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Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: Mr G on August 27, 2024, 11:16:08 AM

Title: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Mr G on August 27, 2024, 11:16:08 AM
Avoid All Fantasy Novels – Padre Peregrino (https://padreperegrino.org/2024/08/fantasy/)

Late last week I visited a family that lives an hour and a half from my hermitage.  The wife of the family has been my friend for 20 years.  The husband has been my friend for about 10 years.  They have six children.  After a nice dinner of street tacos, they asked me for blessings with St. Charbel oil that I keep in my car, confessions for everyone, and a blessing of the home.  Upstairs, three boys share a room and three girls share a room.  The family loves outdoor sports and they seem afraid of nothing.  That is why I was surprised at what happened next.

The oldest girl, who is 16 years old, (who we will call “Sarah”) insisted on the blessing because said strange things was happening in her room.  She said that during the second week of August, she started feeling like something was watching her in that room belonging to her sisters and her.  (She normally doesn’t talk like this.)  She also stated that she was afraid of her room and she kept seeing things out of the corner of her eye.  Her sister even claimed something grabbed her in bed.

So, I went through the home doing the blessing and even minor exorcisms as I dressed in surplice and purple stole above my hermit habit.  I carried blessed oil and holy water.  I had the husband sprinkle exorcised salt behind us as we said the Divine Praises.  The strange thing is that I accidentally missed the bedroom of the girls, even though I have stayed at this home many times.  Sarah said “Wait, you missed our bedroom” as I was turning down the hall upstairs.  This was very unusual, as my blessings are normally meticulous to cover every closet.  In fact, I did cover every closet, basement, garage and even back yard in this blessing.  Something kept me from the girls’ bedroom.  So, with the family in train, we all went into the sisters’ one bedroom and I blessed it.  I also did some binding prayers.

Not long after that, I had to drive back to Denver, but we still had a lot to talk about. On my way back to Denver, I was talking to the two parents and their 16 year old daughter, again, who we’re calling “Sarah” here.  (The parents and her gave me permission to share this account with my readers as long as we kept them anonymous.)  Although we had several topics to tackle, I felt inclined a the very end of our hour-long conversation to find out who or what attacked this very holy family.  (They pray the daily Rosary, go to Mass several times a week and often take night shifts at their local adoration chapel, so I don’t use the word “holy” lightly.)  But they are also very fun and normal.  So, I wasn’t too worried about the activity after blessing the home and doing binding prayers.

Still, right before hanging up while driving up I-25 at 10pm, I decided to go detective-sleuth style on this preternatural activity. I knew the best way to find this out would be to find out what changed in August of 2024 for Sarah and her sisters.  She explained they had never read fantasy novels but had started a book called Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland.  It has dragons on the cover and features a plotline of dragons, too.  The girls got the book from the library.  Even though they are not allowed cell phones, they also added Wings of Fire to their Mom’s audible.  Sarah told me on the phone that all of her brothers and sisters sat around the phone on the edge of their seats like they never had before, listening to this fantasy novel.  Up to this point, the entire family had avoided fantasy novels, except Lord of the Rings.

I asked Sarah when the strange activity started in the bedroom of her and her sisters.  She told me the second week of August.  Notice again they started reading a fantasy novel the first week of August and the preternatural activity started the second week of August.  I hadn’t visited this family in nearly 7 months, but I arrived the third week of August this 2024.  Sarah is an extremely smart girl, so I didn’t have to preach to her on the phone.  She immediately realized the fear in her room and the thing that grabbed her sister was directly linked to the fantasy novel they had began reading a week before these things.  Sarah went and told her parents and they promptly started to empty the Audible of Wings of Fire and gathered the books to return to the library.  (I am sure they would have burned them if they hadn’t belonged to the library.)

The next day I told a traditional exorcist friend of mine that we need to start boycotting not only Harry Potter, but also all fantasy novels.  He agreed, saying there are now “Harry Potter copy-caters cashing in on the occult stuff.”  He added on the topic of fantasy novels that parents should approach them all “automatically suspicious until proven otherwise.”  I agree with him 100%.  I know this family I visited is now equally vigilant.

God may care about our intentions in imputing good or evil to our moral acts, but demons do notIf fantasy novels carry curses, those curses spoken out loud will carry objective effects, even if the subjective state of the reader is quite innocent.  If dragons carry demons’ names in a fantasy novel, then even an Audible app saying them out loud in a relatively innocuous plotline might be a portal to the occult, regardless of the intention of the listeners.    This is especially dangerous for children.
Some people will read this article and scoff at it.  Other families will close off all doors to preternatural activity by prohibiting fantasy novels for their children.  I just want to encourage you to do one thing:  Do a risk-benefit analysis on if I’m wrong, versus if I’m right.


Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 11:24:55 AM
Quote
Do a risk-benefit analysis on if I’m wrong, versus if I’m right.
Very good advice.  Satanism is everywhere nowadays.  It just ain't worth it.

Plenty of other fun things to do.  Avoid anything which is remotely dangerous.  And if uncertain, then do your research.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 12:00:32 PM
You know I read "Rules for Discerning the Spirits" by Fr. Ludovic-Marie Barrielle (https://angeluspress.org/collections/vendors?q=Fr. Ludovic-Marie Barrielle) about 14 years ago.  Boy did so many strange things happen after reading that book.  Does that mean I should avoid all books like that?

The devils are smarter than us.  They know how to scare us, it has nothing to do with the occult.  The best thing is to have no emotions, when it comes to preternatural stuff. 

Why was it only the girls room? Why was it not the whole house? Why was it not affecting the parents and the boys?  The devil knows how to draw on the emotional weaknesses, especially in women.  They didn't need the blessing from the priest all they needed to do was to tell whatever was scary them to go back to hell where it came from.

I have a lot more personal experiences then the one above.  If you are with God then just tell the demon to go away in the name of Christ.  Just pray a Hail Mary every time something like that happens.  The more you turn to God the more the demons leave you alone.

Yes there are special circuмstances that you will need a true exorcist, but this Padre Peregrino is just a lay man. At least by how most of us here on CathInfo think.

Sorry just my two cents, take it or leave it.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Cera on August 27, 2024, 12:07:50 PM
It's throwing the baby out with the bathwater to condem Tolkein and C. S. Lewis and others due to one genre of fantasy books.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Giovanni Berto on August 27, 2024, 12:11:29 PM
The text seems to imply that it is not the story of the book itself that is bad, but the pronouncing of curses and demons' names out loud.

