Ray Hemphill, a self-described minister of a Milwaukee strip-mall church, faces trial for allegedly killing an 8-year-old autistic boy during an exorcism:
On a Friday night in August 2003, Terrance Cottrell's mother and two other women at the Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith prayed and sang as they helped the minister lay the boy on the floor and restrain his legs and arms as he struggled, kicked and scratched.
Hemphill, who reportedly weighed more than 150 pounds, sprawled across Terrance "to keep him from hitting his head on the floor, because he was bucking," a church official later told reporters.
After two intense hours of casting out what he believed were evil demons, Hemphill arose, his shirt soaked in sweat, and realized that Terrance wasn't moving anymore.
In fact, at some point, the boy had urinated on himself and his face had turned blue.
The doe-eyed child, who was set to start third grade the following week, had suffocated on the church floor, while his mother and onlookers helped an ignorant man of the cloth perform a pointless exorcism.
Hemphill stood trial in July 2004 on charges of felony child abuse. If convicted, he faced up to five years in prison.
Though the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, District Attorney Michael McCann pursued the lesser charge of felony child abuse, because he said it would be difficult to prove Hemphill knew his actions presented a great likelihood of causing Terrance's death.
"It was a gutless and, I thought, immoral decision on his part," said Annie Laurie Gaylor of The Freedom from Religion Foundation, a nonprofit group in Madison, Wisc., dedicated to issues of separation of church and state. Upon hearing of the charges, FFRF members commenced a letter-writing campaign to the DA's office, ultimately to no effect.
Further complicating the case against Hemphill is a little-known "Treatment through Prayer" statute designed to protect Christian Scientist parents.
Under the state law, anyone who "provides a child with treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone for healing in accordance with the religious method of healing" is not guilty of child abuse.
Now, if some boy were kidnapped and dragged into a random stranger's house and killed, do you think that htere would be this many people looking at this post? probably not, but since it said something concerning religon in the title, everyone has to come here with their closed minds and bicker about something that can neither be proved nor disproved... It's called faith for a reason.
I'm Christian as well, I have also experinced demonic contact firsthand. My two cents concerning the content of the actual artice are these...
Exorcism is an ordinance reserved for two kinds of people, Priests and lay ministers given aouthoriziation by a Bishop. No self-proclaimed happy-day church minister should have been giving an exorcism, he wasn't qualified and should be charged as such. Just as a doctor is charged with malpractice based on incompetency.
Exorcisms in which the subject dies are not necessarily "pointless". Usually this is caused by the person exacting enough self-injury to cause death. The only reason why their body is still alive is by demonic influence. Demon leaves, dude dies. their soul is saved from the clutches of Shaiithan, and the exorcism accomplished it's goal.
"We are predestined to determine our own destiny... Elit Druin."
I love how you can tell exactly what the journalist feels about religion.
--Mike
What this strip mall "Pastor" did was murder a child. Period. If anyone was possessed by an evil spirit I would imagine it was him. By the way, given your comment implying that Protestants need exorcisms, I would reconsider your vocation choice. That mentality is not in keeping with the teachings of Christ. I am a Roman Catholic myself and have been a hospital chaplain for fifteen years. That kind of prejudice is not acceptable in the leadership of the Church.
This is what happens when you let a Protestant do an exorcism. I think the Prots are the ones that need the exorcisms first! Why do I say that? It is only Christs True church ie: The Roman Catholic Church that has the true power of Christ to do a proper exorcism. Not some wacko, that can't differentiate between a metally challenged child and a truely possessed person. I am discerning a religious vocation to the Priesthood and have done extensive research on exorcisms and how to see if someone is truly possessed. This man should be jailed for his crime. It was very stupid of him to exercise a child that was handicaped. That child may have needed a healing, not a full fledged exorcism...
