IS IT THE ONLY RELIGION THAT HAS EXORCISMS?
2006-07-12 05:38:32 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
anyone answer the second part.
2006-07-12 05:45:34 · update #1
I'M NOT A RELIGIOUS GUY AND I HAVE NEVER HAD SATIFACTORY ANSWERS FROM THOSE WHO ARE
2006-07-12 05:55:57 · update #2
No. You believe what you want to believe. Personally, I think the idea of a devil is a myth made to scare people into behaving in a certain way that the religious leaders want.
2006-07-12 05:42:34 · answer #1 · answered by sacredmud 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The official line in the Catholic Church is unquestionable that the devil does exist; however the church population is very large, and beliefs held by individuals vary a lot. So its absolutely possible that not all Catholics believe in the devil, however I would say most do.
The Catholic Church is very strict about whether or not it will carry out an exorcism, and they are usually only performed in exceptional circumstances. You have to get permission from the Pope I believe. I do think that most priests will carry out a blessing for you and many other churches will do this also. However a full exorcism is a much more serious request.
2006-07-12 12:55:24 · answer #2 · answered by IwishicoulddeleteYahooAnswers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to believe in the Devil, but believe me he believes in you....and God.
One of the saddest things today (in my opinion) is that people are buying into the theory that there is no hell, only heaven.
That is what Satan wants you to do.
If you don't believe that what you are doing will have any effect, then why does it matter if you do it?
It doesn't .... so go ahead.
Remember the old Saturday Night line
"Gee I didn't know it was against the law to kill someone"
Well, if you are told about Christ, and the consequences of not following a Godly life, and you choose to ignore it and go on your own merry little way....then you are going to be held accountable for your actions. And saying "Gee God I didn't really want to believe in Satan and Hell because they would have cramped my style" may not cut it.
And no - the Catholic religion is not the only one that has exorcisms.
Do you need to live in fear of the Devil?
No, if you live in the love of Christ - the Devil will have no power over you.
That does not mean he will not try to have power over you, and will stop tempting you. It means that you need to be vigilant in your love for our Lord.
If you want to learn more about the Catholic religion there is a program called RCIA, call your local church for dates and times.
If you are Catholic - it will be a great refresher, if you are not you can go through it and learn about the faith. Just becaue you go through it does not automatically make you Catholic.
And the end of the classes if you choose to enter the Catholic faith - that will be done at Easter Vigil.
2006-07-12 13:00:14 · answer #3 · answered by Freeadviceisworthwhatyoupayfor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm not gonna insult you. But if Catholics declare themselves to be Christian, which is accurate to my knowledge, The Devil is present in the Bible. Read Matt 4:8 just for example. The Devil is very real, and we must constantly guard our hearts against him. And I do not believe that Catholocism is the only believing in exorcisms. The Bible says that through the power of the blood, we can bind them up and cast them out. Demons that is.
2006-07-12 12:48:36 · answer #4 · answered by johnnewmaniii1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on one hand of the equation, the awareness of an embodiment of evil is a comparitive requirement to being a Catholic in that it is a state that you must struggle against to preserve your purity in the the eyes of god. however, it is comparable to the question of "to be a good teacher, do you also have to be able to teach a bad student?" the answer is only applicable to the state of mind that the individual has in their perception of the institution of that requirement. you need to be aware of all existences in this universe as if you dont you are a fool them and to the institution you may serve. therefore you can not be effective if you refuse to accept a reality of truth in favor denying yourself a virtue that will undoubtly enlighten you. Catholism is not the only religion that performs the general meaning of "exorcism" it is just that they have taken an extreme narrow view of its meaning in order to scare the public into submission, which was not what Jesus and the Father intended.
2006-07-12 12:55:19 · answer #5 · answered by DeLaur 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No its not the only religion that has exorcisms.
And yes, if u are catholic u should believe in Devil, that's what Church teach u...but it up to u to try to understand everything is in this religion....
for me, a catholic...Devil doesn't exist, evil yes...... its not an image or a person, its a feeling....evil people exist, not because the Devil influence them, but because they choose to hurt people....Devil is the greatest excuse ever.....and it was invented for us...humans.....
2006-07-12 12:51:06 · answer #6 · answered by Mexxy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If by exorcisms you mean "casting demons out of people" then no. There are several religions that believe you can "deliver" demon possesed people. I think that believing there is a devil or evil force is a fundamental necessitiy to being a part of a christian faith (and Catholisim is categorized as a christian faith).
2006-07-12 12:45:36 · answer #7 · answered by classylady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you do. As well as immacculate conception etc. Lots of other religions believe in evil spirits which can inhabit the body and have rituals designed to remove them by shamans or witchdoctors in more primitive societies. Even in early history archaeologists have found holes drilled in skulls from practices to release demons. Mind you illness was still attributed to bad humours in medicine until the 17/18th century. Scary.
2006-07-12 12:47:37 · answer #8 · answered by nobelow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not being a Catholic, I would have thought that, if you believe in God that must mean you have to also believe in the Devil, as far as I am aware God created the Devil.
2006-07-12 12:48:32 · answer #9 · answered by ridcully69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe in the literal existence of God (ultimate force for good) can you deny the literal existence of the devil (ultimate force for evil)? If one can be written off as a metaphor or a myth surely both should.
2006-07-12 12:47:29 · answer #10 · answered by Caz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