Exorcism Expert Reacts to “SHOCKING” Exorcisms

[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

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[@graffic13]

Did they @ least get LSD @ the door coming in? Because it seems like they on the drugs bad mmmmkay! My phone exchange growing up was 666 in my town .. the satanic panic craziness was/is nuts in the 80's

[@James-g3w7w]

Here's an angle I would like to see investigated. For argument sake let's suppose demonic possession is real, I would still be skeptical that demons possessing a body would somehow enable the demon to violate the laws of physics, say levitation for example. Now, on the assumption that the possession is real it's more likely that the demon would have the same knowledge as the magician, say David Blaine or Chris Angel.

[@JohnathanWilliamson849]

this is why nobody takes you seriously

[@bluntrapture]

@@JohnathanWilliamson849 Who does nobody take seriously?

[@JohnathanWilliamson849]

@@bluntrapture this youtuber. New Atheism is dead and has been for a decade.

[@Where_is_Waldo]

"She levitated... and, of course, the demon disabled all video recording technology in the room."

[@pirate_duck4985]

Have you never watched a Horror Mo... Religious Documentary!? The Demons mess with Cameras, TV's, Phones etc. All electronics!! Because they're not there in a physical form!

[@FuddlyDud]

Out of curiosity, doesn’t that seem like a no brainer? :P If I was a demon and I only want to terrorize those who believe, there’s no way I’m going to permit myself to be recorded so a bunch of atheists can believe. Of course this is an unfalsifiable standard, but then the lack of digit evidence also loses its explanatory power too so such a point is, due to being equal weight in both explanations, a non point. What are your thoughts? :)

[@ZER0--]

And lucky it wasn't out doors and they couldn't hold her down. I've seen it happen...

[@cerealdude890]

@@FuddlyDudwhy would a demon only terrorize people who believe? I’d think they wouldn’t be so discriminate and would want to cause as much havoc as possible.

[@FuddlyDud]

@@cerealdude890 Well, if demons exist, what would they want? You to join them apart from God perhaps? If that’s the case, the “havoc” is accomplished with nonbelievers. And, judging by certain drug abuse, suicidal ideation, depression rates, etc., their “havoc” is succeeding quite well without head-on attacks. If I’m wrong, just remember you should use the Christian worldview and not your own since demons won’t hold your worldview, but the Christian’s. :)

[@jamoke123]

It seems like if you don't want to get posessed, you should avoid going to church.

[@LittleBitofHopeToo2518]

Or WalMart.

[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

When I did a video called “How to be possessed by demons,” some of the advice one scholar actually gave was “Be as holy and saint-like as possible, because in Christian history, it was often monks and saints who claimed demons attacked them most.”

[@he1ar1]

And don't watch horror movies

[@NeonSlime-uu5kt]

Speaking in tongues looks like demon possession to me

[@ratoh1710]

@@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic Makes sense from all perspectives really. From the non-believing point of view we can say that the people who believe the most are the most likely to act it out, have religious delusions, etc. While from the believing point of view it would make the most sense for demons to dedicate their time the most to the ones that are hardest to corrupt. No reason to spend a lot of time on Jimmy if all it takes is dangling a donut in front of him. That time is better spent on that nun who would be nigh impossible.

[@Ahrpigi]

Exorcists and evangelists always call to mind that first episode of Castlevania. "Lies? In your house of God? No wonder he has abandoned you."

[@LittleBitofHopeToo2518]

You can't be abandoned by no one who isn't there though.

[@Ahrpigi]

@@LittleBitofHopeToo2518 True, but my point is that if they actually believed and their faith was real, they wouldn't be lying. To me, it means they're admitting that God isn't real.

[@ikenosis8160]

Relax, friend, there isn't a real Castlevania either. It's just a metaphor. ​@@LittleBitofHopeToo2518

[@zephlodwick1009]

​@@Ahrpigi Some, maybe most, exorcists are likely liars out for money or respect. But I'm sure at least a few of them *do* believe in their religion. Maybe they believe it on faith or have felt the presence of some holy force. Maybe they believe it from some line of evidence. But they know it won't convince everyone. So if they make stuff up to strengthen their case, more people will go to heaven. It's to them for the greater good.

[@buzzyboi1037]

Hell yeah Castlevania I love that anime

[@youngsqueeks]

Fun story: once I had an “exorcism” forced onto me because of my mental differences. At the time I was Christian, and went to a worship night at my college campus. They played music really loudly and had many people dancing, and all of it felt like too much. I have no formal diagnosis for autism or any similar disorders, but I often am overstimulated by large groups of people and loud sounds. I sat in the corner and covered my ears. Someone came up to me to ask if I was ok, and kept rubbing my back. I have had really bad experiences with physical touch, and asked her to stop touching me several times, to which she refused. I got louder and more assertive saying no, and at this point four other people all decided I was being possessed and they needed to help. Five people held me down, shouting at me to “release him!” and “be gone in Jesus name!” and similar phrases. Almost an hour later they finally calmed down and slowly stopped, no one in the room did anything to help despite me screaming for it. They all quickly left, and I never saw them again. I tried to set up meetings through our school system to have a serious conversation about my concerns with this system and how it might negatively impact people, but it never went anywhere. Definitely one of the worst experiences I’ve had with religion.

[@DrinzenDrawz]

That's so crazy holy shit, so sorry to hear that happened to you. The fact that people can break somebody's boundaries and instead of thinking their negative reaction is due to said breaking of boundaries and is instead a demonic possession absolutely astounds me.

[@lechevalier-ns2pt]

What the actual fuck

[@metanoeo4]

THIS, this is what RELIGION DOES. Breeding ignorance.

[@metanoeo4]

I'm sorry for this to have happened to you

[@SallySueSaywhatagain]

Oh God, that's so horrifying, I'm sorry. I hope you're okay ...

[@Njilin]

I actually understand why some Christians believe they have been possessed by demons and that they exist, how extremely comforting it must be to be able to literally compartmentalize your "sins" into make-believe monsters that you can then have exorsized without feeling like you personally were at fault. It is an awesome way to avoid personal culpability and responsibility.

[@mekannatarry1929]

Exactly; yet another example of folk needing to watch pbs kids for a month to relearn the basics lol.

[@jdlech]

the Jews did it first with their goat angel Azazel. They made sacrifices and blamed Azazel for everything they did wrong. This is the origin of the scapegoat. You see how primitive these people are? Still following superstitions thousands of years old like they're still cavemen.

[@thejuiceking2219]

also, as someone else in another comment section mentioned, it allows them to dehumanize they're not attacking a loved one, they're attacking the demon inside them

[@robertfarris3744]

i agree with you...but it could also be that they're just batshit crazy and need meds/mental health intervention.

[@hannajung7512]

​@@thejuiceking2219yes, especcially when the victim dies during the exorcism, which is not as uncommon as one would hope. Those almost light hearted cases in which people that are "possessed" by alcohol, gambling, lust, wrath etc. are only harmful in the way that they make people feel bad for things that are not bad at all, and prevent actual personal growth in cases were a problem actually exists. It gets really fucked up, when people with mental disorders or chronic issues that come in flares get into the hands of an exorcist, because that is were people die. And of course when LGBTQA+ people get pushed into an exorcism, as for those not being allowed to learn self acceptance and be constantly treated like a literal demon increases the likelyhood of self inflicted harm massively.

[@weedlol]

Shouting "FIRE" and "MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS" is like some kind of anime character announcing their attack, it's pure gold.

[@NovaSaber]

"Moon Healing Escalation!"

[@ThalitaUchoa]

I lost my shit at "FIRE!!" I was NOT expecting that at all

[@henrytep8884]

@@ThalitaUchoaback in the day they would even throw “holy water” on the demon or the Bible at the head of the demon. These new exorcist are pretty lazy in their practice, must be gen z exorcist (I love you Gen Z, just a joke).

[@pirate_duck4985]

•Makes Finger Gun• PEW! PEW!! PEW!!! BE GAAAAWWWWWNNNN DEMON!!

[@foolishlyludicrous]

HYPER DRAGON POWER OF JESUS SHOUT!

[@DK-er1sy]

Ever heard of a reverse exorcism? It’s when a demon tells the priest to get out of the child

[@The-White-Owl]

Bro...

[@narendrakadam3894]

​Bro 💀

[@AffinityShadow00]

Haha 😆

[@krembryle]

hehe...true tho

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

LOL that's in poor taste.

[@Jo-JoandTaffy]

Having surveillance cameras around is a sure-fire way to prevent a possessed person from levitating. It works every single time guarenteed.

