Monday, October 31, 2016

Dead Men Tell No Tales



 The names continue to grow: John Edward, Theresa Caputo, and Tyler Henry. These are the "mediums" on American television claiming to "contact the dead." I was amazed at how many members of the Vatican II sect watch these shows; they don't think there is anything wrong with watching them and their clergy say nothing against these mediums either. There's a lot wrong with necromancy (i.e. communication with the dead) as anyone who knows Traditionalist Catholic theology could tell you. I will set out the problems with these "psychic mediums," explain their attraction for many people, and warn against use of the so-called Ouija board.

The "Psychic Mediums"
John Edward McGee, Jr. (b. 1969) is known by his stage name of "John Edward." Born in New York, and raised in the Vatican II sect, he stopped being a practicing member, and claims that "belief in God" is the driving "force" behind him.  "It's the energy from that force [sic] that I think allows us to create this energy [a reference to being a "psychic medium"]." Edward has been criticized by many (including Leon Jaroff in Time magazine) for using mentalist tricks to dupe people. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks here in NYC, Edward taped a show with people who had lost loved ones in that tragedy so he could "contact them on the other side." Outrage over such exploitation resulted in that episode being cancelled. He wrote a book about his alleged abilities in 1998 entitled One Last Time.

Theresa Caputo (nee Brigandi) (b. 1966) is popularly known as the "Long Island Medium." A member of the Vatican II sect, she claims to talk to the dead. Ron Tebo, a private investigator, has declared her a fraud. "For her more on-point readings, Tebo believes Caputo may arrive fully prepared: He suspects her assistants run a background check or even eavesdrop on certain audience members outside the theater to guarantee a catch." (See RadarOnline, 6/4/14). She has published two books, the latest entitled, You Can't Make This Stuff Up : Life Changing Lessons From Heaven (2014).

Tyler Henry Koelewyn (b. 1995) is known by his stage name of "Tyler Henry." Referred to as the "Hollywood Medium," he "discovered" his alleged "gift" while in high school. He was studying in college to be a hospice nurse when a TV producer thought he would be a great new telegenic star. He has been subjected to the same claims of fraud as both Edward and Caputo. He is an open and practicing sodomite. 

The Problems with Mediums

  • As I've written before, mediums are condemned by both the Bible and Church teaching. "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you." (See Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Emphasis mine.) According to theologian Jone, "Spiritism claims to be able to communicate with the spirit world and endeavors to establish such commerce with it. Although spiritism is for the most part fraud, still the intention alone to enter into communication with spirits is gravely sinful. Therefore, it is mortally sinful to conduct a spiritistic seance or to act as a medium." (See Moral Theology, pg. 100; Emphasis mine). 
  • The contradiction of Church teaching in other areas is ever-present. All of the mediums will tell the grieving person who has lost someone that the deceased are "fine and happy." Of course, this is what we would all like to hear, but how is it possible that all people died as a member of the True Church in the state of sanctifying grace? Hell and damnation are never even considered as possibilities.On the rare occasion when it is mentioned in popular culture, false ideas are still thrown in. For example, in the 1990 blockbuster movie Ghost, starring Demi Moore and the late Patrick Swayze, the souls of the villains are seen being taken by demons to Hell at the moment of death. "They didn't repent," laments Swayze's character, Sam Wheat. The problem is, neither did Sam Wheat repent of living in mortal sin with his girlfriend Molly Jensen (played by Moore). Furthermore, Jensen is aided by a (you guessed it) medium named Oda Mae Brown (played by Whoopi Goldberg). The film clearly teaches that fornication and the use of mediums are morally permissible. Let us also not forget that Tyler Henry is a sodomite; one of the Four Sins That Scream To Heaven For Vengeance. 
  • "And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11: 14-15). While denying and distorting Church teaching, these mediums seek to appear "holy." John Edward has Vatican II sect "priests" and nuns as "clients," and says in his book that he prays the Rosary (!) before doing "spirit contact."
  • These mediums are doing the work of Satan. When it's human chicanery, they are ghouls whom make a profit by being a false prophet. It's a lie and takes advantage of those in mourning who are willing to believe anything to stop their pain. When such information may be true, it comes from the demonic. In both cases souls are deceived and led into mortal sin. This is the work of the Father of Lies.
Ouija Board: It's Not A Harmless Game

 I would like to warn my readers about the Ouija board, as many people are drawn into the occult by it. Those who can't afford to see "mediums" can get this game rather inexpensively to try and contact the dead. As a matter of fact, there is a version of the Ouija board played by children called "Charlie, Charlie." They call upon a demon named Charlie for answers to questions. (For more on "Charlie, Charlie," see my post of 8/24/15, "Entertaining Demons Unaware."). 