If anyone wants to know the truth on Exorcisms, I recommend you to read the two books written by Romes official exorcist.. Father Gabriel Amorth. He has done over 30,000 official exorcisms, and is the head of the exorcists council.
Yes, there are other worlds, and these worlds are unique. They are spiritual. I have had many experiences of the supernatural. Yes, there is a heaven where good souls reside, and a hell where evil souls dwell. I know for a fact because of many private revelations. I can even give you proof. Even today I can take you to a place in Central America and show you a hellhole where evil souls of men and women dwell. Yes, you will hear all kinds of frightful lamentations. There is a long story tied to this hellhole. I have written a book about it.
What do they look like? Got any pictures? What is the title of your book?
And I am sure many people would like to know where the heavenhole is.
First of all, I am a pastor and bishop of a small church. I was trained as an exorcist by someone who does this ministry through the Vatican in Rome. I also was taught this ministry through a college based course in Milwaukee, Wisconsin back in 1976 at Marquette University, which is run by Jesuits. These are not the most gullible of men, to say the least. So, I know something about this subject and have even taught seminars on it to other clergy members.
So before you so easily dismiss exorcisms or demonic possession, you should study the subject first. Many cases are explained by anything from chemical imbalances to poor anger management to Tourette's Syndrome to MPD to flashbacks. But there are other cases that can be proven to be "something else."
What a lot of people don't know is that the Roman Catholic Church AND the Episcopalian Church AND the Lutheran Church all recognize the idea that people can be possessed by evil spirits and can be helped by exorcism. Did you know that John Paul II performed the rite of exorcism several times as a bishop and as a Pope? Did you know that there are theology classes taught on the subject as how to do it at Gregorian Institute, (that's where my teacher taught his classes)? Did you know that the Mexican Roman Catholic bishops are reporting five exorcisms a DAY?
Did you also know that before you do an exorcism that you need the approval of other clergy plus a medical and psych examination in cases that are severe? Did you know that there should be a doctor present in cases that require full restraint techniques? That's all formally governed by the various churches. Apparently that isn't how this gentleman was trained so he ended up hurting someone. If he had been trained properly and the situation had been controlled, it would have never happened that way. But on the other hand, doctors are responsible for deaths every day and we don't outlaw the practice of medicine. We simply regulate it.
I have had hundreds of cases where the people HAVE gone to doctors and psych people and have gotten no where and a simple exorcism prayer in Latin did the trick. This is over a thirty year period with some medical training along the way that has helped me to understand what is "weird" and what is not. It would be foolish to say every case of weirdness is the devil. But it is just as unscientific and foolish to discount that there might be creatures in this world who are basically programmed thoughts and patterns of evil which can be dispelled by something positive and good.
Please explain, for example, the modern phenomena of school shootings. There were guns before the mid 1980's. Many children received BB guns and rifles for their birthdays in the 50's and 60's. Please explain why we have going postal and Columbine like killings. The majority of these killers talk about "voices" in their heads. Nuts? Maybe. But then why were so many of them ON meds and still heard voices that urged them to kill? Are we so sure that they weren't hearing demons? How do we know? If these were caused by chemical imbalances, then why didn't the drugs work? What about serial killers? The FBI says that there are 120 serial killers in the United States alone that have patterns but that they can't catch. There weren't that many in the 1970s'. They estimate an increase of 920% over the years. Is THAT just a coincidence?
The problem isn't that there are so called superstitious people like me running around doing exorcisms. You have no idea how many murders and rapes have been prevented by ministers and priests in this ministry. If anyone here is that interested, I'll be happy to discuss my case files with you by private email.
The REAL problem is that people see people going postal, kids shooting their classmates, mothers drowning their babies, people running cars into buildings to kill, kill, kill and no one even suspects there might be more of a reason then "$%# happens." It reminds me of sheep sitting around watching the wolf eat them one by one while they stand around and go baa. It's not religion that is the opiate of the people, it's spiritual indifference.
