Five South Koreans arrested after relative, 41, dies during exorcism in Germany

[zimona]

 

During my fundie days I used to be involved with a charismatic church that believed in "demons" and praying those demons out (they called it deliverance...) And I kind of went along with that for a while. Makes me feel seriously embarassed today... 

But what I simply dont get is how you can stop seeing the other person as fellow human being, even though when you are doing an "exorcism". How much of a fantatic do you have to be to de-humanize the person that you are praying for ? At least that's what I imagine must have happened... 

Still wondering what group they were affiliated with, couldn't find any info on that.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/arrested-relative-dies-exorcism-article-1.2462848

[foreign fundie]

People can get really worked up during these sessions and if they drag on,  people get exhausted and in a trance like state. Group dynamic is a strong factor. People convince each othere they are fighting against the devil and doubt is a sign he has got you as well. 

Although it is not strange for  Christians to believe in evil powers (the gospels are full of exorcisms) there is no biblical excuse for torturing people to death. Jesus only spoke a few words and never used physical force to expel a demon. He didn't even have to shout. 

These sessions are usually led by hysterical and highly manipulative people, and are used to deal with the insubordinate. They have nothing to do with helping one in spiritual need.

 

[samurai_sarah]

2 hours ago, zimona said:

(snip)

Still wondering what group they were affiliated with, couldn't find any info on that.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/arrested-relative-dies-exorcism-article-1.2462848

The German news were a bit more forthcoming. According to the FAZ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), the pastor called after the poor victim had died was the pastor of the "Zion Gemeinde" (http://www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/kriminalitaet/frankfurt-teufelsaustreiber-holten-evangelischen-pastor-13959245.html ).

The "Zion Gemeinde" appears to be a charismatic church. According to this article ( http://www.fnp.de/lokales/frankfurt/Teufelsaustreibung-Koreaner-zogen-wegen-Daemonen-um;art675,1746638 ) the "Zion Gemeinde" is a Korean evangelical church that shows fundamentalist traits and has recently been proselytising heavily in Korean congregations, in Germany.

Both articles are in German. Here's the church's website http://www.ziongemeinde.org/ The website is in Korean.

 

 

 

[Howl]

4 hours ago, foreign fundie said:

These sessions are usually led by hysterical and highly manipulative people, and are used to deal with the insubordinate. They have nothing to do with helping one in spiritual need.

 

Very, very good point.