The Faith & Horror of THE EXORCIST

An analysis of William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty's horror classic "The Exorcist," and how it uses a documentary style to tell a story of faith, hope, and love in the face of overwhelming evil.
PATREON - / mattdraper
TWITTER - / mattdraperyt
#TheExorcist
#Horror
Music:
"Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield
"Dusk" by HOME
"La Morte della Speranza" by Mitch Murder
"The Shape is Monumental" by John Carpenter
"Collapse" by Michiru Oshima
"To Know, Water" by Austin Wintory
"Good in Red" and "Monsters" by The Midnight
Sources:
birthmoviesdeath.com/2012/05/...
www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/...
www.washingtonian.com/2015/10...
www.americamagazine.org/arts-...
www.theguardian.com/film/2018...
cinephiliabeyond.org/a-discus...

[@MattDraper]

Happy Halloween! If you want to keep watching my horror analysis, here's a playlist with more than 40 videos - kzbin.info/aero/PLJ7bdAZiniF-J2LG9usPXX68wnEpFSZJI

[@tayloredwards4968]

Please do Coraline next

[@RyanSmith-mm4lk]

💪💪💪💪💪💪🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗🔗💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@KimS-ud9hm]

How many times has a "horror movie"made you cry? None for me with the exception of The Exorcist. Watching Father Dyer give his dear friend Father Karras Last Rites is so deeply moving that it brings me to tears...every time. This movie is a masterpiece on so many levels

[@michaelphillips7282]

Everything was SUPERB. The casting. The script. The acting. The lighting. The direction. and above all, the cinematography.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

I feel like I've said this so many times but it's still important to say it. Until recently I wasn't a huge fan of watching horror, even highly rated ones felt cheesy. Some of my favourite movies have had strong horror elements like Alien and The Thing, but pure horror didn't do anything for me. My interest in horror stemmed from my love of practical special effects and I also like a lot of analysis. Last Halloween I got the chance to see The Exorcist at my local cinema and I jumped at the chance. I was blown away by the film. Every element is terrific but my favourite part was the sound. I'm sensitive to sound so the first scenes in Iraq were an assault on the senses. The digging, the clanging of hammers in the forge, the clatters of carts, the dogs barking and fighting, the wind and shouting in a language I don't know. The sound penetrated to my bones and when we changed to America there was respite with the relative silence. But I love how the start of the movie challenged me. A scene that has been riffed on so many times is the exorcism itself, but when you see it and experience it, you see how physically and spiritually draining it is, you appreciate it so much more.

[@classicmodernfilms7602]

From the words of Beatlejuice: “I’ve seen the exorcist a hundred sixty seven times and it keeps getting funnier every single time I see it”🤣🤣🤣

[@roguebritgravy1]

Not to mention the fact that you're talking to a dead guy. Now what do you think?! Think I'm qualified?

[@classicmodernfilms7602]

@@roguebritgravy1 what do you think of this? 👹👹👹 You like it?☠️

[@ghostmonkey0432]

It does not.... I'm still scarred by it

[@seanrichardgreen]

Beetlejuice, not Beatlejuice. Yikes guy.

[@rachaelhogan7850]

Go crawl back under your rock loser

[@camerongodsey9847]

Is it still the scariest movie ever made? Probably not, but it’s effective and real. The desperation and existential “horror” of the movie is what makes it scary. The mother’s desperation and frustration at getting no help whatsoever is more real than anything you’ll see in horror cinema today.

[@fernandoluna6589]

that kind of dispair product of loosing fate always lingers on my mind when i think of the exorcist, and the powerful act of self sacrifice that the father those at the end to save reagan, sunk in despair throwing himself of the window just to save an innocent one not knowing if there is a god or paradise after all the madness he has experienced and being able to regain his faith in his last moments is the most powerful thing in the movie, at least I think so, Great video as always Matt

[@madamvaudelune3298]

Indeed. Beautifully said and I agree.

[@jimmycrackkorn1596]

Well said. Agreed.

[@ELcoyote576]

When Father Damien says he needs reassignment. I felt that. He has the look In his eyes that he has seen some shite In his time.

