Exorcism

[static anonymity]

There are two programmes on tonight. One the first part of a series, the other a one-off (I think). Both aim to delve into the subject of exorcisms, presumably trying to get the followers of both the science and religious camps to get riled up to argue the case. (Otherwise known as "viewing figures, ahoy!"). So I want to know, what are ye thoughts on it? Do ye think the program will be good? Are you planning to watch it, or avoid as you think it's a load of trash? Have you just seen it, or something similar, and want to come ramble a bit about it?

Or about the subject in general - is it due to Satan or other dark spirits possessing a human being, or simply a mental disorder?

To be honest, this ghosts/spirits malarkey really interests me, and as yet I'm undecided. There are parts in both extremes that I find hard to believe... I plan to record the programs, though, so we're yet to see if I can be persuaded further either way.

[static anonymity]

Also, for ye information, the programmes be: (all taken from The Radio Times)

The Real Exorcist
Tonight, ch4, 10 -11.05pm

"'The movie was a fiction but our story is true,' says the narrator of this trip into the real-life story behind The Exorcist. If only it were that simple. Yes, Exorcist author William Peter Blatty based his book and screenplay on a real 1949 incident in Missouri, but what happened there is pretty murky. Just because Catholic priests spouting Latin got involved doesn't mean the Prince of Darkness was in the house - as a couple of psychologists bravely try to point out. The scientists are, though, swimming against the tide of the programme, which knows that a gothic tale of good versus evil beats a boring old seizure of the temporal lobe any day. "

The Exorcism
Tonight, ch4, 11.05pm-12.40am

"Krishnan Guru-Murthy presents a scientific look at exorcisms, which are performed regularly in the UK. Every diocese has access to an exorcist today, and some psychiatrists now believe that exorcisms (or `deliverances') may have positive mental outcomes. Includes a look at neurotheology, which examines changes in the brain due to religious experience and how this new field has changed the scientific perception of exorcisms. "

And, just to cash in properly:

The Exorcist (film)
Tonight, Sky Movies 9, 10pm

[distortion]

oh yep.. i was gonna watch this. hope its not 100% science-y though.

[Jill]

I watched the first programme ........i thought it was very interesting....but the exorcism was utter sh*te.........nothing happened and it was far too science-y for me

But things like this do interest me

[distortion]

Glaki said:

I watched the first programme ........i thought it was very interesting....but the exorcism was utter sh*te.........nothing happened and it was far too science-y for me

the second was indeed, rather crap.. i thought it'd last for more than a few minutes. and i think channel 4 did too. and half the "experts" they have don't even think its real. tis funny in a way.

but yep, the first was good.

[static anonymity]

I agree with ye both! The first was rather informative. I was sat there watching with me mum, and we both agreed that 1 - it could easily have been a mental disturbance causing the boy to do that. Also, 2 - it's amazing what a bit of hysteria can do... "The Crucible", anyone? 3 - That people will, ultimately, believe what they like. And in heightened states of emotion and anxiety, it's easy for them to not only mistake things but to go along with the crowd, or misjudge things more than they normally would do.

The second didn't prove anything except the power of therapy. There was nor way to prove that God interfered there, no any higher being. There is no way to prove he had any sort of demon within him, nor that anything left. All it proved was that belief was present.

Seriously, when put in a calming state, where you trust that things will be made better, then of course this will affect the results. Just like a placebo would do. If the priest was swapped for a random person off the street saying the Santa would make demons exit the man's body/mind/soul/heart/whatever, then exactly the same results could have been found. Provided that the man trusted whoever took over the priest's role and that the man truly believed enough that Santa could do this, then of course it's possible.

The "experts" will defend their positions til the end, and will remain stuck in their ways of thinking. If defeat is conceded in just one field or area of that belief, then it opens doors to the whole of the fundamental elements being scrutinised and questioned. And thus, their whole basis and belief system could be picked apart.

Furthermore, the variables present during that study were unbelievable! Surely no way to carry it out, and allows for a sh*teload of inaccuracies! Any conclusions they draw from it, I would seriously question.

[Graham]

without said:

Santa would make demons exit the man's body/mind/soul/heart

so THATS what he does the rest of the year!

i watched the first one...it was good, but not great...too flawed