Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace

Please watch this video, especially the second half, which deals with the problems of self-esteem and internet addiction. Getting texts, tweets and notifications (or "likes") release dopamine in the brain, which is the same effect that happens with alcohol, drugs or gambling. In other words, it is addicting.
This is why my classroom is going to be a "cell phone free zone"

Professor Holbrook

 




Published on Oct 29, 2016
Excerpt of Simon Sinek from an episode of Inside Quest.

Words to use instead of "very"

useful words

Freedom of Religion: Crash Course Government and Politics #24

Published on Jul 24, 2015

Today, Craig is going to take a look at the First Amendment and your right to freedom of religion. We’ll examine some significant Supreme Court decisions and talk about how they’ve affected our interpretations of the law with respect to stuff like animal sacrifice and prayer in schools. As you’ll see, there aren’t always clearly defined, or bright-line, rules in approaching legal questions. Sometimes tests have to be developed to account for the ever-changing nature of the law and it’s applications - so we’re talk about some of those too. 

Here is an example of the Sufi dance ritual ....

 

 To see it on YouTube, click here:  https://youtu.be/yEdCXRGJuM8

There are also examples of sacred dance rituals or forms of worship in Judaism and Christianity

HASIDIC Jews Sing & Dance ~ (Get HAPPY NOW!)


Native Americans: This video is amazing and breathtaking


Christians "Dancing in the Spirit":  Tree of Life and Holy Spirit Ministry, Dancing in the Anointing

Santeria Dance in Cuba 2012

Theodicy

The Problem of Evil: Crash Course Philosophy #13




 Published on May 9, 2016 After weeks of exploring the existence of nature of god, today Hank explores one of the biggest problems in theism, and possibly the biggest philosophical question humanity faces: why is there evil?

Popol Vuh

The Maya Creation Myth - part 1 of 7





Uploaded on Nov 21, 2009 more info, videos & music: http://www.nightfall-project.com

THE EGYPTIAN CREATION MYTH

Uploaded on May 17, 2011
The Egyptian story of creation from the Big Myth collection. See all 25 of creation stories from different parts of the world in English, German and Dutch on www.bigmyth.com

Japanese Mythology: The Story of Izanagi and Izanami

Uploaded on Sep 25, 2011

Mythology Project

Enuma elish - Mesopotamia

https://youtu.be/ynjHvlJSByg

2. Genesis 1 and Enuma Elish

Published on Apr 13, 2015

Ever since the discovery of the Mesopotamian creation myth, Enuma Elish, there have been attempts to reconcile the creation record of Genesis with the views of the ancient Sumerians. In this presentation, Prof. Gore shows the important similarities, but also highlights the significant differences between the two accounts, and explains why the comparison should be important to us. For more free resources, please visit www.brucegore.com.

https://youtu.be/1Qw5bM6pxtA

Concept of God in Hinduism

https://youtu.be/W9Fezg2Ss5E

https://youtu.be/bar3a3_J3XY

REVIEW QUESTIONS What are some of the attributes of God assumed by monotheistic religions? How do some of these attributes, taken together, pose theological problems for monotheistic religion?

The Greek gods and goddesses

Uploaded on Oct 23, 2010

AP Literature & Composition

Inside Story: Heaven's Gate Cult (BBC Documentary Part 1)

Published on Jul 4, 2014

Inside Story: Heaven's Gate Cult (BBC Documentary Part 1): 

PREZI: Sacred Scripture

here is the link to the PREZI for Sacred Scripture

http://prezi.com/xga_sazxd7vm/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Tanakh versus Old Testament

Published on Aug 24, 2014 The Tanakh and the Old Testament have many similarities but they are not the same scripture. The number and arrangement of books and the inclusion of some apocryphal books is the major difference between the Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Old Testament.

 

Exorcism is making a comeback — and big news — worldwide

March 30, 2016 12:41am

Jamie SeidelNews Corp Australia Network

EXORCISM. It’s back. From the courtrooms of South Africa to the cornfields of heartland America, the battle for your soul has taken a decidely physical turn.