[@miamicool666]

Even though it is visually stunning, one thing that the film doesn't explain very well at the beginning to those who read the novel is the scene with Father Merrin's dig in Iraq. I always hear or read complaints that, "It doesn't make sense", "It's boring", etc. from first time viewers. With the beginning of the film, Father Merrin uncovers the head of a little figurine of the demon Pazuzu, whom he recognized because he had previously exorcised the demon years ago. So then he has a premonition later that another battle with Pazuzu is coming, with the clock randomly stopping and him almost getting ran over by the carriage. So to confirm his suspicions he goes to some old ruins where there is an old statue of Pazuzu and knows for certain when he sees the dogs fighting each other (the dogs of war have been unleashed). The dissolve to Georgetown right after is to show you where this battle between good and evil is going to take place. We also learn in this scene that Fr. Merrin has a heart condition and takes these little medicinal pills for it. His first battle with the demon "almost killed him" as we hear later.

[@miamicool666]

@Anthony Well, better late than never.

[@dayceem]

@@Evil4Eternity Actually Father Karras is the exorcist.

[@miamicool666]

@alanwatt13 In principle, demons, or any other demonic entities, always attack, when they can, psychologically fragile people and/or in unstable families.

[@miamicool666]

@alanwatt13 Oh ok, because Father Merrin had dealt with the demon Pazuzu before. A passage in the film alludes to it or a priest affirms that Merrin made in Africa an exorcism which went wrong. You could say that this film is a kind of revenge, and also a challenge, through poor Regan...

[@thehighllama8101]

I first saw the Exorcist when I was 9 or 10 years old, back in the early 80s, on VHS. The beginning scene in Iraq always made sense to me. I could have explained the relevance of that scene to anyone, even when I was 9 or 10. I never found it boring, nonsensical, or irrelvant. It was foreboding.

[@DJNLdabest]

One of my favorite movies of all time, and my favorite horror film in general. No matter how much time it passes, it never losses its touch.

[@louisberry4403]

One of the best and scariest stories ever told. Both The Book And Film are amazing.

[@madamvaudelune3298]

The E. Is only nominally a horror movie. Its a story about faith and the kind of love that sacrifices.

[@owensreviews625]

One thing I’ve always found interesting about The Exorcist is how, despite the fact that’s it a story that was meant to stand on its own with no follow ups, the studios try to make a franchise out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I like Exorcist III, and I hope the new film that David Gordon Green is doing is good, but one of the reasons why the first film works so well was because it was only meant to be one film and that was it.

[@JBoxy7]

That's what makes exorcist 3 such a good sequel too tho.

[@theblacklagoon]

"I hope the new film that David Gordon Green is doing is good" Unfortunately, it was not. And I don't have much optimism for the next two being very good, either.

[@SaundersBro1]

As an active Latter-Day Saint, I maintain that The Exorcist is *the* greatest faith-based movie ever made. Period.

[@Nick-qf7vt]

I'm partial to Ten Commandments and Ben Hur myself, but yeah it's up there for sure!

[@dayceem]

I would say Contact ranks up there as well.

[@ConquerorofJerusalem]

Lol

[@stephenosullivan9016]

If memory serves me, the Archdiocese gave it a big thumbs down at the time. Probably based on the “horror” aspect and Father Karras’s crisis of faith. Which of course is silly because doubt is a human condition and sometimes the avenue to which we grow in faith. In truth the picture is the poster child for overcoming evil with faith. Freidkin was so amazed and influenced by Citizen Kane, but I think he can take pride in the fact is this film IS his Citizen Kane and every bit as important and culturally influential. An American masterpiece.

[@nickrkr]

The reason why this is a great movie is that it transcends the Horror genre and explores so many other avenues... Sometimes it's not the evil itself that we should question, but our reaction to it..

[@fo6203]

Still the scariest movie of all time. Thanks for the reminder Matt.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

_Threads_ is more horrifying.

