Re: [TruthTalk] Adam - sin - and the rest of us

[Judy Taylor]

Terry/Debbie: I don't understand why ppl are so hung up on "possession"  Is the "exorcist" movie responsible for this?  It is not the language of scripture.  However, the fact that we are all under the influence of them to varying degrees is a scriptural fact and it is for our freedom that Christ became a sacrifice for sin.   jt     On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:21:37 -0500 Terry Clifton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Well said, Debbie, and I agree with you with the possible exception of your last line.  To believe the best may be as big a mistake as to believe the worst.  When you do not know, the best thing to say, I would think, is that you do not know.  I have known an awful lot of people who were sick in one way or another, but only two that I am certain were demon possessed. Terry Debbie Sawczak wrote: I am thinking that a one-to-one association between demonic activity and conditions affecting certain parts of the brain is a mistake.   Where these conditions can be adequately explained by observable physical imbalances, malfunctions, damage, or whatever, why would one ascribe them, as a category, to demons? I have no doubt that such physical dysfunction or damage can be initiated by demons, but must it be in every case of the disorder, or even in most cases? That is, if some cases of schizophrenia are actually demonic possession or oppression, must that be typical? Demons can probably cause eczema and bowel cancer too. As for healings, God can heal any condition miraculously, but his doing so (no matter the words of the prayer) is not in itself evidence that the condition was caused by demons, even though the healing has spiritual significance.   I think we should not be in haste to chalk stuff up to demons, nor to conclude that a mentally ill person has been spiritually weak or negligent, has been giving footholds to the devil, or needs to repent. It becomes a way of blaming the individual or casting aspersions on her spiritual integrity.   It is also a way of denying that we are intrinsically physical beings. Though not reducible to chemicals and tissue, let's face it, if the chemicals or tissue are messed up, we are disabled to just that extent, whether it is colour blindness or PMS, diabetes or dementia, arthritis or bipolar disorder. Disability limits the choices open to us. What exactly is the extent to which it does so in each case? We don't know. Not knowing, we believe the best of people.   Debbie