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Panic after 'devil attack' at Trinidad school

Accidental Martyr

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Accidental Martyr
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http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/11/11/panic-after-devil-attack-school
Panic broke out at the Moruga Composite School yesterday as 17 female students fell mysteriously ill and began rolling on the ground, hissing and blabbering in a strange tongue, after suffering bouts of nausea and headaches. Two of the students reportedly tried to throw themselves off a railing and had to be physically restrained, triggering fears of a possible demon attack.
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I've always found stories like this about mass/group hysteria to be interesting. Of course I guess there is always the possibility of a deliberate prank or hoax, also.
 
Religious hysteria, teenage hysteria. No,Obviously the devil. The Guardian reported it that way anyway... :(
 
My lord and master can strike anywhere at anytime.
If you try to resist my lord will inflect a nasty headache and nausea upon you.

Anyways pass that goblet of baby goats blood please I'm getting kind of thirsty.
 
A couple of teenagers got really drunk, or got access to hard drugs

Or

The devil felt like making them look silly.

I think i know what my money is on.
 
I think I'd be more inclined to believe one student having a fit, and the rest believing she was posseessed went into mass hysterics! They do believe in those things, and its very scary if you have that mindset and see/hear something frightening!
 
shandyjan said:
I think I'd be more inclined to believe one student having a fit, and the rest believing she was posseessed went into mass hysterics! They do believe in those things, and its very scary if you have that mindset and see/hear something frightening!
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Now or 300 years ago?

Because if it's now then there is a screw loose somewhere.
Why would that mindset still be around?

Who is they?
 
Brattus said:
Now or 300 years ago?

Because if it's now then there is a screw loose somewhere.
Why would that mindset still be around?

Who is they?
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Presumably 'they' are the kids at this school in Trinidad. Heck, we live in a world where babies are raped because people think it'll cure AIDS. I taught a very smart exchange student from Kenya who was relieved to be in the US because he had always been afraid that other students would steal his intelligence via witchcraft. Note: He wasn't relieved to be getting away from superstition, he was relieved because Americans don't know enough witchcraft to steal his smarts...

People all over the world believe all manner of crazy idiocy. Look at any televangelist show involving people falling down and flopping around and 'speaking in tongues.' This crap is not uncommon in the US, let alone the 3rd world.
 
What chance is there of getting rid of these beliefs, and stopping the witchhunts and 'aids cures' in Africa, the albino killings in Tanzania, when we have our own mumbo jumbo right there in your face in 21st century America, Britain et al!
 
shandyjan said:
What chance is there of getting rid of these beliefs, and stopping the witchhunts and 'aids cures' in Africa, the albino killings in Tanzania, when we have our own mumbo jumbo right there in your face in 21st century America, Britain et al!
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Depressingly you have a good point there.
I read of Zimbabwe where they wanted to get the witchcraft trials entered into the legal system instead of relying on lynch mobs.

Well, it would be an improvement. :(
 
shandyjan said:
What chance is there of getting rid of these beliefs, and stopping the witchhunts and 'aids cures' in Africa, the albino killings in Tanzania, when we have our own mumbo jumbo right there in your face in 21st century America, Britain et al!
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I don't think we have any chance at all..These beliefs are far too ingrained,and no amount of "re-education" will change this..it's Religion to the believers..Anyway..what would re-education entail ? Educating the shamans and population to believe that witches are not real ? I think your life expectancy in Tanzania might be a lot less than in a western civilization if you tried it...:eek:
 
ugot2bekidding said:
There was a similar incident not too long ago:

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8112021/Baby-dies-as-family-jump-to-escape-devil
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It rings a bell that this case was discussed here and somebody linkedto newspaper articles indicating it was an event of domestic violence, and the devil bit was just an excuse of the main suspect. I'll try to find a link.

ETA: I can't find anything. Did I make that up?I remember reading that the man forced the other occupants to jump. Maybe that was just random speculation, then.
 
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Funny how things like this only happen in obscure countries that are highly superstitious.

What, are the demons and spirits hiding in more advanced countries? Truly the greatest trick the Devil has ever pulled.
 
Zanders said:
Funny how things like this only happen in obscure countries that are highly superstitious.

What, are the demons and spirits hiding in more advanced countries? Truly the greatest trick the Devil has ever pulled.
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Alternatively, no.
 
Toke said:
Depressingly you have a good point there.
I read of Zimbabwe where they wanted to get the witchcraft trials entered into the legal system instead of relying on lynch mobs.

Well, it would be an improvement. :(
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Not really. In the Central African Republic witchcraft is a criminal offense, even punishable by execution in cases of homicide, and something like half those imprisoned in the country are charged with witchcraft. Articles from UNICEF, Reuters, the SF Chronicle, and others on the subject.
 
catsmate1 said:
Not really. In the Central African Republic witchcraft is a criminal offense, even punishable by execution in cases of homicide, and something like half those imprisoned in the country are charged with witchcraft. Articles from UNICEF, Reuters, the SF Chronicle, and others on the subject.
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Bummer, guess I am a little naive and thought the requirement for evidence would stop a case. Looks like it only makes it worse.

Not unlike the witchcraft hysteria in Sweden. The authorities original idea of executing "a suitable number" only served to add legitimacy to the whole idea and sent the hysteria out of control.
 
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