Driving out demons in the blogosphere.

Or discernment of spirits.

Today's Magnificat offers a good reading from Fr. Jordan Aumann, O.P. on the various signs of the diabolical spirit.  He's not discussing possession, but the signs of a bad spirit at work - more about discernment of spirits as related to mystical phenomena.  Although, some of the symptoms remind me of symptoms for bipolar disorder, as well as examples of typical behavior traits in a lot of people I have known - lived with, worked with, played with, encountered online and in the bathroom - you name it.

Here is a list with the symptoms, accompanied by my editorial comments and possible examples:

Spirit of falsity... The devil is the father of lies... he cleverly conceals his deceit by half-truths...

This strikes me as being the reality of every day life - pretty much the news of the day, as well as anything written by Anne Rice.

Morbid curiosity... the characteristic of those who seek out esoteric aspects of mystical phenomena or have a fascination for the occult of preternatural.

Spirit Daily.  Anyone who reads Abbey Roads. 

Confusion, anxiety, and deep depression.

I just read a statistic on how many people in the world are depressed - it was huge - and obviously most of us are confused and anxious.  Baby-Boomers.  Joe Biden. 

Obstinacy.  One of the surest signs of the diabolical spirit.

The Obama administration.  Islam.  Planned Parenthood. Gay Pride. Novus Ordo Watch. Nan.

Constant indiscretion and restless spirit.

Most bloggers, but Acts of the Apostasy really stands out.

Spirit of pride and vanity.  Very anxious to publicize their gifts of grace and mystical experiences.

Catholic conversion blogs.  Mommie dearest blogs. Catholic Vote blog.  Me. 

False humility - the disguise for their pride and self love.

Me. 

Despair, lack of confidence and discouragement.  A chronic characteristic that alternates with presumption.

All bipolar readers.

Disobedience and hardness of heart.

Gay blogs, LCWR, Priest for SS Marriage, Women Priest Movement, Catholics for Choice.  Disgruntled poodles.  Jesuits.

Impatience in suffering and stubborn resentment.

Traditionalist Catholics and bloggers with very low stats - and traditionalist Catholics.  The unemployed.

Uncontrolled passions, and strong inclination to sensuality...

Gay blogs, Theology of the Body think tanks, art blogs, recovering alcoholic blogs, Patheos.

Hypocrisy, simulation, and duplicity.

Me.

Excessive attachment to sensible consolations...

Pious blogs, contemplative-eremetical bloggers, Recovering Dissident blog.

Lack of deep devotion to Jesus and Mary.

Spiritual but not religious blogs.

Scrupulous adherence to the letter of the law and fanatical zeal in promoting a cause.  This characteristic readily opens the door to diabolical influence in reformers and demagogues...

WDTPRS. Michael Voris. National Catholic Reporter.
 

And this explains why every Catholic blog should post the prayer of St. Michael on their site.

Disclaimer:  Dear friends, I apologize that I did not have the time to link to all of your wonderful blogs and websites.  We love you family!

Bob and Penny Lord.