Need yer demons exorcised? Use Skype.

[progressoid]

Meet the Pastor Who Performs Exorcisms Over Skype

Though many argue digital demon fighting doesn't actually work.

Evangelical Pastor Bob Larson performs physical exorcisms on people who believe they’re possessed by the devil. But because this is the 21st century, he also performs them over Skype.

Larson has built a business by exorcising demons via video chat, using hand gestures–like crossing people’s foreheads by waving his pointer finger in front of the camera or thrusting a cross at the laptop–and virtual eye contact. To date he claims to have performed over 20,000 exorcisms in total, most in person but many online. The Skype exorcism shown in the above video comes off rather hokey and stilted, but Larson claims it’s not for show.

“It’s real,” Larson told a reporter for Anderson Cooper 360. “There would be no need to theatrically stage this for any reason why would anybody do that I have no idea.”

more with video: http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/01/29/meet-the-pastor-who-performs-exorcisms-over-skype/

I'm guessing you'll want high speed connection for this. I can't imagine this would work with dial-up.

[rationalcalgarian]

1. "There would be no need to theatrically stage this for any reason

"Why would anybody do that I have no idea.”

Other than some financial compensation and the perpetuation of bullshit guaranteeing further financial ripoff of the poor and delusional. Except for that, no... why would anyone do that?

Why aren't these ripoffs being arrested and prosecuted for fraud?

[onager]

2. Bob Larson? That old fraud is still around?

Just Google that idiot for hours of LOL'ing.

Back in the 1980's, Larson became a self-proclaimed expert on "occult and demonic influences in rock music." His scribblings on that subject (including several books) are flat-out hilarious.

The thing is - Bob Larson is a guitar player who LIKES a lot of rock and roll. So he's just doing exactly the same old bait-and-switch that religious believers do with porn.

If you're busy investigating porn (or rock music) for the good of everyone else, of course...well. you have to surround yourself with piles of the suspicious material. Just so you can do a REALLY THOROUGH investigation.

And you absolutely must have a huge collection of the stuff. Not for your own base enjoyment, perish the thought. But to keep it out of the hands of innocent children and...uh...verify your research findings.

This Skype thing is just ol' Bob trying to prove he can still hang with the Kool Kidz. "I'm doing a medieval ritual on the Internets! Ain't I hip?"

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Well, it certainly would be safer for the exorcist.

If I remember the movie, it was not a good idea to be in the same room with the demons.