We all should of course research every book that children and teenagers will read. We need to have our own Index these days.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Mr G on August 27, 2024, 12:15:47 PM
It's throwing the baby out with the bathwater to condem Tolkein and C. S. Lewis and others due to one genre of fantasy books.
" Up to this point, the entire family had avoided fantasy novels, except Lord of the Rings." so Tolkein was not the problem, the problem started with the "Wings of Fire"

I think this line is the key on deciding which book to read or not read "If fantasy novels carry curses, those curses spoken out loud will carry objective effects, even if the subjective state of the reader is quite innocent. " therefore, if the novel does NOT carry curses, then there should be no problem.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Mr G on August 27, 2024, 12:27:53 PM


The devils are smarter than us.  They know how to scare us, it has nothing to do with the occult. 
If the particular books have occultic spells, or incantations, then it is occult. If it does not, then it is not occult.  

Your advice of telling the demons to go away is good, however, the problem is when the book has a line in which by reading it you call upon the demons.

If demons are manifesting their presence in a tangle way, you need to ask yourself if perhaps you or someone in your household is intentionally inviting them in. 


Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 12:46:11 PM
If the particular books have occultic spells, or incantations, then it is occult. If it does not, then it is not occult. 

Your advice of telling the demons to go away is good, however, the problem is when the book has a line in which by reading it you call upon the demons.

If demons are manifesting their presence in a tangle way, you need to ask yourself if perhaps you or someone in your household is intentionally inviting them in.
But why was it only the girls room?

Just to be clear I don't care for fantasy novels.   I don't read them, my children don't read them, so I am not saying what I am saying because I have something vested in the outcome of the conversation.

And nobody should intentionally get involved with the occult.

But the accidental affects like in this story I don't believe are as powerful as people make them out to be.  We have the power by being close to Christ and the Sacraments to combat those demons ourselves.  Though maybe the people in this story don't because they don't have True Sacraments.

I am not encouraging people to go look for trouble.   I am just saying that demons aren't that courageous, so don't be easy targets.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 12:54:50 PM
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They didn't need the blessing from the priest
Horrible advice.

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all they needed to do was to tell whatever was scary them to go back to hell where it came from.
Horrible advice.

Quote
But the accidental affects like in this story I don't believe are as powerful as people make them out to be.
Horrible advice.

Quote
I am just saying that demons aren't that courageous, so don't be easy targets.
Horrible advice.

Quote
but this Padre Peregrino is just a lay man. At least by how most of us here on CathInfo think.
Horrible advice and wrong facts.  There are true priests in the new Church; it's just hard to know whom they are. 
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Giovanni Berto on August 27, 2024, 01:03:08 PM
Horrible advice and wrong facts.  There are true priests in the new Church; it's just hard to know whom they are.
 
How can we know which ones are valid in your opinion?
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Hercule on August 27, 2024, 01:13:57 PM
Please do pardon my ignorance, confreres, but what qualities distinguish a novel as being "Fantasy"?
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Giovanni Berto on August 27, 2024, 01:19:38 PM
Please do pardon my ignorance, confreres, but what qualities distinguish a novel as being "Fantasy"?

I would say that a fantasy book is a book with elements that don't occur in nature.

Agatha Christie does not qualify. :laugh1: We can still enjoy Poirot's stories.:cowboy:
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 01:19:50 PM
Quote
How can we know which ones are valid in your opinion?
I have no idea and it's beside the point.  The point being, if you're only option is to call a doubtful priest or nobody (for an exorcism or blessing), i'd call the doubtful priest.    Handling demons on your own, is NOT the correct answer.  

The family was already praying the daily rosary, so obviously that didn't work (at least for the girl in question...it did work for the rest of the family).  (And it probably didn't work because the girl in question was reading/re-reading these books on her own, which opened her up to demonic oppression.  Notice the demon was not causing issues for others in the family, but only 1 person.  God does not allow (normally) demons to oppress people who don't open themselves up to it voluntarily...even if accidentally).  Hopefully she learned a lesson.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Mr G on August 27, 2024, 01:21:51 PM
1.) But why was it only the girls room?


2.) I am just saying that demons aren't that courageous, so don't be easy targets.
1.) Based on my limited research on demonic possession, the demons usually attach themselves to a specific location that has significance to the person being harassed by the demon. So, it appears that only one daughter is being targeted and that is because she gave in to some suggestion of the demon. Pax's statement above is an excellent explanation. 

2.) Agree, and one way to NOT be an easy target is to NOT read books that call upon demons, or at least do not read that particular line. With some research, you should be able to tell if some line in a book is just gibberish or has actual demonic/occult meaning. Or you can avoid it all together and focus on more productive and/or uplifting recreation.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Giovanni Berto on August 27, 2024, 01:24:33 PM
I have no idea and it's beside the point.  The point being, if you're only option is to call a doubtful priest or nobody (for an exorcism or blessing), i'd call the doubtful priest.    Handling demons on your own, is NOT the correct answer.  The family was already praying the daily rosary, so obviously that didn't work.  (And it probably didn't work because the girl in question was reading/re-reading these books on her own, which opened her up to demonic oppression).  Hopefully she learned a lesson.

Sure.

I also think that it's not a good advice to tell demons to go away. One should not address demons at all. The Hail Mary and the prayer to St. Michael are what I would recommend.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Mr G on August 27, 2024, 01:30:05 PM
Sure.

I also think that it's not a good advice to tell demons to go away. One should not address demons at all. The Hail Mary and the prayer to St. Michael are what I would recommend.
Correct, avoid all communications with demons. Pray that they leave but do not talk to them, do not react or show they are "getting to you", ignore their manifestations and be alert for any thoughts and images they will suggest to you, do not consent.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Hercule on August 27, 2024, 01:34:57 PM
I would say that a fantasy book is a book with elements that don't occur in nature.

Agatha Christie does not qualify. :laugh1: We can still enjoy Poirot's stories.:cowboy:
Thank you, mon Ami, I think I now understand.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 02:28:20 PM
There are historical threads related to the topic of "prayers of binding evil spirits" which are supported by Fr Ripperberger and others.  The consensus is, that Fr Ripperberger is giving dangerous advice to people which is not historically catholic but protestant in understanding.  Christ gave the Church/Apostles/Bishops/priests the power to bind demons, not the faithful.  So any advice you get which tells you to "demand the devil to [fill in the blank]" is very dangerous and very foolhardy.

As others have said, the best advice is to ASK OUR LADY or THE SAINTS to intercede for you...in other words, pray for help.  Laypersons are not priests, and definitely not exorcists (which are priests who have SPECIAL powers from the Bishop).  So laypersons are, in the spirit of humility, to invoke help/protection.  Any "demands" or "orders" to demons will cause ill effects and dangerous results (because such is an act of pride) because laypersons simply don't have power over them (and the devils know this).
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Cera on August 27, 2024, 02:29:41 PM
" Up to this point, the entire family had avoided fantasy novels, except Lord of the Rings." so Tolkein was not the problem, the problem started with the "Wings of Fire"

I think this line is the key on deciding which book to read or not read "If fantasy novels carry curses, those curses spoken out loud will carry objective effects, even if the subjective state of the reader is quite innocent. " therefore, if the novel does NOT carry curses, then there should be no problem.

