tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post6534059826757478902..comments2023-12-01T01:00:34.093-05:00Comments on The Paranormal Pastor: The Attack of the Monkey GodPastor Swopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-24355434138912386292008-08-02T00:26:00.000-04:002008-08-02T00:26:00.000-04:00Difficult to know is this about a shape-shifting ...Difficult to know is this about a shape-shifting spirit representing himself as a man or a man shape-shifting and representing himself as a monkey. Such "Dieties" are not really "gods" but supernatural beings. Most cultures recognize a undefinable mysteriouse "God" who is beyond understanding, and a large amount of creaturess both supernatural and natural that co-exist with humanity. Many mistake this as animism. Not all who honor animals are animism. Know this from much experience. Most westerners do not get the distinction. glad Missionaries were able to help as it is not always so. Must have gift of God to deal with this stuff. Not all have the gift and the understanding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-1994039410782075092008-07-15T10:49:00.000-04:002008-07-15T10:49:00.000-04:00Dear Bryony and Anne,Thank you! I am glad you are ...Dear Bryony and Anne,<BR/><BR/>Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying the blog and I am grateful for the encouragement!Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-48203389756576844332008-07-15T07:45:00.000-04:002008-07-15T07:45:00.000-04:00Pastor Swope,I just love your blog. The stories ha...Pastor Swope,<BR/><BR/>I just love your blog. The stories have me riveted! Please keep writing... and frequently!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07115152066853232974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-1947012440200381932008-07-15T02:32:00.000-04:002008-07-15T02:32:00.000-04:00Ive only recently found your blog, i think through...Ive only recently found your blog, i think through about.com. Anyway, i just wanted to tell you im really enjoying reading them. <BR/>God bless,<BR/>BryonyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-20019169093907903082008-07-12T23:17:00.000-04:002008-07-12T23:17:00.000-04:00Thanks again Cryptidsrus,Spot on and thought provo...Thanks again Cryptidsrus,<BR/><BR/>Spot on and thought provoking as always sir.<BR/><BR/>I hope Thor exists, I love the concept of Mjolnir. <BR/><BR/>"If I had a Hammer..."<BR/><BR/>or as KISS sings, <BR/><BR/>"God of Lightning!"<BR/><BR/>Hopefully we shall see a Thor of some sorts to rock our socks off in the coming years if Marvel continues to delight us with their production company.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-58844737204523476052008-07-09T23:33:00.000-04:002008-07-09T23:33:00.000-04:00Mr. Butterscoth,Thank you for your comment. While ...Mr. Butterscoth,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your comment. <BR/><BR/>While I understand your point, the comparison is like apples and oranges in a Theological sense.<BR/><BR/>In the Judeo-Christian tradition God's actions that seem harsh were for the world's greater good. I again invoke Spocks statements to Kirk in the Engine Room. Or with another cinamatic reference, the Nazis had to melt.<BR/><BR/>In the various animistic/pantheistic/panentheistic traditions of the trickster god, he acts for his own good. We got Hercules in the bargain, and it is always good to see Bruce Campbell have an acting job, even if only in a recurring role.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-38834266561049372182008-07-09T17:54:00.000-04:002008-07-09T17:54:00.000-04:00Thanks for the compliment, Swope!!!BTW---I did not...Thanks for the compliment, Swope!!!<BR/><BR/>BTW---I did not know they worshipped Hanumman in Thailand. I thought it was simply India. Interesting fact. <BR/><BR/>Makes you wonder---do we call these beings "Gods" or simply "superior beings?"<BR/><BR/>Also---if "Gods" like these "exist," makes you wonder about other deities---maybe Zeus?<BR/>Apollo? Thor? Who knows?<BR/><BR/>I also wondered about Hanumman setting a trap for the siblings, too. The God as fickle trickster---classic mythological archetype.<BR/><BR/>While I was reading the story I was reminded of the line from "The Exorcism of Emily Rose."---<BR/><BR/>"Demons exist whether we believe in them or not."<BR/><BR/>Could be the other way around, of course. I just thought of that line out of the blue, for some reason. <BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work.cryptidsrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06184539509191478028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-16752999389674066902008-07-09T16:30:00.000-04:002008-07-09T16:30:00.000-04:00Hanuman is not evil, however, much like the many a...Hanuman is not evil, however, much like the many animist traditions around the world these types of gods can ask for a favour in return.