Is the movie, The Exorcist, only scary if you're Christian?

Question

I've never seen The Exorcist personally, but I have a friend who said he thought it was the scariest movie ever. He's Catholic. If you aren't a Christian, did you think the movie was scary? Is it scary if you don't believe in demons or Satan?

Answer 1

Movies rely on suspension of disbelief, and movie logic is applicable to everyone equally. Christians like star wars just as much as non christians even though there is no god in that universe but a mystical energy field called "the force." Non-christians don't thrill any less to Indiana Jones even though both christian mythology and voodoo mythology are true in those films.

Similarly, the exorcist uses lighting, sound, music, directing, acting and all of that in an effectively unnerving and creepy way to scare everyone equally. That the exorcist theme uses subliminal sounds of bees buzzing and pigs squealing impacts everyone equally. The subject matter isn't relevant. "Alien" or "the thing" isn't any less suspenseful if you are christian and don't believe in aliens, because in the movie it's real. Same with Exorcist.

Answer 2

Educated nations still have cultures of ritual and superstition. Why, despite all our scientific advancement, is this still the case?

From my own perspective this is because science and education can take us only so far before we bump up against the fact that we all feel, deep down, whether we want to admit it or not, that there are other forces at work in the world. To me these forces are malevolent and described in the biblical books. When persons dabble in rituals and practices they unwittingly open themselves up to personal attacks by these forces.

Allow me some examples taken from the popular culture to make my point. In the movie, Constantine, the movie's main character tells Angela Dobson, who desires to know more about the "hidden world" around her, that when she does there is no going back to life as she knew it. Constantine tells her, "You will be able to see them, and they [demonic forces] will see you, too." In one of the earliest modern day depictions of evil, The Exorcist, we find Regan MacNeil playing around with a Quija board, and later being physically possessed by demons.

If I am to draw a pattern between these two fictional examples and real life, the pattern is similar to what we would readi in the Bible. When one exposes oneself to supernatural influences outside orthodox Christianity, there is a very real likelihood that one could come under demonic attack. In the case of poor Regan above, we see in the many sequels to The Exorcist, that she continued to be subjected to demonic influences. This is easy to understand when one considers the admonition:

Luk 11:24 "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'

Luk 11:25 And when it comes, it finds the house and put in order.

Luk 11:26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first."

Here we see that while Regan had her demons exorcised (swept) from her, nothing was done to protect her spiritually to prevent even greater misfortune once she had opened herself up to the forces of evil. So, if by stating that education would help groups that practice ritual magic, you mean the typical secular approaches, that is only a start, but definitely a good start. What is also needed, is spiritual education, so that these persons may arm themselves against the forces around them, being ever mindful of the admonition:

1Pe 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Answer 3

OK I was 5 when I watched that movie, and I have never watched it again! My hubby brought pts 2/3 home and I cried until he took them back out into the car. So yeah, it is a very scary movie. I am 33 now if you are wondering. But to add, I will watch horror movies, but just not that one.

Answer 4

Umm ... it actually scares the sh!t out of me. Not like I'm afraid to get possessed, because I don't believe in demons ... but the imagery is so disturbing that it sticks in my head. I don't believe in hauntings/ghosts, vampires, or monsters ... but those movies are still able to freak me out a little. I think even the idea of something, even if its implausible, can be creepy if its presented in a good way.

After I saw "The Version You've Never Seen" -- in an empty movie theatre, only me and my ex-g/f were in there -- I had nightmares for a week about some demonic little girl chasing me down the steps in that "back-bend" position.

But, then again, I'm a wimp. ;)

Answer 5

I am an Atheist, but I will get involved with the movie while I am watching it. I know it is all fake, but I want to enjoy it so I just do not look at it skeptically until after it is done with. It is only for entertainment so why not just enjoy it for what it is, a unrealistic but enjoyable story. I have seen many movies involving demons and other unrealistic things, but I still enjoy them, I then play out hypothetical situations with people that viewed such movies with me.

Answer 6

I think it might have a small factor in if its scary or not. Personally I thought it was boring and ridiculous. If you want to watch a good exorcism movie watch The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It's based on the true story of Anneliese Michel, Catholic woman from Germany who died in 1976 after unsuccessful attempts to cure her from demonic possession. It was one of the few church-approved exorcisms.

Answer 7

i'm not a christian ...but i believe in demons and satan...and the movie WAS REALLY SCARY
well its not scary because i believe in demons its scary because of the scenes and how the girl looks and the way she speaks ..u know

Answer 8

I'm a life long atheist who finds The Exorcist one of the most amusing movies ever. The book was funny, too.

Answer 9

That movie is way scary and it doesnt make a difference what you believe in.

Answer 10

Heck, I Jewish....and it scared the willies out of me.

Only two movies, as whole units, have ever done that. The Exocist and Rosemary's Baby. All other horror flicks sit on my comedy shelf.