[@yadirasousa9844]

In other words: this is a parenting documentary. A film that shows us the fear of a mother for not knowing what is going on with herchild and her relatives and friends not being capable to help and loosing hope

[@diegodelafuente5056]

Why does this channel have SO LITTLE SUBS??? The Production value and the general great writting is so UNDERVALUED💯

[@rodrigonusoarts]

The ending is brilliant. At the limit, the priest sacrificed himself - the demon takes his body and tries to kill the Reagan girl, but the priest rejects this and jumps out of the window, in a desperate act to stop the demon.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I think some of the context may have gotten lost over the years, as far as Catholicism going through big shifts in the 60s and 70s. I wasn't raised religious, but my mom is the youngest of 15 kids in a very Catholic family, and I've heard stories about how controlling they could be and how the shift from Latin to English mass was a big deal (Rosemary's Baby touches more on that too). My mom would've been 16 or 17 when The Exorcist came out and she was definitely scared half to death by it. It's still scary in some ways, but I think it's more the medical scenes and knowing more about the history of mental illnesses. I would be very interested in knowing if modern Catholic audiences would find this still scary though.

[@user-jn1wm3tb8v]

*I see your Jane Lane profile picture.*

[@Nick-qf7vt]

I think it's brilliant, and despite the copious amounts of blasphemy I believe it to be a very powerful religious film.

[@patrickhenry9521]

It's an allegory for feminism.

[@theblacklagoon]

Indeed, the Second Vatican Council brought a lot of changes to the modern Catholic Church, and is still controversial to this very day.

[@johnpittsii7524]

The Exocrist is one scary movie. Much ❤ as always Matt

[@salmanuel4053]

William O'Malley had to have been the best possible actor to play the role of Father Dyer. To see such a pure-hearted character and figure of faith fall to tears as he holds Damian's hand leaves one with moist eyes. GRHS (1931-2023).

[@briarpatchlogic]

Not to distract from the subject at hand...but The Ninth Configuration is an amazingly enjoyable film. The cast is top notch and it's based on WPB's novel Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane.

[@BlueShadow777]

I'm glad you referred to the 'spider walk' scene as "unnecessary". You're so right. For me, it tainted the film... by adding an element verging on silliness that the - otherwise excellent - film previously denied.

[@ginofrancejr555]

Excellent analysis video I love the exorcist it's LITERALLY THE GREATEST HORROR FILM EVER MADE friedkin is so underrated and this the French connection and sorcerer are a testament as to him being one of all time greats in filmmaking

[@klownfromouttatown1188]

Very nice! I love this movie. It's one of the best out there and still holds till this day. Everytime I watch it I learn something new, I experience it differently from last time and that's really the hallmark of a great piece of art, it invokes something within you everytime you view it

[@Skullspidey]

Great video! Finally saw this film last year and while not scary by any means for me, it truly stood the test of time as an enjoyable film.

[@Oneanddone14]

First viewing at home as an adult 50 years later just can't compare to to 1973.

[@that_diggity_d880]

I love the passion you have for Movies! One of my favorite channels on youtube man! Keep up the amazing work

[@ridge825]

Great video Matt as always

[@jon62314]

Keep up these amazing videos!

[@JoshuaHenelyThornhill]

What a fantastic video my friend 🙏🏾🖤

[@TopNotch86]

Great video as always ;)

[@jwnj9716]

Still a classic, although I prefer Exorcist 3 a bit more.

[@MattDraper]

Yeah I'm a big fan of 3, too

[@curiousworld7912]

I liked the third movie very much, other than the exorcism bits toward the end, which feel tacked on, and were not in the source material. From what I understand, the producers insisted upon putting this in, and calling the film 'Exorcist III', instead of 'Legion', which is the book's title. But, George C. Scott, Brad Dourif, Ed Flanders, Jason Miller, and the rest of the cast, are all excellent. The book itself is very good, and the film is genuinely creepy. The long hospital corridor scene at night is one of the most tensely anticipated 'jump scares' I've seen.

[@Xehanort10]

Brad Dourif's performance as the Gemini Killer is scary as hell.

[@shawnswint1521]

@@Xehanort10 Which would you say is a More Terrifying Brad Dourif Character The Gemini Man or Chucky?

[@ccl7983]

@@shawnswint1521 Gemini killer definitely

[@seanrichardgreen]

Thanks Matt, another great exploration.

[@Nono-hk3is]

Thank you Matt. Happy Halloween!!

[@ed-od9sd]

its the film that gets better every time I watch.and Mr. Draper articulates well why that is in this vid.

[@GabezPolanski]

first time watching you, and you nailed it!

