10e@hpcvia.cv.hp.com (Steve_Tenney) (03/12/91)
In the March 10, 1991 Living section of the Portland Sunday Oregonian there was an article about a slumlord landlady who rented out rooms in one of her hotels to the destitute and outpatients from the local state hospital. In this article titled "Heartbreak Hotel", this landlady complained about how "the schizophrenics" from the state hospital were causing major damage by plugging up sinks and toilets in her hotel rooms. She also said that she believed schizophrenics to be "demon possesed". To paraphrase her: They hear voices and these voices tell them to do things and none of them are good. So they must be demon possessed. The hospital gives them medication to keep the racket of those voices down. This article brings up an interesting facet of our cultural and religious heritage. To get a better understanding of this heritage and how it affects our individual and collective belief and value systems today, I am conducting the following survey. Please e-mail your answers and I will post the results as soon as possible. 1. Sex: Male___ Female___ 2. Age: 3. Religious affiliation, current: 4. Religious affiliation, childhood (if any): 5. Occupation: 6. Education: 7. Where were you raised?: 8. Do you believe that the Bible is the "word of God"?: Yes__ No__ 9. Do you believe that there is a supernatural being called Satan? Yes__ No__ 10. Do you believe there is such a thing as demon possession? Yes__ No__ 11. Would you agree with the landlady in the article, that people suffering from mental disorders such as schizophrenia are demon possessed? Yes__ No__ 12. Do you believe it is possible to "sell your soul to the devil"? Yes__ No__ 13. Do you believe it is possible to "lose your soul"? Yes__ No__. 14. Do you believe that there is such a thing as Hell? Yes__ No__. If yes, describe briefly what you think it would be like: 15. If you would like, include your interpretation of this subject matter. Be as concise as possible please. Thank you for your cooperation. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Steve Tenney | "Were you born with that personality Hewlett-Packard Corvallis, ORE| or was it government issue?" 10e@hpcvia.CV.HP.COM | Lonnie to Jennell in "Personna" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++