I guarantee you that if your loved one is sitting in a strait jacket, drooling down his or her front and the doctors have told you to take them home because there is nothing they can do, if someone suggests an exorcism, you might not feel the way you do right now. I have had psych people privately bring me in on one case because they DIDN'T know what else to do. Where will YOU go when the usual stuff doesn't work?
One day something horrible is going to happen out in public that everyone with a lick of sense will know is from Hell itself. And the first people who will run to the church for help will be all the folks who have been saying, "it ain't so." I just hope that when the ca-ca hits the fan that there are enough ministers and priests left to clean up the mess.
T
http://pastor-t.tripod.com/cclc
I tried to search for exorcism statistics and a reliable and unbiased source on exorcism benefits or why its alternatives aren't as good on the Internet and I couldn't find any. Any ideas?
You mentioned a 920% increase in serial killers. Where can I find your source for this? (I am asking about sources because sources = information = I can make more informed decisions about my beliefs.)
This is a disturbing and sad thread to follow. I am a Roman Catholic, and a conservative one at that. Do I believe that there is evil in the world? Yes. Do I believe in exorcism? The jury is still out. My understanding of it is not very clear - the same as most people who talk about it and claim to experience it. It is my belief that evil in this world is not in the form of spirits or "things that go bump in the night". Just watch the evening news or prime time television and you will see the face of evil in this world. Faith is not about proof. Belief in God is not about proof. I am a working engineer, and a research chemist by training. Science and logic cannot prove the existence of God - but science and logic cannot answer all questions, either. We hear the phrase often, "a leap of faith". That is what faith is, a leap. I choose to believe because of the questions that science cannot answer. I choose to believe because in the darkest times of my life and my families life, times when I was completely alone and had nothing of this world to give me support, I did not loose hope; I did not despair; I did not end my suffering even though I had nothing to live for. I believe that there was a merciful God who listened to my prayers and gave me just enough to go on. Foolish? Perhaps. To me, it is not. Have you ever heard of Pascal's Wager? It goes like this. We all make a wager in life - that there is a God or that there is not a God. Suppose there is not a God - if we choose to live a holy life, then even though there is no God, we have made the world a better place by our actions. If we choose not to live a holy life, then we have lost nothing. Suppose there is a God - if we choose to live a holy life, then we are saved for all eternity. If we choose to not believe, and not live a holy life then we are damned forever. Eternity is a long time - think about it. I am not going to convince any of you with this. Your minds are closed to all except what you believe. It is my hope that I can put some questions into you heart, so that you will begin to search on your own. Good Night, and God Bless You.
When you watch the evening news, you see human nature. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes can be fatal. Does that mean that they are possessed by evil spirits?
Just because science and logic lacks an answer does not mean one made up by faith is correct.
In my darkest hour, I can logically deduce that bad times do not last forever and that there will be good times soon. This is because I know I will do everything in my power to fix the wrong. Think of it this way: You are about to become bankrupt. How will you recover? Last time I checked, having an extended prayer doesn't make you money (unless you become a televangelist), realizing the inevitable and working out a plan to fix your financial mess will help you recover.
One does not have to be holy in order to make the world a better place. I do not have any problem admitting that I do volunteer work.
Just as you most likely will not convince people like me to believe the same beliefs as you do, we most likely will not convince people like you to believe that there is no God.
Wow this is crazy. I cant believe people think that exorcism works.
this type of story is so sad. I feel so bad for the family and people involved. As a catholic, i do believe that these things can happen and it's unfortunate that it can't work out for the best everytime.
This is one of the reasons why I don't believe in religion. This kid died because of some guy's ignorance. Keep in mind that this man most likely has no formal education related to treating autism. It amazes me that many people will believe lies that have no proof to back them up.
