Televangelist Pat Robertson warns his viewers that demons can attach themselves to second-hand goods, and, as a kind of spiritual prophylactic, Robertson suggests viewers should “rebuke” the potential demonic spirits before bringing them into their home.
Robertson made the curious if not comical claim that material objects may be possessed by demonic spirits while responding to a viewer’s question concerning purchases made at Goodwill and other second-hand stores. The viewer asked:
“I buy a lot of clothes and other items at Goodwill and other second-hand shops. Recently my mom told me that I need to pray over the items, bind familiar spirits, and bless the items before I bring them into the house.
Is my mother correct? Can demons attach themselves to material items?”
Robertson responded:
“Can demonic spirits attach themselves to inanimate objects? The answer is yes. But I don’t think every sweater you get from Goodwill has demons in it. [Laughs]
… It isn’t going to hurt you to rebuke any spirits that happen to have attached themselves to those clothes.”
Robertson’s fantastic claims may be comical, however, the fact that so many believe such superstitious nonsense provides a sad commentary on the intellectual health of the nation, and should be disheartening and alarming to all people who value reason, and sanity.
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