[@vintageretro83]

I do think it was the scariest main stream horror for it's time.

[@system-error]

What's scarier than the Exorcist, even today? Lots of people saying it's not scary by today's standards, but I don't hear them offering up which films are scarier. I saw it on the big screen in 2000 and it had a much bigger impact on the audience than The Blair Witch Project, which was the 'must see' horror of that era. And I saw Martyrs more recently and it sucked and wasn't scary. So I'm dying to know, where are all these horrors that have surpassed The Exorcist...?

[@atomu27]

@@system-error The Exorcist is seriously one of the only movies to ever scare me. It's not about the pratical effects, though they are fantastic, which is the motive of it's dismissal as far as I know. And yeah gory movies probably get a bigger reaction out of modern audiences but I don't think that counts as "scary".

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@system-error Modern people are scary.

[@isabellind1292]

@@system-error I've watched "The Exorcist" maybe twice but I've watched "The Omen" numerous times because I find it far scarier as was "The Ring" which I'm afraid to watch again.

[@ryancarroll2886]

The Ninth Configuration is a brilliant film and hilarious. Exorcist 3 is surprisingly funny too, which adds to it's horror, I feel.

[@garybuechel8133]

Well done.

[@keenanturner8808]

Great video

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Kubrick directs actors: tears and exhaustion but grudging respect Friedkin directs actors: broken cables, broken beds, broken backs, broken fronts, broken Blatty

[@kazumajay]

His words are praise worthy.

[@sebastienvondoom8615]

Well, I guess I'm okay with being wrong in this instance(I assumed your Halloween finale would've been Shin Godzilla)

[@Deadwolf27]

Godzilla is super awesome but I don't think anything about the series requires it to be covered towards Halloween. Even something as creepy and grotesque as Shin Godzilla

[@fcruz43215]

Well done

[@Sjonat716]

Nicely Done...

[@greenacres1909]

Excellent!

[@davidhudson1711]

Great video 👍 thank you. Nearly 50 Years old! Wow!

[@zaydk2196]

We need a Matt Draper dissection and takedown of the terrible, terrible, terrible Exorcist: Believer.

[@logandotson5600]

I can't explain this, but your videos fill me with nostalgia. Are we gonna have an updated Zdarksy run for Darecember?

[@MattDraper]

Love that! Not entirely sure if I'll go back to Zdarsky just yet, still getting the topics in place.

[@anthonynegron1374]

😈 A Classic. First time watching it at 14 in a theater,Alone in 1979. 😊 Classof '83!

[@TimeisReel]

Great Channel, new Subscriber...👍

[@jerrysteve460]

I remember after watching this movie, a sense of true fear enveloping my entire body. I had to immediately switch on all the lights in my house and run outside to get a sense of relieve. No other movie has done that to me since..

[@accident1583]

The simplicity of this movie makes it good even it’s not maybe while this film aging it became more appreciated and relatable

[@daviddoran9552]

They should have left this one alone like E.T no prequel/sequel its a masterpiece

[@MichaelJohnson-nz8dl]

Greed will end a legacy

[@Merylstreep1949]

SNL The Exorcist 2 w Richard Pryor..."your mother sews socks that smell" lol 😆

[@starclone4]

This film still shakes me up !!!!

[@leonardvicari2857]

Halloween is mmm my favorite time I watch scary movies every day of october

[@casszanggonmiah]

Thank you

[@richardfox1605]

Interesting that they used an actual priest in the role of Father Dyer. Rest In Peace Father William O'Malley

[@thomasalexanian927]

6:36 So weird seeing this now that Flanagan will be doing a remake of The Exorcist

[@AndJusticeForMe]

I have always wondered why they sent Merrin. I know he had a history with the demon, but he was on the brink of death.

[@rachaelhogan7850]

It’s not the devil it’s a demon called pazuzu

[@mattgilbert7347]

The almost forensic approach to filming the medical scenes contributed to audience reactions. I'm near certain of it. I find that those scenes make me feel a little queasy.

[@jaywilliams8608]

Lee J. Cobb was outstanding!!! Maybe one of the best performances ever...he was the glue that held film together

[@Lovegun.]