THEY’RE BACK

Even the most eminent do not appear immune to the Devil’s advocates.

US Republican Presidential candidate Ted Cruz — himself a loudly professed Southern Baptist — was confronted earlier this year in New Hampshire by two protesters armed with a wooden cross and a mirror.

Their objective: To free him of a power-hungry evil spirit. The outcome? The self-proclaimed exorcists stated only time would tell.

The medieval-flavoured rite one seemed to have gone the way of trial-by-fire and pre-purchased forgiveness of yet-to-be-committed sins.

Exorcism appeared well and truly dead-and-buried after a public scandal in 1973 when a young German woman, Anneliese Michel, was killed after repeated rituals.

But a turnaround of sorts began in 2004. An official decree from Pope John Paul II instructed every Catholic diocese to appoint an exorcist.

Who would dare disobey?

DEMON HAUNTED WORLD

It’s not just ‘a Catholic thing’. Pentecostal churches have long been enthusiastically adding their high-profile branding to the ceremony. And virtually every flavour of religion — be it ancient Assyrian or Hindu — mentions some form of rite to expel oppositional spirits in its holy texts.

But the Catholic International Association of Exorcist’s upped the ante in 2014: Their annual meeting declared occult activity was on the rise. (For the uninitiated, this includes believing in the power of crystals, t’ai chi and yoga — as well as the more traditional Ouija boards, palm-reading and tarot cards.)

Its head, Italian priest Gabriele Amorth, is something of an ace: He claims to have personally cast out 160,000 demons.

Despite this metaphysical massacre, he needs help. To that end the Regina Apostolorum pontifical institution of the Legionaries of Christ is about to conduct its annual one-week course on exorcism in Rome.

“We have a very secularised society in which, more than in the past, there’s the tendency to open the doors to occultism and esotericism,” said Father Pedro Barrajon, director of the Istituto Sacerdos.

The course is intended to train participants in recognising at-risk members of congregations.

“Demonic influence is favoured by magical practices and the use of fortune tellers, which can have a real influence leading even to possession,” Barrajon said.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

The Catholic News Agency in the United States recently published an article describing how to recognise the demon-possessed.

Interviewing one Father Cipriano de Meo, whose exorcist credentials dating from 1952, it concedes most cases are, in fact, mental illness. Not possession.

The Catholic Catechism is specific in its application:

“Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church,” it reads. “ Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.”

The only way to tell the difference, Father de Meo says, is through a personal revelation to the priest — and the reaction of the patient to prayer.

“A possessed person has various general attitudes towards an exorcist, who is seen by the Adversary as an enemy ready to fight him,” he is quoted as saying.

“There’s no lack of frightening facial expressions, threatening words or gestures and other things,” he said, “but especially blasphemies against God and Our Lady.”

DARK AGE GONE MAINSTREAM

The current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, may promote progressive ideas such as climate change, income equality and — under limited circumstances — contraception. But he’s also a big fan of exorcism.

Religion historian David Frankfurter argues devils and demons tend to be thrust into the limelight whenever a community is confronted by fresh outside forces.

In the modern world, it’s an unavoidable condition. Sexual liberation. Equal opportunities. Migration. Open markets.

The winds of change blow fiercely. But are they demon-sourced?

Old fashioned spirits are a way of making sense of something new and complex,says Demonology, Posession and exorcism lecturer at Texas State University Joseph Laycock.

In the hands of a priest, exorcism gives them supernatural relevance in a relentless — and confounding — real world.

THE SWORD OF THE WORD

Despite all this, experts say public interest in possession appears tightly tied to what’s on television. Little wonder, then, that there’s a remake of The Exorcist in the offing.

But is exorcism actually on the rise?

Michael Cuneo, sociologist and author of newly published “American Exorcism,” asserts “Exorcism is more readily available today in the United States than perhaps ever before.”

He goes on to say: “By conservative estimates, there are at least five or six hundred evangelical exorcism ministries in operation (in the US) today, and quite possibly two or three times this many.”

Australia? It’s not telling.

