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from the the-power-of-god-compels-you-to-read-it dept.
The conviction that demons exist—and that they exist to harass, derange, and smite human beings—stretches back as far as religion itself. In ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonian priests performed exorcisms by casting wax figurines of demons into a fire. The Hindu Vedas, thought to have been written between 1500 and 500 b.c., refer to supernatural beings—known as asuras, but largely understood today as demons—that challenge the gods and sabotage human affairs. For the ancient Greeks, too, demonlike creatures lurked on the shadowy fringes of the human world.
But far from being confined to a past of Demiurges and evil eyes, belief in demonic possession is widespread in the United States today. Polls conducted in recent decades by Gallup and the data firm YouGov suggest that roughly half of Americans believe demonic possession is real. The percentage who believe in the devil is even higher, and in fact has been growing: Gallup polls show that the number rose from 55 percent in 1990 to 70 percent in 2007.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/12/catholic-exorcisms-on-the-rise/573943/
(Score: 3, Insightful) by sjames on Thursday December 06 2018, @09:47PM
I've covered the failure of acedemia as a pillar elsewhere. But government and the political process have proven themselves unworthy of respect. Politicians on both sides don't even seem to remember that they're supposed to represent all of their constituents whatever their personal view. They squeek by with a 0.1% margin when people hold their noses and vote for them because the other candidate was slightly more offensive and declare victory for their side as if they have any sort of meaningful mandate from the people for exactly their views. They have proven that they will say and do nearly anything to win, honest or not. Politicians have never enjoyed a good reputation, but it has become decidedly worse over time.
It's no wonder people are turning to churches for guidance and leadership. Even before the Christian church took over europe, the many different pagans turned to their own priesthood for leadership. If the civil authorities won't do it or seem to become the enemy of the people, the people turn back to religion. Some of the politicians above try to jump on that bandwagon is spite of showing no sign of belief (or even respect) in the religions. They would be wise to consider what would happen if a popular preacher issued a call to arms to the flock, but they aren't wise.
Although many people in medicine seem to actually care, the medical industry increasingly seems focused on leaving people bankrupt under threat of death. Even doctors and nurses bristle against it.
People turn to healing crystals and herbs because they can afford them and it makes them FEEL better. They place their hopes there because they don't know where else to place their hopes. There are plenty of scams in alternative medicine, but many others who sincerely believe they will help (whatever you might believe about actual effectiveness) and they don't bill for more than you make in a year, don't demand an insurance card before they even look at you and will actually talk to you about your concerns. In many cases, that may ACTUALLY be more helpful than a perfunctory scribble on a prescription pad followed by handing over what was supposed to be the rent and grocery money for the month.
If the civil authorities would like to remain authorities, they are going to have to be more civil. Otherwise, various priesthoods WILL take over.