Agreed. Thank you for making this distinction.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Giovanni Berto on August 27, 2024, 02:41:50 PM

Quote
13 Now some also of the Jєωιѕн exorcists who went about, attempted to invoke over them that had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I conjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth.  14 And there were certain men, seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, that did this.  15 But the wicked spirit, answering, said to them: Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?

16 And the man in whom the wicked spirit was, leaping upon them, and mastering them both, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 19.
Source: https://www.drbo.org/chapter/51019.htm (https://www.drbo.org/chapter/51019.htm)

There is a lesson for "lay exorcists".

I once read a comment saying that "leaping upon them, and mastering them both, prevailed against them" means that the men were raped by the possessed.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 03:48:11 PM
The text seems to imply that it is not the story of the book itself that is bad, but the pronouncing of curses and demons' names out loud.

We all should of course research every book that children and teenagers will read. We need to have our own Index these days.
Don't you see how that is a problem?  You have to open yourself up to understanding occult actions so you can fight them.  Just fight them by using prayer and a priest if need be, don't start creating indexes of evil because in the process you are opening yourself up to the evil.  Being an adult doesn't give us anymore protection than a child or teen.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 03:54:43 PM
Horrible advice.
Horrible advice.
Horrible advice.
Horrible advice.
Horrible advice and wrong facts.  There are true priests in the new Church; it's just hard to know whom they are.
You missed my point.

Does God allow for these things to happen?  Why does God allow for these things to happen?  

If you are a person who this is happening to, then pray and get a priest to help if need be, but what if a priest won't come?

What if it is just a mental illness?  What if it is just your imagination?  What if you still get attacked even though you have stopped all "cursed books"?

Have you yourself ever had a demonic attack?

Have you ever seen a person being demonically attacked?

I never meant that the power to conquer demons comes from yourself.

I don't understand your last statement "How can their be true priests in the new Church?"
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 03:56:36 PM
Quote
Don't you see how that is a problem?  
No, I really don't know what you're talking about.

Quote
You have to open yourself up to understanding occult actions so you can fight them.  Just fight them by using prayer and a priest if need be, don't start creating indexes of evil because in the process you are opening yourself up to the evil.  Being an adult doesn't give us anymore protection than a child or teen.
Creating/spreading the word on bad books does not open you up to the occult.  It's the duty of being a catholic to warn people.

I think you are confusing the idea of being 'attacked by evil' (which God can allow as a means of perfection), and 'opening yourself up the occult'.  These are two VERY different things.  The former is a temptation and spiritual assault for doing good (i.e. what the Cure of Ars went through).  The latter is a punishment from God, who allows those who dabble in the occult to face the consequences of their sins.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: 2Vermont on August 27, 2024, 03:58:22 PM
This priest is a NO Priest (ordained in 2010).  Perhaps what this family needs is to stop going to the NO Mass.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 04:00:33 PM
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Does God allow for these things to happen? 
Sometimes God allows for spiritual combat due to the person being holy, as an act of merit (i.e. St Padre Pio or the Cure of Ars).  But this is NOT occult possession or oppression, which God allows as a punishment for sins of dabbling in the occult.

Quote
If you are a person who this is happening to, then pray and get a priest to help if need be, but what if a priest won't come?
Yes, this is the advice you should've given first.  Not, "you don't need a priest" (which is what your original comments implied). 

If a priest won't come, then you continue to search and pray.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 04:02:35 PM

Quote
I don't understand your last statement "How can their be true priests in the new Church?"
Doubtful ordination/episcopal rites do not mean 100% invalidity.  It means we don't know (and many times, can't know) who is a priest and who isn't.  So, yes, there can be legit priests in the V2 church.  If that's your only option, then you use them.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 04:06:48 PM
Sure.

I also think that it's not a good advice to tell demons to go away. One should not address demons at all. The Hail Mary and the prayer to St. Michael are what I would recommend.
Have you ever been harassed so much by a demon that it made you crazy?  Asked for a priest to come, but they refused?  Then had to go to Christ to be free from your demonic oppressor?  I just want people to know that God allows the suffering and God will take it away, just don't succuмb to demons.  Demons hate being laughed at.  They hate being ignored.  They hate you turning to our Lady every time they come.  It is the same with temptations.  We have the free will to ignore the evil and hang on to Our Lord and Lady.

And from those experiences I have had in my life just saying the Hail Mary and St. Michael prayer was not enough.  If they take all the priests away, we still have to be ready for battle.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 04:15:50 PM
There are historical threads related to the topic of "prayers of binding evil spirits" which are supported by Fr Ripperberger and others.  The consensus is, that Fr Ripperberger is giving dangerous advice to people which is not historically catholic but protestant in understanding.  Christ gave the Church/Apostles/Bishops/priests the power to bind demons, not the faithful.  So any advice you get which tells you to "demand the devil to [fill in the blank]" is very dangerous and very foolhardy.

As others have said, the best advice is to ASK OUR LADY or THE SAINTS to intercede for you...in other words, pray for help.  Laypersons are not priests, and definitely not exorcists (which are priests who have SPECIAL powers from the Bishop).  So laypersons are, in the spirit of humility, to invoke help/protection.  Any "demands" or "orders" to demons will cause ill effects and dangerous results (because such is an act of pride) because laypersons simply don't have power over them (and the devils know this).
I don't disagree with this.  Again when I talk about something I use words poorly, I am sorry.  I wasn't suggesting that you get involved with the demon.  Since I am a timid sort, most of the time, when I was having issues just saying "In the name of Christ go back to hell"  was helpful and gave some relief.  

I don't really want to go into personal details, but there was problems for me for many years and no priest would ever help.  It was only the sacraments and confession that made things finely subside. I had to persevere though.  I have seen so many people drop the Sacraments, when accosted by demons.

And the major fear is what do we do when the Sacraments are no longer available. Or a priest won't come.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 04:28:40 PM
Quote
Again when I talk about something I use words poorly, I am sorry.
Yes, lots of times your posts can be contradictory.  Most of the time, it's not a big deal, because it's a topic that is theoretical or mostly opinion-based.  On a topic such as this, you should choose your words VERY wisely, and post less.  If you know you don't explain things well, then you should NOT post on topics where you can cause confusion and where the topic is serious.  Everyone has limits; know your limits.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Viva Cristo Rey on August 27, 2024, 04:52:40 PM
Maybe many Catholics should read more non fiction. 
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 05:30:41 PM
No, I really don't know what you're talking about.
Creating/spreading the word on bad books does not open you up to the occult.  It's the duty of being a catholic to warn people.

I think you are confusing the idea of being 'attacked by evil' (which God can allow as a means of perfection), and 'opening yourself up the occult'.  These are two VERY different things.  The former is a temptation and spiritual assault for doing good (i.e. what the Cure of Ars went through).  The latter is a punishment from God, who allows those who dabble in the occult to face the consequences of their sins.
Laity didn't create indexes.  Bishops did.  The reason why laity shouldn't delve into this is because they do not have all the correct teaching on the matter.