Unlike their overseas counterparts, Australian Catholic diocese have been backwards about coming forward with the exploits of their proactive priests.

But they’re certainly there.

The Catholic Church in Australia recently admitted to having up to 30 exorcists on the march against evil.

And their guide book, The Manual of Minor Exorcisms, was written by the Archbishop of Hobart, Julian Porteous.

@JamieSeideledly physical turn.

Possessed presidential candidates. Demon-haunted miscreants. Snake-spirit infested parishioners.

Exorcism just keeps appearing in the headlines.

Click here to read the original article 

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/exorcism-is-making-a-comeback--and-big-news--worldwide/news-story/be76749c251a6fbf76a355e4053b6a52

On being "religious"

I think I agree with Trinity

My fav movie scenes Lord of the rings "There is some good in this world and it's worth fighting for"

Uploaded on Aug 29, 2008

....This is a scene from Lord of the rings 2nd part i.e. The two towers... The Frodo and Samwise are on the seemingly impossible task of destroying the ring...

and now, on a lighter note

Check out this video and comment on what you think about it. Are these manifestations of Sacred Power? Why or why not?

Which academic discipline (Phenomenology, sociology, anthropology, history or psychology) would you use to to an analysis of this group or these practices?

Watch closely the man in the suit 22 seconds into the video. Does he go up or down at first?

Have you ever experienced anything like this?




Compare what you see in this video with some of the miracles of Jesus. What is similar? What is different?

Luke 5:12-15 (pay special attention to 14 "tell no one")

Luke 8:49-56 (also notice verse 56 - "he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened")

Matthew 9:27-31 (again, read verse 30 - "Jesus warned them sternly 'See that no one knows about this'")

Are there any ethical guidelines to how sacred power should be used? What are the dangers of sacred power?

Religion: Marx, Weber & Durkheim Debate -- Rey Ty

This is very good!

Published on Sep 22, 2015

Time management is often the kryptonite of college students. Use these tips to help stay on track and avoid procrastination

How to Manage Your Time Well

5 Tips to Succeed in any College Class

only 2 minutes long, worth your time to watch!

Click here to watch video in Youtube

As a psychiatrist, I diagnose mental illness. And, sometimes, demonic possession.

How a scientist learned to work with exorcists.

The Washington Post

By Richard Gallagher July 1 at 6:00 AM

Richard Gallagher is a board-certified psychiatrist and a professor of clinical psychiatry at New York Medical College. He is at work on a book about demonic possession in the United States.

A psychiatrist discusses the growing phenomenon of demonic possession in the Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/07/01/as-a-psychiatrist-i-diagnose-mental-illness-and-sometimes-demonic-possession/

"Ignorance and superstition have often surrounded stories of demonic possession in various cultures, and surely many alleged episodes can be explained by fraud, chicanery or mental pathology. But anthropologists agree that nearly all cultures have believed in spirits, and the vast majority of societies (including our own) have recorded dramatic stories of spirit possession. Despite varying interpretations, multiple depictions of the same phenomena in astonishingly consistent ways offer cumulative evidence of their credibility.

As a psychoanalyst, a blanket rejection of the possibility of demonic attacks seems less logical, and often wishful in nature, than a careful appraisal of the facts. As I see it, the evidence for possession is like the evidence for George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. In both cases, written historical accounts with numerous sound witnesses testify to their accuracy."
"The Vatican does not track global or countrywide exorcism, but in my experience and according to the priests I meet, demand is rising. The United States is home to about 50 “stable” exorcists — those who have been designated by bishops to combat demonic activity on a semi-regular basis — up from just 12 a decade ago."

"I am aware of the way many psychiatrists view this sort of work. While the American Psychiatric Association has no official opinion on these affairs, the field (like society at large) is full of unpersuadable skeptics and occasionally doctrinaire materialists who are often oddly vitriolic in their opposition to all things spiritual. My job is to assist people seeking help, not to convince doctors who are not subject to suasion. Yet I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners nowadays who are open to entertaining such hypotheses. Many believe exactly what I do, though they may be reluctant to speak out."

click here to read the full article ...