[@kaufmanat1]

if it WAS filmed, would you believe it? i wouldnt.

[@Jo-JoandTaffy]

@@kaufmanat1 Of course I wouldn't believe it. As far as I a concerned, "god" is not real. Satan is not real. Santa is not real.

[@kaufmanat1]

@@Jo-JoandTaffy so why should we care if it's filmed? it wouldn't change anything anyways. why would they film it?

[@Jo-JoandTaffy]

@@kaufmanat1 I was joking around making fun of people who believe in exorcisms. These people claim that people levitate during exorcisms. If the exorcism was recorded, then Noone could claim that the person levitated because that is not a thing that happens. I am saying that the people who claim to have seen people levitate during exorcisms are liars.

[@TheOneWhoHasABadName]

it’s just like a scranton reality anchor from SCP they really should film it, use the reality anchor to weaken the demon

[@Ahrpigi]

Now I'm thinking about these "possessed" people driving themselves to these meetings, practicing their flailing and speaking in tongues at the red lights. 😂

[@einienj3281]

😂😂

[@leifcatt]

They stop at 7-11 and spin their head around at the counter as they growl "Pack of Marlboros".

[@sstolarik]

Hilarious! The same groan over and over. People in the next car looking at him,… LOL

[@kacangajaib1563]

Some probably practice Body Contortion too, to make it more convincing😂

[@vhawk1951kl]

Did no-one ever warn you against using those asinine infantile symbols used only by imbecile children, lest you be taken for an imbecile child, for no *sane* adult would dream of using anything so asinine and infantile, but if you sincerely*wish* to be taken for an imbecile child, that is of course entirely a matter for you. I only need to see them used to know for a certainty that the user is a child with few wits, for no adult with wits and learning would dream of using them for fear of being taken for an imbecile child, that inference being inescapable. The *only* inference that can be drawn from the use of those asinine and infantile symbols is that the user is some kind of imbecile child, for*no* adult with wits or learning would use anything to asinine and infantile, but if you active *wish* to be taken for or supposed to be an imbecile child, that is of course entirely a matter for you. here really is *no_other* inference to draw but those that use such asinine and infantile symbols *are* imbecile children, for *no* sane adult with wits and learning would dream of using anything so asinine and infantile for fear of being taken for, or supposed to be, an imbecile child. You seem to *wish* to be supposed to be an imbecile child, but if that is your wish amen to that.

[@icecream7695]

Thank you for speaking about this, I had trauma from going to watch an exorcist as a kid against my will. My religious dad who is still religious to this day told me it would just be a regular church service with a special guest... He said it was a service that would help him with problems he had. A guy who had a silver cross was there and claimed to cast our curses and demons. He said he would scan the room for evil and pick us out amongst the crowd. I watched my dad be "cured." Not only was I crying but scared that I would be put in front of everyone and "exorcized" too. Turns out my dad actually had a mental illness and he had to go to therapy. I'm an atheist and I've had therapy and it's helped me heal from the religious trauma I've experienced, but also I discovered I have ocd and autism. I am doing much better of course having medication and living on my own, free of religion, but this "exorcizing" is just hypnosis in another form that is dangerous because just like faith healings, people think they're cured of things they need actual medical attention or therapy for.

[@RatKingKitKat]

i have an ADHD diagnosis and have had one since i was a little kid, when my mom first found out she had me undergo an exorcism, luckily it wasn’t as extreme as other exorcisms other people had to go through, but i remember being screamed at by a pastor in spanish and thinking that it was the silliest thing, it felt like a bunch of adult playing make believe

[@calliemyersbuchanan6458]

That whole clip listening to that ladies satanic cult trauma i honestly kinda felt nothing because it just sounded like listening to a hollywood script but damn! ya wanna talk REAL spiritual cult trauma? How about the very freaking real story of what christian zealots are putting people like your father and especially yourself through! OMG I started welling up reading how you felt 😢 I am both sad and very angry for you! What an absolutely FUCKED UP thing to have to experience! Thank you for sharing such a vulnerable moment though.

[@tourdeflores2693]

english or spanish?

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Firstly it is not ok to pick someone out and call them out in front of the whole church...that is weird. And I wouldn't blame you for being scared. I would be too. That is awful. It is not how exorcists or real deliverance ministers operate. People have to tell the pastor/priest they want deliverance prayer. Then they should pray for them in secret; it is no one else's business. And no one is allowed to talk about it to anyone else afterwards. I never hypnotized anyone...so no. There are natural physical problems and spiritual issues. God can cure both. It is quite possible. And when it happens it is a miracle. I am sorry you were exposed to people who were faking God's miracles. Just pray on your own and listen; God will tell you Himself what is real. You can tell when God is speaking to you; it's very evident.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

I am sorry this happened to you. None of that should have happened. It sounds awful. Real deliverance ministers and real exorcists don't call people out during a church service in front of everyone; I have never seen that happen but wouldn't want it to happen to me. Deliverance and exorcism wont work unless the person requests it themselves. They need to be apposed to the possession/oppression prior to getting help or you could make the person worse. It is spiritually irresponsible. Just like a doctor: First, do no harm. There are natural and supernatural ailments. God can cure both. His power is not restricted by the natural -- He created it. I have assisted people with deliverance and I have never spoken of it afterwards except to the people who were there for follow up prayer or to the person if they wanted to speak to me about it afterwards. It's no one else's business--not even mine!!! LOL I just assist. God and Jesus deliver them; I just lead them in prayers. I never hypnotized anyone. And I interview them first. God bless you. I hope you can be healed from the abuse you suffered. I am sorry that happened to you.

[@mdiggler]

Exorcism might be therapeutic for the moment as it allows the person to release what they have bottled inside, but in the end, the problem will still be there, as it is mental.

[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

Yeah, I agree

[@christopherpearson2116]

"The Devil and Father Amorth" by William Friedkin is a documentary about the exorcism of an Italian woman in the village of Venafro referred to as "Cristina" by the 'famed' exorcist priest father Amorth. What's amusing is that in that documentary the voice of the woman has been at one point altered by the "chorus" sound effect to make it sound "demonic" (to perhaps bring the primal fear in gullible people). Then, latter the same clip is used for refference in an interview and the careless editor of this fakery has used the unadulterated, original clip still with a normal voice. Making Amorth out to be a liar.

[@NovaSaber]

No, it's never anything good at all. It's abuse. At best it does nothing except the harm of making someone think it did something, and therefore fail to seek help elsewhere. That alone makes it as bad as homeopathy, faith healing, or psychics. At worst it's life-threatening physical abuse. People have literally died while being "exorcised".

[@joshuasy10]

I think we need to step back and think about what we mean by these words, what exactly is bottled inside? And what exactly does it mean for that to be mental? Is there ever a distinction between mental/spiritual/physical? If so then to what degree? And how much of that is from within or from the outside? And how do we make such a distinction since we all as conscious beings have inherent shared experiences and ways of seeing the world? (And now since I'm at this point in the video) To the notion of the experiences coming as a result of the stories we beleive etc, even if this was completely true, this doesn't even come close to dismissing the notion of demons and possession, as it leaves completely unanswered the nature of man to beleive and resonate so well with such stories, to the the extent they are literally possesed by them (possessed meaning that they have no direct control over themselves) (at this point what difference does it make what you call the source). In so many ways I think self proclaimed skeptics just de-religify the language used and then pretend that it's now obvious what's happening. In reality we aren't closer at all, we're just using different words that you find more comfortable. I really don't think this is intellectually honest or even rational, they even say at the start of the video that the statement of "demons don't exist" isn't a derivation, it's a starting point of the world view, it's an assumption. Therefore any arguement that claims to back up the belief that demons aren't real, that is based on the assumption that they aren't real is completely illogical. On a completely separate note this argumentation of seeing something in a movie and that changes the behaviour of a possession, this can clearly be true for those who may wish to deceive, or are themselves deceived in thinking they are possessed. However let's not assume excorsists have the intellect of a goldfish (you aren't a skeptic if your argument relies on you being a self diagnosed smarty pants). There are defined metrics (at least on the Catholic side of things) of how to decern if something is possession or another problem, were possible all other possibilities must be considered (by credited professionals) before possession is concluded. There are hard points of evidence that are listed as reasons to conclude possession, e.g. speaking in languages unknown to the person, knowledge that can't be held by the person (examples are listing the sins or doubts of those in the room), unnatural contortions, illusions, or strength that wouldn't otherwise be natural for the person, or aversion to holy water or relics that the person would no know to be holy water or relics (or know they are brought near to them or whatever). You may believe in demons or excorcism or not (i don't really care, there are more important things for you to worry about first before you become a Christian). But let's not pretend that this is some trick we can all look at from above like we understand what's happening, it's incredibly prideful.

