Many religions, believe in one or many omnipotent beings that are considered 'good. just and merciful.' In this belief there are often many less powerful beings that help this 'good' power: angels, devas, elemental spirits, jinn. But with belief in all these good things, also comes the belief in evil ones. There are demons, devils, tricksters, certain animal spirits to name a few. I have to admit, I have always been fascinated by the supernatural and I enjoy horror movies that invoke such otherworldlyness. One of my favorites is The Exorcism of Emily Rose. This film is based on the real-life events surrounding the declared possession of Anneliese Michel.
Here is the Trailer for the film. (WARNING: This is a trailer for a horror movie rated pg-13, it is somewhat scary, please do not feel like you have to watch it if it makes you uncomfortable.)
The reason that the film was so appealing to me is it is not just a horror movie that suggests demons exist, but instead the courtroom trial and the evidence it provides keep the mind guessing. It also keeps to the story of Anneliese Michel fairly well. It is just as possible that Emily (Anneliese) had a disease than that she was possessed.
This raises the issue my post is trying to address by bringing this film up. In many cultures, possession IS classified as a real phenomenon or 'medical' diagnosis. Exorcisms often return the sufferer to a fairly normal, prepossessed state. Western culture often frowns on this belief in possession, finding 'rational' explanations for the afflicted. There are dozens of maladies that could easily be seen as an effect of the supernatural, what one culture calls mono, another might call soullessness. Is either one of these correct? It is true that mono causes lethargy because of some chemical reactions in the body, but one could also argue that these chemical changes are the result of the soul being missing. It is an intriguing thought to ponder that diseases are perhaps the effects of something supernatural. My point is that what one culture explains as one thing, another culture might see differently; and it is interesting to think about the repercussions of that. Since it appears that exorcism (for one) works just as well as medication, should western medicine be pushed upon those who do not think it is the right answer? I do recommend that everyone who can stand it watches The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It provides some interesting food for thought as to religious beliefs and medicine and how they clash or how they work together.
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"Since it appears that exorcism (for one) works just as well as medication, should western medicine be pushed upon those who do not think it is the right answer?"
ReplyDeleteYou could extend that to ask whether Western beliefs in general (religious, cultural, political, etc) should be pushed upon those who disagree. Who is to say that we are right? We have to consider how other cultures and upbringings affect people's ways of life and ideas before we start judging them and the decisions they make.
Christian Scientists are inclined to heal through prayer, rather than modern medicine. I think that this is another religion that applies to this situation.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why I love the action scenes of this film is that it makes me think what would I do if I could possess someone... I can almost see myself speaking:,,WE ARE THE ONES WHO DWELL WITHIN...''
ReplyDeleteTo comment on the movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose:"
ReplyDeleteI noticed something when Emily Rose was possessed and spoke to her father in German, "Dolls and kisses and crosses and wishes... do you think that can save your little girl?" The question when phrased and spoken in German sounds rhythmic and poetic. I know the movie was based on actual events about a woman in Germany. However, I'd like to know if some religious scholars have evidence that demons or evil entities might use alternate languages and poetic verse to mock human intelligence and possibly sound hypnotic with the way the words are spoken. I'm just curious. I'm fascinated with the supernatural myself, even as a skeptic and raised Catholic.