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How do you react to being told about an excorcism?
Today I went to go see "The Devil Inside" - a mock-u-mentary exorcism thriller.
As we are leaving my friend from work turns to me, very matter-of-factly, and says: "My brother had an exorcism in Bangladesh."
I murmured something expressing surprise. And he assured me "it really did happen and there are people who do do this sort of stuff you know."
"I'm sure" I said.
"So you don't believe in demon spirits then?"
"No, not really."
-----------------
My question is, how to react to this rather startling admission when I see him at work tomorrow.
Suggestions?
As we are leaving my friend from work turns to me, very matter-of-factly, and says: "My brother had an exorcism in Bangladesh."
I murmured something expressing surprise. And he assured me "it really did happen and there are people who do do this sort of stuff you know."
"I'm sure" I said.
"So you don't believe in demon spirits then?"
"No, not really."
-----------------
My question is, how to react to this rather startling admission when I see him at work tomorrow.
Suggestions?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on -
My first and most primary concern would be: Did the object of the exorcism survive the experience, and was he or she harmed in any way?
Second concern: has this person been seen by a qualified doctor, and if not, WHY NOT?!?
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Permalink Reply by ChrisC on -
The same thing I feel when I hear that someone has a personal relationship with jesus; concern and exasperation.
I would be tempted to ask him about the experience - what he felt and what he thought happened and what has changed since.
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Permalink Reply by Brad Splaymeier on -
Great point Richard. Your friend "disagrees" with you about an important topic. Whenever you two talk about it, you run the risk of saying something quite hurtful. As an atheist, you probably feel your viewpoint is well informed, and thusly, you may carry the burden of exhibiting max patience and slowly bringing him around to the reality that exorcisms are not real. Otherwise, a jovial "you believe in that malarky?" would suffice.
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Christie on -
I just laugh... it might be offensive to some people but I find it offensive when people think I can believe something so ridiculous.
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