Church elder sentenced for exorcism death

[Seany-D]

www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/08/17/church.death.ap/index.html

He got 2.5 yrs in the clink/ 7.5 yrs. of probation for killing a boy? The charge of "physical abuse of a child recklessly causing great bodily harm" seems very lenient. I would consider death a notch above "great bodily harm", manslaughter at least. The defense's argument that his motives were good bothers me; laying on a body to the point of suffocation in order to rid the body of evil demons does not sound like rational behavior. In much the same way that many (most?) frown upon ritual sacrifice and bodily mutilation as archaic practices to be scorned or punished, so I hope this "evangelical exorcism" shall too pass someday.

Sean "laying on a kid ... sounds a little perverse to me" Davis

[Ravenlock]

Remind me to see if we still have our Spring 03 Freethought Theatre around here someplace, if you're interested. It was a TLC show called "Deliver Us From Evil" about modern-day exorcisms called "deliverances." Or do I correctly recall that you had seen that on your own before coming to MSUFA?

~Roger

Seany-D said:

www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/08/17/church.death.ap/index.html

He got 2.5 yrs in the clink/ 7.5 yrs. of probation for killing a boy? The charge of "physical abuse of a child recklessly causing great bodily harm" seems very lenient. I would consider death a notch above "great bodily harm", manslaughter at least. The defense's argument that his motives were good bothers me; laying on a body to the point of suffocation in order to rid the body of evil demons does not sound like rational behavior. In much the same way that many (most?) frown upon ritual sacrifice and bodily mutilation as archaic practices to be scorned or punished, so I hope this "evangelical exorcism" shall too pass someday.

Sean "laying on a kid ... sounds a little perverse to me" Davis

[Seany-D]

I have not seen the show that you are referencing.