You're right, this child died because of one man's ignorance, but one man who is religious and ignorant does not make all religious people ignorant. Actually, there is proof for you. The question is are you willing to look it up, read it and then the hard part is to accept what is right there in front of you. If you study history, as in TRUE history books of old, not new biased books where in recent times facts have been changed. Look deep into the past, and you will find the Jesus who walked on this earth, and eventually you will find out which church he started. You can do something to end that deep empty feeling that sometimes we people try to cover up with entertaining ourselves with constant tv, radio , and movies. It's really something else to be in the midst of hard times, and know exactly what to do about it.
I never said that religious people were ignorant.
Who are you to say what is true and what is not? How do you know the history books of old are correct and the new ones are wrong? How do you know it is not the other way around?
Empty feeling? I don't have an empty feeling that I try to cover up.
Sometimes you just have to have faith
that sometimes means letting go of deep rooted hurts eeven from God. God never abandons us he only allows you to go through things to be called closer to him.Sometimes that hurt is real deep and we have to ask God to frogive us for being angrey even at him. I believe that you do love God but are only wounded by things that have occured but be assured of one thing you never carried your cross alone but with Jesus himself he does love you and you are his at this present moment and forever but on this journey you need spiritual friend who can help you.
Go to church and find the friends that God Our Father, my Father as well wants to give you. Life will never be the same when you are home.When you are in the right church you will know that you are in him and with in and in unity of the Holy Spirit. God never abandons his little ones no matter how big they are.
mihirgk,
Your statement is so full of holes I do not know where to star! I tell you this if you truly want a serious discussion, drop me an e-mail, and we can discuss off line.
Hanmalu@netzero.net
Holes? What holes? And why do we need to discuss this off line?
I strongly disagree with you. I am a Christian and have seen the miracles that God can do. Judging a man you do not know for doing something that has been done for centuries and has saved many many people is wrong. This man was not "ignorant." Possession is a very serious and dangerous thing. Having an exorcism performed is always dangerous but CAN save people. Faith is believing in something you can not see or hear. You may not believe in God and may think religion is stupid or whatever, but that doesnt mean that it is and it sure doesnt make him ignorant. Dont put something down if you dont understand it.
that man is stupid for doing that, look what happen. the ? should be; does he even have any type of training in that. if not then he is in the wrong. so many people think they know what their doing but they don't. this person should be put to death. this thought he was god's work and look what happen. the kid was mental and that's all. the mother was to cheap to help her son. this was free...
Give me examples of how exorcism has saved someone and with each example tell me how you know that it was exorcism and exorcism alone that saved each person.
And if you fully understood God, you would be able to show me what he looks like and where he is. I believe in reason, not faith. Reason tells me I will probably get run over if I walk onto a highway with speeding cars and trucks, therefore I should find an alternative. Faith would tell me that God will protect me from the big machines called cars and trucks and I should proceed. Which will keep me safe?
Let me answer your last reply in parts. Firstly, if I was to go and do research about different documented exorcisms, and try to prove to you how the power of God has delivered these individuals you would fine some way to rebuke my reply. I am therefore going to save myself some headache and not try... If you are generally interested in God and exorcisms then I will leave the searching to you.
Secondly, that last writer never said they 'fully understood' God. No one can fully understand God...no one. It is of His nature to be unknowable, he is God; although their are certain revealed truths we do know about God.
Lastly, yes reasoning would tell you that running out into traffic would kill you, but Faith does not. Faith in God is not testing him..seeing if he will save you from this or that anomolie just to see if he's there...faith is believing when you cannot see, and knowing that even in your darkest hour when all may seem lost, that in the end, God is looking out for each and every one of us and helping us through the hard times and even walking beside us in the good. He never leaves our side. I pray that one day you may find Christ. Its kinda sad, because from reading your last comment it seems to me that you don't really fully understand what you believe (reason) and that it is just an easy way out..what i mean is, it just doesn't require much of you. If your serious about your unbelief in God, i suggest doing some research..I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. A good book is "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis.
God Bless you.
If your evidence would be so good, how would I find a way to prove you wrong?