[@joshuasy10]

@MusingsFromTheJohn00 yes, the strange unintelligible intermingling of being itself, sounds nothing like supernature at all

[@KenS1267]

I worked with a woman who firmly believed she had been satanically abused just as described. It took just a few minutes research to debunk every factual claim she made. She simply decided she was so traumatized that she had got those details mixed up. When I then got her to name the "therapist" who was helping her recover her "memories" it was again a matter of a few minutes research to find this was not a licensed therapist, who did not seem to have existed more than few years prior, and the available images of her matched closely a woman who had been doing the same thing in California until several such claims were made against parents and wound up in court and found to be baseless. It certainly looked like she changed states and name to avoid getting sued. I have no idea why she went into therapy in the first place but she came out of it absolutely convinced that she'd been part of a global satanic abuse conspiracy. It was unshakable and it destroyed her life.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Yes. satanic abuse does that to people. SRA. Poor woman.

[@gamebucket2961]

I love how we almost never see interviews from the possessed people themselves it’s always the people who preformed it or saw it.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Because it is very embarrassing. That is why. And it is private. Like a counseling session. It's no one's business. The boy the exorcist was based on had to move and change his name b/c he was harassed so much. Annndddd... not by Christians.

[@ianm.w1563]

There are just search them up & see.the thing is that is after the excorsim it's quite a sensitive thing to talk about, that's one of the reasons interviews aren't frequently done ,Kell Mitchel a famous known actor for acting Kenan & Kel , described his deliverance session(excorsim) on Club Shay Shay Vlad Savchuk also interviews some of the people He's done excorsim on.If you search for them you'll find them.

[@ianm.w1563]

Kel Mitchel interview on club shay shay is one

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@ianm.w1563 do you have the link?

[@Jaiden_Anime_Shuns]

Would you talk about a non visible being? No you'd be scared of being called crazy. Only way to know is if it happens to you but if it does its traumatizing.

[@CB66941]

Anecdotal story: I apparently was possessed by a demon according to my parents. Essentially what lead up to this was that I, as a rebellious child 13 years of age, loved playing video games. But we were in a very strict household that only allowed an hour of playtime on the family computer on weekends. On Saturday, my playtime was up for that day, but not my older brother, so naturally I wanted to watch him play then. Unfortunately my parents didn't allow that, and I was resentful of it. They then grilled me alone, a 2 on 1 scenario about my rebelliousness. You can imagine the kind of environment that puts on a kid who at the time resented and hated their father but wanted to deny it, along with what I considered a dumb rule. But as they kept drilling me, I just wanted the verbal correction to stop and leave, so naturally I started crying. Which in turn turned into a panic attack, breathing difficulties and a stuffed nose, which again I didn't know at the time. I told my parents I couldn't breathe, and eventually started screaming. Naturally my parents started praying in tongues and all that. I bet if I shouted "it burns, it burns!" it would have really cemented the belief of possession. I eventually calmed down, but I still remember to this day what they told me, was that they may not have been talking to me but a demon. Can you imagine what that does to a kid when told that? They made my older brother delete a lot of my games because of that. It sucked, and I was heartbroken, yet I told myself then, these have to be demons. I think a lot of people associate the kind of behaviors kids have to demonic possessions. I mean, the emotional development of a kid is not mature and seeing schools and parents ask for that maturity is stupid. The kind of emotional outbursts kids have is normal, but goddamn seeing parents hate it, and then seeing them tie it to demons, I bet they love it when they can tell themselves: "A normal behaved kid is one free of demons."

[@OMJ_the_Show]

Damn. I grew up Evangelical and was also made to believe that very natural emotions were somehow demonic. Well, it's true that in the past, people with developmental problems or who strayed from the norm were considered "demon possessed" because we didn't have the scientific understanding yet. I mean, in general, this is what religion has been: giving supernatural meaning to things we can't explain.

[@joshuasy10]

As a practicing Christian I just want to say that I feel bad for you, you should never have been treated like that. Some of us have a saying that the biggest source of Atheists are overbearing Evangelicals, unfortunately this is very common. I pray this is not a stumbling block for you to harbour resentment.

[@CB66941]

@@joshuasy10 I appreciate that

[@Bugg...0_o]

🫂 That really sucks. A friend of mime growing up, her family found out she liked other girls, not boys, and apparently tried to get the demons out of her causing it. I'm ashamed to say I'm glad I had moved away by then (we caught up years later), because as close as we were, I'm sure suspition would have fell on me too, and yeah, turns out I'm bi, so...yeah, that would have screwed me up too I'm sure, worse than I already ended up due to bigoted family. She spent a lot of years trying to be straight (dating men, dressing femme, etc), and no one was happy. We lost touch again, but last I saw of her was on Facebook a few years back. It was her at a beautiful, western themed wedding, both of them standing there in their cowboy boots. She had her arm around her radiant new wife, who looked beautiful in her white dress, and her, in her same old cowboy hat, with a smile ear to ear. I've never seen her look happier. Not even close.

[@CB66941]

@@Bugg...0_o thank you for sharing that with me. Every story I hear of someone from the queer community finding happiness makes me happy, to remind myself that there is nothing wrong with being queer. No one gets hurt. Literally the only difference is attraction towards the same sex.

[@n0etic_f0x]

People who believe in this are *wild* I was accused by three separate people of being a demon. I have been told my eyes change color, that I have an aura that affects all life, and that I have D&D level magic powers.

[@conrad03]

do they not realize how badass that sounds

[@LittleBitofHopeToo2518]

Do you work in a mental institution?

[@n0etic_f0x]

@@conrad03 No, at least not in the manner that they should. Because see I am evil so it’s bad. if you encounter these people just lean into it. Say you are a demon, just outright confess your devotion to Lucifer the almighty lord of earth and tell them how for every person in heaven there are at least two in hell. You are winning and only getting further ahead, it’s God’s plan that all come to Heaven? Well most people don’t so he failed.

[@CheezMonsterCrazy]

Your eyes may in fact change color with changes in ambient light conditions. Or it could be Satan.

[@n0etic_f0x]

@@LittleBitofHopeToo2518 Nah just with fundamental Baptists.

[@SkinkUA]

That first guy should learn screaming techniques, maybe he'll have a career in death metal

[@mekannatarry1929]

So many do; I highly recommend Andre Antunes if you haven't heard of him already, does metal covers of various things, including exorcisms.

[@dawnkeyy]

​@@mekannatarry1929Lmao, covering exorcisms is a hilarious concept, I'll definitely check him out

[@sally5097]

😅

[@ianswift3521]

no. more like Alexei Levkin, leader of the Azov batallions "band" M8l8th where it's just him screaming to background noise.

[@ianswift3521]

PS ukrainians definitely arent nazis y'all.

[@eyeroll-encore]

The priest listing off the names of demons reminded me of a Marvel fan enthusiastically and methodically listing villains and their impressive superpowers. I wonder if the Marvel Effect has had an impact on the Exorcist Effect.

[@zephlodwick1009]

I once wrote a story about a demon who doesn't have the heart to make a deal with someone, and I spent paragraphs rattling off demons and their domains I'd read off of Wikipedia.

[@Kalyahna]

Only if the "marvel fan" in question is pulling their info from awfully written fanfiction that's been poorly translated twice so none of the names or purported powers are accurate.

[@SHADEdonatesGOODvibes]

​@Kalyahna the bible fanfiction strikes again rip

[@BriannadaSilva]

As a butch lesbian who literally named her bearded dragon "Leviathan", I grinned so wide when he said "Leviathan" is a demon of masculine female sexuality. Never heard that take before but it sounds badass 😂 Hail my new demon lord Leviathan! Lol

[@DopaminedotSeek3rcolonthree]

I said this as a reply to another comment, but I'll copy paste it here, since it also applies lol I find it funny that gay men only get one dark god dedicated to them but lesbians have 2. Maybe the idea of women having more power in that way is scarier to them...

[@BriannadaSilva]

@@DopaminedotSeek3rcolonthree Haha right! Why are we so lucky! 🤪

[@33-vertebrae]

Masc lesbians literally have leviathan in them so that is in no way surprising.

