Ralph Sarchie

[Confusion]

So I need help debunking something based on my own irrational fears.

I read an interview with Eric Bana regarding the movie Deliver Us From Evil, in which he played real life detective cum self styled demonic exorcist Ralph Sarchie.

Bana stated he was a sceptic until he saw footage from one of Sarchies exorcisms in which a man in a straight jacket had a wound appear on his forehead on camera and his drool turned to blood.

What do you guys think? I tried looking up Sarchie and amongst other things he's hosted a typically bad paranormal investigation TV show ala Ghost Adventures and - red flag alert - he often worked with Ed and Lorraine Warren and John Zaffis.

For some reason this is bothering me.

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[MRC_Hans]

Exactly what is bothering you? Somebody says he saw footage? First of all, he may be lying, and ... footage? I saw some footage of aliens invading Earth in giant spaceships ...

Really?

Hans

 

[MRC_Hans]

Oh, and welcome to the forums.

 

[theprestige]

If you doubt Eric Bana, why would you trust us?

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

So I need help debunking something based on my own irrational fears.

I read an interview with Eric Bana regarding the movie Deliver Us From Evil, in which he played real life detective cum self styled demonic exorcist Ralph Sarchie.

Bana stated he was a sceptic until he saw footage from one of Sarchies exorcisms in which a man in a straight jacket had a wound appear on his forehead on camera and his drool turned to blood.

What do you guys think? I tried looking up Sarchie and amongst other things he's hosted a typically bad paranormal investigation TV show ala Ghost Adventures and - red flag alert - he often worked with Ed and Lorraine Warren and John Zaffis.

For some reason this is bothering me.

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Welcome to the Forum.

Since you are new here I will say, "Google is your friend," in a kindly, helpful manner.

But I quickly found: https://theweek.com/articles/445607/real-story-behind-deliver-from-evil

The movie "is a work of fiction based on aspects of my (Sarchie's) cases and aspects of my life. It has to be interesting," he concedes. But as far as I'm concerned, Deliver Us From Evil picked the dullest part of the story to expand upon. The interesting part of Sarchie's background isn't the lurid details about possessions and demons; it's the zealousness of the man who believes so deeply that he never even considers another explanation.

 

[Confusion]

Exactly what is bothering you? Somebody says he saw footage? First of all, he may be lying, and ... footage? I saw some footage of aliens invading Earth in giant spaceships ...

Really?

Hans

I'm not great at explaining it. I've been a lifelong atheist and tried to be the best skeptic I can be, but stories like this fuel the fears in the irrational parts of my brain to do with existentialism.

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[theprestige]

I'm not great at explaining it. I've been a lifelong atheist and tried to be the best skeptic I can be, but stories like this fuel the fears in the irrational parts of my brain to do with existentialism.

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This might be something to discuss with a professional trained in counseling people who suffer from irrational fears.

Since you've put a lot of effort into being a good skeptic over the years, I assume you're already familiar with the rational framework for evaluating and dismissing such claims. You already know there's no good reason to believe these claims are real, but they cause you anxiety anyway.

That's not something we can really help with. We can repeat to you the rational arguments you already know, but we can't make those arguments take root and grow in your mind. You may want to consider taking this inquiry to Talkspace, or one of the other online counseling sites.

 

[steenkh]

Bana stated he was a sceptic until he saw footage from one of Sarchies exorcisms in which a man in a straight jacket had a wound appear on his forehead on camera and his drool turned to blood.

This sounds to me like something any decent filmmaker would be able to produce. Why do you suppose this was not a film trick, if this footage exists at all?

 

[theprestige]

Also remember that Bana is an actor promoting a show he stars in. Publicly questioning the premise of a movie you've been hired to star in is good way to not get hired again. Bana's endorsement doesn't actually mean much.

And that's even before we consider whether he's actually a believer, doing the "I used to be a skeptic" routine. Which is a common routine among believers trying to gain a tolerant audience with actual skeptics.

 

[p0lka]

This might be something to discuss with a professional trained in counseling people who suffer from irrational fears.

Since you've put a lot of effort into being a good skeptic over the years, I assume you're already familiar with the rational framework for evaluating and dismissing such claims. You already know there's no good reason to believe these claims are real, but they cause you anxiety anyway.

That's not something we can really help with. We can repeat to you the rational arguments you already know, but we can't make those arguments take root and grow in your mind. You may want to consider taking this inquiry to Talkspace, or one of the other online counseling sites.

