Okay... 'sigh'... I make one little (okay HUGE) backstep and out come's the 2X4 and back to square one I'm sent.
lol
*Disclaimer: As always, unless otherwise specified... the following is my opinion and only that. Also, like lynne, I have no desire, nor right, to offer or argue any particular religious views... except for respect to all... unless pushed in that direction - then it's anybodies game.
The reason I fell here this morning (I'm assuming) is there is no more perfect reminder to myself - of the what's what and what's not and what is somewhere in-between, then this thread. It may be the 101 of the basics of basics (in my world)... but without the basics there is no progression so the basics are the most important lesson's of all lessons - except the last lesson.
Without going to read for myself the whole of the thing (which I will do later) 'homework' ... I want to say that my first reaction to the intro to this thread was, well, a VERY deep breath... used as a tool to help restore my self-control. Reading through your posts with a clear head and heart and Spirit BEFORE I speak is now remembered. lolol
My opinion of the basic premise here is, and long has been
We are dealing in semantics. Not just us, here... but in general... and that's a big general and goes back thousand's... who knows... mayhaps hundred of thousands of years. And it's a problem. A HUGE problem... this Word, to Interpretation of Word, into Written Word, solidifying in out right false, or unguided so run rampant false, OR a somewhat true but also false... Belief.
I could, but won't, delve into the hundreds of pages it would take here (yes I know... your welcome lol) to lead you back back back to the research it took for me to come to this understanding. Instead I want to offer these few item's for consideration.
First: The Occult and The Paranormal are NOT in anyway synonymous. The meaning of the two words are totally separate. While one might CHOOSE to deal in the Occult, The Paranormal exists with or without human choice, beliefs, or interactions. In fact, it exists with or without our existence. Of course, one might choose to ATTEMPT to interact with the Paranormal the same as they choose to interact with the occult... but it aint the same game. And it danged sure aint the same rules.
Next: ALL things Paranormal are NOT demonic (again... semantics...) the problem being, discerning the who's who and the whats what of the whole "wtf". Uncountable 'other' exist... and we are NOT the top of that food chain. I mean really guys... we (humans) have the worst record (I imagine) in the UNIVERSE of getting the premise... that we do not stand alone and above anything and everything else ON OUR WORLD... UNDERSTANDING that 'different' is not synonymous with 'intelligence level'... just seems to go over our heads. So defining (as in giving a solid DEFINITION) of 'demonic' seems like a fools game to me.
Which is WHY I have a problem with exorcisms.
Last (and I'll shut up):
How different is it for someone to try and call on a dead family member for help from praying for Jesus to fix things for them?
Even here, we are dealing with semantics and interpretations. While many indigenous cultures deal with The Ancestors... to my knowledge there is no actual Calling Upon. There is connecting with, there is awareness of, there is a belief that there is no beginning and no ending (The Medicine Wheel), there is to the Seventh Generation (what is done now, in the here, affects those of our generations that come after to the 7th generation) and there is tobacco or cornmeal or both as offering to Ancestors for what was learned from and should not be forgotten (good or bad)... but I know of no Indigenous Peoples who do Callings on The Ancestors... unless there are some who pervert the ceremonies or something, but that's a different thing all together. Indigenous Peoples PRAY to The Creator... regardless of what semantics say they are doing.
Okay. I'll shut up.