Chi Energy Amazing Footage

a healer using Chi energy

To view in Youtube click here.

The Creation of the World - Greek Mythology

Uploaded on Oct 23, 2010

AP Literature & Composition

Watch Gandhi Watch Movies Online Free

Gandhi film (full movie) on Youtube.




https://youtu.be/elGNe56QIXI

Published on Jul 12, 2015

In 1893, Gandhi is thrown off a South African train for being an Indian and traveling in a first class compartment. Gandhi realizes that the laws are biased against Indians and decides to start a non-violent protest campaign for the rights of all Indians in South Africa. After numerous arrests and the unwanted attention of the world, the government finally relents by recognizing rights for Indians, though not for the native blacks of South Africa. After this victory, Gandhi is invited back to India, where he is now considered something of a national hero. He is urged to take up the fight for India's independence from the British Empire. Gandhi agrees, and mounts a non-violent non-cooperation campaign of unprecedented scale, coordinating millions of Indians nationwide. There are some setbacks, such as violence against the protesters and Gandhi's occasional imprisonment. Nevertheless, the campaign generates great attention, and Britain faces intense public pressure. Too weak from World ...

The Zoroastrian Journey

This is much shorter, and actually is a better narrative about Zoroastrianism

Uploaded on Apr 30, 2009

A short audio visual on the evolution of Zoroastrianism from 1200BC to present

To view on Youtube, click here

Iran - People of the Flames Zoroastrians

It is only necessary to watch the last 5 minutes of this documentary to get the most important part about Zoroastrianism in Iran.




To watch this on Youtube, click here.

The Last Iban Shamen - Sarawak, Borneo

Published on Jan 13, 2014

Australian filmmaker Mark Shea visits Sarawak, Borneo to interview the last Iban Shamen in his remote jungle hut. The Iban were the headhunters of old.

Click here to go to Youtube.

How to Avoid Plagiarism: Part 1

Published on Oct 29, 2015

Ever wonder if you’ve been accidentally plagiarizing? Get on the case with Detective Johansson, and put the finger on the Plagiarized 5.

 Click here to go to Youtube

ex-stasis ... "out-of-body" .... exstactic worship

PENTECOSTAL SERVICE

Dancing With The Spiritual World Native American Music

Published on Oct 15, 2014
Follow us https://www.facebook.com/NativeAmeric...


 This video is for all my brothers and sisters who have asked me for it, in this video you can actually see so many faces, so many creative lives are right in front of us, all we have to do is to have a good eye, there are so many worlds connected with our world, and we know that we are not just human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.



 We have to grow not only physically, but also from the inside out. No one can teach us, no one can make us spiritual. There are many great teachers in this world, but our own soul is the greatest teacher of all, listen to that still small voice inside that guides us in truth and knowledge. You know my friends, that the best of knowledge and righteous acts are those hidden to the people. there is so many messages in dancing so please, let us dance in the sun, nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

 To go to the Youtube video, click here

Shamans of Siberia

Published on Jun 15, 2012 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIxLj... Сайт: http://www.shamans.su Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/www.shamans.su

How to Manage Your Time Well

This is very good!

Published on Sep 22, 2015

Time management is often the kryptonite of college students. Use these tips to help stay on track and avoid procrastination

How to Manage Your Time Well

5 Tips to Succeed in any College Class

only 2 minutes long, worth your time to watch!

https://youtu.be/hoAa8AiXj8M

The Role of Women in Islam

Thursday, April 21, at 6 pm in SIPA 100 

To register, click here.

Is Islam oppressive to women? Are Muslim women dominated in Islam? Do Muslim women live in fear? Join the Initiative  for Muslim World Studies and the Middle East Studies Program for a roundtable discussion on these and other myths about Islam.  Community leaders Karen Shah, Vice President of the Broward Interfaith council, and Rabia Khan, the Principal of The Islamic School in Sunrise will sit down with FIU experts and discuss the traditions of the numerous types of Islamic faiths with a particular focus on the role of women and the significant diversity of culture, practice, and level of gender equality within different paths. Share in their personal stories of what it means to be a Muslim woman in America.

