[BillSPrestonEsq]

I'll be blunt

If I knew a place in Austin, I would tell you, but I don't. I know of only one area that is like that, and I have heard rumors from a pagan from New Orleans who was in my Philosophy class who I shared Christ with that their are some places similar there where voodoo is being openly practiced. That is New Orleans, it is the closest place to you where I can imagine there being enough demonic worship to warrant any demonic activity. But that is merely a secondhand bit.

as for that area not being for the faint of heart...

I was in the fifth group of short timers who went to that church and in the only one that didnt leave after the first day. I got beat up, threatened with knives.

I can give you a church name and aproximate location and that's it. If I really looked in my notebook from that trip (if I had it with me) I might have a pastor's name. But you seem to want your proof to be someone stepping out of your monitor and handing you a possessed person. I don't have scientific proof, I can merely point you to an area where it is common

What I meant by that is simply its rough. If you ever have reason to go to Jamaica, check it out. but be warned its in a violent, dangerous slum. If you scare easily, don't go.

[JESOd]

Apostle gives a "sugar free" message. Meaning that he doesn't preach what the people want to hear. He preaches what God wants them to hear. He may plan a sermon but never preaches from his notes.

There are no "Bertha-better-than-you" types there. It is a true family. Do you understand what I am talking about?

I'm probably taking this the wrong way... but i'm taking this as a bash on other denominations. "It is a true family" ... been to plenty of churches that have been a "true family." None of this Bertha types either. Also, I've had plenty of preachers with "sugar free" messages. And i think all preachers wanna preach what God wants them to preach... that's y they are preachers. And no... they weren't Charasmatic churches.

The Demon came out of him and tried to attack me.

So what did this demon look like?

If that is the case, how in the world would possessing children work, all it does is cause people to pray to God against them

i'm not sure of the question but... pray against the children? no.. the demons.

If you ever have reason to go to Jamaica, check it out.

Sounds like an intresting thing to see.

[EleventhHour]

There are no "Bertha-better-than-you" types there. It is a true family. Do you understand what I am talking about?

If I know Gracie Love, she means here at the forums we are all Christians and there should not be feelings of superiority over one another. We're all siblings in Christ.

Also, in discussions you might remember that not everyone was raised with English as a first language.

There are lots of places in the United States where Satanism is practiced, are there not? If you want some accounts of contemporary demonic possession and exorcism, try Bob Larsen's Book of Spiritual Warfare, and/or check out the site.

I know there are accounts from Catholic priests of exorcisms, though I haven't read much about Catholic exorcisms. My brother had been telling me some of what he'd read.

M. Scott Peck, a best selling author and psychiatrist, has accounts of exorcisms in his book, the problem of evil. If you really look for accounts of demonic possession in America, they are out there. Whether you want to say it's really bunk, hoaxes or delusional thinking is up to you.

If an exorcism works where nothing else will, the power of faith and prayer is shown to be valid.

[ChrisHarbison]

Bill, I have to admit, your stories are very convincing. I'd be interested hearing more about your trip to Jamaica. I went to Haiti a few years back and experienced some wierd stuff myself. You can pm me and tell me more if you'd like.

What I'm always skeptical about, is the way in which things are presented. For example (and again I'm not Charasmatic-bashing, I'm making a observable statement) the way the Charasmatic churches practice the gifts of the Spirit vs. how the Bible says to practice them; or the demonic experiences (like those possessed by the demon of depression and crap like that) Charasmatic churches have vs. the ones you described.

[Dr. Doom]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I'll be blunt

why, have i been a jerk about this? i thought the happy face would suggest otherwise, but if i have been, sorry.

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

If I knew a place in Austin, I would tell you, but I don't. I know of only one area that is like that, and I have heard rumors from a pagan from New Orleans who was in my Philosophy class who I shared Christ with that their are some places similar there where voodoo is being openly practiced. That is New Orleans, it is the closest place to you where I can imagine there being enough demonic worship to warrant any demonic activity. But that is merely a secondhand bit.

ok, but is there any scripture that says there is only demon activity where there is demon worship? i don't understand where this presumtion comes from.

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

as for that area not being for the faint of heart...

honestly, i don't care about the actual location nor do i plan on traveling there. the reason i commented on what you said is that it sounded pretty condecsending as in "i'd tell you more but you guys aren't tough like me and you might pee your pants so i won't." it just seemed like a weird thing to say.

[JESOd]

If I know Gracie Love, she means here at the forums we are all Christians and there should not be feelings of superiority over one another. We're all siblings in Christ.

well what she said seemed like her church is the church with the true family.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

why, have i been a jerk about this? i thought the happy face would suggest otherwise, but if i have been, sorry..

No just gets the point accross easily

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

ok, but is there any scripture that says there is only demon activity where there is demon worship? i don't understand where this presumtion comes from.

It doesn't, but it does indicate that they go into unclean places and such.