[@BriannadaSilva]

@@33-vertebrae Literally, you say? Sounds cool 😎

[@shrekiscool4743]

​@@33-vertebrae damn ngl i wish i was lesbian now, sounds cool as fuck

[@jcondron]

So, "eight or nine (salt-of-the earth) people" swore to the "skeptical psychiatrist" that they observed someone levitating for 30 minutes, but not a single one of them thought to pull out their smart phone and record the incident. Riiiiiiiight!

[@ivancliff2514]

This is one of my main issues too. Why is there never a demon present in the scientist’s lab? They’re always found where there doesn’t seem to be a scientifically minded person around. It’s like demons avoid skeptics or something.

[@Warhoon]

"Salt-of-the-earth" = an unsophisticated person who would never ever lie about something. An incredibly condescending term that you don't see much anymore in people under 100 years old like this guy.

[@zephlodwick1009]

And of course it wasn't caught on the security cameras. And no other nurses or doctors were called. Or the police.

[@OldNewsIsGoodNews]

I cackled at "salt-of-the earth people" -- are they _really_ salt-of-the-earth types if they're performing exorcisms and expecting there to be a need for (and results from) those exorcisms in the first place?

[@kylezdancewicz7346]

I feel bad for the demons. It’s seems they all have the genetic disorder or cryposis. This effect is rare with no recognized cases in humans and we’re still unsure what causes it but it includes such symptoms as: Intense fear of public spaces. Rapid Degradation of any photos, videos, or any visual evidence to the 70s quality or even further in severer cases. And in many cases numerous other symptoms. Due to the nature of this illness it is extremely hard to study and seemingly the only sources of these phenomena come from uncredible sources

[@stephaniefales3262]

When I was a child I used to have frequent night terrors. Like, wake up in the middle of the night screaming, in absolute terror. I was convinced that I had seen demons. Once I started started decunstructing and investigating my own beliefs about "other worldy forces" the night terrors stopped.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Like what?

[@wayumin]

Hmm. It's all an illusion. It's our mind

[@HisWordisLife4U]

What were the other worldly forces you deconstructed that stopped the demons bothering you?

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@wayumin Nope. demons can communicate with us in our minds but they cannot read our minds, only God can do that. Try praying--He knows what we are going to think BEFORE we even think it. His timing is impeccable. Test it. talk to Him. Demons guess based on our actions and what we say. They are super smart, but they are limited.

[@Misakachichan]

SAME!!! I feel SO SAFE TO SLEEP NOW!! NO MORE DEMONIC DREAMS!! No more fear of a Greater Power threatening to consume/destroy me!!! (I had no idea that most of my anxiety was religious trauma! Until I walked away from religion!)

[@Soylent1981]

Is it possible some of these people adopt the possession script as a way to cope with the demands of their religion to disassociate their “sinfulness “ with a perceived or desired “holiness”?

[@DavidSmith-vr1nb]

Interesting take. I'd say that's quite probable in many cases.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Nah. All your sin is between you and God. All they have tondo is say they are sorry, and try not to do whatever it is anymore. No one talks about their sins toothers in the church. They pray on their own.

[@DavidSmith-vr1nb]

@@HisWordisLife4U You are either extremely gullible or this is unmarked sarcasm. Going by your chosen screen name I suspect the former.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@DavidSmith-vr1nb By your response, I suspect you are mad at God and taking it out on complete strangers.

[@DavidSmith-vr1nb]

@@HisWordisLife4U Classic 😅

[@Superwoodputtie]

At 33:31 When the catholic priest went into all the demons and they all turned out to be gay, i was like "you know all those gay thoughts might not be coming from demons." The chapter title for this section should be "yasss demons"

[@CB66941]

The thing that is hilarious to me is that there are somehow 2 demons in charge of lesbian relationships (with one being male oriented and the other female oriented lol), but only one in charge of gay ones. Like it's just too much work to for any one demon to specialize in they had to divide the work into 2.

[@Superwoodputtie]

@@CB66941 hahahahah. I need to see that demon organizational chart.

[@kellydalstok8900]

I bet there are a lot of homosexual catholics choosing priesthood over a life of “sin”. Plus they get to hang out with all the boys at seminary.

[@awkwardukulele6077]

@@kellydalstok8900historically speaking, this was a BIG thing for a lot of religious orders. Not to mention the number of “wayward” children of nobility who got sent of to nunneries and monasteries for “sinful” behavior who just so happened to have an easier time committing those “sins” behind closed doors with a lot of like-minded young men and women.

[@AILIT1]

If he updated the section title that would be hilarious.

[@mikey-wl2jt]

I'm a psychotherapist; I spent many years in rural community health specializing in psychosis and severe persistent mental illness (SPMI). Sooo many times ive worked with people who have experienced horrific abuse, particularly in childhood, and have constructed an elaborate mental/emotional framework to try to make sense of it. I get it. And it makes me sad.

[@Quonzan]

I once met a friend of a friend who spent two hours telling me about how every single politician in his country had abused him as a child because his dad was a part of some sort of elaborate criminal network. He'd aparently forgotten all about it because he'd intentionally hypnotised himself and only recovered his memories after waking up from being anaesthetised at the dentist. It was a sad story, but I always suspected the truth was a little less sensational, but he needed a story that was powerful enough to match the strength of his hurt.

[@shrekiscool4743]

​@@Quonzan yikes. psychology is absolutely wild and so incredibly interesting

[@mikey-wl2jt]

@@Quonzan yes! that is a surprisingly (and sadly) common type of story

[@HisWordisLife4U]

I am a psychotherapist bovine excrement meter. What did all of your patients with your EXTENSIVE experience construct to make sense of their abuse? I noticed you left that part out.

[@mikey-wl2jt]

@@HisWordisLife4U lots of things. one guy had developed an elaborate story about international cocaine and gold trafficking through a small town in rural Oregon. another was absolutely convinced the dea was tracking his driving patterns in order to frame him. yet another was certain a neighbor was putting chemicals on her car windshield. in each case these constructs were directly tied to historic or present abuse and trauma. the first needed a story to help explain CSA, the second his early trauma with a methamphetamine abusing parent. the third needed some explanation for intrusive paranoia. so like...what on earth is your issue with this?

[@TheAntiburglar]

As a New Yorker I can confirm we're not big on Cthulhu. He takes too long to respond, always waiting for the "stars to align" blah blah blah. The King in Yellow moves a lot quicker and gets shit done. 10/10 eldritch abomination, and a real nice guy to boot :D

[@friskeysunset]

True about Cthulhu. But you New Yorkers totally own Rosemary's Baby. And Ghostbusters. The Doc missed a spot there.

[@m.f.5739]

Agree, he's too sleepy. However I just bought a broken trumpet or something (might also be a flugelhorn) at a rummage sale, and now I can try to summon Azathoth. Maybe he'll appear. Or my neighbours will, who knows.

[@seancherry1130]

His brother Nyarlathotep has better political goals in mind. "Nyarlathotep 2024: Why chose the lesser evil."

[@twhimsy]

can't see the stars in New York.. no wonder he takes so long

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Who is the King in Yellow? Who is Eldritch Abomination? Video games? You need to leave the house more often Hamburglar.

[@amicasparrowfell1664]

I’m just facepalming every time these exorcists list off a demon being in charge of X, because they’re never truly in line with the canon of what each demon controls. They’ve changed the dominions based on vibes.

[@einienj3281]

Demons are really scared of the average atheist, aren't they? That's pretty funny..

[@Person-ip7iy]

I’m using this if someone ever tries to use exorcisms as an argument for god against me.

[@krembryle]

Christians probably just think demons drive us like cars and we are content with it :D

[@Vsevolodbochkov]

I'm starting to think that demons have exorcism kink

[@Person-ip7iy]

@@Vsevolodbochkov lol that would be hilarious

[@Pelousek273]

​@@VsevolodbochkovThis would be really funny, just like: Exorcist- "Get out, you foul creature!" The demon- "Harder daddy."

[@lnsflare1]

You know what demons are really daunted by? Their old boss' cheerleaders telling them to go away in the name of the guy that they had presumably personally met and denied.

[@SpeakerWiggin49]

"Dang, the hall monitors caught us playing hooky. Scatter!"

[@wasd____]

Well, hey, gotta stick to the script.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Nah, Just the Blood of Jesus.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Nah, just praise and worship music.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

being told what to do in the name of Jesus by a person who knows who they are in Christ.

[@dancewithmyshadows]

This is off topic, but your background lighting is so cool and makes your videos really easy to watch. Besides the content being really interesting, I mean. My neurodivergent brain doesn’t get tired watching.

[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

I’m so glad to hear that, thank you! I quite like it too but sometimes I worry it’s too bright/distracting. It’s nice to hear that it’s easy to watch for you.