Panelists

    • Karen Shah, Vice President, Broward Interfaith Council
    • Rabia Khan, Resident Scholar at Islamic Foundation of South Florida, Principal of Islamic School
    • Isra Yahya Amin Ibrahim, Secretary, Muslim Student Association
    • Dr. Seema Pissaris, Clinical Professor of Management, College of Business, FIU member and active volunteer of the Shi’a Ismaili Muslim community
    • Dr. Aslihan Akkaya, Instructor, Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies, FIU

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 305-348-7266.

Co-sponsored by the Middle East Studies Program and Center for Women’s and Gender Studies

Initiative for Muslim World Studies

WHEN

Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT) - Add to Calendar

WHERE

FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus, SIPA 100 - 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 

How Powerful Is The Flying Spaghetti Monster?

Published on Mar 28, 2016

What Does The Future Of Religion Look Like?

https://youtu.be/CqPw_kZRtj4

5 Signs of Religious Fundamentalism

April 11, 2016 by Stephen Mattson 

click here

Fundamentalism is many things to many different people. For some, it can be defined by the deep conviction that the Bible is entirely inspired, completely inerrant, and should always be translated literally. For others, fundamentalism is more of an idea, spirit, or particular way of doing things—strict, unwavering, and unforgiving.

The term is used frequently in the media—Christian fundamentalists, Islamic fundamentalists, Religious fundamentalists—and is generally viewed in a negative way.

Nobody proudly claims to be a fundamentalist, instead, it’s a label derisively used to describe others. But fundamentalism is still very popular within various Christian communities.  Here are five common ways fundamentalism manifests itself:

Fundamentalists Prefer Judgment over Grace:

Not only can people be harshly criticized, berated, emotionally abused, threatened, publicly humiliated, and even mocked, but they can be ruthlessly destroyed—relationally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically—all under the guise of “judgment.”

For fundamentalists, judgment is a common tool used for “righteousness” and is aggressively implemented to control people. They use judgment as a way to dictatetheir exact doctrines, practice their precise traditions, enforce their explicit expectations, and punish anyone who opposes them.

Not only are the judgments rigid and cruel, but both insiders and outsiders are constantly warned with threats of eternal damnation—manipulated with nightmarish warnings and forebodings.

A fundamentalist worldview is obsessed with judgment. Things ranging from small routine occurrences to large international events are interpreted through the lenses of God’s fierce judgment.  Therefore, a natural disaster is surely the result of some sin, and losing your keys in the couch is possibly a sign of God’s disfavor towards you.

Unfortunately, what fundamentalists perceive as “faith” is often just plain hate. Thus, fundamentalists are easily recognizable in public because they’re so blatantly hateful—with their vicious rhetoric, vile placards, hostile protests, and violent actions.

Instead of forgiveness, there’s condemnation.

Instead of mercy, there’s disdain.

Instead of gentleness, there’s cruelty.

Instead of grace, there’s intolerance.

Instead of love, there’s strict obedience.

Fundamentalists Prefer Fear over Hope:

Being infatuated with judgment leads fundamentalists to thrive off of fear instead of hope or any other form of positive inspiration. They’re religious pessimists who view God as a Divine Grouch that is just waiting to destroy humanity because of its incessant sin.

The United States is going to hell. Obama is the antichrist. Terrorists are going to kill us all. Every current event is a sure sign that we’re living in the End Times and that the Apocalypse is imminent.

The fundamentalist message is built around negativity and is motivated by fear. Things like hope, joy, grace, and peace are only minor benefits for the few who manage to strictly adhere to the impossible expectations that fundamentalism mandates.

Fundamentalists Idolize Uniformity:

Fundamentalists are uncomfortable with anything different from themselves. They fear change. People, places, things, and ideas that are new, different, or complex are not only rejected, but attacked as being something viciously evil—things to be avoided at all cost.

