can

Don't forget 'Made By Parker Bros. Fun for the Whole Family"

Tarot cards, Runes, Ouija board, etc...all a BIG NO NO in Catholicism.

 

[debbiedoo]

Don't forget 'Made By Parker Bros. Fun for the Whole Family"

Tarot cards, Runes, Ouija board, etc...all a BIG NO NO in Catholicism.

There is an interesting story behind that also: http://ask.yahoo.com/20020715.html

I can not find it, but after Parker Brothers gained the rights, they did not want to pursue making the board, but ended up doing so anyway

 

[DISUNC]

There is an interesting story behind that also: http://ask.yahoo.com/20020715.html

I can not find it, but after Parker Brothers gained the rights, they did not want to pursue making the board, but ended up doing so anyway

 

[LSchrow]

hmmmm
"Upon Pastor Schulze’s recommendation, the family took Robbie to the Mental Hygiene Clinic of the University of Maryland for testing."

just another reason to practice good mental hygiene every day.

 

[wardfamily1]

I've never seen the movie all the way through, too scary. I'm going to have to sleep with the lights on now just after reading this thread.

 

[Chicago526]

I guess my question is ..and I am afraid to ask it after reading this article, why is it only the Catholic Priest could perform the ritual....could it not be performed by any Christian AND how about primitive tribes who believe that some of their members are possesed....while the article is informative I just wonder if it is slanted with the underlying message, Catholic is the only true religion so that is why the Protestant (Lutherin minister)sent the boy to a priest and in the end he was for all intents and purposes saved when he was baptized Catholic.
I am not asking this question to start an argument I am just curious b/c as i said the article seemed very slanted.

I think it has more to do with when the film was made (mid to late '70s?). Back then, even the Catholic church didn't officially perform exorcisms any more, they didn't gain official sanction again until the 90's I think (and even now it's very difficult to get one, you have to jump through a lot of hoops, including medical examinations to rule our physical and emotional causes). Most major religions didn't believe in possesion when the film was made (so far as I know) so going to an old-school catholic priest would have been one of the few options left available. Now, it would have been easier to get one (not easy, easier), both from the Catholic church (once you rule out other causes) or some Protestant ones that believe that the devil can posses a person.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Most major religions didn't believe in possesion when the film was made (so far as I know) so going to an old-school catholic priest would have been one of the few options left available. Now, it would have been easier to get one (not easy, easier), both from the Catholic church (once you rule out other causes) or some Protestant ones that believe that the devil can posses a person.

Actually they sent in a priest that performed exorcisms from another state.
He got the "green light" to do it.

 

[Shel]

Catholics believe in Demonic possesion, Christians dont believe in Demonic possesion.

I am speaking only for myself as a Christian rather than making a broad statement - I do believe in demon possession. I believe that Jesus performed an exercism & the demon(s) went into the herd of pigs, which in turn ran off a cliff, which is just one example...Matthew 8:28 - 32.

The powers of Satan are real, and one of his biggest powers of all is convincing people that cults, ouija boards, tarot cards, etc. are all in fun.

JMHO...

 

[Fizzgig]

Catholics believe in Demonic possesion, Christians dont believe in Demonic possesion.

That's not quite true... In most churches, demonic possession doesn't come up too often on the Sunday calendar, just like Song of Solomon. As in, it's in everyone's version of the Bible, but most denominations of Christians just choose to talk about the other lessons first.

 

[rie'smom]

That's right, she did play with the Quija Board, which is forbidden socially by most churches. It crossed the taboo of childhood purity to behave the way that she did, (as a possessed child). The priest had the dilemma of his mother in the apartment, alone in New York. Do you remember how society valued children at the time? It seems like other movies, such as the Bad Seed, where children were made 'evil' were popular. A good horror movie walks up to the taboo and just steps over the line. Rosemary's Baby was before that movie I think. Another social horror movie.

Yes, Dawn, Rosemary's Baby was released in 1968.
The Bad Seed was released in 1956.
Both horrifed me but The Exorcist scared the pants off me.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Actually Satan was after Father Karras all along, and used Regan to bait him. However by Regan using the Ouija board opened the portal!

At the end of the movie/book Karras finally accepts Satan into himself, thus saving Regan, and jumps out the window to save himself from possesion.

so, that meant no sequel?

 

[DISUNC]

so, that meant no sequel?

Hollywood figured out a way too out do the Devil and made 2 sequels and 1 prequel!

None should have been made!

 

[JennyMominRI]

I believe that regan was possessed by the demon Pezuzu and not Satan himself.

For the record there are some beliefs about possesion in Judaism but they are pretty different from Christian ones

 

[CPT Tripss]

I believe that regan was possessed by the demon Pezuzu and not Satan himself.

For the record there are some beliefs about possesion in Judaism but they are pretty different from Christian ones

What? Reagan was possessed by Pelosi?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Catholics believe in Demonic possesion, Christians dont believe in Demonic possesion.

Just jumping in to say that Catholics ARE Christians. Sometimes people seem to forget that, so didn't want to let the oversight go without comment.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I seem to remember the sequel, that gave a little more background on WHY she was possessed. Something about her being a reincarnated fighter of demons, or some such.

I believe Simbas father was in it. (or at least his voice!)

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Actually Satan was after Father Karras all along, and used Regan to bait him. However by Regan using the Ouija board opened the portal!

At the end of the movie/book Karras finally accepts Satan into himself, thus saving Regan, and jumps out the window to save himself from possesion.

Why you do this to me, Dimmy?

 

[simpilotswife]

I think in 1962 Reagan turned Republican. After that the pea soup and head spinning was only natural.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

NO! She was playing with the Ouija board and Captain Howdy used to speak to her through it. Then he spoke to her without the board. By the way if you watch the movie, watch it with the director's cut. It really gives you lots of the background of what is supposed to be a true case.

I am very confused. I have seen this movie twice and don't remember anything about an Ouiji board. We ARE talking about the Linda Blair "Exorcist" aren't we?