The life of an opinion writer is hard in times such as these. On one hand, there is so much news happening that you just can't take it all in. On the other hand, it's all about the same thing.
World Trade Center this, war that, it's everywhere. I challenge you to find a major print media source that does not contain at least five stories on the events of Sept. 11. It simply can't be done.
Not to trivialize that great human tragedy, but it would be nice to consider something else for a change. Something light and upbeat, something that puts a spring in your step and a gleam in your eye. Something like the Devil.
Yes, Satan. Mephistopheles. Beelzebub. The Prince of Darkness. Or simply, Ned Flanders.
In an article titled "Even in W. Texas, exorcisms more common than most think," the Fort Worth Star-Telegram delves into the American psyche to find out just why we are so curious about the Devil.
Americans have always had a fascination with the supernatural, and modern times are no exception. It all began with that little movie in 1973 called The Exorcist. Ever since the release of this head-spinning flick, America has been somewhat enthralled by the ritual of exorcism.
The first thing the term "exorcism" brings to mind is a televangelist with a bad toupee and a horrendous Southern accent, screaming about the Devil. Turn to Channel 21 and you'll see the guy I'm talking about.
The Roman Catholic church does on occasion perform bona-fide exorcisms on people. However, these must be sanctioned by the church and have historically been few and far between. In 1995 they numbered one or two per year, and have grown to about 15 or 20 per year today.
These numbers are of relatively little concern to most of us because they are performed by priests who know what they're doing and don't generally make a habit of blaming everything on demons. As for the rest of society, well, let's take a look.
Michael Cuneo, author of the book American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty, estimates that the number of other exorcisms, performed by everyone from pastors of various faiths to televangelists to the guy next door could number in the thousands every year.
Cuneo attended approximately 50 exorcisms in writing his book, held in places ranging from churches and homes to arena size buildings where several people were exorcised at once. "I saw lots of fireworks, lots of dramatic activity, A lot of thrashing and howling and wailing, shredding of clothes... but nothing in my mind that could not be accounted for in social, medical or psychiatric terms."
Indeed. Thrashing, howling, wailing and the shredding of clothes? Sounds an awful lot closer to WWF wrestling than a religious experience.
So why the fascination with exorcism and demons if it's not the real deal? Cuneo suggests that people need explanations for their erratic behavior, so they are turning to exorcisms. Or perhaps more importantly, people think demon possession is a good excuse to justify their misdeeds or problems.
How timely this is. There is at this very moment a woman in Houston (what is it with Texas and the Devil?) who has admitted to killing her five children because Satan told her to. She wants to be executed because she believes that her death will also kill him.
Is there truth to her story or is she merely psychotic? Bob Larson thinks there's truth. He has participated in thousands of exorcisms the world over. He has performed mass deliverances via television and even does exorcisms over the radio. Ah yes, radio deliverance, the hallmark of a credible exorcist.
Larson has assembled a team of exorcists - anti-Satan shock troopers, if you will - that work under the name "Do What Jesus Did." He claims that they evaluate each case with a detailed 10-page questionnaire, with such questions as "Have you been to a doctor?" or "Do you have a mental disorder?" You know, tough questions, to weed out the real basket cases.
After you've completed all the rigorous evaluation and you still have a compulsion you can't get rid of "like feelings of suicide, then it may be demonic." Because, as any qualified therapist will undoubtedly tell you, suicidal tendencies are indeed caused by Lucifer himself.
Will demon possession become the next en vogue diagnosis for those of us who are troubled? "Well, dear, little Tommy is having problems paying attention in school again. I guess the doctor was wrong about that ADD thing. He must have a touch of the Devil."
I talk to myself on occasion. You know, a little phrase under my breath here or there when my mind is wandering. Am I possessed? And if so, can I train my demons to take notes for me?
Chris Kotterman is a political science junior. Reach him at chris.kotterman@asu.edu.