This mentality is one reason that many fundamentalist groups actually look, dress, and act like the past—because they are rejecting modernity. It was fundamentalists who once (some still do) rejected that notion of interracial marriage, women pastors, gender equality and many other changes that society now generally accepts as normal.

It’s also why fundamentalists glorify the past and vilify the future. To them, the world is constantly getting worse because it’s a world that’s constantly changing. It’s a place where their unrealistic expectations are continually becoming less likely to happen.

Contrarily, they usually consider a particular historic period of the past—based on their own revisionist interpretation—as being idyllic and without flaw, and want the world to join them in working towards getting back there.

There usually refers to “the good old days when people prayed, attended church, everyone had good jobs, the government wasn’t corrupt, all children were smart and respectful, and people feared God.” To fundamentalists, there is usually the exact opposite of the here and now. Unsurprisingly, it’s during this golden age of the past when fundamentalists once upon a time had the most influence, political power, and social authority. Obviously, they want to go back.

Fundamentalists Prefer Simplicity over Complexity:

Once reason fundamentalists hate change is because they idolize certainty, value having all the answers, and holding ideas that leave no room for doubt, criticism, or complexity. Fundamentalism thrives on the lie that only they alone have the market cornered on all truth.

Fundamentalists view themselves as being completely correct while everyone else istotally wrong. Nobody beyond their fundamentalist communities could possibly have anything to offer them because they already know it all—they exclusively hold all spiritual wisdom and authority.

Diversity, nuance, and anything unknown are ruthlessly rooted out for the sake of reinforcing and upholding the unquestionable tenants of their flawless beliefs.

Any challenge to their unassailable truths are seen as an attack against them and their faith, and dissenting voices are either pressured back into submission, condemned as heretics, treated as enemies, or quickly exiled.

Fundamentalists Serve Themselves More than Anyone

Being the ultimate holders of truth means fundamentalists trust themselves more than family, friends, relatives, communities, schools, businesses, and governments. They believe in themselves more than anyone—even God.

They worship themselves without admitting it. Their missions, ministries, community service projects, volunteerism, hospitality, and any other outward act of “faith” is ultimately a way of propagating their own salvation, convincing themselves of their own ideologies, and offers a convenient way of cementing their own predetermined beliefs.

Any offerings or acts of “love” to the outside world seem superficial, cheap, corrupt, fake, and duplicitous—because they are. The Fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—are conspicuously absent because fundamentalism selfishly serves itself above all else. Fundamentalism prioritizes its own glory even at the sake of abandoning humanity and ignoring God.

Overall, fundamentalism looks nothing like the life of Jesus—it lacks humility, healing, generosity, and love. For Christians, this is the ultimate litmus test: does it emulate the life of Christ?

Most importantly, above all else, always strive to be like Jesus, even if religious people, churches, communities, organizations and institutions won’t. God help us.

Just to review:

Fundamentalists Prefer Judgment over Grace:

Fundamentalists Prefer Fear over Hope:

Fundamentalists Idolize Uniformity:

Fundamentalists Prefer Simplicity over Complexity:

Fundamentalists Serve Themselves More than Anyone

Exorcism is making a comeback

Exorcism is making a comeback — and big news — worldwide

March 30, 2016 12:41am

Jamie SeidelNews Corp Australia Network

EXORCISM. It’s back. From the courtrooms of South Africa to the cornfields of heartland America, the battle for your soul has taken a decidely physical turn.

THEY’RE BACK

Even the most eminent do not appear immune to the Devil’s advocates.

US Republican Presidential candidate Ted Cruz — himself a loudly professed Southern Baptist — was confronted earlier this year in New Hampshire by two protesters armed with a wooden cross and a mirror.

Their objective: To free him of a power-hungry evil spirit. The outcome? The self-proclaimed exorcists stated only time would tell.

The medieval-flavoured rite one seemed to have gone the way of trial-by-fire and pre-purchased forgiveness of yet-to-be-committed sins.

Exorcism appeared well and truly dead-and-buried after a public scandal in 1973 when a young German woman, Anneliese Michel, was killed after repeated rituals.