Helping us through the hard times? May I ask how that works?
Maybe I would believe in God if I knew the correct way. But there is so many different ways. How do we know which one is correct and which one is wrong?
Exorcism is real. Evil spirits are real (though probably not that little red creature with the giant fork). You don't need reason if you've seen the real thing. You see, I grew up in a place with enough ghosts and unidentified spirits running around, so I can say that much.
One of my neighbors was exorcised once. I'm not too clear on how it happened, but apparently some evil spirits had resided within her. I can tell you what happened when she was exorcised because I was there: her face changed as each spirit was sent out of her. And judging from the number of times her face changed, there were a hella spirits there.
My neighbor's face looked peaceful after the priest was done. She was also considerably nicer afterward. And even more miraculously, her cancer was gone. Inexplicable? You tell me.
How did you know the place you grew up in had "ghosts and unidentified spirits running around"?
How did you know that your neighbor had evil spirits in her? How did you know they weren't any good?
How did you know that the reason her face changed was because she had evil spirits?
How did you know her cancer was gone because of the exorcism and only the exorcism? Isn't there a possiblity that she would have healed without the exorcism?
How did I know there were ghosts? Because I saw them--that is, with my own two, slightly nearsighted eyes. How did I know my neighbor had evil spirits? Because they later showed up when they were exorcised. How did I know they weren't any good? Because spirits who like to stay in other people's bodies generally aren't. How did I know her face changed because of the evil spirits? Because those were the faces of the spirits. And my neighbor's face was not elastic enough for her to change it on her own. How did I know her cancer was gone because of the exorcism? Well, that's a tricky one. Perhaps her cancer would still be gone without the exorcism--who knows. Still, even if it was true, how would science (or reason) explain that?
I do not think one has to prove what a person sees themselves. There are too many experiences to be discounted as fraud, and lies, especially in some places where over a million people saw at the same time.
There is evil in this world and there are demons. However, exocisms are a last straw after all rational explanations have been ruled out and this includes the medical. And someone who had real experience do these. And always with a doctor present. This boy should not have been left in the hands of the Minister because he did not view rational explanations, nor have a doctor there, nor spot signs the boy was in danger of his life.
However no one has the right to tell another they have no right to believe in the existence of God, nor the existence of the devil, nor that when they state what they have seen to judge them as either a liar or mad, unless they themselves are professional. It is not the right way to go about things. Belief in the existence of God is usually based on reason of logic, and unless someone is an expert in the field of theology or even Scripture and God and all evidence, then they have no place to diss someones beliefs.
This attitude will help others like this boy. It will prevent nothing. And measures to prevent this kind of thing from happening should be what people should be looking at. No one can deny belief, but certain legal requirements should be put in place. Often people who convince parents not to go to doctors with a medical problem but instead to divine healing, these often are seeking self glory, after all us Christians believe that it is God who provided medicene and we have Him to thank for our doctors. To go it alone like this can be perceived as testing God as surely as those who sit there with poisoners snakes and show they live if bitten. Why? They put God to the test which is against the Commandment Do not test the Lord your God. Hardly Christian. Why was this boy not given medical attention?
I am interested in the experince of the man who has seen. I am a Journalist and writer and my work surround this kind of thing.
Sue
It is common to require proof. When you return something at a store, the store will ask you for the receipt you got when you bought it. When you make a theory, you have to present your evidence that led you to that theory.
I am not interfering in your right to be wrong (better known as religious freedom) nor am I claiming to be a professional.
How is belief in the existence of God based on logic?
Which attitude are you talking about?
What did these ghosts look like? Got any pictures?
Maybe the spirit(s) wanted to stay so he/she could make her a better person? (And who are you to say what is good and what is evil?)
How do you know that your "neighbor's face was not elastic enough for her to change it on her own"?
Did she receive medical treatment for her cancer?
i feel for teh fmaily