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Monday, April 6, 2015

E is for Exorcism

Few words in any language can illicit such strong emotions as the word exorcism. Most cultures from the beginning of time have believed in and practiced some form of exorcism. 

Can a person be possessed, inhabited, made sick, or controlled by an outside malevolent force? Can certain events in a person’s life trigger an open a door for such a thing to happen? And if so, can that hostile presence be excorcized. 

I believe mankind is a three-fold being of body, soul and spirit. So the question arises, can something invade a person, pitch a tent, and set up shop? And if so, would this happen in the realm of the body, soul, or spirit? Or can it latch on and hitch a ride, following a person around and being a general al-around pain in the ass? 

In an exorcism, the process is relatively simple. It comes down to authority. The trespassing spirit is kicked out by an authority that is bigger, stronger, and badder. That’s it in a nutshell. 

That being said, the person possessed has to want to be delivered. If they do not want to cough up the spirit, well, there’s not much that a bigger authority to can do because the host, for whatever reasons, decides to allow the evil presence to remain. Power would be a good example. Addiction is another. Some people enjoy a good pity party. The choices are many. 

Groaner of the Day: What happens when you don’t pay your exorcist bills? You become repossessed. Rimshot please. 

Stephen Tremp is a Speculative Writer and blogs at Breakthrough Blogs. His theme for the 2015 Blogging A to Z Challenge is The Supernatural and Paranormal. His latest work, Salem’s Daughters, is due for release Labor Day Weekend 2015.

68 comments:

Rajlakshmi said...

Whatever I know about Exorcism , is through movies ... and that's pretty scary stuff :)

Anonymous said...

That meme is hilarious! Great blog.

kaykuala said...

Obviously he is of a strong soul! My 'E' posting:

http://imagery77.blogspot.com/2015/04/eating-out.html

Hank

Yamini Meduri said...

http://dilmainhainpyar.blogspot.in/2015/04/e-ever-after.html

Rosie Amber said...

Love the joke.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to Salem's Daughters.

PL Keenor said...

Thankfully I have never needed to call upon the services of an exorcist. I'm not sure I believe in possession by demons etc but I always keep an open mind - you never know!

Susan Scott said...

Great post Heather thank you! Yup those demons reside within - addiction power etc. Only we can exorcise or continue exercising them ...Love the Groaner!

Jolie du Pre said...

I could probably use an exorcist from time to time - at least that's what they tell me. (Smile)

Precious Monsters

Idea-ist said...

Lol, "What a wonderful day for an exorcism!"
@Get Lost in Lit

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Well there you go, bringing in the big and creepy words... thank you!

Anonymous said...

I chuckled at that joke.

I worry for people who think ghosts are real, because my initial reaction is -- it's demons! Call on Jesus!

Robyn Proctor said...

I remember the first time I watched The Exorcist. Oh my gosh, I was scared to death!

Debbie D. said...

Real or not (and I'm leaning towards "not"), demonic possession makes for gripping entertainment.

Trisha said...

Classic chills caused by the Exorcist movie!

Then there is the ridiculous take on demonic possession, which I saw in Days of our Lives many years ago - Marlena being possessed. ;)

~Sia McKye~ said...

I do believe that there are spirits able to possess people. These spirits are bodiless and hence unable to feel with the normal 5 senses humans can. Possession gives them back those senses and gives them a vehicle to interact and influence humans around them.

I've run into a few possessed in my life time. I can't think of any movie that is scarier than seeing or being around someone who is and those who are rarely act like the character in The exorcist much of which was for dramatic effect. There is a feeling that raises the hair and hits you right in the instinctive gut. Definitely get out of Dodge and as quickly as you can.

Sia McKye Over Coffee

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Bad pun!
Only only power is stronger.

Stormie Kent said...

This is a concept I've been thinking of writing about. Something a bit scarier than my normal stuff.
http://stormiekent.com/blog/

Chrys Fey said...

Like Rajlakshmi, what I know about exorcisms are from Hollywood and that's pretty frightening.

Anonymous said...

Recently attended a presentation by a Catholic priest who is trained in exorcisms. Certainly an interesting conversation!

Stephanie Bird said...

I love this topic and my E letter hinges on a character I developed that ends up needing an exorcism (ironic). I'm a big horror/paranormal fan and also write in the mind, body, spirit arena in nonfiction. I will be checking out your "Salem's Daughters" ASAP. Sounds like a great read and right up my alley.

Heather M. Gardner said...

I do love that cat!
Heather

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Hey, you share a picture from one of my favorite movies, The Rite. I'm not sure I believe in exorcism or not but that film made me think it could be real. Very powerful acting by Colin O'Donguhue as the young priest.

Anonymous said...

I laughed at the joke. I admit it.

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

Michelle Wallace said...

Ha! Love your groaner!
*extended rimshots*

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Like Michelle, I love your joke! And that image is fun ... unless you DO need an exorcism! As a cat person (and dog, too, come to think of it) I smiled at your witchy cat.

Birgit said...

I did enjoy that joke and there have been actual cases of exorcism which is interesting to read about

SpacerGuy said...

Hilarious joke, thanks for sharing this.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Heather - we had someone come down to give a talk .. as I'd been out of the country in the 1980s I didn't know him .. but I really wasn't happy at his talk. Just not sure if he was too big for his boots or what .. put me off.

Though exorcism I'm sure can help some people and haunted areas .. cheers Hilary

Unknown said...

