Bobby Jindal - Governor, VP Hopeful... Exorcist?
Louisiana’s Governor Bobby Jindal's name has been batted around as a potential veep for McCain, and he may indeed be able to exorcise some demonic elements out of Washington, D.C.
In 1994 he wrote an article for the New Oxford Review about his participation in college of an exorcism on a female friend he identifies only as Susan.
Susan had been diagnosed with skin cancer and complained of smelling sulfur in her room, which Jindal interpreted as a sign of demonic possession. Jindal invited Susan to a prayer meeting, where Susan had a seizure. The exorcism reportedly lasted a few hours and though Susan tried to leave, she was restrained by the group present. Jindal claims Susan was tested not long after and was completely free of cancerous cells.
Here is an excerpt form Jindal's article:
Strangely, I found myself repeating the Hail Mary until it became a chant. Being a recent convert to Catholicism, I had yet to accept the Catholic doctrines concerning Mary and considered any form of Marian devotion to be idolatry. Though I had never before prayed a Hail Mary in my life, I suddenly found myself incapable of any other form of prayer. Somehow, Mary's intercessions allowed me to find peace during that long night; I knew that I had survived the worst and that I would exit with my faith intact. It terrified me to recall how close I came to turning away from Christ out of fear.
The crucifix had a calming effect on Susan, and her sister was soon brave enough to bring a Bible to her face. At first, Susan responded to biblical passages with curses and profanities. Mixed in with her vile attacks were short and desperate pleas for help. In the same breath that she attacked Christ, the Bible's authenticity, and everyone assembled in prayer, Susan would suddenly urge us to rescue her. It appeared as if we were observing a tremendous battle between the Susan we knew and loved and some strange evil force. But the momentum had shifted and we now sensed that victory was at hand.
While Alice and Louise held Susan, her sister continued holding the Bible to her face. Almost taunting the evil spirit that had almost beaten us minutes before, the students dared Susan to read biblical passages. She choked on certain passages and could not finish the sentence "Jesus is Lord." Over and over, she repeated "Jesus is L..L..LL," often ending in profanities. In between her futile attempts, Susan pleaded with us to continue trying and often smiled between the grimaces that accompanied her readings of Scripture. Just as suddenly as she went into the trance, Susan suddenly reappeared and claimed "Jesus is Lord."
With an almost comical smile, Susan then looked up as if awakening from a deep sleep and asked, "Has something happened?" She did not remember any of the past few hours and was startled to find her friends breaking out in cheers and laughter, overwhelmed by sudden joy and relief.
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Obviously the 'exorcist rap' did not hamper Jindal's bid for Governor of Louisiana. How would it play with voters in a general election should McCain pick him as his VP? Aside from providing lots of material for Leno, Letterman and all on the late show circuit, I don't think there would be any real damage. Not only Catholics, but many mainstream Protestants and Evangelicals believe there is real demonic activity in the world. If democrats tried to make it an issue, they would risk offending some in their own party (especially Hispanics) who take such spiritual matters seriously.
I have not heard any Republican pundits comment that this revelation should disqualify Jindal from consideration. However, if it was Huckabee who was accused of casting out demons, it would be a different story.
