People of the Lie

[delphine]

I enjoyed The Road Less Travelled when I read it years ago, but M Scott Peck's new book People of the Lie sounds disturbed to me.. . I have not read it but, having come across many references to it lately, I spent some time this afternoon reading Peck's interviews where he apparently has adopted a Charismatic philosophy of demonic possession and is now touting the relevence of exorcism. He even wants demonic possession to be included in DSMIV.
I have many Ns in my family but really have a hard time thinking that defining them as evil is going to be helpful or useful. Still, I hate to write off a new theory without some open minded examination... what do you think? Has anyone read this book, or experienced any evidence that Ncism is really demonic possession??
Curious about responses!

[Anonymous]

I don't believe in demonic possession, for what it's worth.

bunny

[shixie]

I read it and it is not new, it was published in 1983.  There is only one short chapter that addresses possession and exorcism.  It focuses more on the concept of human evil.  I thought it was a very good book, worth reading.

[Anonymous]

I think Peck would like proof of possession (by inclusion in the DSM, which is a really loopy idea, totally unrealistic) to support his second calling to Christianity.

I've read some of his stuff, I think he's lost it now - believes his own ideas as The Truth. Some people can't handle a bit of fame too well, he may be one of them.

People aren't evil, it's what people do that's evil. The act is evil, not the person doing it.

[October]

Has anyone read this book, or experienced any evidence that Ncism is really demonic possession??
Curious about responses!

Maybe it would be useful to look at this from the other side.  I have a very good friend who is a priest, and he sometimes carries out blessings of people's houses if they feel that there is a presence there.  He says it is almost always a manifestation of some aspect of the psychology of one or other of the inhabitants.  The evil is real, but it is projected or created by the occupants.

[Anonymous]

October,

Maybe this priest can come to your house and clear out your ex's bad energy!

bunny

[shixie]

If someone commits an evil act, they chose to do so.  Just as they could have chosen to do something good.  If they are labeled as evil or possessed, that is excusing their behavior.  Accountability, should be the focus instead of excusing.  Anyone who excuses bad behavior also enables it.  The excuser needs to be dealt with as much as the evil doer.  I am just starting to recognize this.  I find the excuser more frustrating.  Is it that they are just blind to the whole situation?  How do you make them see it for what it is?

[October]

October,

Maybe this priest can come to your house and clear out your ex's bad energy!

bunny

Hmm.  And clean the carpets while he is at it?  

[Anonymous]

If someone commits an evil act, they chose to do so. Just as they could have chosen to do something good. If they are labeled as evil or possessed, that is excusing their behavior. Accountability, should be the focus instead of excusing. Anyone who excuses bad behavior also enables it.

I agree.
Many problems with our society today is that people are not held accountable and are not given consequences for their actions.

There is way too much *political correctness* and we need to call something for what it is.

Simple truth is that evil does exist.  Life is a constant battle of evil vs. good.

Mia

[mum]

Mia: right on.  Evil exists.  How it manifests can be argued forever (and has been).
I always found it funny, growing up Catholic, that we were expected to believe in:
exorcism of places, blessings bestowed with holy water, images of dieties, praying, saints, incense "cleansing" at the start of high mass, etc, but were then  told to reject anything else that was (IMO) very similar from other cultures/religions/schools of thought:

Native American "smudgings"
Meditation
Chakra energies
Buddhist philosophy
Energy healing
Hindu Dieties
Yin/Yang concepts
you name it, if it wasn't "Christian" (espcially the Catholic version), it was suspect.

It's all the same, we're all the same.  Good is in all of it, Evil is in all of it.

[liberation]

This may be off topic, but it reminded me of an excellent book about narcissistic people who become spiritual leaders and gurus:

Prophetic Charisma: The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities by Len Oakes.

It's a fascinating read which I highly recommend.

[miaxo]

Mum

Don't get me started about the Catholic Church.    I don't want to offend any Catholics on this board.

Let me just say, 12 years of Catholic School. UGH!

Thankfully, I broke the cycle when I attended Rutgers University.

[Stormchild]

Evil definitely exists... you only have to find yourself - or anyone you love - in its cross-hairs once, to know that you are dealing with something outside yourself, that hates for the sheer joy of it.

Added on edit: not to say that we can't feel and act and want evil.. we're human, flawed. But I really have experienced what I'd have to call 'external evil', too.

Cheerful today...  

[mum]

Mia...others. My intention is not to bash anyone's religion, just to share my experience.  Apologies if I have.   I'm sure others have had different experiences with Catholicism than mine. (but not you Mia )
It was a big part of my experience growing up, led me to form some negative self concepts, but also helped me to be a compassionate person.

[Anonymous]

mum,
I'm not a Catholic but I am a Christian, and we're building a bonfire for you right now.    

Just kidding of course. I was not offended in the slightest by anything you said.

mud