Jesus casts out demons

A couple of things I find notable from this passage. The man possessed with demons recognized Jesus as the son of God. He did not try to fight or attack Jesus but seemed to know he was completely powerless against him. The people asked Jesus to leave after he healed this man. I suspect this might be due to anger at the loss of the swine. Some one lost a lot of money when that happened. They were, however, Jews and not allowed to have swine.

I think this has some interesting implications for today. If this man was possessed by many demons then that probably happens today as well. While I do not believe in most preachers who claim to cast out demons and do faith healing I do think some people have to be possessed of demons to do the things they do.

 

It seems kinda funny that demon possession went way down with the discovery of mental illness and the drugs to treat it. It exists only in backward third world countries and religious cults now.

 

What is really funny is that Jesus treated it without drugs :xyzthumbs

 

Yes those were the days. Too bad Jesus lets so many others die of horrible diseases today. It's a good thing that True Christians don't have to worry about that. Oh, wait, that's right, they die of horrible diseases too.

 

I think there are lots of cases of people attributing things to demons incorrectly. I think there are those who exploit that belief for profit. I also think there are really demons out there and they do possess some people. Bin Laden is a guy who would have to be demon possessed. People who molest and or kill children are probably demon possessed.

Not all mental illness responds to treatement. Certainly the guy who Jesus healed in this passage would be in a mental institution if he were alive today, assuming they could hold him. They tried to bind him with chains in the passage and he was always able to break free.

Maybe this is silly but I almost thought of a guy like Jason Vorhees when I was reading the description of the man living in tombs and cutting himself with a knife. He must have been quite a sight.

 

Yes, their corporal body perishes. The horror! The horror!

 

:banginghe

 

You dont believe in demon possession or you dont believe in the cases I cite?

 

I don't believe the cases you cite.

 

I watched both my mother and father perish from cancer. I heard my father scream in pain for the last month he was alive. Yes, "The horror" The horror" you bastard.