 Manufactured by Parker Brothers and sold with other children's games, such as Monopoly and Clue, the Ouija board is anything but harmless fun for kids. It has its wicked origins in the 19th century, when "table rapping" was the way occultists attempted to contact the dead during a seance. Those who participate would ask questions and wait for the table to "rap" out a prearranged number of times to spell out words using the alphabet (e.g. one rap for the letter "a," two raps for "b," etc.). In 1853, an occultist named M. Planchette, invented the triangular object (now named the planchette) which has three legs. One of its three legs had a pencil to spell out answers on the board posed by a person who was touching the planchette. The modern board has the letters of the alphabet to make the process of contacting the dead easier; the planchette simply points to each letter. The board also has the words yes and no as well as goodbye. 

 This modern Ouija board got its start in the United States with inventor Elijah Bond who filed for a patent in 1890. William Fuld bought the rights to it in 1892. According to Fuld, the board itself told him to patent it under the name "Ouija" which comes from the French "oui" and German "ja" both of which mean "yes." It is an invitation to let spirits (demons) in. The board told Fuld to manufacturer it, and he became wealthy as the game caught on. Ironically, Fuld died in 1927, falling off the roof of a building  the board instructed him to build. 

Parker Brothers bought the rights in 1966, and by 1976 it was the #1 selling board game in the United States. I remember the Christmas commercial for it which asked, "It's only a game--or is it?" There are WAY too many stories associated with the Ouija board and "Charlie, Charlie" to be dismissed. I personally knew a woman several years ago, who told me that in college, she and her sister used a Ouija board. She said it was fun and it "really worked." Things she had never told anyone were spelled out on the board in response to her questions. Then, one night, while asking another question to see how much the board knew about her past, the planchette spelled out, "I saw you naked in the shower." (She had just come out of the shower). After two more "answers" involving her naked body, she screamed and ran out of her dorm room. She warned her sister never to use it, and they gave it away to someone they knew, requesting they never mention it or bring it back. 

Inviting this kind of demonic activity into your life is dangerous beyond description.

  What's the Attraction?
 Why do people go to mediums and Ouija boards? There are several reasons:
  • The desire to feel special with esoteric knowledge
  • The need to feel closure and cope with grieving the loss of a loved one
  • Hell and right/wrong are effectively denied, so they don't need to follow the Commandments 
  • The Vatican II sect does not speak against such things, leading people to think it is ok 
The results of the above are most serious. There have been people who commit suicide to "see the wonders of the other side," and people defrauded of large amounts of money when doing as allegedly directed from someone they knew "on the other side" when told so by the medium. 

Conclusion

Don't fall for the necromancy trap. Be strong in the Faith. Warn others of the dangers and don't watch any such shows with "mediums."  Remember Isaiah 8:19, "When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" 

23 comments:

  1. Wow that article gave me chills.I have known ppl with similar frightening story's.
    Thank you for posting this as no one is warning these lost clueless soul's nowadays.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words. Trying to warn of dangers to our souls is one of the purposes of my blog!

      God bless,
      ---Introibo

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  2. While there may be no practical way to guarantee a fair trial, and so it is just theoretical nowadays, witches, warlocks and all who practice black magic merit the death penalty by the state. Not by individuals, let me make that clear. By the state, for the protection of the common good. Not only for the spiritual damage they cause, but also the temporal damage they inflict.
    I heard of a family who was put under a witches curse, and one of the children is a confirmed demoniac and is being helped by a traditional Priest.
    Since the state can't practically punish it, then "vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the LORD" is a consolation.

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    1. I agree with your assessment of the situation. Since we live in this time of near universal Apostasy, we must be more vigilant than ever before to stay close to God and shun these evil practices entirely. Do not even watch on TV, and warn those who do---whether they listen or not, you were a good friend to them and doing God's work!

      ---Introibo

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  3. You can change "do not even watch ON TV" to "do not even watch TV".

    The omission of one word makes all the difference. For example, see what the removal of the Latin word UT did to the 1968 ordination formula.

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    1. Lol! You're right Mike! I only keep one for watching DVDs; mostly educational ones I've personally chosen. The TV (better known as "Satan's tabernacle" should not be watched in these times. One of my readers, Mr. Frank Rega, is rightly proud for having gotten rid of his TV about 8 yrs ago!

      ---Introibo

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    2. I watched the first 10 minutes of a horror movie from the 70's today.
      I turned it off because it was wrong evil & morbid.
      You all are right do not even watch horror related movies.

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  4. What a fine restatement of Catholic teaching! You mention the dangerous temptation "to feel special with esoteric knowledge." Poor Catholic vision-chasers often suffer from this, I fear -- been there, done that. Yogi Berra, recently deceased baseball great said, "Predictions are hard to make, especially about the future." That about sums it up.

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  5. I remember the TV shows from the '60's such as "Bewitched" and " I Dream of Jeanne". They were not the benign shows they were typified as, but the beginnings for the rot of Satan that we see portrayed on the TV today. (I hated the '60's and everything it brought with it, namely the Vatican II false religion)!!

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    1. You're spot on, Joann! Those shows that promoted witchcraft and such always came under the guise of comedy to bring down people's defenses. Now look at what people have come to accept!!

