[Benocles_Czar]

howdythere,

I wrote, in great detail I might add, about this issue in my essay “The Exegesis of William Peter Blatty: Catholicism, Exorcism and Pazuzu” (in my forthcoming book AMERICAN EXORCIST). I believe that Blatty intentionally used Pazuzu to raise a little considered, but credible theological suggestion. Pazuzu is a god in mythology. In ancient times, some gods worshipped were in fact demons. And demons were once angels. You are just going to have to read my book to see where this train of thought leads… lol

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

fatherbowdern,

As a Christian, when it comes to supernatural matters concerning the Bible, I believe in all those events and acts that occur within. As such, I believe in biblical phenomena, from healing, resurrection and prophecy, to angelic visitations, demonic possessions and exorcism, but do not believe in Electronic Voice Phenomenon (as Blatty does) or related supernatural activities. If such activities exist, I do not believe they are empowered by God as there is no biblical evidence to support them and they do not appear to be glorifying God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Other Christians are free to disagree, but that is my opinion.

So, regarding visions of Mary (and stigmata for another example), I do not believe they are genuine. Why? Well, they didn’t occur in the Bible and by their nature, are not truly biblically. A great article to read (which explains it better than I) can be read here: http://www.gotquestions.org/lady-fatima.html

Hope that helps…
🙂

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

howdythere — remember, that’s your opinion… 🙂

fatherbowdern — great post. It is one of those cases I am unsure of, but if I had to choose a side, I would say that she wasn’t. I believe in possession, I believe in mental illness, and I believe it possible that demons would purposely possess a mentally ill person. But I question some of the supernatural events in the case (i.e. the vision of Mary for example as this is not biblical) and as you say, all scientific avenues were not explored fully.

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

In studying the case of Rob Doe (being the possessed young individual who influenced Blatty to write The Exorcist), I am curious to know if anyone has studied the case of Anneliese Michel and if so, whether they believe it to be real?

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Greg,

No, not my book, but another that is studying JUST the film. I offered to submit an article, but never heard back. Sounds interesting, but is a couple of years off from publication.

In the mean time, feel free to purchase my book in December… lol

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Bowdern,

Let’s make it a clean $40US and if it costs anymore, I’ll cover it. E-mail me at khraftstarATyahooDOTcom to confirm and I’ll send you my PayPal address.

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

Has anyone got a spare copy of the LEGION soundtrack they could forward a fellow Exorcist fan?
🙂

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

I admit it: the Exorcist theme song is my mobile ringtone… lol
🙂

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

Outside THE EXORCIST, that’s hard to answer. ‘Born Innocent’ was an intense role and as kukumo stated, it was fun to see her pop up in a ‘Scream’ movie. ‘Chained Heat’ could have been interesting if it were written as a movie seriously studying treatment of women in foreign jails (as opposed to being just sexploitation). Maybe, one day, a University student will study all her films.

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

Is there still interest in such a book? As in both contributors and buyers?

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

Before AMERICAN EXORCIST, I edited another book collecting scholarly essays studying the imfamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter (created by Thomas Harris). More details can be found here: http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/searches/advanced_search2.php?advanced=szumskyj. If you are interested in buying a signed copy directly from me, I can be contacted at khraftstarATyahooDOTcom

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Jen (or anyone for that matter),

As skeptics, agnostics, etc., as a friend and fellow Blatty fan, I would be more than happy to direct you to some fine books on the Christian faith (i.e. evidence, rationale, etc) or possibly answer any questions you might have about it all… 🙂

Cheers & God Bless
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Bowdern,

I can spare a signed copy, if you are still interested. Say, $30US plus postage (from Australia)?

Cheers & God Bless
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

Sorry for the delay. In regards to your question about possession, first and foremost, I believe those acts of possession and exorcism in the New Testament are both reliable and authentic cases. I say this not just as a Christian, but as a history teacher (and student, for we always keep learning… lol). Also, as I state in my essay which appears in AMERICAN EXORCIST, “In his book In the Name of Jesus: Exorcism Among Early Christians (2007), Twelftree writes that exorcism was well known in the ancient world, including first century Palestine, as evident in textual sources such as the Qumran scrolls (particularly 11Q5 (11QPsa) 27.9-10), the apocryphal book of Tobit, the writing of Jewish historian Josephus (The Antiquities of the Jews 8:45-49 and The Wars of the Jews 7.180-185), the New Testament (particularly the Gospel according to Luke 9:49 and Acts 19:13-19), the magical papyri (Papyri graecae magicae), and in the writing of Justin Martyr (in Dialogue with Trypho) (36)”.

Outside the Bible, in his fascinating book, An Exorcist Tells His Story (1999), Father Gabrielle Amorth speaks of some cases that appear legitimate. At the moment, I am investigating this: http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?print=1&did=0308-gallagher, but not sure if it’s the real deal yet. There are many more, but all my books are at home and I am abroad at the moment. I will endeavor to get back to you when time permits!
🙂

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Benocles_Czar]

Friends,

Ordered mine. And there’s a great essay on the novella in my fortcoming book… lol

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[Author]

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