The story is about an accidental obsession.  It could have been the book that caused it.  It could have been another child in the family that caused it.

The answer is to remove all that type of book.  Fine.  Problem solved?  Don't know.  Is everything fine for that family now?  We don't know.  My point is that by using the Sacraments we fortify ourselves against evil.  We need valid Sacraments to do this.  If the Novus Ordo, has valid Sacraments, then we are all in Schism.

Do we have any writings for our current times that help us understand good angels and bad angels?  If we believe Pope Leo XIII, then over these last 60+ years demons have had the most power in the history of the world, and the Church has had the least power it has ever had.  Laity need to be ready to not fall for angels of darkness.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 27, 2024, 09:27:03 PM

Quote
Laity didn't create indexes.  Bishops did.  The reason why laity shouldn't delve into this is because they do not have all the correct teaching on the matter.
:facepalm:  It's called Catholic Common Sense.  Everyone who has researched the Harry Potter books, just a little bit, knows they are occult.


Besides, parents have a DUTY to protect their families and a DUTY to help other families with needed info.  Someone called it an "index" for lack of a better word.  Because it gets the point across.  It wouldn't be a real index and you know it.  I'm flabbergasted that you'd be fighting this idea.  But then, a few posts from now, you'll say that you didn't mean it and walk back your above comment.

Quote
The story is about an accidental obsession.  It could have been the book that caused it.  It could have been another child in the family that caused it.
:facepalm:  They got rid of the book and the strange events stopped.  Don't overthink it, nor explain away the true cause.  Why are you defending this type of book?

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The answer is to remove all that type of book.  Fine.  Problem solved?  Don't know.  
Yes, for them, the problem was solved.

Quote
Is everything fine for that family now?  We don't know. 
Irrelevant to the topic at hand.



Quote
My point is that by using the Sacraments we fortify ourselves against evil.  We need valid Sacraments to do this.
Obviously. 

Quote
If the Novus Ordo, has valid Sacraments, then we are all in Schism.
Over-generalization and not true.

Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 27, 2024, 10:25:54 PM
:facepalm:  It's called Catholic Common Sense.  Everyone who has researched the Harry Potter books, just a little bit, knows they are occult.


Besides, parents have a DUTY to protect their families and a DUTY to help other families with needed info.  Someone called it an "index" for lack of a better word.  Because it gets the point across.  It wouldn't be a real index and you know it.  I'm flabbergasted that you'd be fighting this idea.  But then, a few posts from now, you'll say that you didn't mean it and walk back your above comment.
:facepalm:  They got rid of the book and the strange events stopped.  Don't overthink it, nor explain away the true cause.  Why are you defending this type of book?
Yes, for them, the problem was solved.
Irrelevant to the topic at hand.


Obviously. 
Over-generalization and not true.
I am not fighting it.

There is more at stake and over simplifying things is going to cause more problems in the future.

I just thought the story was too simple.  

Just ban all fantasy books and you won't have to worry about demonic obsessions.

Maybe go back and read my posts to understand what I am truly trying to say, instead of always just reading my posts with your own preconceived notions.

Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Matthew on August 27, 2024, 11:57:18 PM
Please do pardon my ignorance, confreres, but what qualities distinguish a novel as being "Fantasy"?

That's my question as well. Before I can form an opinion, think about the subject, etc. I must first DEFINE MY TERMS.

So, is a "Fantasy novel" IN THIS CONTEXT (what this priest is warning about) basically Harry Potter or a clone of such, containing spells, curses, and what not?

Because there are a lot of "fantasy" books and movies, well before Harry Potter, that merely had fantastic settings in "another world". Even Star Wars is more fantasy than sci-fi. Anime has a whole genre called "isekai" basically meaning "another world". Stuff like the main character gets sucked into a book and finds herself in China in the Middle Ages or something. Nothing inherently dangerous about that...
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Mr G on August 28, 2024, 07:13:11 AM


So, is a "Fantasy novel" IN THIS CONTEXT (what this priest is warning about) basically Harry Potter or a clone of such, containing spells, curses, and what not?

Yes, here is what he said:

God may care about our intentions in imputing good or evil to our moral acts, but demons do not.  If fantasy novels carry curses, those curses spoken out loud will carry objective effects, even if the subjective state of the reader is quite innocent.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 28, 2024, 08:02:48 AM
Quote
I just thought the story was too simple. 

Just ban all fantasy books and you won't have to worry about demonic obsessions.
Except nobody said this.  Nobody said that fantasy novels were the ONLY thing to worry about.

You expanded the topic beyond books (and you didn't really make that clear) and are criticizing the advice, based on your personal expansion of the topic.  Everyone else is simply talking about books.


Quote
Maybe go back and read my posts to understand what I am truly trying to say
How about you stick to the topic so people don't get confused?
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: B from A on August 28, 2024, 09:55:03 AM
Please do pardon my ignorance, confreres, but what qualities distinguish a novel as being "Fantasy"?


That's my question as well. Before I can form an opinion, think about the subject, etc. I must first DEFINE MY TERMS.
I agree, as Mr G said in this post: 

Before starting any debate, please make sure you define your terms so that each side has the same understanding of the same term.





Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 28, 2024, 11:34:58 AM
Yes, here is what he said:

God may care about our intentions in imputing good or evil to our moral acts, but demons do notIf fantasy novels carry curses, those curses spoken out loud will carry objective effects, even if the subjective state of the reader is quite innocent.
Doesn't intent matter.  What are other examples of accidental obsessions? 
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 28, 2024, 12:49:32 PM
The 4 levels, per Fr Amorth
1.  Infestation (i.e. haunted house, room, object, or even animal etc)
2.  Oppression (i.e. this starts directly affecting people - sleep disturbances, depression, physical attacks, etc)
3.  Obsession (i.e. the person is obsessed with the demonic and almost cannot function.  Sleep is nearly impossible)
4.  Possession

https://www.newportri.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/25/4-degrees-demonic-possession/985256007/

This family seems to have had the lowest level, an infestation.  There are countless stories where people were bothered by infestations, and they all trace it back to accidental/curiosity use of the occult, tarot cards, etc.

My opinion is, in these lower level cases, a "curiosity" is enough of an opening for the devil to manifest.  In a sense, "curiosity" does have an "intent" to explore.  This intent is sinful.  There are many sins one can commit through curiosity.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Yeti on August 28, 2024, 01:14:14 PM
Avoid All Fantasy Novels – Padre Peregrino (https://padreperegrino.org/2024/08/fantasy/)
.

Better idea is to avoid the author of this article, whatever his name is. He is just a conservative Novus Ordo "priest".
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: 2Vermont on August 28, 2024, 01:16:33 PM
.