      ---Introibo

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  6. Thank you for another great article Introibo. I was curious if you have ever done an article on the CMRI? Or if you know of any good sources to read up on them? I have been going to the SSPX for Mass because its so much more available in my area. Thank you Sir.

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    1. Dear Cliff,
      I have never written an article on the CMRI, but I have known a couple of their priests who are holy men. My friend who attends one of their chapels on the west coast, likes them very much.

      I think they are a good Traditionalist group, and would not hesitate recommend them. Read their own website CMRI.org. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to leave a comment here and I will do the research and answer as quickly as I can.

      God bless,
      ---Introibo

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    2. A dead man's tale!:The late Rama Coomaraswamy told me that the CMRI were the best Traditional Catholic congregation around.

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    3. The CMRI was the one of the first websites I discovered and I have bought most of my Religious items from their store. I don't doubt for one second that they are very good Catholics. I guess I just get confused by all the infighting that goes on in the different Traditionalist groups. I saw that 15 sisters were expelled back in 2007 because they disagreed with sedevacantism and also the controversy surrounding Bishop Schuckardt and his followers saying that Bishop Pivarunas was excommunicated. A Trad affiliated with the CMRI once said to me that Bishop Sanborn went crazy. Bishop Sanborn speaks the most sense to me. I guess I'm crazy! HAHA.

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    4. The infighting is truly regrettable, but unavoidable in the absence of a true pope. The CMRI BEGAN with bad leadership, but did a most praiseworthy job of turning themselves into one of the very best Traditionalist groups in the world! Bp. Sanborn is an intelligent and holy bishop, as is the General Superior of the CMRI, Bp. Pivarunas.

      If those men are crazy we're in good company, Cliff!!

      ---Introibo

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  7. Dead men indeed tell no tales. A day or two ago a friend told me that Almighty God, having set out a program for the destruction of Nineveh, changed His plan following it's penance and fasting. Only God knows the future.

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  8. My one problem with the CMRI is the new post 1951 "holy week"
    I'm not condemning them and understand its not my place to guide them.
    However if this "new holy week" was not wrong to begin with,our chapel & the SSPV would celebrate it every year.
    It was the first changes that led to the novus ordo.Our original Holy Week dates back to apostolic times.
    The changes in the 50's groomed Roman Catholics to accept change & destroyed our oldest most venerable traditions.
    Personally I hope EVERY traditional order can unite in some form and obey the pre-1950 traditions.(including after midnight Holy communion fast)

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    1. I'm in basic agreement with you. However, even priests who use the pre-1951 Holy Week Ordo, like Fr Cekada, will readily admit they are not evil per se---i.e., in and of themselves---rather, they ceased to bind because of the noxious effects they produced which could not have been foreseen by the legislator (Pope Pius XII). I have no problem with either Rite of Holy Week, but I prefer the Older. I'm in agreement with your sentiments. Please keep in mind that if they were evil per se, Pope Pius XII could not have been a true pope, because popes cannot legislate universal disciplinary acts that are in any way bad.

      ---Introibo

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  9. I don't understand how if something is not wrong then why don't we all use the post 1956 new holy week?
    Council of Trent Session 7 Canon 13 If anyone calls into question or changes liturgy,Sacraments,and approved rites of the Roman Catholic Church,let him be anathema.
    Is it possible Pius XII lost his office in 1951 or 1945 for changing the Psalter?
    I understand previous changed things but it was more of they moved parts of liturgy at different points of Holy Mass.
    I'm not being rude or sarcastic rather I am just asking questions.
    If we ever have a Catholic Pope again,he will have to answer and solve these dilemmas.

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  10. Also Pius XII gave his explicit permission to start a group for changes in the liturgy circa 1948.(headed by Bishop Bugnini)
    He (Pius XII) knew full well the Vatican had big big big plans for the future.
    We need to start holding Pius XII accountable just like we do with John 23 & Paul 6.

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    1. You remind me of a reader I have (and whom I respect) that constantly butts heads with me on these changes! You are correct that we need a true pope to make final decisions.

      The reason for the variation in which Holy Week right to use is over whether or not the clerics think that the legislation ceased to bind. Some say it did and use the Old Ordo, others answer in the negative and use the post-1955 Holy Week.

      Pope Pius XII certainly exercised very poor judgement at times. However, infallibility does NOT extend to matters such as appointments of bishops and the like. Was he a great pope? Nope. But he was still the last True Vicar of Christ.

      I join you in the hope that we get a pope again and straighten everything out!!

      ---Introibo

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  11. I seem to recall hearing that the Pius 12 changes to the Holy Week liturgy were not published as permanent changes, but rather as experimental rites. I think the idea was that he wanted to see how they worked out. But he died shortly after these events, so he wasn't able to give us any further instructions. So after 60 years the logical thing would seem to be to drop the temporary and provisional changes and revert back to the permanent liturgy.

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