Here’s our top pick for embarrassing religious news this week:  Meet the pastor who performs exorcisms over Skype

Our Take:

The problem isn’t with the idea that there are demons or that exorcism is a biblical response to demonic oppression…the problem is with the idea that this can or should be done over Skype.   We’re not saying that the Holy Spirit can’t operate this way, of course…God can do anything He wants to do.  But a biblical understanding of demonic spirits strongly suggests that it is a believer’s physical presence which allows him or her to exercise authority over such spirits.

And we’re just guessing here, but…are these Skype exorcisms done free of charge?

Happy to entertain evidence that Skype exorcisms are effective against genuine demonic oppression, though…