But a turnaround of sorts began in 2004. An official decree from Pope John Paul II instructed every Catholic diocese to appoint an exorcist.

Who would dare disobey?

DEMON HAUNTED WORLD

It’s not just ‘a Catholic thing’. Pentecostal churches have long been enthusiastically adding their high-profile branding to the ceremony. And virtually every flavour of religion — be it ancient Assyrian or Hindu — mentions some form of rite to expel oppositional spirits in its holy texts.

But the Catholic International Association of Exorcist’s upped the ante in 2014: Their annual meeting declared occult activity was on the rise. (For the uninitiated, this includes believing in the power of crystals, t’ai chi and yoga — as well as the more traditional Ouija boards, palm-reading and tarot cards.)

Its head, Italian priest Gabriele Amorth, is something of an ace: He claims to have personally cast out 160,000 demons.

Despite this metaphysical massacre, he needs help. To that end the Regina Apostolorum pontifical institution of the Legionaries of Christ is about to conduct its annual one-week course on exorcism in Rome.

“We have a very secularised society in which, more than in the past, there’s the tendency to open the doors to occultism and esotericism,” said Father Pedro Barrajon, director of the Istituto Sacerdos.

The course is intended to train participants in recognising at-risk members of congregations.

“Demonic influence is favoured by magical practices and the use of fortune tellers, which can have a real influence leading even to possession,” Barrajon said.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

The Catholic News Agency in the United States recently published an article describing how to recognise the demon-possessed.

Interviewing one Father Cipriano de Meo, whose exorcist credentials dating from 1952, it concedes most cases are, in fact, mental illness. Not possession.

The Catholic Catechism is specific in its application:

“Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church,” it reads. “ Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.”

The only way to tell the difference, Father de Meo says, is through a personal revelation to the priest — and the reaction of the patient to prayer.

“A possessed person has various general attitudes towards an exorcist, who is seen by the Adversary as an enemy ready to fight him,” he is quoted as saying.

“There’s no lack of frightening facial expressions, threatening words or gestures and other things,” he said, “but especially blasphemies against God and Our Lady.”

DARK AGE GONE MAINSTREAM

The current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, may promote progressive ideas such as climate change, income equality and — under limited circumstances — contraception. But he’s also a big fan of exorcism.

Religion historian David Frankfurter argues devils and demons tend to be thrust into the limelight whenever a community is confronted by fresh outside forces.

In the modern world, it’s an unavoidable condition. Sexual liberation. Equal opportunities. Migration. Open markets.

The winds of change blow fiercely. But are they demon-sourced?

Old fashioned spirits are a way of making sense of something new and complex,says Demonology, Posession and exorcism lecturer at Texas State University Joseph Laycock.

In the hands of a priest, exorcism gives them supernatural relevance in a relentless — and confounding — real world.

THE SWORD OF THE WORD

Despite all this, experts say public interest in possession appears tightly tied to what’s on television. Little wonder, then, that there’s a remake of The Exorcist in the offing.

But is exorcism actually on the rise?

Michael Cuneo, sociologist and author of newly published “American Exorcism,” asserts “Exorcism is more readily available today in the United States than perhaps ever before.”

He goes on to say: “By conservative estimates, there are at least five or six hundred evangelical exorcism ministries in operation (in the US) today, and quite possibly two or three times this many.”

Australia? It’s not telling.

Unlike their overseas counterparts, Australian Catholic diocese have been backwards about coming forward with the exploits of their proactive priests.

But they’re certainly there.

The Catholic Church in Australia recently admitted to having up to 30 exorcists on the march against evil.

And their guide book, The Manual of Minor Exorcisms, was written by the Archbishop of Hobart, Julian Porteous.

@JamieSeideledly physical turn.

Possessed presidential candidates. Demon-haunted miscreants. Snake-spirit infested parishioners.

Exorcism just keeps appearing in the headlines.

Click here to read the original article 

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/exorcism-is-making-a-comeback--and-big-news--worldwide/news-story/be76749c251a6fbf76a355e4053b6a52