<BR/><BR/>Whilst the vengeful god of the old testament might not ask for a favour, he might well burn you to death or drown you if you do something wrong. We're not at all different.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-81492343915125327772008-07-08T23:58:00.000-04:002008-07-08T23:58:00.000-04:00Thank you Shrew67, I always write down these odd s...Thank you Shrew67, <BR/><BR/>I always write down these odd supernatural Missionary stories whenever I am told them either personally or in church services with special Missionary speakers. Glad you liked it!Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-26847085588052945392008-07-08T23:47:00.000-04:002008-07-08T23:47:00.000-04:00Thank you Cryptidsrus,For both your comment and yo...Thank you Cryptidsrus,<BR/><BR/>For both your comment and your insight!<BR/><BR/>I truly believe that spirituality and science can co-exist harmoniously if hard minded folks on both sides just dropped the battle lines and took a open minded look at what exactly the other view is really trying to say. <BR/><BR/><BR/>This story when originally told to me really put a fright into me. I do not know what to make of it, it seems that there can be rational explanations for the girls afflicition and even Mrs. Johnsons sighting of the clothed monkey. But then again that is how spirits work, you can often discount things even without solid evidence because of our rational minds, but that feeling remains in the back of your mind that you know you have touched the supernatural.<BR/><BR/>A lot like faith in a way.<BR/><BR/>After I told an Asian exchange student this story he came up with an interesting insight, perhaps the old man who gave Sanun the directions to the Mangosteen orchard was actually Hanuman in human form setting up a trap so he could get the girl. I did not mention it because it was not in the original story as it was told to me.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-81536865272047848782008-07-08T23:07:00.000-04:002008-07-08T23:07:00.000-04:00I discovered your blog via a link from the Anomali...I discovered your blog via a link from the Anomalist, and I keep coming back...your stories are intelligent and very interesting, not the usual run-of-the-mill paranormal. Please keep it up, and thanks!naughtyzuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08639253839697217763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-43892233182330453072008-07-08T22:21:00.000-04:002008-07-08T22:21:00.000-04:00That has got to be one of most wondrous stories an...That has got to be one of most wondrous stories and surreal stories I have ever heard. Good job, Pastor Swope. Whether true or not, it was great. <BR/><BR/>I knew Hanuman from the volume "Magical Beasts" from that oldie-but-goodie series THE ENCHANTED WORLD. In the volume the story of Hanuman and the battle with Ravana was retold with words and pictures. <BR/><BR/>What is weird (and normal) for Hindu divinities is the way most of them seem to be morally ambiguous---aspects of the ambiguity of life itself. Shiva is the same way. Destroyer and creator. Kali as well. Eastern divinities tend to be more morally complex than "Western divinities." The tale itself has a moral ambuiguity itself---sort of version "Rumpelstilskin" for India. Wouldn't you agree?<BR/><BR/>In a way one cannot help but feel for Hanumman, even though the price he asked was too great. These beings do not have the same morality we have, that's for sure. <BR/><BR/>Aliens tend to be like that, too, if many stories about them are to be believed. <BR/><BR/>To be honest, I believe this. To heck with it. Sometimes one has to go beyond the "empirical" and "rational" imperative that has dominated western thought and go for the intuitive side of experience. Emotionally it rings true. Sue me. You may laugh if you want. <BR/><BR/>We're dealing with things that cannot be measured or quantified. Fairies are the same way. Sasquatch and Aliens and Nessie too. <BR/>I put this also on Nick Redfern's cryptozoological blog too. Maybe it's time we found a new way to "prove" these things. Maybe we need to reunite spirituality and science. The split that began in the seventeenth century needs to be healed. And it is in some ways. <BR/>Maybe faith and trust in sensory experience ain't so bad after all. <BR/><BR/>Again, good tale, Swope.cryptidsrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06184539509191478028noreply@blogger.com