Why some people don't go home for the holidays

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around personal experiences and opinions regarding family dynamics, particularly in the context of holidays and gatherings that involve controversial or distressing topics such as exorcism and the behavior of religious figures. Participants share anecdotes and reactions to these situations, exploring themes of familial obligation, emotional distress, and the impact of religious beliefs on personal relationships.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recounts a distressing experience at a family gathering where they were told they needed an exorcism, expressing feelings of confusion and sadness.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the writer should read etiquette advice instead of seeking help from a column.
  • Concerns are raised about the legitimacy of "professional" demonologists and the ethics of their practices, with some participants questioning how one becomes a demonologist.
  • Several participants share stories of inappropriate comments made by pastors during sensitive family situations, highlighting the emotional harm caused by such remarks.
  • There is a discussion about the difficulty of distancing oneself from family, even in the face of troubling behavior, with some suggesting that maintaining connections could lead to positive changes in perspectives.
  • Participants express outrage at the manipulative tactics used by certain religious leaders, suggesting that these tactics are reminiscent of cult behavior.
  • Humorous and sarcastic remarks are made regarding the absurdity of the situations described, including exaggerated responses to being told one needs an exorcism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the appropriateness of family connections despite troubling behaviors, with some advocating for maintaining ties while others suggest distancing oneself. There is no consensus on the best approach to dealing with such family dynamics.

Contextual Notes

Participants' anecdotes reveal a variety of personal experiences and emotional responses, but the discussion does not resolve the underlying issues related to family obligations and the influence of religious beliefs.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in family dynamics, the impact of religion on personal relationships, and those seeking to understand the complexities of emotional responses to family gatherings may find this discussion relevant.

BobG
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Dear Prudie...

Recently, they invited me to my grandmother's birthday party. When I arrived, everyone was sitting solemnly around the living room, and the local pastor was there. He calmly explained to me that I was not actually mentally ill but possessed by agents of Satan and in need of an exorcism. I choked back tears as I explained to them that I did not need any demons driven out, and the evening ended awkwardly.

Ended awkwardly? :smile::smile::smile:

I think the writer should read Emily Post's book on eitquette instead of writing letters to Dear Prudie. If Emily Post hasn't covered this scenario, then no one has.
 
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Dear Prudie,

I'm a member of Physics Forums and I am about to marry my long time girlfriend. I know there are some issues though. My father just got arrested for molesting half of his boy scout troup and my mother is resting at the sanitorium while she tries to get over the shock. My brother is on the lam now since the police raided his meth factory in the basement and my sister is in need of a lawyer because she got caught turning tricks. What I need to know is this: Should I tell my girlfriend that I am a member of Physics Forums?

Yours,
Black Sheep of the Family.
 
Good grief. My advice to this person RUN AWAY!

There is some stupid new show where a "professional" demonologist/exorcist goes around exorcizing people. It was appalling the way he was suckering these people. Now, how do you become a "professional" demonologist? Do you go to demon school? Puts new meaning in PhD
 
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The spirit of PF compels you, the spirit of PF compels you, the spirit of PF compels you, the spirit of PF compels you.
 
hypatia said:
The spirit of PF compels you, the spirit of PF compels you, the spirit of PF compels you, the spirit of PF compels you.
:smile:
 
Bobby Jindal wrote an article for a fringe Roman Catholic journal in which he claimed that he had performed an exorcism on a female friend (he had other accomplices restrain her) and that he not only freed her of her demon, but cured her of a particularly nasty form of cancer, too. Stay tuned, folks - he'll make a run in 2012.
 
as stupid as this is, you really can't divorce your family. i think there's some value in not shunning them if you can deal with it. chances are pretty good that you may change the POV of some of them.
 
turbo-1 said:
Bobby Jindal wrote an article for a fringe Roman Catholic journal in which he claimed that he had performed an exorcism on a female friend (he had other accomplices restrain her) and that he not only freed her of her demon, but cured her of a particularly nasty form of cancer, too. Stay tuned, folks - he'll make a run in 2012.