[@Bo_M]

I remember on time when people were praying for me I was feeling a bit dizzy and perhaps sick. I had trouble standing and was swaying from side to side a bit. They thought I was feeling the holy spirit and actually placed me on the ground. They prayed some more, but louder this time. I remember sitting there with my eyes closed and thinking: 'tf are they doing? I want to stand up.' It was very awkward. I don't go to church anymore.

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

Dehydrated maybe?

[@AdrianaGdz]

It’s hypnosis

[@carorijkehaven5386]

⁠@@starscreamthecruel8026It’s possible. Almost every time I went to church, I went without food in my stomach. I will get very hungry sometimes

[@ggunnelspct]

The lady’s testimony reminds me of people who talk about UFO experiences.

[@kellydalstok8900]

The “demonic cult” lady? She sounded like she’s never been pregnant and given birth ever, because those don’t work like that. And if she ever was in a cult, it was almost certainly a religious one that gave her false memories.

[@norafromash5087]

my man completely blew his own arguement out of the water when he admitted sexuality could also be for the bond between two people

[@tourdeflores2693]

how was the hanging sir

[@nuyabeez]

At first he said for reproduction only and then walked it back because he doesn't want to lose access to anything at home.

[@MadHax-wt5tl]

This reminds me of when I heard about how every time a movie like Close Encounters or E.T came out, there was a sudden rise in U.F.O sightings.

[@noritochip_97]

"You old water spirits" is this an acknowledgement of other religions outside of Christianity?

[@konnosx1213]

i suppose it's water demons? I dun fucken know, there were demons/evil spirits associated with rivers in Jewish folklore so maybe the Christians get it from there? usually Christianity 101 other religions gods are either non existent or demons pretending to be gods

[@kellydalstok8900]

One of the commandments literally says “you shall have no other gods before me”, so it acknowledges there are other gods.

[@laurencejrmendoza2974]

@@kellydalstok8900 yes Christian believe that every all gods exist but we believe they’re all demons so we only believe in one God

[@HisWordisLife4U]

No. It's the acknowledgment of demons. If worshipping demons is your religion, it's a bad idea.

[@worthythaneofross3925]

@@HisWordisLife4Ubut surely those demons are from hell right? Water spirits are likely from a non-biblical religious tradition

[@misslayer999]

OMG the Rainbow Family? I know them. I lived in FL in the early and mid-2000s. It's just a bunch of hippies that enjoy taking hallucinogens and hanging out in the woods and camping and shit. They're not possessed, they just like to get high lol. Ngl they're pretty well known for their high quality products lol

[@EddieM1994]

I think a lot of possession/exorcism stuff is a person being given an excuse to go ham and grabbing it with both hands. It seems like it would be very cathartic to abandon all your inhibitions and just scream obscenities at a priest for a couple of hours while they throw water at you. Fun times for all, as long as you know where the limits are.

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

You dont have to be possessed for that, you just need to have a personality disorder that makes you want to randomlty SCREAM at people that piss you off :D

[@EddieM1994]

@@starscreamthecruel8026 I know, but the possession kind of gives you someone else to blame it on. You're the victim in a possession. If you have a personality disorder, people just tell you to get a handle on yourself.

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

@@EddieM1994 Not if you grew up in a religious household. One of my relatives via marriage told my Mom she was going to hell because she had birthed a soulless daughter(if you are C Section, you have defied God's plan and are born without a soul. If I hadn't been, I'd be stillborn like my twelve year earlier brother) who was a daughter of the devil who had had three abortions. Mom was Catholic and believed but in a much more common sense way so that really hurt her. She told me and I burst out laughing. I said, I have have had a partner who wasnt shooting blanks for that first Mom. I was on the pill and this relative had confused it with abortion somehow. She sent a priest to our house to get me Exorcised when she found out I had BPD. Her spanish priest had contacted our local church and a very embaressed pastor came around to our door, Dad answered it and he said I hear you have someone here with severe emotional problems. Dad, not being particularly religous(He was C of E), said, she doesn't need your kind of help and asked him to leave. Among the believers, Mental Illness is STILL seen as possession or being born evil, they dont accept that science has moved past this thinking and realised, disorders and mental illnesses are caused by different wiring in the brain and bad experiences.

[@EddieM1994]

@@starscreamthecruel8026 Yeah, I wasn't thinking of the real fundie families. I'm sorry that all happened to you and I hope you're in a better situation now.

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

@@EddieM1994 They're all dead. Guess the *soulless* one was the REAL survivor. It reminds me that sometimes what we see on those programmes isnt as insane as others think and often REAL life is even weirder. Thanks, I'm trying my best!

[@JDrocks4ever]

Literally since I deconverted, I no longer went under spiritual attacks. No more dreams or thoughts… of course the believer will say that it’s bc I’m not longer a target for the enemy. Thinking people realize that humans have imaginations and will create images from the things they think about, no different than being extra wary after watching a scary movie

[@OMJ_the_Show]

As a former Evangelical I can absolutely relate to this.

[@gandalainsley6467]

Then go to the church. Just sit through one sermon. Like actual church not the modern progressive ones.

[@fieldrequired283]

​@@gandalainsley6467 "Go to real church, not one of the fake modern ones" as though there haven't been thousands and thousands of years of warfare and excommunication about which churches are allowed to call themselves a "real" church and which ones are satanic modern inventions. Useless, insultingly condescending advice.

[@fieldrequired283]

And if you were still plagued with the evil visions, you'd be held up as evidence that leaving the church makes you vulnerable to evil spirits. When your belief is not based on evidence, all observations become evidence in favor of your belief.

[@gandalainsley6467]

@@fieldrequired283 That is just people being people. Go to church that follows bible and Jesus teachings. Progressive ones don't do that. Its not condescending if its true. I do like how you got defensive and dismissive right away. Like someone is worried what they might find.

[@jojobizarrelivingstone594]

Even as a christian i was questioning thesr supposed possessions and thought of how easy it is to fake these

[@jojobizarrelivingstone594]

Correction: to ACT possessed

[@thulium_3169]

NOT THE GAY INFINITY STONE 😭 🏳️‍🌈

[@DopaminedotSeek3rcolonthree]

I find it funny that gay men only get one dark god dedicated to them but lesbians have 2. Maybe the idea of women having more power in that way is scarier to them...

[@BryanLu0]

Bruh, stop leaking state secrets! Anyways, it's my turn on the gay infinity stone, guys

[@nasonguy]

@@DopaminedotSeek3rcolonthreeBro separated out butch and femme fatale lesbians, but totally forgot about Adonis and twink gay guys. Shame.

[@danielearl3591]

@@BryanLu0nuh-uh! Mom said it was my turn today

[@vhawk1951kl]

Did no-one ever warn you against using those asinine infantile symbols used only by imbecile children, lest you be taken for an imbecile child, for no *sane* adult would dream of using anything so asinine and infantile, but if you sincerely*wish* to be taken for an imbecile child, that is of course entirely a matter for you. I only need to see them used to know for a certainty that the user is a child with few wits, for no adult with wits and learning would dream of using them for fear of being taken for an imbecile child, that inference being inescapable. The *only* inference that can be drawn from the use of those asinine and infantile symbols is that the user is some kind of imbecile child, for*no* adult with wits or learning would use anything to asinine and infantile, but if you active *wish* to be taken for or supposed to be an imbecile child, that is of course entirely a matter for you. here really is *no_other* inference to draw but those that use such asinine and infantile symbols *are* imbecile children, for *no* sane adult with wits and learning would dream of using anything so asinine and infantile for fear of being taken for, or supposed to be, an imbecile child. You seem to *wish* to be supposed to be an imbecile child, but if that is your wish amen to that.

[@kwee8774]

Man, you dont know how validating this video is. I was witness to "demonic possession" just last year with a romantic partner who, in all honesty, was a victim of horrific abuse and had a lot of problems besides that of possession. The worst part is they has told me stories but I guess I didn't really take them seriously. That being said...almost everything anyone has ever said about "possession" was a lie, and i knew the second the event was over that it was a result of her family's abuse due to how they responded to me having a panic attack. I was sitting outside trying to gather myself while her parents tried to "help" (they told me that it "wasn't in my best interest" to get any sort of ems involved if something like this happened). Her mom came outside, saw what was happening and began to slap me repeatedly in the chest whilst SCREAMING "Jesus, enter this man!" I knew my whole situation was fucked when a neighbor witnessed all of this (it was around 5 AM) and asked if we were okay. I shit you not, her mom said as happy as can be, "Nope, all good!" as it this were fucking normal. We didn't last much longer after that, and tbh that as well as other forms of abuse (she called me a f*ggot and disgusting for being bicurious as a teenager for example) that went on with us still sticks with me. Anyway sorry for rambling, and thanks for the video.

