Atheists & Agnostics

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts) Tue Apr 14, 2015, 09:49 AM Apr 2015

Vatican to train army of exorcists to deal with rising number of ‘demonic possessions’.

The Vatican are training up ordinary doctors, teachers and psychologists to cope with a rising tide of demonic possessions.

More than 40 years after The Exorcist left cinema audiences green, the Vatican has gathered a team of experts including practising exorcists to give ordinary Catholics the tools needed to recognise a case of demonic possession when they see one – and teach them what to do about it.

The tenth edition of the annual course, ‘Exorcism and Prayer of Liberation,’ sponsored by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, the department responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests, began this morning at Rome’s Regina Apostolorum University.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3037324/Vatican-train-army-exorcists-deal-rising-number-demonic-possessions.html#ixzz3XIMkUYWU

The Mail sucks as a source, but still, how is this not delusional behavior?

15 replies

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Highlight:

Vatican to train army of exorcists to deal with rising number of ‘demonic possessions’. (Original Post) Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 OP

"the tools needed to recognise a case of demonic possession when they see one" trotsky Apr 2015 #1

But if it's what people believe edhopper Apr 2015 #6

You have learned well, grasshopper. n/t trotsky Apr 2015 #8

Anyone who believes this superstitious nonsense IS a tool. nt LiberalEsto Apr 2015 #2

a rising tide of demonic possessions. AlbertCat Apr 2015 #3

Personally, I'm willing to wait bvf Apr 2015 #11

Source nil desperandum Apr 2015 #4

another world problem solved.. mountain grammy Apr 2015 #5

I suggest they start with today's GOP. ChairmanAgnostic Apr 2015 #7

Exactly. LiberalEsto Apr 2015 #13

The church acknowledges evolution is real but is also worried about demons. In 2015. Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #9

But secretly edhopper Apr 2015 #10

I just....(sigh) RussBLib Apr 2015 #12

Pope Francis’s frequent references to the Devil have led to an unexpected boom in exorcism requests trotsky Apr 2015 #14

And who is Frank addressing when bvf Apr 2015 #15

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

1. "the tools needed to recognise a case of demonic possession when they see one"

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 09:52 AM

Apr 2015

Here's the only fucking tool they need: demonic possession isn't real. Get them help from a mental health specialist.

edhopper

(34,813 posts)

6. But if it's what people believe

Reply to trotsky (Reply #1)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 11:16 AM

Apr 2015

and does no harm. If it helps people to deal with their problems. And how do you KNOW there are no demons. Nobody will ever KNOW.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

8. You have learned well, grasshopper. n/t

Reply to edhopper (Reply #6)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 12:12 PM

Apr 2015

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)

2. Anyone who believes this superstitious nonsense IS a tool. nt

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 10:10 AM

Apr 2015

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)

3. a rising tide of demonic possessions.

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 10:40 AM

Apr 2015

Is there a rising tide of demonic possessions?

or a rising tide of scared people turning to useless supernatural woo woo?

I say we're experiencing the same number of demon possessions as we have since the beginning of time..... zero.

bvf

(6,604 posts)

11. Personally, I'm willing to wait

Reply to AlbertCat (Reply #3)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 01:00 PM

Apr 2015

for the peer reviews to emerge before coming to a conclusion.

nil desperandum

(654 posts)

4. Source

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 10:41 AM

Apr 2015

Actually in this case the Mail is reporting what the catholic news agency had announced, so I suspect it's not a joke...

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/practical-help-for-the-demon-possessed-vatican-rolls-out-new-exorcism-course-36248/

Well not an intentional joke, it's sort of a black humor joke at best especially in light of this aspect of the "training":

one of the primary objectives of the course will be to help priests and lay people distinguish demonic possession from psychological or medical conditions.

Here's a pro tip for the course instructors, it's all a psychological or medical condition as there are NO DEMONS YOU MORONS!!!

NOTE: FOR POTENTIAL ALERTERS THIS IS POSTED IN THE ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS SAFE HAVEN AND EXPRESSES THE VIEWS OF SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT AND WILL NOT BELIEVE IN FAIRY TALES AS A MEANS OF DETERMINING WHO AMONG US IS RIGHTEOUS AND WHO AMONG US IS A DEVIL INSPIRED INFIDEL. THIS IS NOT A POST FOR GENERAL CONSUMPTION, JUST SOMETHING TO BE SHARED AMONG MY FELLOW NON-BELIEVERS. HAVE A PLEASANT DAY!