Wow... this is tasty!
 
Evo said:
Good grief. My advice to this person RUN AWAY!

:smile: Prudie seemed to agree. She told the person to stab them with a pitchfork. :biggrin: :devil:
 
  • #10
Moonbear said:
:smile: Prudie seemed to agree. She told the person to stab them with a pitchfork. :biggrin: :devil:

That brings up an interesting question... what if you, say, got a hold of the exorcist's car keys and drove away in his car... would the exorcist really be like, "The demon's making him do it, he knows not what he does" or would he be like "AAAAAAH! MY CAR!" and sue you?
⚛​
 
  • #11
As for unforgivable behavior by pastors and etc., I have a story I'd like to share. Several of my friends are siblings (with each other, not me). Their mom died of cancer about a year ago. During her last days, Carrie was sitting with her mom in the hospital while her brother was in the next state and couldn't get back for a few days. He called Sandy, a coworker who we are all aquainted with fairly well to go sit with her. Well, this coworker comes from a family that just doesn't know when to quit so-to-speak. The whole clan comes out along with THEIR pastor. This pastor has the balls to tell her that sometimes the punishment for a persons sins are carried out on another person and Carries promiscuity is the reason why her mom is dying of cancer so she best repent. This pastor is the same a$$ that prayed for a motorcycle in church and the congregation was stupid enough to fall for it and bought him one.
 
  • #12
How can people like that be in such a position? How sick and twisted can people get to choose someone like that to lead them? Ok, I won't get started.
 
  • #13
Averagesupernova said:
As for unforgivable behavior by pastors and etc., I have a story I'd like to share. Several of my friends are siblings (with each other, not me). Their mom died of cancer about a year ago. During her last days, Carrie was sitting with her mom in the hospital while her brother was in the next state and couldn't get back for a few days. He called Sandy, a coworker who we are all aquainted with fairly well to go sit with her. Well, this coworker comes from a family that just doesn't know when to quit so-to-speak. The whole clan comes out along with THEIR pastor. This pastor has the balls to tell her that sometimes the punishment for a persons sins are carried out on another person and Carries promiscuity is the reason why her mom is dying of cancer so she best repent. This pastor is the same a$$ that prayed for a motorcycle in church and the congregation was stupid enough to fall for it and bought him one.

That's outrageous! If I were Carrie, the pastor might have been praying for new teeth after he left the hospital...
 
  • #14
lisab said:
That's outrageous! If I were Carrie, the pastor might have been praying for new teeth after he left the hospital...

i agree, he needs his *** beat
 
  • #15
If someone told me I need a demon exorcised from my body, I'd just shoot him with my laser eyes. That'll teach him.
 
  • #16
Averagesupernova said:
This pastor has the balls to tell her that sometimes the punishment for a persons sins are carried out on another person and Carries promiscuity is the reason why her mom is dying of cancer so she best repent.

Apparently God is also Fair and Balanced.
 
  • #17
Well Carrie herself has never gone to this church and for obvious reasons she never will. Her brother went once but won't again since he is afraid of getting hit by a cane.:smile: These guys jump and yell and wave things. The guy sitting next to him was waving his cane around and Vic was worried he was going to get smacked. I think what the whole motivation for the pastor to say that is to try to bring her down so far that she will turn to the church for support. This is not an uncommon tactic for many cults which the whole thing borders on anyway in my opinion considering how he got the congregation to buy him a motorcycle. They manipulate you in such a way to make you think that you are worthless and need them to amount to anything. But yeah, can you imagine being told: Oh, the reason your mom is dying is because you are a ho.

Edit: Evo, I won't mind at all if you 'get started'. But it isn't my thread...
 
  • #18
Giving your mother cancer is God's way of telling you he loves you.Kind of how boys in grade school pull your hair when they like you.
 

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