[@kevlap017]

''they are sacrificing to the God Cronos and Lucifer'' WHAT. Cronos is a titan from greek mythology... even if we call him a god, which is fine, he has NOTHING in common with lucifer

[@DominiqEffect]

And until the fourth century, the name Lucifer was not associated with the fallen angel of light or the devil. Was even a saint - Lucifer of Cagliari where to this day is a Church of San Lucifero. For early Christians, Lucifer was synonymous with Jesus.

[@onlyjoshing]

Read City of God

[@jacobh9241]

I assumed the focus on babies/children was due to the fact that most religious propagation in the US relies on biological reproduction. In that context, it makes sense to encourage believers to shield their children from competing traditions by triggering their protective instincts with folklore.

[@somersetcace1]

When you watch the movie Constantine as if it were a documentary. Honestly, I can't imagine what it must be like to live in fear of mythical cosmic spirits.

[@Littlebeth5657]

It was not fun even at a very surface level. I'm so glad for my deconstruction but I still have to work on some of my fear as well as being very scared of horror films

[@somersetcace1]

@@Littlebeth5657 I am glad to know you're working through it. As someone who's never believed in a god, or cosmic supernatural entities in general, I find those kinds of stories fun. A fictional romp through mythology. One day I hope you reach that point. Not that you have to suddenly enjoy horror movies or movies involving religious mythology, but to be `able` to enjoy it, would be good.

[@Littlebeth5657]

@@somersetcace1 thanks! I will say that being able to state "none of this is real" is a hell of a lot stronger than "Jesus will protect me" which I am grateful for and has definitely improved things massively

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Constantine was not afraid of them; neither are Christians.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@Littlebeth5657 What is deconstruction?

[@ZER0--]

If the girl was levitating and they couldn't hold her down, and it was outside, I wonder if she would just carry on floating upwards forever?

[@susannehuber3996]

Why is there never somebody close by to take a video.

[@BlockyBookworm]

I think the biggest problem with "exorcisms" and "demons" is that there's absolutely no room in our models of the world for evil spirits. Q: "What's the cause of lymphatic cancer?" A: "Let's see... genetic mutations in lymphocytes, caused by changes in molecular structure... oh, and spirits that go into your body and set up a farmer's market for all their friends from Hell. The swollen nodes are 50% off."

[@radec4223]

Oh boy what a steal, better get myself one

[@HessianHunter]

I think even these people don't think of bodily ailments that way thanks to the triumphs of modern medicine, but we're far from having the psychological realm well mapped out, so they can still attribute their mental or emotional state to the divine realm and it's not even that crazy tbh. People will readily compartmentalize behaviors they're ashamed of - is that really any less silly than saying a demon did it? (I think so, but in the spirit of this channel I'm trying to check my biases and embrace a pluralist society based on treating each other with kindness.)

[@kylezdancewicz7346]

@@HessianHunterYou have a mental illness no, you have a demon or are a demon.

[@BlockyBookworm]

@@radec4223 And hey, if it metastasises, you can always get some coupons on the tendons

[@vhawk1951kl]

"our" or " we" being *you*, and*which* specific identifiable interlocutor?

[@U-D13]

"We abuse children emotionally, psychologically and, sometimes, physically, but we don't eat them. So it's all fine, and we're the good guys."

[@katiebarber407]

papa john had a porn addiction and he just screamed it out loud and pretended to be possessed lmao

[@wayumin]

😂😂

[@chocopuddingcup83]

This is the same kind of hysteria and 'showmanship' as speaking in tongues and ritual 'possessed' dancing. Religion is a hell of a drug.

[@LittleBitofHopeToo2518]

Which is why it lights up the exact same brain centers as addiction done when functional brain scans are done.

[@gdmathguy]

Opium of the masses

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

Ritual *possessed* dancing looks like a lot more fun though :) Isnt that a practise in Hoodoo faiths?

[@Person-ip7iy]

@@LittleBitofHopeToo2518not exactly. It’s religious/spiritual EXPERIENCES that light up the same part of your brain that drugs light up.

[@LittleBitofHopeToo2518]

@@Person-ip7iy Incorrect. They also light up the same areas as addiction does. You do understand that those two things are NOT mutually exclusive, right?

[@dentoncrimescene]

It's funny that only people who believe in possession get possessed.

[@BiblicalTrinitarian]

Thats the thing. Demons don't want to possess people who don't believe in possession. Why possess someone who is already away from God? Thats what they want. You think Demons are these abominations that just want to cause havoc but they're not.

[@tomasrocha6139]

@@BiblicalTrinitarian But possession wouldn't draw anyone away from God, it would confirm his existence. If demons existed it makes no sense for them to possess anyone.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@tomasrocha6139Demons do not like God. They also do not like people. Demons are disembodied evil spirits. They seek bodies to inhabit.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@BiblicalTrinitarian Demons do not cause random havoc. It is very calculated and organized. They are in an army of evil. There is a hierarchy, just like God's angelic army.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Lots of people believe in demons besides Christians; they just don't know they are bad. They call demons "gods" in many religions.

[@shassett79]

It's weird how people only seem to film exorcisms in which someone spazzes out for the benefit of their congregation. I guess nobody thinks to pull their phone out when someone is levitating or speaking perfect Latin?

[@jameskpolk9137]

This is great Drew! I’d love to see a similar video for other miraculous claims

[@santiagorojaspiaggio]

This 'Exorcist effect', as this kind of cultural colective hysteria (if i get it right), reminds me very much to all i learned about UFO's and alien abductions and so on. When certain information, or event, or movie, becomes popular, suddenly it starts happening to a lot of people, everywhere, all the time. When new information (including fake news) or a new movie comes out, with new types of aliens, suddenly the cultural script changes towards this new aliens.

[@JarekKrawczyk]

Same stuff like the "fake martial schools.

[@Charlotte_Martel]

Sceptic here: what I find hideous amusing is how all of the "exorcisms" featuring completely explainable phenomenon (growling, spitting, shaking, etc) are caught on video and are fine to show, but anything which might actually confirm the supernatural (levitation, for example) are never caught, and "exorcists" claim would exploit the "possessed."

[@irkendragon]

Wait, some pastors think Leviathan is the demon of lesbians? The giant sea monster God put into the ocean to show off how cool he is? And by Bahomet did he mean to say Baphomet? It's so interesting and weird to see fanfiction and modern storytelling affecting religion in real time.

[@CapturingChristianity]

Thanks for making this video, Drew! And thanks for the charitable introduction to my channel. This is a fascinating subject, and I think there's lots to explore here. Thanks again!

[@felixmae9201]

My exorcism gave me PTSD at age 5, and I count myself lucky to be a survivor - many children have lost their lives this way. It should be illegal to do exorcisms on minors.

[@nirazarazara7634]

I can relate with what you said. Its horrible glad you survived !!! and stay away from the psychopaths who did this to you

[@fragaria_vesca]

It's just fascinating how these demons people claim to be possessed of are so convenient to their victims: - They always seem to gain entry through a sin that the victim is actually aware of - Never through an unconscious cruelty or character flaw - They speak in tongues, but they never speak fluent aramaic or any language the victim doesn't speak themselves - They are never more intelligent or well-spoken than their victims - They make them flail around but never in a way that causes long-term injuries - They explain their chain of command and story of origin to the "enemy" but are to careful to levitate in front of a camera They are so very convenient, they probably come with a bag, a cleaning kit and a customer service hotline!

[@badgyalxtine]

Just wanted to say it is always a treat to see you and Dr. Laycock dialogue. Both of you are so articulate and informed. Thank you for pointing out the blatant racist and anti-indigenous rhetoric that is used to justify some of these exorcisms. I sincerely appreciate your efforts in exposing religious hegemony and championing religious pluralism. Keep the great videos coming. I would love to see Dr. Laycock back again.

[@awkwardukulele6077]

I swear, the NUMBER of time believers work themselves up into a frenzy about made up issues, eventually cause the problem themselves, and THEN use that as proof that they were always right? That infuriates me to no end.

[@DrachenGothik666]

The classic "make up a problem to get mad about" scenario.