Was going to reply to that post, but this reply is so much better than mine was and has saved me the bother.

 

[CORed]

So I need help debunking something based on my own irrational fears.

I read an interview with Eric Bana regarding the movie Deliver Us From Evil, in which he played real life detective cum self styled demonic exorcist Ralph Sarchie.

Bana stated he was a sceptic until he saw footage from one of Sarchies exorcisms in which a man in a straight jacket had a wound appear on his forehead on camera and his drool turned to blood.

What do you guys think? I tried looking up Sarchie and amongst other things he's hosted a typically bad paranormal investigation TV show ala Ghost Adventures and - red flag alert - he often worked with Ed and Lorraine Warren and John Zaffis.

For some reason this is bothering me.

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Well, both of those things could easily have been accounted for by the man in the straightjacket hitting his head on somethnig (wall, floor, whatever). Maybe that part was edited out.

 

[Axxman300]

I read Sarchie's book. It's a Catholic thing, that's all. And your instinct to ignore him based on his work with the Warrens is spot on.

 

[EHocking]

So I need help debunking something based on my own irrational fears.

I read an interview with Eric Bana regarding the movie Deliver Us From Evil, in which he played real life detective cum self styled demonic exorcist Ralph Sarchie.

Bana stated he was a sceptic until he saw footage from one of Sarchies exorcisms in which a man in a straight jacket had a wound appear on his forehead on camera and his drool turned to blood.

What do you guys think? I tried looking up Sarchie and amongst other things he's hosted a typically bad paranormal investigation TV show ala Ghost Adventures and - red flag alert - he often worked with Ed and Lorraine Warren and John Zaffis.

For some reason this is bothering me.

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Is this the interview?

~ the 2:10 mark is where Bana answers a question similar to your post above.

What he says that he (and we in the Western world) was more sceptical about just how widespread the practice of exorcisms are and how he became more educated on the belief and practice of exorcism.

He does not say that he was once sceptical of spirit possessions and now believes in them.

In this interview ~ 2:20 he pretty much dismisses the concept of possession.

 

[Confusion]

Is this the interview?



~ the 2:10 mark is where Bana answers a question similar to your post above.



What he says that he (and we in the Western world) was more sceptical about just how widespread the practice of exorcisms are and how he became more educated on the belief and practice of exorcism.



He does not say that he was once sceptical of spirit possessions and now believes in them.

No it was an article I read somewhere, going into a little more detail than the interview.

https://www.nydailynews.com/enterta...oked-preparing-deliver-evil-article-1.1848256

I actually misquoted it. Scott Derrickson, the director, talks about the footage in detail. Not Bana.

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[EHocking]

No it was an article I read somewhere, going into a little more detail than the interview.

https://www.nydailynews.com/enterta...oked-preparing-deliver-evil-article-1.1848256

I actually misquoted it. Scott Derrickson, the director, talks about the footage in detail. Not Bana.

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Yeah, well, the director is going to pimp his movie isn't he?
It also misses out the "detail" that the "victim" was in a straightjacket.
I can't find anywhere, where Bana backs Derrickson's claims either.

I have to admit to not being sold on the story that is being told by Derrikson.

 

[wardenclyffe]

No it was an article I read somewhere, going into a little more detail than the interview.

https://www.nydailynews.com/enterta...oked-preparing-deliver-evil-article-1.1848256

I actually misquoted it. Scott Derrickson, the director, talks about the footage in detail. Not Bana.

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Hi Confusion,

Welcome to the forum. I'm a little confused about the source of your anxiety. I have not seen the movie or read Sarchie's book which is the source material. I assume you have at least seen the movie. If it has this effect on you, it's probably pretty well done.

I did not find the Daily News article particularly scary. I'm heartened that you re-read it and realized that you were mis-remembering parts of it (and that you can admit that---a rare trait). But the most pertinent parts are still the way you remember them, and while it doesn't bother me, it clearly bothers you.

Can you explain what it is about this article that gets to you this way? Both Bana and Derrickson benefit from making it seem like the events in the movie reflect real life events. I'm not saying that they are being deceptive, but they do have a motivation to deceive. And, giving them the benefit of the doubt, I don't know if they are practiced critical thinkers. They could easily be fooled by exorcism videos that are designed to fool them.