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

honestly, i don't care about the actual location nor do i plan on traveling there. the reason i commented on what you said is that it sounded pretty condecsending as in "i'd tell you more but you guys aren't tough like me and you might pee your pants so i won't." it just seemed like a weird thing to say.

I used to clean Aaron Adams' church. I have a suspicion that I have met someone before. I never know when your path will find you in montego bay on sunday morning if ever. If so, now you know, but I just felt it necessarry to give you fair warning as I am sure you are not the only one here who read, and someone might be close enough to actually cheeck it out and I felt that since it is in a dangerous area it warranted a warning.

[Benny Hicks]

Here's an interesting excerpt from A Theology of the New Testament by G.E. Ladd:
"Demon possession manifested itself in various ways. Sometimes it was associated with physical afflictions: dumbness (Mt. 9:32), blindness and dumbness (Mt. 12:22), and epilepsy (Mt. 17:15,18). There is only one place where demon possession is identified with mental illness. Obviously, the Gadarene demoniac who dwelt in the tombs and was possessed of superhuman strength was insane. The record says that after his healing the man was found clothed and in his right mind (Mk. 5:15). While this suggests that the man had been insane, we need not conclude that his illness was a case of simple insanity. Rather the derangement was due to the center of personality fall under the influence of foreign powers.

"It is not accurate, however, simply to explain away demon possession by saying it is an ancient interpretation for what we now know to be various forms of insanity. Frequently in the Synoptics demon possession is distinguished from other diseases. Jesus healed both the sick and those possessed by demons (Mk. 1:32). Demon possession is distinguished from epilepsy and paralysis (Mt. 4:24), from sickness and leprosy (Mt. 10:8)."

Here's another interesting quote:
"As we look at history, what we see is often not merely the impersonal and unmeaning but the irrational and the mad. The face that looks through at us is akin to the insane. Certainly as Jesus looked at people, He saw them not always as rational moral units or self-contained autonomous spirits; He saw their souls as a battle-ground, an arena or theatre of tragic conflict between the opposed cosmic powers of the Holy Spirit of God and Satan." - Jesus and the Christian by W. Manson

I just think that is such an interesting idea, so I thought I'd share it would you.

Ben

[Jay Tea]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

ok, but is there any scripture that says there is only demon activity where there is demon worship? i don't understand where this presumtion comes from.

Maybe it would make more sense if you turned it around. A sensible assumption would be that if demons are not active (at least in the sense we're talking about), demon worship is not taking place. Therefore, if demon worship is taking place, that's a reasonably reliable indicator that demon activity is going on...

[xSuspensionx]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

What, exactly, is the "demons' work?" To cause people not to believe? If that is the case, how int he world would possessing children work, all it does is cause people to pray to God against them. Could you explain how you meant this?

What is the work of demons?
I would suppose that it would be exactly the opposite of the work of angels. (duh)

[Dr. Doom]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

No just gets the point accross easily

It doesn't, but it does indicate that they go into unclean places and such.

I used to clean Aaron Adams' church. I have a suspicion that I have met someone before. I never know when your path will find you in montego bay on sunday morning if ever. If so, now you know, but I just felt it necessarry to give you fair warning as I am sure you are not the only one here who read, and someone might be close enough to actually cheeck it out and I felt that since it is in a dangerous area it warranted a warning.

all very true, i am sorry if i overreacted in any way and thanks for your concern.

[Dr. Doom]

Originally Posted by xSuspensionx

What is the work of demons?
I would suppose that it would be exactly the opposite of the work of angels. (duh)

i don't know if you are being sarcastic, but if you aren't...what is the work of the angels and why does that automatically assume demons do the exact opposite of them?

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

i don't know if you are being sarcastic, but if you aren't...what is the work of the angels and why does that automatically assume demons do the exact opposite of them?

dualism...

[Benny Hicks]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

What, exactly, is the "demons' work?"

I would argue that the chief function of Satan, and therefore demons, is to oppose God's redemptive purpose. Jesus' message of the coming of the Kingdom of God involved a fundamental struggle with and conquest of the spiritual realm.

Ben

[Gracie Love]

Originally Posted by JESOd

I'm probably taking this the wrong way... but i'm taking this as a bash on other denominations. "It is a true family" ... been to plenty of churches that have been a "true family." None of this Bertha types either. Also, I've had plenty of preachers with "sugar free" messages. And i think all preachers wanna preach what God wants them to preach... that's y they are preachers. And no... they weren't Charasmatic churches.



So what did this demon look like?



i'm not sure of the question but... pray against the children? no.. the demons.



Sounds like an intresting thing to see.

I wasn't bashing any churches. I have been to churches were the preachers decide on what to preach based on something they were told by the deacons or elders. Or just preach the same sermon at the same time every year or are preacing the same sermons that were preached decades ago.

I have been to many churches and I can say this is the first church I have not seen the Bertha-better-than-you type. But that is just my experiences.
I am not saying that Charismatic churches don't have them, because I have seen them there too.

Like I said the only thing I saw of the demon was my friends I eyes. They had flames in them.

It is a very scary thing to deal with if you aren't prepared for it.