Sunday, September 26, 2010
Blog Entry 1.1 About Me
Hey! I'm Danya and I live in Queens with my charming husband and our two crazy children. This is my first semester at LaGuardia with a major in Veterinary Technology. This course seems like it will be very interesting and I look forward to spending the next two years with you all here at LaGuardia.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Entry 1.2: Internet Research
The site that I chose is titled "Levels of Possession by a Ghost (Demonic Possession)". I chose this because demonic possession is a topic that I still debate with myself on whether or not it is real. I was unaware that there were levels of possession. Most of my knowledge on this topic comes from two movies, "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "Paranormal Activity". The website that I viewed states that there is a difference between demonic influence and demonic possession.
Demonic influence is seen when an individual partakes in activities uncharacteristic of themselves, such as gambling, drinking, prostitution, and drug addiction. To me, this just sounds like people trying to place blame on anyone, or anything, other than themselves for their shortcomings. Does this mean that every individual is perfect until a demon comes and influences them to do wrong? Are we truly made in the image and likeness of God to the extent that we do no wrong, but this perfection is obstructed by a jealous demon? There are tons of questions that arise to me when demonic influence is discussed. How will we ever truly be able to make the distinction between an individual's wrongdoing and being influenced by a demon? Or is there no distinction to be made?
Demonic possession is seen on different levels classified as mild, medium, and severe. Mild possession consists of an individual "laughing hysterically or talking gibberish," and behaving abnormally. This would be to the extent that most people would consider the individual to be crazy. Medium possession is evident when a general God-fearing person attempts to calm down to possessed individual and sees improvement. Severe possession means that only a priest, or other person with spiritual superiority, is able to make an improvement with the possessed.
Within the varying levels of possession are varying goals of the demon. Only an "inferior demon" can possess a person mildly with "intent to harm the individual". Medium possession would be the result of a demon with a higher rank whose intention is to "affect the individual and society to some extent." Only superior demons are able to severely possess a person and its intention would be to "create nationwide destruction or worldwide detrimental effect, for example, Hitler and his Holocaust." This means that Hitler was severely possessed by a superior demon.
In summary, how can one truly tell if a demon is possessing an individual or if the person just decided to act violently? From what I have read, I can assume that the distinction can only be made when a spiritual person attempts to put the fear of God into the individual. Even then, one may not truly be able to tell because demons may sometimes leave the body to escape God's presence. This leads me to believe that people are perfect and only do wrong when a demon is present within them.
Demonic influence is seen when an individual partakes in activities uncharacteristic of themselves, such as gambling, drinking, prostitution, and drug addiction. To me, this just sounds like people trying to place blame on anyone, or anything, other than themselves for their shortcomings. Does this mean that every individual is perfect until a demon comes and influences them to do wrong? Are we truly made in the image and likeness of God to the extent that we do no wrong, but this perfection is obstructed by a jealous demon? There are tons of questions that arise to me when demonic influence is discussed. How will we ever truly be able to make the distinction between an individual's wrongdoing and being influenced by a demon? Or is there no distinction to be made?
Demonic possession is seen on different levels classified as mild, medium, and severe. Mild possession consists of an individual "laughing hysterically or talking gibberish," and behaving abnormally. This would be to the extent that most people would consider the individual to be crazy. Medium possession is evident when a general God-fearing person attempts to calm down to possessed individual and sees improvement. Severe possession means that only a priest, or other person with spiritual superiority, is able to make an improvement with the possessed.
Within the varying levels of possession are varying goals of the demon. Only an "inferior demon" can possess a person mildly with "intent to harm the individual". Medium possession would be the result of a demon with a higher rank whose intention is to "affect the individual and society to some extent." Only superior demons are able to severely possess a person and its intention would be to "create nationwide destruction or worldwide detrimental effect, for example, Hitler and his Holocaust." This means that Hitler was severely possessed by a superior demon.
In summary, how can one truly tell if a demon is possessing an individual or if the person just decided to act violently? From what I have read, I can assume that the distinction can only be made when a spiritual person attempts to put the fear of God into the individual. Even then, one may not truly be able to tell because demons may sometimes leave the body to escape God's presence. This leads me to believe that people are perfect and only do wrong when a demon is present within them.
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