Better idea is to avoid the author of this article, whatever his name is. He is just a conservative Novus Ordo "priest".
Yep, I said something similar above.  I think we're missing the forest for the trees.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Matthew on August 28, 2024, 01:27:52 PM
Who wants to follow a blind guide anyhow? This priest says the Novus Ordo Mass 100% of the time. He doesn't even know there's a Crisis in the Church! Not exactly a paragon of wisdom and knowledge to follow. A 10 year old Trad is wiser than him.

Education, age, and wisdom are NOT the same thing. You can have a PhD, be the CEO of a company, know several languages, etc. and still be a fool.

If you think it's no big deal that the Conciliar Church "just happened" to perfectly reflect Fɾҽҽmαsσɳɾყ after 1970, or be completely ignorant of the JQ -- sorry, but you completely lack wisdom.

Or if you believe in "abiogenesis" (life arising spontaneously from non-life) -- despite this having never been observed ONCE in human history -- or any evidence in the past. Sorry, that's not scientific, OR wise. You're just a fool. Despite having a PhD.

12-year-old homeschoolers learn about the experiments of Louis Pasteur that DISPROVED abiogenesis. Remember his famous experiment with cheesecloth over rotting meat? Flies were prevented from landing on (and laying eggs on) the meat, and surprise, surprise -- no maggots were "produced from" the rotting meat. He proved it wasn't the meat itself that was generating the maggots.

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Microbiology_(Boundless)/01%3A_Introduction_to_Microbiology/1.01%3A_Introduction_to_Microbiology/1.1C%3A_Pasteur_and_Spontaneous_Generation

Sorry to be harsh, but SOME errors really disqualify a person as a thinking man, or a wise man. Like believing abortion (murder) can be good in some cases. Stuff like that. Certain errors show that you either never think, can't think, or have compromised yourself in some way to be allergic to such an obvious truth.

IMAGINE being OK with the Conciliar Church in current year. After all the evidence of 55 years of destruction, Pope Francis, etc.! Imagine not looking into the Traditional Movement (or even rejecting it!) despite the preponderance of evidence. Imagine being such a sheep, such a follower, even though you are supposed to be a leader (priest).
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on August 28, 2024, 01:43:22 PM
The 4 levels, per Fr Amorth
1.  Infestation (i.e. haunted house, room, object, or even animal etc)
2.  Oppression (i.e. this starts directly affecting people - sleep disturbances, depression, physical attacks, etc)
3.  Obsession (i.e. the person is obsessed with the demonic and almost cannot function.  Sleep is nearly impossible)
4.  Possession

https://www.newportri.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/25/4-degrees-demonic-possession/985256007/

This family seems to have had the lowest level, an infestation.  There are countless stories where people were bothered by infestations, and they all trace it back to accidental/curiosity use of the occult, tarot cards, etc.

My opinion is, in these lower level cases, a "curiosity" is enough of an opening for the devil to manifest.  In a sense, "curiosity" does have an "intent" to explore.  This intent is sinful.  There are many sins one can commit through curiosity.
Yes and I am concerned that people who open these doors don't realize that they can close them with prayer and sacrifice and the Sacraments.

People need to know that their will to do right by God is stronger than any demon.

Blaming it on an accidenttal curse from a book doesn't deal with the true situation.   That this girl is susceptible to demonic attacks and that she needs to learn how to fortify herself.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Mr G on August 28, 2024, 02:05:38 PM
Who wants to follow a blind guide anyhow? This priest says the Novus Ordo Mass 100% of the time. He doesn't even know there's a Crisis in the Church! Not exactly a paragon of wisdom and knowledge to follow. A 10 year old Trad is wiser than him.


To confirm, are you saying that Fr. Nix says the New Mass 100% of the time?

Going from the ’55 Missal to the ’45 Missal – Padre Peregrino (https://padreperegrino.org/2024/06/restorethe54/)
As you know, for the first seven years of my priesthood, I offered the new sacraments.  The last seven years I have offered exclusively the old sacraments.  But now I’m switching from a 1962 TLM Missal to a 1939 TLM Missal.  This has little to do with the papacy or obedience or rebellion or political statements or trying “to be more trad than the next priest.”

Why I Offer the Old Sacraments Exclusively – Padre Peregrino (https://padreperegrino.org/2024/02/oldsacr/)
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: 2Vermont on August 28, 2024, 02:31:07 PM
Why I Offer the Old Sacraments Exclusively – Padre Peregrino (https://padreperegrino.org/2024/02/oldsacr/)
Interesting.  So, he prefers the "old sacraments" and acknowledges that the rite of consecration was "changed much", but he remains ordained in the New Rite, by a New Rite bishop?
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 28, 2024, 02:33:43 PM
Quote
Yes and I am concerned that people who open these doors don't realize that they can close them with prayer and sacrifice and the Sacraments.
Yes, but how do these doors get open?  They don't just open on their own.

Quote
Blaming it on an accidental curse from a book doesn't deal with the true situation. 
:facepalm:  The book was the cause of the curse.  The book opened the door.  Accidentally used by the person, the book is the cause.

God does NOT allow (except in rare circuмstances) people to be attacked by demons, who stay away from these doors. 

Quote
That this girl is susceptible to demonic attacks and that she needs to learn how to fortify herself.
And she BECAME susceptible due to this book.  She was not susceptible "just because".  That's not how it works.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 28, 2024, 02:36:22 PM
Quote
Who wants to follow a blind guide anyhow? This priest says the Novus Ordo Mass 100% of the time. He doesn't even know there's a Crisis in the Church! Not exactly a paragon of wisdom and knowledge to follow. A 10 year old Trad is wiser than him.
It doesn't take a priest to know that fooling around with magic, the occult and curses, etc can lead to demonic activity.  Even protestants know this.  There's plenty of stories of unbaptized atheists who converted to the Faith, because they realized that the occult/devil was real.  True priest or not, his advice is solid and stands above the question of V2.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Matthew on August 28, 2024, 02:54:18 PM
To confirm, are you saying that Fr. Nix says the New Mass 100% of the time?

Going from the ’55 Missal to the ’45 Missal – Padre Peregrino (https://padreperegrino.org/2024/06/restorethe54/)
As you know, for the first seven years of my priesthood, I offered the new sacraments.  The last seven years I have offered exclusively the old sacraments.  But now I’m switching from a 1962 TLM Missal to a 1939 TLM Missal.  This has little to do with the papacy or obedience or rebellion or political statements or trying “to be more trad than the next priest.”

Why I Offer the Old Sacraments Exclusively – Padre Peregrino (https://padreperegrino.org/2024/02/oldsacr/)

Well that's a good first step for a Novus Ordo priest -- but he needs to get off the fence. He's doing the classic "I'm trad but don't call me Trad" thing, as if he's accidentally discovering everything for the first time, like a pioneer, and if there are whole groups ALREADY DOING exactly what he's doing, he still wants nothing to do with those groups...

He'd rather pretend he's "special".