Okay, that final punchline was pretty funny! I have done quite a bit of reading about exorcisms, actually. I recommend a really interesting book on possession by a man who has conducted exorcisms called Spiritual Warfare by Dr. Karl Payne. Great read.

J.L. Campbell said...

Too funny, Stephen.
Those things scare me, so I don't even watch movies and such ...

Stephen Tremp said...

I'm getting late start today. Great to see all these comments on a very interesting topic. Thanks for stopping by!

Stephen Tremp said...

Susan, amazing the power addiction has over people. That's a real tricky one as it can transform itself to another addiction. An alcoholic can seem to be cured only to switch the addiction to marijuana. Then it's off to cigarettes. Then food. So although addiction may seem to be conquered because an alcoholic stops drinking, it merely manifests itself in another form.

Stephen Tremp said...

Heather, I thought that is a perfect image to help promote Salem's Daughters.

Stephen Tremp said...

Hilary, I've seen a few, and it's the deep gurgly voice and thrashing that is most disturbing.

Suzy, The Grey Brunette said...

WOW You really know your stuff when it comes to exorcism! Are you writing from experience? lol All I know about it is what I've seen in the movies and that is scary stuff. Awesome post :D
Suzy Turner: Author, Yogi Wannabe & Self-Help Geek.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

You're repossessed. Giggling, here. That is too funny. I'll have to think on that one. :)

Scribbles From Jenn said...

Love the Groaner of the Day. Congratulations on Salem's Daughters

Scribbles From Jenn - Visiting from the A to Z Challenge

Judith Westerfield said...

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooOOOOOOOOOOO'n

Anonymous said...

Love the groaner and the cat :) Congrats on Salem's Daughters!

Li said...

I'll admit it; I've always wanted to witness an exorcism. But not my own. Not that I need one. At least I don't think I need one...

AJ Lauer said...

Ohh... Stephen.. That joke was terrible...

Stephen Tremp said...

Li, denial is the first step. Just kidding hahaha.

Ann Bennett said...

I don't think people can be possessed. People did not understand mental illness and other maladies at one time. Unfortunately, people do not understand it today.
However, you can create a scary story with the topic. lol

Mary Aalgaard said...

You are spot on with people needing to want to have their demons exorcised. Most aren't willing to go through that painful process.

Pooja Priyamvada said...

Exorcism is a debatable issue but always generates interest.

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Love the joke! I totally believe in possession by evil spirits and that they can be exorcised for the simple reason that our Lord cast them out in the Bible. The Bible has Truth, without any mixture of error. I believe that alcoholism, and homosexuality, and sex addiction, all those types of things are fanned by demonic activity. Human beings may be born with a disposition toward a certain bent, but all mankind has free will choice and the power to make it, though it is easier with God's help. Demons urge man to chose wrongly and then keep him trapped in the harmful choice.
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B ~ One of Tremp's Troops with the
A to Z Challenge

Kathryn Thornton said...

Love the joke. I need more laughter in my life. Especially after I read about exorcism.

Sangita Kalarickal said...

Loved this! And this is a great theme. I'd love to read your book!

Sangita Kalarickal said...

Loved this! And this is a great theme. I'd love to read your book!

Namrata said...

Hi fella, I hope I am not running very late. Here is my take upon E is Embrace It, Embrace yourself. Hope you like it. http://bluesomeheart.blogspot.in/2015/04/embrace-it.html
:)

Exorcism is anything but not scary. I don't have any real life experience. Have just watched in movies. But still then it's scary and spine chilling.

Stephen Tremp said...

Often Hollywood gets this right or pretty close. Makes me wonder what the writers and directors are into during their free time.

Stephen Tremp said...

Delores, if interested leave a comments on my blog and I'll send you a link for a download or mail an advanced review copy to you.

Stephen Tremp said...

Jeremy, you're welcomed!

Stephen Tremp said...

Debra, you and me both.

Stephen Tremp said...

Trisha, I didn;t see that but I can imagine just how corny it may hav been. Those are good for a great laugh!

Stephen Tremp said...

Sia, I've been around them too. And they don't always wear rags and smell like urine. They often wear expensive suits and manifest tremendous authority over business and people.

Stephen Tremp said...

Stephanie, thanks for stopping by and for your interest in Salem's Daughters!

Stephen Tremp said...

Michelle, glad you liked the groaner.

Stephen Tremp said...

Thanks Megan, I'll Google him before I go to bed.

Stephen Tremp said...

Thanks Jenn!

Stephen Tremp said...

Ann, I'm not ready to blame all sickness and mental illness on possession as some do. But I do believe with many there is a direct correlation. Not all. But certainly some. At least that's what I believe.

Stephen Tremp said...

Barbara, there is a verse that says, "Let him that stole stop stealing." The same for lying. Point here is there is a lot of deliverance for people if they simply stop certain behaviors, habits, and addictions.

Stephen Tremp said...

Thanks Sangita!

Zannie Rose said...

love the joke - it made me groan..but it is still clever

zannierose A-Z

Susan Scott said...

Why I called you Heather I do not know! I agree re addiction taking multi-forms.

Unknown said...

Love this post. Congrats on writing your books. I have bought books on how to write books but not sure where to start. I am not sure if spirits can posses people but I do certainly believe in spirits. Thanks for the read.

beingFab said...

I can't stomach horror movies, but one of the few that I've watched is 'The Exorcist'. I have to admit, it was really well made! And that meme is really funny!!