Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The only thing that's accomplished, however, was the death of Joan Volmer. Man, you can't butt scoot your way to God." — Henry Zebrowski
"The biggest problem with this though is that after a while, exorcism began to leak outside of the Catholic church, eventually the Protestant sex of Christianity, specifically the more fundamentalist ones began blaming demons in the devil for behavior that they either didn't understand or just plain didn't like." — Ben Kissel
"Sometimes you've got to look in the mirror and realize you are the demon. You become a demon. You become a dumb." — Ben Kissel
The episode delves into the grim phenomenon of deadly exorcisms, tracing a historical thread from the Catholic Church's formal rites to the more extreme and often fatal practices that have emerged in various cultures and denominations. The hosts discuss how the cinematic success of "The Exorcist" inadvertently fueled a rise in exorcism practices, blurring the lines between fiction and reality for some, and creating a perceived "cool factor" around demonic encounters. They highlight how, in many cases, individuals suffering from undiagnosed medical or psychological conditions are subjected to dangerous rituals instead of receiving proper medical attention.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to recounting harrowing true crime cases. These include the death of Joan Volmer in Australia, who was subjected to a brutal, multi-day exorcism by her husband and neighbors; the tragic case of an eight-year-old autistic boy in Milwaukee who died from chest compression during a church healing ritual; and the horrific events in Panama where a cult-like sect performed rituals resulting in mass death. The narrative emphasizes the consistent theme of amateur practitioners and misguided faith leading to fatal consequences.
The discussion also touches upon the cultural prevalence of exorcism, noting its occurrence in Islamic traditions (dealing with "jinn") and various Christian denominations globally. The hosts underscore that while official religious bodies often have stringent protocols, untrained individuals or fringe groups can misinterpret and weaponize religious beliefs, leading to tragic outcomes. The episode concludes by questioning the motivations behind these practices, highlighting the potential for manipulation, the search for supernatural explanations for suffering, and the ongoing danger when faith supersedes medical and rational intervention.