What made it so scary was our fear of the unknown. Big slobbering monsters arent scary to me. Its the shadow in the corner that isnt there....and the potential that that shadow can inhabit you completely...and you have no idea to get rid of it, and thats with help from people who will even believe you......still effective 50 years later.....

[@Hani-ug2zr]

“In a normal home on an average street in a regular town”…You mean, a huge luxury house in Washington DC being rented by an LA actress making a movie. ;p

[@alexkelly6648]

i didnt notice and probably stretching but at 12:59 you notice the cross on the window thats cool

[@JosephHfx]

There were so many scenes in the book which did not make it into the screenplay. Like the clairvoyant at Chris' parry who warns against playing with ouija board. The scene where Kinderman view Dennings' head facing backward, and the subplot of Karl visiting his drug-addicted daughter, Elvira. I think audiences are ready for a remake that would include more of what is in the book. I understand the costs of making a movie, and why so much of the book is condensed. But the movie has such a following after 50 years, that a remake would be justified.

[@Dinvadbhatmarathi98]

Your right she I think is called marry Perrin or Ellen perin she also mentions while she stands, outside that she knew the old house occupant a sea captain, she looks at the house as if scared and sends her son on a pretense of getting the car while she warns Chris about letting her child play with a Ouija board , Chris feels she's holding back information and they are interrupted by her son who has brought the car over to take them home , she is the one who send her the book, this scene should have been in the movie as the spirit to Regan is known as captain howdy ,

[@Merylstreep1949]

Please do The Last Man on Earth and The Omega Man as well as the two Dr Phibes movies plus the unmade sequels please 🙏

[@ccl7983]

This and Passion Of The Christ improved my faith in Christ

[@moviepat83]

1- The Exorcist 2- Hereditary

[@thespacebat]

I love horror movies and have seen a ton, to this day nothing scares me like The Exorcist does. it's still the scariest movie for me.

[@payleryder45]

How does "The Exorcist" not affirm the Catholic Church? It was the only organization with the understanding and method to exorcize Pazuzu from Regan. Holy Water burned Pazuzu, etc.

[@shawnswint1521]

On the Subject of Ghostbusters. I Like to think that The Exorcist was one of the Sources of Inspiration for GB. Due to the Demonic Possession Scenes.

[@Xehanort10]

4:26 And the first film is just the beginning of poor Karras's suffering.

[@Nick-qf7vt]

*"HE IS INSIDE WITH US!! HE'LL NEVER GET AWAY! HIS PAIN WON'T END!!"*

[@takethebluepillnottheredpi584]

The "Version You Never Seen Before " with the added Spider Walk 😳😳😳😳😬👀 creepy

[@purge2--u--nite342]

Scared the hell out me growing up🤘

[@NatrixNate]

Can you cover batman: Ego? I don't see a lot of people talk about it.

[@MichaelJohnson-nz8dl]

50 years of excellence

[@JohnCavalcante.Oficial]

Matt, can you bring Daredevil: Redeption in Darecember? Please, i think it's SO underrated...

[@lauren6509]

That movie is scary and I've seen plenty of horror films. The practical FX are ungodly and eccentric. The dialogue is plagued with blasphemous undertones and many find it harrowing.

[@Issachar_Strong]

Look into the Burkes Dennings theory as to why she was possessed. I would explain it but youtube keeps deleting it. I get that it's dark but it plays a very big role in why reagen was possessed. I find it weird that there are youtube videos that talk about it but if you comment on it youtube deletes it.

[@sonderstudios6675]

No one understands that the movie is about...THE EXORCIST. Regan is just the tool in which the exorcist's character arc is able to be completed. It's NOT a horror film. It's a psychological thriller with horror elements. There are so many clever deep meanings in this film that it's not obviously evident. If you haven't read the novel, give it a read.