That's annoying to say the least. That's almost worse than being a standard Novus Ordo priest. At least they are ignorant. This priest is trying to be "special".

I can't stand when priests try to be "above it all". He's NOT "above it all" although he likes to pretend he is.

Either Trad or get off the pot.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on August 28, 2024, 03:07:57 PM
He's using the 1939 missal, why?  You can't just pick and choose what missal to use.  The 1955/1962 are the most recent editions.  These are the only 2 options (and the 1955 is mainly used just for the Easter services and some other feasts).  How does one decide to go back in time and use 1939???  What a weird world we live in.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: 2Vermont on August 28, 2024, 03:14:26 PM
Either Trad or get off the pot.
:laugh1:
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: HeavyHanded on August 28, 2024, 07:36:39 PM
There was an article this month in Catholic Family News detailing an account of an exorcism from the 1500s. I forget the girls name, but she was possessed by multiple demons. One of them said their name was Cerberus. So should we not read Greek myths either? 
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: justG on August 28, 2024, 08:06:25 PM
a point or two: 

Does anyone know for sure if these books contain curses that were spoken aloud, or even curses or any occult subject at all?

Does the priest in the article ask -where- the 'Sarah' got the idea to read the book?  Was it recommended by a friend?  I always tried to monitor what my daughter was reading, but friends (from the parish) would be allowed things that she was not and would introduce them.  Perhaps the issue is a friend, not the book itself?
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Seraphina on September 01, 2024, 03:49:37 PM
It is relatively easy to find out about any book by looking online for reviews or a synopsis prior to reading it.  If it is considered fantasy, sci. fi. a novel, or of a sort that may be unsuitable reading for a Catholic, learn that in advance.  If in doubt, don't read it.  Books involving the occult, glorifying witchcraft or paganism, automatically reject.  Once read, it cannot be unread.  There are so many good books out there, why take a chance with evil?  For that matter, many books aren’t evil, but are just drivel, not worth the paper they’re written on.  They’re the junk food of the literary world.  A steady diet leaves one weak and sickly.  Look into good, time-proven literature if you enjoy fantasy or fiction.  Be discerning just as you would before adopting a diet.  
The saints have long warned against bad books and bad companions. If they were on earth today, they’d be warning against bad internet, bad social media, bad TV, bad movies, bad video games, and in the 1930’s-1950’s, against bad radio shows.  All of these hold today including bad books.  Just because something is lo-tech or old-fashioned, doesn’t mean it’s good. Don’t believe me?  Prior to the League of Decency, there were some very racy movies, even before the talkies!  
We have the internet today, so there’s no reason for Catholics to innocently stumble upon a bad book to the point that a demon enters a teen girl’s bedroom!  A 16 year old should be learning this good use of internet to make wise decisions about library books.  
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Philothea3 on September 02, 2024, 11:17:17 PM
I would like to share that at some point my curiosity driven me to watch a reality psychic show for a couple days, and I got very disturbed by sleep paralysis and many levels of nightmare, even though I had no emotion for the show and many people claimed they are faking the psychic powers. And I prayed rosary everyday too, still disturbed until I quitted watching that completely and confessed. So even though I don't know if I would go avoid ALL fantasy as some of us may write that too, moral of the story don't try it, anything related to supernatural powers, even if youre very strong spiritually, don't play with it even slightest bit.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: 2Vermont on September 03, 2024, 09:16:42 AM
Well that's a good first step for a Novus Ordo priest -- but he needs to get off the fence. He's doing the classic "I'm trad but don't call me Trad" thing, as if he's accidentally discovering everything for the first time, like a pioneer, and if there are whole groups ALREADY DOING exactly what he's doing, he still wants nothing to do with those groups...

He'd rather pretend he's "special".

That's annoying to say the least. That's almost worse than being a standard Novus Ordo priest. At least they are ignorant. This priest is trying to be "special".

I can't stand when priests try to be "above it all". He's NOT "above it all" although he likes to pretend he is.

Either Trad or get off the pot.
Check out his recent X post: :facepalm:



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Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Viva Cristo Rey on September 03, 2024, 10:07:53 AM
With the Bible, lives of saints and plenty of other Catholic books which most Catholics have not read, when do you have time to read fantasy or so called classics in eyes of secularist intellectuals? 

Do your children need to watch cartoons or read fantasy?   Does your children need Disney clothes or bedding.  Do children need so many toys?  No. 













Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: 2Vermont on September 03, 2024, 11:21:24 AM
Check out his recent X post: :facepalm:



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Sorry for that terrible copy and paste on my phone.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Giovanni Berto on September 03, 2024, 11:55:27 AM
Sorry for that terrible copy and paste on my phone.

So this Conservative Novus Ordo priest chooses the missal that he will use on a given day based on the mass of that day.

Do you like a saint that is not included in the 39? No problem, just pick the 62. :laugh1:

It's hard to understand how such a priest is taken seriously by some people. 

There was never a time in the Church when a priest could choose which missal to use, as far as I know.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Soubirous on September 03, 2024, 12:59:20 PM
Do you like a saint that is not included in the 39? No problem, just pick the 62. :laugh1:

The '62 does have all the propers in one place for 3rd September, so honest question here: Do SVs commemorate St. Pius X today? If yes, in which missal is that liturgy? Or does the liturgy of one of the Common Masses get used?  
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on September 04, 2024, 02:56:56 PM
Yes, but how do these doors get open?  They don't just open on their own.

A weak willed person just by a whispering in the imagination can open doors, because the demons know exactly who we are.  I do not think that inanimate objects, like words on a page, can open doors.

:facepalm:  The book was the cause of the curse.  The book opened the door.  Accidentally used by the person, the book is the cause.

I think that this is what the demons want us to believe.  They want us to believe that you can accidentally give them access, because once you are afraid the demons have more power.

God does NOT allow (except in rare circuмstances) people to be attacked by demons, who stay away from these doors. 

But don't we all open up doors every time we sin and give offense to God.  You could remove all books, all music, all videos and still have issues with demons, because our sin opens us up to demonic attacks.

And she BECAME susceptible due to this book.  She was not susceptible "just because".  That's not how it works.

My guess is either she had certain sins in the household that were not being addressed or someone else had a sin that was not being addressed and she was the easiest one for the demon to get to.
You probably didn't need a reply, I just felt like responding.

Again this story bothered me because it only seemed like a band aid approach.  We have to realize that we have to make ourselves strong, and over come our own sins, because the spiritual battle ahead will be worse than any physical battle we have ever seen.  This is why it matters that we make sure we get our Sacraments from true priests.


Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on September 04, 2024, 03:07:34 PM
There are specific things which open up oneself up to demonic activity.  All exorcists agree on this.  

You, on the other hand, are referring to sins, which open up a person to increased temptations.  

Demonic activity is not the same thing as temptations.  You are minimizing the power of curses and the occult.  Not smart. 
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on September 04, 2024, 03:35:40 PM
There are specific things which open up oneself up to demonic activity.  All exorcists agree on this. 

