Quote# 44300
[Commenting on a news article on the Mercy Ministries abuse scandal]
A clear anti-supernatural, anti-Christian prejudice is displayed in this article. The accusation that people were "forced" to go through exorcisms in a free program. My, my. Free services often have rules and/or requirements. What is wrong with requiring someone who of their own free will participates in a free service to read a prayer saying "I cast you out in the name of Jesus."?
The Tennessean clearly states that this program is getting great results and then turns around and runs it down. And then they list the names of some of the contributors as if trying to associate those contributors with some kind of wrong doing.
Believing that demons can impact people in a negative way is not a strange or harmful belief. It is a Biblical belief. Jesus, Himself, believed in demons and drove them out of people. The Bible and Christinity both teach that demons are a reality and can have a strong negative influence on people's lives. They both teach that people can be set free from demons through the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus, Himself, taught that if a person is freed from demonic influence and allows that demon to return to hiis life, it will be stronger than it was the first time. An anti-supernatural prejudice, however, discounts and/or mocks these serious Christian beliefs.
If you don't believe in demons, talk to an addict. I counseled more than 1600 alcoholics and addicts and almost every one of them believed in the reality of demons. They knew it from personal experience -- a negative, compulsive force had control of their lives. Many found freedom through the supernatural power of Jesus Christ.
Steve Simms,
The Tennessean 37 Comments [8/6/2008 6:12:47 AM]
Fundie Index: 3
Submitted By: Anonymous