[@DIGSFBBAWTDHY.8540]

This has been one of the most satisfying GMS videos ever for me. Not only is it fascinating to learn the psycho-/sociology of things like ostension and the history of how life imitates art and specific influences that shaped American culture, but it’s honestly so reassuring to see someone more educated than me explain away all the silliness that a younger version of myself would’ve absolutely believed. Great work!

[@9tales9f]

I love how there are zero video evidences of any actual supernatural phenomena

[@ikenosis8160]

Ain't that something? You'd suspect that people who all have high definition cameras in their pockets might record a woman levitating a foot off the ground, right? Ehh, I guess they don't allow phones during Exorcisms. 😂 GTFO

[@johnfsenpai]

yeah, we see lots of videos of public exorcisms and claims of exorcisms in which the person levitated but somehow never videos of people levitating in public

[@catalyst3713]

​@@ikenosis8160 This is a question I've always had as well, but the Exorcist in this video actually answered in that interview. He said that it's a commonly reported phenomena that electronic devices malfunction during exorcisms, and that's why there is so little video evidence of them. Whether you believe that answer or not, if the phenomena is real, then that would actually make a lot of sense.

[@UniDocs_Mahapushpa_Cyavana]

We don't really use the scientific 🧪 method for the supernatural (especially in the hypothesis stage), so that is what would be expected in any case.

[@displayer6023]

@@catalyst3713 Why would it make sense? It's just a convenient lie with no studies to back it up

[@lady_draguliana784]

23:20 b/c no-one ever did mushrooms at night in the woods at a party... 🙄

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

I've never done mushrooms so I dont know if they make you high or give you visions or what.

[@kellydalstok8900]

@@starscreamthecruel8026 They make you hallucinate.

[@tobias4411]

If demons are so terrifying, why do they bother with scary faces and growling noises during exorcisms? Are they auditioning for a horror movie?

[@stylesrj]

It's probably just a habit to do jumpscares and they can't exactly give it up after having been jumpscaring for centuries. Bit like Monster's Inc. where children are just not getting scared these days but the monsters keep doing the same thing really of leaping out and roaring at them...

[@HisWordisLife4U]

Demons are only terrifying to non-believers.

[@stylesrj]

@@HisWordisLife4U Wait, I'm confused. I thought demons were supposed to be terrifying... but if you believe in them they're cute cuddly kittens or puppies?

[@tobias4411]

@@HisWordisLife4U Christians do have varying perspectives on how literal or symbolic demonic representations are. There is a general consensus that demons are opposed to God's will and can be destructive. Many Christians do view demons as entities to be wary of or concerned about. For some of them, demons are indeed seen as terrifying entities.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@stylesrj No. But neither do we fear them.

[@melancholymoshpit]

A lot of people don't realize that demons are actually super shy when it comes to being filmed. The most they will influence their host while on camera is by making them scream and run around. All of the levitating, super human strength, intense violence, voice changing, etc, they leave for when the cameras stop rolling.

[@jojobizarrelivingstone594]

....'kay

[@melancholymoshpit]

@@jojobizarrelivingstone594 Am I wrong though? 🤣

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

@@melancholymoshpit They dont want to resort to parlor tricks😉. I get it. Its like the Witch in Bell, Book and Candle when her friends say she could make money out of nothing but she's scared to try and she says: No Nikky, you just don't know what a kind of thing like that could lead to. In the Buffy universe, if the witches used their powers too often, it would become addictive, it would drain them and eventually consume them. Nice way to scare people off from having any agency over their life except what your several thousand year old book says we're allowed. They're jealous that other deities and spirits have better PR then they do 😜 and their lifetime subscription to their cult(Club) is losing members like crazy so they're losing money.

[@jojobizarrelivingstone594]

@@melancholymoshpit wait was this sarcasm if so i didn't realize

[@melancholymoshpit]

@@jojobizarrelivingstone594 Yea I was being sarcastic. Pointing out how in the age of camera inundation there seems to be a suspicious lack of footage of these events. Like that pastor (last year?) who claimed to pray for a lady who was missing 2 or 3 toes and he filmed the toes growing back. Skin, muscle, bones, everything. When he was pressed about why he wouldn't release the footage he said that he was "...protecting..." his congregation. 😂 As if the most earth shattering scientific breakthrough of our lives doesn't outweigh footage of a woman being prayed for. Go figure.

[@kennethlee4894]

I absolutely love your channel!! Keep up the good work.

[@friscowolf2917]

I prefer the Tibetan Buddhist approach to demon possession: One day Milarepa left his cave to gather firewood, and when he returned he found that his cave had been taken over by demons. There were demons everywhere! His first thought upon seeing them was, “I have got to get rid of them!” He lunges toward them, chasing after them, trying forcefully to get them out of his cave. But the demons are completely unfazed. In fact, the more he chases them, the more comfortable and settled-in they seem to be. At this point Milarepa lets out a deep breath of surrender, knowing now that these demons will not be manipulated into leaving and that maybe he has something to learn from them. He looks deeply into the eyes of each demon and bows, saying, “It looks like we’re going to be here together. I open myself to whatever you have to teach me.” In that moment all the demons but one disappear. One huge and especially fierce demon, with flaring nostrils and dripping fangs, is still there. So Milarepa lets go even further. Stepping over to the largest demon, he offers himself completely, holding nothing back. “Eat me if you wish.” He places his head in the demon’s mouth, and at that moment the largest demon bows low and dissolves into space.

[@thebookofspirit1777]

Rightt, its pointing at the nature of the mind more than its pointing to actual entities Transcending duality and conceptualizations of real or not real is where you find wisdom even in things like this. Can something skillful be attained with this view is all that matters to me. Even if one was actually schizo, you could still become unbothered and learn from the delusions, if not actual information thatts nonlocal, then at least info about yourself thoughts and behavior But for all these people suffering the mind, reinforcing it isnt helping.

[@friscowolf2917]

@@thebookofspirit1777 Bingo!

[@abigailhendrick9910]

Sheryl in the Randy Kay clip mentions several terms associated with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) which used to be called multiple personality disorder. Her experience is in line with RAMCOA which is a controversial topic in the DID community, mainly centered around concerns for racism in the interest group that coined the term. Cheryl clearly references several RAMCOA terms and techniques. It might be an interesting thread to pull on to look at this term, history, and how much severe trauma interacts with religion.

[@123sleepygamer]

It's a fake form of D.I.D. the moment I heard "Alters" I knew. Typical TikTok DID BS that has zero basis in reality.

[@einienj3281]

Oh man... Is lying accepted by their god? I'm so sick of these grifters and fearmongers.. They know it's all fake, we know they know it's all fake..they know we know they know it's all fake..still they keep pretending. Super cringe.

[@n0etic_f0x]

The tarrying thing is that the victims of this are not lying, well some are but still a lot of people are just being brainwashed by emotion. The sad part is the people with the microphones. None of them are acting, they are just lying.

[@einienj3281]

​@@n0etic_f0x Sure, there probably are some psychosomatic cases of possession, but I'm more scared of abuse, where a victim is said to be possessed (even when that person themselves doesn't think they are possessed)

[@zephlodwick1009]

Some of them think they're lying for the greater good. If lying gets people to believe in God who otherwise wouldn't, they'll go to heaven when they otherwise wouldn't've. But it's likely a majority of them don't believe a lick of what they say and are just out for money or respect.

[@einienj3281]

​@@zephlodwick1009Exactly. Lying for the lawd..

[@CheezMonsterCrazy]

@@einienj3281 There are also cases of people who are convinced that they are possessed via social pressures. They may even resign themselves to the abuse after everyone around them keeps telling them they are evil.

[@JDrocks4ever]

I used to believe these deliverance ministries were super legit. I was knee deep in it. Even attempted to cast out demons myself… Now I’m out of it, I can’t believe I used to believe this stuff. It’s like drama class for adults🤦‍♂️

[@JDrocks4ever]

@WhoWellOk how would you go about proving your claim?

[@kingj6891]

@WhoWellOkbro demon do not exist 😭

[@mmmirele]

I wish y’all had talked about Rosemary’s Baby, a popular film from my childhood. I think the shock of Rosemary’s Baby for the average adult not living in NYC was "wait, these upper middle class people are into Satan? Worshiping Satan?’ It’s the same kind of shock people would have in 1973 seeing the devil possessing the daughter of an actress living in Washington, DC. "It happens to them too?" Personally, I found "Jaws’ to be far more scary than "The Exorcist.’ I could see sharks off a beach and government officials covering it up. The actual shark hunting scene is genuinely scary. "The Exorcist"? Not so much.

[@zema2071]

Thanks!