You, on the other hand, are referring to sins, which open up a person to increased temptations. 

Demonic activity is not the same thing as temptations.  You are minimizing the power of curses and the occult.  Not smart.
Who puts the temptation there?  Temptations are the start of opening bigger doors.  They are not mutually exclusive.  I think it is not smart to separate temptations from demonic activity.

Who gives the occultist power? 

I am not minimizing the power of curses and the occult.  What I am trying to say is that the Sacraments have the power to overcome the occult?  Which does not mean go seek demons out and play with them.  By no means am I encouraging that. 

Doesn't an exorcist have to make sure they are free from mortal sin, to be an effective exorcist?

The demons are stronger than ever currently because there are not many people fighting.  We don't have to fight directly.  But we should first make sure we are free from as much sin and temptation as possible and then we have to make our whole life an offering to God to bring down graces to help others fight. 

I am saying that we shouldn't just keep away from the occult, but we have to be ever more vigilant in what we are able to do.  Keep our soul clean and offer sacrifices so graces can come.

And as for curses.  I think those are just a psyops.  It is because people believe they work that demons gain more power.  Remember demons are way smarter than us.  They are the best at psyops. They are the best at taking hostages.  They are the best at any evil thing we can imagine.  And they are the best at convincing humans that they should be doing it.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on September 04, 2024, 04:22:40 PM
Quote
Who puts the temptation there?  Temptations are the start of opening bigger doors. 
No.  The idea of 'opening doors' and 'opening spiritual portals' is specific to the occult/demonic.  All exorcists say this.

Quote
They are not mutually exclusive.  I think it is not smart to separate temptations from demonic activity.
You're woefully uneducated on the topic.  Just stop.  It's embarrassing.  And you're giving bad advice.

Quote
And as for curses.  I think those are just a psyops.
You're an idiot.  Just stop.  You have anti-catholic thinking.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on September 04, 2024, 04:58:03 PM
No.  The idea of 'opening doors' and 'opening spiritual portals' is specific to the occult/demonic.  All exorcists say this.

Purposely opening doors because you are a witch, or a satanist, or you have a curiosity towards the subject is a different category all together and not what we were discussing in this post.

The girl accidentally found herself in an oppression situation.  The priest, who is not an exorcist, thinks it is the book.

I tried to find information on this book and all people said about it was that it was very violent.  I have not read the book myself, but nobody said anything about the magic or curses that were in the book, so I don't even know if there were any.

You're woefully uneducated on the topic.  Just stop.  It's embarrassing.  And you're giving bad advice.

Please point to the bad advice.

You're an idiot.  Just stop.  You have anti-catholic thinking.

Please point to where I am anti-Catholic.
Some questions for you:

If you practice your Faith perfectly, then demons do not affect you?

Which exorcists are you referencing? 

The only advice I have given is make sure you are fortified in your Catholic Faith.  Anything else you think I am saying is from what you imagine I mean.

Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on September 04, 2024, 05:18:26 PM
Quote
Purposely opening doors because you are a witch, or a satanist, or you have a curiosity towards the subject is a different category all together and not what we were discussing in this post.
The occult and curses and other things related to such, can open one to demonic activity, even if one does such in fun or accidentally (i.e. Ouija Board or Tarot cards).  "Opening Doors" refers to demonic activity.  Only certain sins open up a person to such.
 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija)

Quote
The girl accidentally found herself in an oppression situation
One can only find oneself in such a situation by dealing with the occult.  You cannot be "oppressed" through all sins.  Only certain ones.

Quote
I think it is not smart to separate temptations from demonic activity.
Demonic "oppression" (which is what this ENTIRE THREAD is talking about) is different from temptations.  You are making the 2 categories to be equal.  You are 1,000% wrong.
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on September 04, 2024, 07:48:58 PM
The occult and curses and other things related to such, can open one to demonic activity, even if one does such in fun or accidentally (i.e. Ouija Board or Tarot cards).  "Opening Doors" refers to demonic activity.  Only certain sins open up a person to such.

Why doesn't this open doors for everyone who does it?  Why is it selective?  Why was the 16 year old girl, the only one affected in the family?
 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija)
One can only find oneself in such a situation by dealing with the occult.  You cannot be "oppressed" through all sins.  Only certain ones.
Demonic "oppression" (which is what this ENTIRE THREAD is talking about) is different from temptations.  You are making the 2 categories to be equal.  You are 1,000% wrong.
I never said that temptation and oppression were equal.  I said that temptations, if not conquered, could lead to oppressions. Where did you get the idea that oppressions only happen if you open a door?

2.  Oppression (i.e. this starts directly affecting people - sleep disturbances, depression, physical attacks, etc)

How many people who are Catholic have any form of sleep disturbances and depression?  Do you think they all read a fantasy book?

Look, I am frustrated because you don't know me and you don't know what I have personally been through, but I know that oppressions don't just come from certain sins.  I also know that if you are trying to get closer to God they will also come.  It doesn't mean you are Holy, it just means that the demons do not want to lose you.  If the demons can scare you, they will.  If they can keep you doing the bare minimum, they will.

I don't like the false sense of security that the originally posted story gives people.  If you avoid fantasy books, then you won't be oppressed. 

What is your source for learning this stuff?

Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on September 04, 2024, 08:21:39 PM
Quote
I said that temptations, if not conquered, could lead to oppressions.
Only certain types of temptations.  Not all.  You continue to make false generalizations on this subject.

"Oppression" is a very specific term used by Exorcists.  You are falsely expanding this term, which is wrong.  Go read a book by Fr Amorth.

Your continued minimizing of dabbling in the occult is horribly misguided. 
Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Gray2023 on September 04, 2024, 09:50:16 PM
Only certain types of temptations.  Not all.  You continue to make false generalizations on this subject.

I said "that temptations, if not conquered, could lead to oppressions." It is the same has what you said just worded differently.

"Oppression" is a very specific term used by Exorcists.  You are falsely expanding this term, which is wrong.  Go read a book by Fr Amorth.

Your continued minimizing of dabbling in the occult is horribly misguided.

The OP story was not about dabbling in the occult.  It was about reading a book (which most reviews says is very violent, nothing about spells and occult activity) that caused oppression like occurrences for one 16 year old girl in that family.  A family who prayed the daily rosary and went to a Novus Ordo Mass.  A priest, not an exorcist, prayed with the family, and all was well afterward.
I don't see how what I said varies much from the below synopsis (maybe they paraphrased wrong).  I especially like the part that I changed to purple text.