[@kellyrhoads1067]

So, not having read the book, or seen the movie in 40 years or so, I will tell you what I remember. The priest struggling with his own faith and satan knowing that and using it to manipulate him. The priest struggling with his relationship(?) with his mom. Wasn’t she a non believer and did she die in the movie? I specifically remember a scene where she is entering a subway descending a flight. Was that to represent her going to hell? Satan also knows this and tries to twist his emotions. He repeated tries to outwit satan and vice Versa, which neither gets the upper hand (I guess before possession or death, which neither still do after all that). And wasn’t the mom Jewish? Also, the priest (young) is turning more towards reason or science, than the Swedish priest (old) with the tradition of faith? Perhaps I don’t remember

[@kellyrhoads1067]

Also, I know you’ll probably say to read the book. Just telling you now, I won’t

[@bsl4762]

Its more a movie about regan being sexually abused

[@wissymal5567]

Very scary

[@ileniatagliavini9202]

Bellissimo film fatto bene mi dispiace tanto per il regista e gli altri attori.

[@ileniatagliavini9202]

Brava linda Blair.

[@stephenschoener1253]

Not quite sure if Father Karras questioned the existence of God ,but his assignment as a Priest at Georgetown University.

[@stephenbastasch7893]

In the college tavern scene, Karras tells another priest, "Tom", "I think I've lost my faith". That naturally involves doubting God's existence or at least God's goodness.

[@PauperPeccator]

“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world” - John 16:33

[@TimeisReel]

Linda Blair's Parents should have been... Locked Up for letting her do that Movie !!!

[@isabellind1292]

I attended the same high school as Linda and her older brother (albeit, I did not know her) in Westport, CT just as the movie exploded onto the screens. I think she had a difficult time after her instant fame, being searched out in the school corridors by students (including myself, lol) but was no surprise, considering it's not everyday one of the students in your school is starring in the biggest horror movie to hit theaters since probably "PSYCHO" and I don't remember her remaining in public school too long after that. But she is one of Hollywood's child actors whose gone on to live a very happy life. She's a devoted animal lover. She's the founder of an animal rescue organization in Ca. and I'm so glad she's doing well. What a loving human being.

[@DummyYEEEAAHHHHH]

RIP William Freidkin

[@TheCinemaniac]

I just watched this for the first time and I have to say that I don’t get the appeal nowadays. The Exorcist is a typical slow moving 70’s horror film. I get why it probably was pretty terrifying in the 70’s considering some of the gruesome scenes (which are still effective) and it has a great atmosphere in those few actual horror scenes there are. And those scenes are very iconic which is evidenced by the fact that they’ve been copied and parodied so often that even people who’ve never seen the Exorcist know of those scenes. But those horror scenes are still few and far between and most of the film is just basically what feels like a setup for the actual story. Honestly, I’d call this more of a drama with supernatural horror elements rather than a straight up horror film. But still, watching this, one can see why it was scary back when it was first released and how influential it was for the genre. It’s just that nowadays it’s a pretty slow and tame horror film even if it is a pretty well made film. I don’t know, maybe it’s different for Americans or Catholics or religious people in general? However, I am going to check out the sequels and the prequels at some point since I have all of them in my collection and I’ve heard interesting things about them.

[@robertdochter277]

I might be one of the few horror fans who prefer Exorcist III over the original.

[@olav3378]

car seat headrest in the beginning there. love car seat headrest. should read the bible more. twin fantasy rocks

[@dawwe8869]

Eyyy

[@carlh.h.2242]

Has there ever been an explanation of why they made Father Karras Greek even though Greeks are Orthodox and not Roman Catholic?

[@dayceem]

I don't care for the extended version. I do actually favor the spiderwalk (though the blood is not dark enough), but the rest is either superfluous or downright cheesy (jumpscare faces and Regan turning into a chipmunk when under hypnosis - yuk) . The original got right to the meat and stayed there. (And while we're at it, avoid the HD travesty.)

[@15blackshirt]

Rosemary's Baby and the first three Omen films are other classic Religious/horror films; the Paranormal Activity franchise is a fairly good modern supernatural horror franchise

[@bigfootfound5301]

Once again, a young commentator sees the film dissing faith. I'll remind you again, it took Merrin MONTHS to complete his exorcism in Africa, as mentioned in the film. It;s not the power of the ritual that is questioned, but the time needed.

[@olemissguy200]

The real life story this is based on is kinda interesting if you believe in that kind of stuff

[@tylerthompson1842]

I believe this movie is partly responsible for the death of Annalise Michel just a few years later. She was a mentally ill teenager who would’ve survived had she lived now or had her parents not been so religiously conditioned to the point of believing any of this is possible