Vatican to train army of exorcists to deal with rising number of ‘demonic possessions’.

[Warren Stupidity]

The Vatican are training up ordinary doctors, teachers and psychologists to cope with a rising tide of demonic possessions.

More than 40 years after The Exorcist left cinema audiences green, the Vatican has gathered a team of experts including practising exorcists to give ordinary Catholics the tools needed to recognise a case of demonic possession when they see one – and teach them what to do about it.

The tenth edition of the annual course, ‘Exorcism and Prayer of Liberation,’ sponsored by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, the department responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests, began this morning at Rome’s Regina Apostolorum University.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3037324/Vatican-train-army-exorcists-deal-rising-number-demonic-possessions.html#ixzz3XIMkUYWU

The Mail sucks as a source, but still, how is this not delusional behavior?

[trotsky]

1. "the tools needed to recognise a case of demonic possession when they see one"

Here's the only fucking tool they need: demonic possession isn't real. Get them help from a mental health specialist.

[edhopper]

6. But if it's what people believe

and does no harm. If it helps people to deal with their problems. And how do you KNOW there are no demons. Nobody will ever KNOW.

[trotsky]

8. You have learned well, grasshopper. n/t

[LiberalEsto]

2. Anyone who believes this superstitious nonsense IS a tool. nt

[AlbertCat]

3. a rising tide of demonic possessions.

Is there a rising tide of demonic possessions?


or a rising tide of scared people turning to useless supernatural woo woo?


I say we're experiencing the same number of demon possessions as we have since the beginning of time..... zero.

[bvf]

11. Personally, I'm willing to wait

for the peer reviews to emerge before coming to a conclusion.

[nil desperandum]

4. Source

Actually in this case the Mail is reporting what the catholic news agency had announced, so I suspect it's not a joke...

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/practical-help-for-the-demon-possessed-vatican-rolls-out-new-exorcism-course-36248/

Well not an intentional joke, it's sort of a black humor joke at best especially in light of this aspect of the "training":

one of the primary objectives of the course will be to help priests and lay people distinguish demonic possession from psychological or medical conditions.

Here's a pro tip for the course instructors, it's all a psychological or medical condition as there are NO DEMONS YOU MORONS!!!

NOTE: FOR POTENTIAL ALERTERS THIS IS POSTED IN THE ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS SAFE HAVEN AND EXPRESSES THE VIEWS OF SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT AND WILL NOT BELIEVE IN FAIRY TALES AS A MEANS OF DETERMINING WHO AMONG US IS RIGHTEOUS AND WHO AMONG US IS A DEVIL INSPIRED INFIDEL. THIS IS NOT A POST FOR GENERAL CONSUMPTION, JUST SOMETHING TO BE SHARED AMONG MY FELLOW NON-BELIEVERS. HAVE A PLEASANT DAY!

[mountain grammy]

5. another world problem solved..

I'm so grateful.. Now, maybe we can address the real rising tide of global climate change.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. I suggest they start with today's GOP.

[LiberalEsto]

13. Exactly.

I'm convinced that teabaggers are possessed.

[Arugula Latte]

9. The church acknowledges evolution is real but is also worried about demons. In 2015.

What a fucking joke. Why anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together takes anything these grifters say seriously is beyond me.

[edhopper]

10. But secretly

they know that evolution was per-ordained by God.

[RussBLib]

12. I just....(sigh)

I guess they have to keep up the pretense.

[trotsky]

14. Pope Francis’s frequent references to the Devil have led to an unexpected boom in exorcism requests

LMAO

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/religion/pope-franciss-frequent-references-to-the-devil-have-led-to-an-unexpected-boom-in-exorcism-requests

Remember though, today's Sophisticated Believers don't actually believe that stuff literally. Only the fringe literalists do.

[bvf]

15. And who is Frank addressing when

he talks about this so-called "devil"?

Oh, right.