[@trevorbrooks7816]

We actually talked about exorcism in my behavioral endocrinology class because of how often it's a misdiagnosis of anti NMDAR encephalitis

[@kellydalstok8900]

My dad had a brain tumor which caused him to see people that weren’t there.

[@Where_is_Waldo]

Therapy needs to be more mainstream.

[@leo--4341]

and less expensive

[@HisWordisLife4U]

There are many kinds of therapy. Shopping therapy Physical therapy Occupational therapy weight-lifting therapy Jogging therapy General workout therapy Swimming therapy social therapy Talking to your BFF therapy Prayer therapy Music therapy Christian music therapy Speech therapy spa therapy pedicure therapy beach therapy vacation therapy Massage therapy Deliverance therapy Exorcism therapy.... which kind did you mean?

[@Where_is_Waldo]

@@HisWordisLife4U Peer review approved clinical psychological analysis for diagnosis and licensed psychologist approved therapy needs to be more mainstream. _"Exorcism therapy"_ Hmmm... something tells me my message is lost on you.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

@@Where_is_Waldo And maybe you are eternally lost.

[@dewilew2137]

It’s pretty mainstream. It’s too mainstream for some. The problem is that religious people rarely go to therapy. That has nothing to do with it being “mainstream”, because it is mainstream.

[@LCDRformat]

"I was just a fat, introverted kid, who nobody would think was dating anybody," most relatable part of the whole video

[@AILIT1]

Always great when you link up with Joseph.

[@czujnyhugo]

30:48 blud just started freestyling his wattpad avatar gay deamons fanfic

[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

Anyone want to help me add timestamps/chapters? I’m off to the Secular Student Alliance conference right now and could use the help!

[@SimonMorningstar-my2rd]

Sure

[@Dadtheimpaler]

At 28:05 and 28:24 he talked about "dappling" in the occult, for some reason... Maybe that can be the "dappling" chapter.

[@mbecker2834]

I just want to say, folklore studies is not dying out! It’s just changing. I’m about to start an MA in Folklore at Indiana University Bloomington. Yes, there used to be more departments, but those who specifically study narrative like he is talking about have mostly been subsumed into English departments.

[@rudra62]

The things about the Friar talking around 34:00, the hierarchy, the lineage, the associations, the principalities, etc came straight out of the Lesser Key of Solomon, demonstratably from the 19th century, while claiming to be an older work. This, along with the Greater Key of Solomon, was part of the hermeneutic movement among upper classes in Europe at the time, intertwined with the interest in Egyptology. It borrowed from the Jewish Kabballah, evolved through Wicca, into the whole New Age/New Thought movements. The "Heaven Tourism" genre of books is something else entirely! Wild!

[@KrasMazovHatesYourGuts]

The Lesser Key of Solomon is actually from the 17th century (and it largely lifts texts from the 1500s). Your point still stands, however.

[@kellydalstok8900]

The friar comes across as a showcase for the Dunning-Kruger effect. He probably believes his own 🐂💩. I would like to tell him that if he doesn’t play the game (sex) he should refrain from interfering with the rules.

[@kamenomagic]

Love your videos with Dr. Laycock, he's great

[@Evil_Teddy]

All these miraculous exorcisms of the catholic church, and not one cellphone video around. Truely is a miracle.

[@lady_draguliana784]

it's highly plausible that that woman _was_ abused, but you're right, I think she's recounting a 'eurotrash' adult horror movie from the 70's (or an amalgam of several of them) it's a scene that'd fit into The Witcher... 🤦

[@godlaydying]

A manual on 'deliverance ministry' which I read said that demons always have the name of the thing they make people do or suffer, so you should have a thesaurus. If you find that a person is possessed by one demon (and they think that virtually everyone is possessed by many demons), try calling out near-synonyms to see if similar demons are in there too.

[@kellydalstok8900]

Like homeopathic remedies then.

[@DrachenGothik666]

Sounds like having a vocabulary is a stand in for education, & you can't have _that_ among the flock, oh no.

[@gsmarkham]

We are regressing as a society in so many ways. It's so sad.

[@drewk7330]

this was such a great episode! loved the guest and topics ❤

[@dylanmays5311]

I love this guy though, he's extremely insightful and knowledgable. I'd love to see more of Dr. Laycock.

[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

You should check out the course I’m producing with Joe! It’ll be about topics similar to this one: www.eventbrite.com/e/online-course-scaring-the-hell-into-america-with-dr-joseph-laycock-tickets-1021374387287?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

[@ilovethe80sNW]

No pro- choice advocate ever said abortion is a "sacrement." It's reproductive health care for pregnant women who's lives are jeopardized by a pregnancy, unfortunately. A living person who may have deep existing relationships with a spouse and living children, parents, friends, career, hopes and dreams. What about their lives?

[@tobias4411]

A)There are weak and frightened people. B)There are evil and manipulative people. C)There are easily impressed people who don't ask too many questions. What you describe is group B using group A to gain leverage over group C.

[@tourdeflores2693]

this aint homework lil bro

[@tobias4411]

@@tourdeflores2693 If demons can possess people, why don't they just possess everyone and throw a massive party? It'd be chaos, but at least everyone would finally believe they exist!

[@tourdeflores2693]

@@tobias4411 who asked

[@tobias4411]

@@tourdeflores2693 I asked you.

[@tobias4411]

​@@tourdeflores2693Wasn't that obvious 😂.

[@dobrien51]

The guy in white’s main problem is not that he doesn’t know the names and areas of expertise of the various demons but that he believes in them at all.

[@friskeysunset]

The doofus is a friar, but maybe not for long. The SOJ is gonna open up a whoooole can o' whupass on him.

[@antoinebelle3506]

He looks like "the Young Pope"

[@simply_sara_69]

This was very interesting. Well done, Gentlemen

[@andystewart9701]

Great episode and a great book! Thanks for this one!

[@rebeccazegstroo6786]

As a boomer, I have to say that some of us rolled our eyes at The Exorcist. I read the book but didn't find it very memorable.

[@VioVanHelsing]

It's actually really interesting, and a little scary, to think about how media affects your mind. Even though you may know that something is fake, your mind is still at work detecting patterns and applying them to future situations. "Mine eye affected mine heart", and, a little more modern, "We become what we behold".

[@lukastemberger]

She levitated? And no one thought to whip out their phone to film this?

[@wickedcabinboy]

@lukastemberger - Now, now. It won't do to be posing inconvenient questions. Must go along with the script.

[@Jo-JoandTaffy]

Having surveillance cameras around is a sure-fire way to prevent a possessed person from levitating. It works every single time guarenteed.

[@wickedcabinboy]

@@Jo-JoandTaffy - Funny how true that is.

[@EmissaryOfStuff]

That guy in the beginning must have a lot of space in his body if 70000 demons fit inside.

[@gdmathguy]

bro has a fukin demon superbowl 💀💀

[@thejuiceking2219]

or maybe the demons are just really small

[@EmissaryOfStuff]

@@thejuiceking2219 Now that just sounds adorable

[@thejuiceking2219]

@@EmissaryOfStuff honestly, if it takes that many demons to do anything maybe they're not as threatening as they're made out to be

[@necrosunderground]

If you relax and breathe, you can fit at least 70,005 demons in your anus. Just ask a priest!

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

The friar saying “dappling” instead of dabbling is far more terrifying than a piece of cardboard mass-produced by a board game company, which is based on a Victorian upper class ladies parlor game called the planchette…

[@nicholasprakash3411]

22:35 This is why this is scary. Hippies, New Age, and other religions are going to be targeted by these fanatics.

[@nicholasprakash3411]

You could also say this about the Coachella & Burning Man music festivals. People like these want absolutely no culture than boring Evangelical Christian.

[@cale0176]

Something horrifying I just heard: the guest on Randy's show speaks about how she was abused as a result of her mother not having the ability to have male children for that cult. The mom doesn't even determine the sex. Dad fires that shot.

[@kellydalstok8900]

She doesn’t know the first thing about pregnancy and childbirth either, which makes me wonder if she’s even had any children. If she WAS in a cult, it was a religious one which installed false memories in her.

[@WickedIndigo]

Watching these “exorcism” videos honestly just breaks my heart. These people need real genuine help, at least if they are actually convinced that they are possessed. Those who are faking it can’t really be helped. If it wasn’t possession it would be some other fad that they latch onto.

[@Seal0626]

28:00 speaking of getting your impressions of things from movies, this guy just _looks_ like a movie villain. He oozes self-righteous hypocrisy from his overly coiffed hair to his implausibly spotless vestments.