"Interview with an Exorcist: How the Devil Harms the Living And What We Can Do to Defend Ourselves



(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajvb0RgqQmk/VlUEnFReajI/AAAAAAAAECI/GVTVI4CGhcE/s320/The%2BDevil%2BMiddle%2BAges.jpg) (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajvb0RgqQmk/VlUEnFReajI/AAAAAAAAECI/GVTVI4CGhcE/s1600/The%2BDevil%2BMiddle%2BAges.jpg) In preparing to celebrate the liturgical season of Advent, consider former Vatican Chief Exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth’s articulation of the reasons for Christ’s Incarnation. Fr. Amorth asserts Jesus became man to: destroy the works of the devil, free man from Satan's slavery, and establish the kingdom of God. This is part 2 of "An Exorcist Tells His Story: Fr. Gabriele Amorth on the Power of Satan (https://bigccatholics.blogspot.com/2015/11/an-exorcist-tells-his-story-fr-gabriele.html)." I have put excerpts in, "The Power of Satan,"(pages 25-36) from An Exorcist Tells His Story (http://www.ignatius.com/Products/ETHS-P/an-exorcist-tells-his-story.aspx)  into the following "interview" format:

What harm can the devil cause to the living?

Ordinary activity. This is "temptation", which is the most common activity of the demons, and it is directed against all men. When Jesus allowed Satan to tempt him, he accepted our human condition. I will not talk about this common diabolical endeavor, because the purpose of this book is to highlight Satan's "extraordinary activity", which can take place only if God so allows.

This second category can take six different forms:

1. External physical pain caused by Satan. We know of this from many lives of the saints. We know that Saint Paul of the Cross, the Curé of Ars, Padre Pio, and many others were beaten, flogged, and pummeled by demons. This external form of persecution does riot affect the soul; therefore with this type there has never been the need for an exorcism, only for prayers. Here I will dwell only on the other types of actions that directly affect exorcists.

2. Demonic possession. This occurs when Satan takes full possession of the body (not the soul); he speaks and acts without the knowledge or consent of the victim, who therefore is morally blameless. It is the gravest and most spectacular form of demonic afflictions, and it attracts the attention of producers of movies such as The Exorcist. According to the Ritual for exorcisms, some of the signs of possession include: speaking in tongues, extraordinary strength, and revealing the unknown. The man of Gerasa is a clear Gospel example of possession. To fix a set "model" for demonic possession would be a serious mistake; the affliction runs the gamut of symptoms and severity. For instance, I have exercised two totally possessed persons who remained perfectly still and silent during the exorcism. I could cite many other examples and as many different symptoms.

3. Diabolical oppression. Symptoms vary from a very serious to a mild illness. There is no possession, loss of consciousness, or involuntary action and word. The Bible gives us many examples of oppression; one of them is job, He was not possessed, but he lost his children, his goods, and his health. The bent woman and the deaf and dumb man who were cured by Jesus were not subject to total possession, but there was a demonic presence that caused physical discomfort. Saint Paul was most certainly not possessed by a demon, but he had a demonic oppression that caused an evil affliction: "And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me" (2 Cor 12:7). There is no doubting the evil origin of the affliction.

While possessions are still relatively rare today, we exorcists run into a great number of people who have been struck by the devil in their health, jobs, or relationships. We must make it clear that to diagnose and heal an oppression-related illness is not any easier than to diagnose and cure a person afflicted by full possession. The degree of gravity may be different, but the difficulty of the diagnosis and the amount of time involved in healing are the same.

4. Diabolic obsession. Symptoms include sudden attacks, at times ongoing, of obsessive thoughts, sometimes even rationally absurd, but of such nature that the victim is unable to free himself Therefore the obsessed person lives in a perpetual state of prostration, desperation, and attempts at ѕυιcιdє. Almost always obsession influences dreams. Some people will say that this is evidence of mental illness, requiring the services of a psychiatrist or a psychologist. The same could be said of all other forms of demonic phenomena. Some symptoms, however, are so inconsistent with known illnesses that they point with certainty to their evil origins. Only an expert and well-trained eye can identify the crucial differences.

5. Diabolic infestation. Infestations affect houses, things, or animals. This book will only mention the topic. I merely want to state that I will never use this term when I refer to persons. I will always talk about possession, oppression, and obsession.

6. Diabolical subjugation, or dependence. People fall into this form of evil when they voluntarily submit to Satan. The two most common forms of dependence are the blood pact with the devil and the consecration to Satan.

How can we defend ourselves from these demonic afflictions?

A strict interpretation of the Ritual confines the use of exorcisms only to instances of true possession. However, as I stated before, the current Ritual fails to address many occasions in which an exorcist diagnoses an evil influence. In all cases when there is no possession, the usual means to obtain grace should be sufficient. These means are prayer; the sacraments; almsgiving; leading a Christian life; pardoning offenses; and soliciting the aid of our Lord, Mary, the saints, and the angels. I will now say a few words about the angels. I gladly end this chapter on the devil, Christ's adversary, by speaking about the angels. They are our great allies. We owe them a great debt, and it is a mistake to mention them as rarely as we do. Every one of us has a guardian angel, most faithful of friends twenty-four hours a day, from conception to death. He unceasingly protects us, body and soul, while we, for the most part, never think about him. We also know that each nation has its particular guardian angel and, probably, every community and family, although we are not certain on the two last points. We know, however, that the angels are a multitude, and their desire to help us is much greater than Satan's desire to destroy us.

Given that, are there specific angels we may invoke?

Sacred Scripture often tells us about the missions that God entrusted to his angels. We know the name of the prince of the angels, Saint Michael. There is a hierarchy among the angels based on love, which is guided by the divine intellect "in whose Will we find our peace", as Dante says. We also know the names of two other archangels:

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwzLtBYncBU/VlXpw1DUMgI/AAAAAAAAECY/bv9j6L5m538/s200/An%2BExorcist%2BTells%2BHis%2BStory.jpg) (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwzLtBYncBU/VlXpw1DUMgI/AAAAAAAAECY/bv9j6L5m538/s1600/An%2BExorcist%2BTells%2BHis%2BStory.jpg)Gabriel and Raphael. The Apocrypha add a fourth name, Uriel. Sacred Scripture divides the angels into nine choirs: dominions, powers, thrones, principalities, virtues, angels, archangels, cherubim, and seraphim. The believer who lives in the presence of the Trinity and is certain of its life within himself knows that he also has a mother, God's own Mother, who ceaselessly helps him. He knows that he can always count on the help of the angels and of the saints; therefore, how can he feel alone, abandoned, or oppressed by evil? In the life of the believer there is pain, because it is the way of the Cross that saves us, but there is no room for sadness. He who believes is always ready to give witness, to those who ask him, about the hope that sustains him (see I Pet 3: 15).

It is also clear that the believer must be faithful to God and must fear sin. This is the basis of our strength, as Saint John tells us: "We know that any one born of God does not sin, but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him"(I Jn 5:18). If sometimes our weakness leads us to fall, we must immediately pick ourselves up with that great gift of God's mercy: repentance and confession."


Title: Re: Avoid All Fantasy Novels
Post by: Pax Vobis on September 04, 2024, 10:51:47 PM
:facepalm: