Recovering Fundamentalists Co-Founder Drew Stedman joined host Susanna Reid on BBC One’s Sunday Morning Live on August 7, 2011 to discuss his personal experiences with exorcisms.
Recovering Fundamentalists Co-Founder Drew Stedman will appear on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live on August 7, 2011 to discuss his personal experiences with exorcisms.
The story of recovery mentioned by Drew on the show can be found here.
Watched the show… what was she on about, I hate it when ‘spiritual’ people spout their beliefs as facts… I am a former Born-again Christian who has observed exorcisms – its all crap, most of the victims are mentally unwell. (Yes I am qualified to comment on this!) I have also cared for epilepsy sufferers, who have come out of their seizure, only to find some prat trying to cast a demon out!
The Rev on the show stated that the demon took control of their victim, but also that they asked the victim’s permission to perform exorcism… so if the demon is in charge, why would they give permission for their own eviction???
Its such a ridiculous notion that was put forward, that pedophiles, addicts, murderers etc could be demon possessed, surely this exonerates them from their crimes… they could claim ‘it wasn’t me = it was my demon!’ No worries then mate, get yourself an exorcism and you’re free to go!
I agree. I think one of the most alarming things about the whole concept is that it circumvents personal responsibility by blaming unseen forces. I wish I had had more time to touch on that aspect although I think that Francis Beckett did a good job of pointing this out in how she wouldn’t take personal responsibility for something GOOD, like getting out of alcoholism. I wish we had touched more on how blaming demons is to scapegoat your own problems. And its a double whammy, because you can’t take credit for being good either… what a crazy self-fulfilling circle this way of thinking finds itself in.
I too am an ex-Fundie. My view –
Betty King lost me and, I suspect, many viewers when the usual fundie aggression started as she tried to shout others down to force her point across. A typical fundie tactic.
She was clearly unable to see another’s point and appreciate it.
I have seen the ‘devil made me/them/us do it’ excuse rolled out so many times. People need to take responsibility for their own actions and if they feel unable to cope with situations seek the appropriate help.
What a joy also to see Jay Lakhani on the broadcast. Since my liberation I have retrained as an Interfaith Minister and he was one of the bright lights that lectured us in theSeminary Course.
Thanks for posting the clip Rob and thanks for the input Drew.
Ken