If this is an anxiety problem that would benefit from counseling, then by all means, go for that. But I sensed in your writing a de-escalation of your anxiety when you wrote, "I actually misquoted it." I could be wrong, but it seems like taking a second, closer look was helpful for your state of mind.

It is usually helpful to reexamine such things. Of course that can be over-done to the point of obsession. So careful. Steady as she goes.

Thanks for joining the forum,

Ward

 

[Confusion]

Hi Confusion,



Welcome to the forum. I'm a little confused about the source of your anxiety. I have not seen the movie or read Sarchie's book which is the source material. I assume you have at least seen the movie. If it has this effect on you, it's probably pretty well done.



I did not find the Daily News article particularly scary. I'm heartened that you re-read it and realized that you were mis-remembering parts of it (and that you can admit that---a rare trait). But the most pertinent parts are still the way you remember them, and while it doesn't bother me, it clearly bothers you.



Can you explain what it is about this article that gets to you this way? Both Bana and Derrickson benefit from making it seem like the events in the movie reflect real life events. I'm not saying that they are being deceptive, but they do have a motivation to deceive. And, giving them the benefit of the doubt, I don't know if they are practiced critical thinkers. They could easily be fooled by exorcism videos that are designed to fool them.



If this is an anxiety problem that would benefit from counseling, then by all means, go for that. But I sensed in your writing a de-escalation of your anxiety when you wrote, "I actually misquoted it." I could be wrong, but it seems like taking a second, closer look was helpful for your state of mind.



It is usually helpful to reexamine such things. Of course that can be over-done to the point of obsession. So careful. Steady as she goes.



Thanks for joining the forum,



Ward

Yes, I've suffered from anxiety most of my life and most of it has been existential stuff.

I've never held any religious beliefs but I wasn't always a skeptic, especially in my teen years (I'm 39 now). I was scared by various end of the world scenarios, nuclear war, asteroids and weirdly, things like biblical prophecies and anything with religious overtones scared me. Again, I don't really know where this comes from as I've never been religious and I've never believed in the bible. My parents are atheists. I did however attend a very Catholic infants school (pre-school). Maybe something got inside my head there?

I think what scares me is that the world makes sense to me as a naturalistic materialistic place. Which it is. I know it is. I'm able to say that all of the scientific evidence we have supports a natural scientific universe. Any rocking of that boat for me, so to speak, scares me. What if one little piece of evidence comes along that means the universe no longer makes sense? What if this is some supernatural playground filled with demons and magic and horrible insanity?

Does that make sense?

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[bluesjnr]

Yes, I've suffered from anxiety most of my life and most of it has been existential stuff.

I've never held any religious beliefs but I wasn't always a skeptic, especially in my teen years (I'm 39 now). I was scared by various end of the world scenarios, nuclear war, asteroids and weirdly, things like biblical prophecies and anything with religious overtones scared me. Again, I don't really know where this comes from as I've never been religious and I've never believed in the bible. My parents are atheists. I did however attend a very Catholic infants school (pre-school). Maybe something got inside my head there?

I think what scares me is that the world makes sense to me as a naturalistic materialistic place. Which it is. I know it is. I'm able to say that all of the scientific evidence we have supports a natural scientific universe. Any rocking of that boat for me, so to speak, scares me. What if one little piece of evidence comes along that means the universe no longer makes sense? What if this is some supernatural playground filled with demons and magic and horrible insanity?

Does that make sense?

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I think the help you need will not be found here, I urge you to consider counselling.

 

[Loss Leader]

Does that make sense?

It makes psychological sense. We are, as were our ancestors, fearful creatures.

However, it doesn't make logical sense. We should only believe things with evidence - good, scientific, repeatable, falsifiable evidence. And using that standard, the universe has no room for demons, ghosts, possessions, or any of that other stuff.

If the director of a movie saw some footage from a show produced by notorious fakers, that is not good evidence. Let them submit it for review, testability, and falsifiability. Beyond that, that story really doesn't rise to the level of evidence.

Also, give yourself a moment to think about motives. The producers of the footage had motive to lie so they could make a more interesting TV show. The director had motive to lie to promote a paranormal movie.

 

[wardenclyffe]

Confusion,

I don't know where you live, but you should try and find a local skeptics group that you can discuss these things with and perhaps even investigate them. It's fun and shining light on these things makes them much less scary.

Ward