Wait. That's NOT Satanic?
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Jason Murphy is a novelist, screenwriter, and content creator. He’d rather not talk about his time at Smith’s Grove Sanitarium.
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Below is this week’s most popular short Strangerous story. Check it out for more information on the Petrine cross and various other heresies.
The Inverted Cross Isn’t Satanic?
The inverted cross is a symbol that has been widely associated with Satanism and the occult for decades. Contrary to popular belief, the inverted cross has a rich and diverse history, and its significance extends far beyond Satanic connotations.
The inverted cross, also known as the Cross of St. Peter or the Petrine Cross, has deep Christian roots. According to Christian tradition, St. Peter, one of Jesus' apostles, was crucified in Rome. However, he requested to be crucified upside down because he believed himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Consequently, the inverted cross became a symbol of humility and unwavering faith in Christianity.
The inverted cross is also associated with the papacy. The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, uses the Petrine Cross as one of his symbols. It signifies his connection to St. Peter and his role as the successor to the apostle.
Unfortunately, due to its unique appearance, the inverted cross has been misinterpreted and misused by some individuals and groups for sensationalism and shock value. This has contributed to the false association with Satanism.
Popular culture and media, including movies and TV shows, have perpetuated the misconception that the inverted cross is a Satanic symbol. Sensationalized portrayals of Satanism in entertainment have reinforced this misunderstanding.
In some instances, the inverted cross has been adopted by individuals and groups as a symbol of rebellion or as a countercultural statement. While this use may challenge societal norms, it does not inherently represent Satanism.
https://mythologian.net/upside-down-cross-inverted-cross-saint-peters-cross-meaning-origins/
This is a specious argument. Sure, the Petrine cross wasn’t originally intended to represent Satan, but as with all things - art, symbols, language - the inverted cross has taken on multiple meanings. The inverted pentagram wasn’t initially Satanic. It certainly is now. And the swastika is from sanskrit, meaning “conducive to well-being”. But it’s fair to say that the majority of people on planet earth don’t see the swastika and feel any sense of well-being. In the case of the Petrine cross, it does seem like Satan performed a little cultural appropriation.
Are Aliens Actually Demons?
While some Pentagon officials have publicly stated that they do not believe Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) are of extraterrestrial origin, there have been reports that some officials privately believe that UAPs may be demons.
According to a 2020 report in the New York Times, several Pentagon officials have expressed concern that UAPs may be a threat to national security, and that they may be capable of disabling nuclear weapons and other military systems. The report also stated that some officials believe that UAPs may be of demonic origin.
However, it is important to note that these reports are based on anonymous sources, and there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that UAPs are demons. Additionally, many scientists and experts believe that UAPs are more likely to be of natural or human origin, rather than supernatural.
There are a number of possible explanations for why some Pentagon officials may believe that UAPs are demons. One possibility is that they are simply trying to make sense of something that they do not understand. UAPs have been known to exhibit unusual flight characteristics, and they have often been seen in remote areas where there is little human activity. This can make it difficult to explain them using conventional science.
Another possibility is that some Pentagon officials are influenced by their religious beliefs. According to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, 62% of Americans believe in angels or demons, and 33% believe that demons are active in the world today. It is possible that some Pentagon officials who share these beliefs may be more likely to interpret UAPs as demonic in nature.
It is also important to note that the military has a long history of interest in the paranormal. During the Cold War, the US government conducted a number of classified programs to investigate psychic phenomena and other supernatural phenomena. It is possible that some Pentagon officials who are aware of these programs may be more likely to believe that UAPs are of paranormal origin.
Ultimately, there is no way to know for sure whether or not some Pentagon officials believe that UAPs are demons. However, it is clear that this is a topic that is being discussed by some high-ranking officials within the military.
This is just maddening. I don’t mind if you believe in demons. Fine. We talk about demons a lot around here. What infuriates me is when these beliefs get in the way of actual, scientific progress.
There are things in our airspace that we can’t identify. That’s a fact. Are they aliens? Are they completely terrestrial technology experiments? Trans-dimensional visitors? Maybe we’ll never know because some superstitious G-Man thinks they’re unholy.
And do we really need to be giving the Ancient Aliens people more ammunition?
What Did they Find in the Room of Forgotten Souls?
The Oregon State Hospital, located in Salem, Oregon, has a storied past dating back to its establishment in 1883. Over the years, it gained notoriety for its overcrowding, subpar conditions, and questionable treatment of patients. This grim reputation was further cemented by the Room of Forgotten Souls.
The Room of Forgotten Souls is a small, windowless chamber located in the basement of the hospital's J Building. Its original purpose was to serve as a storage area for the cremated remains of deceased patients whose families either could not be located or could not afford a proper burial. These individuals were often relegated to anonymity, their identities lost in the vast sea of forgotten souls.
For decades, it remained largely hidden from the public eye, an obscure corner of a larger institution plagued by issues of neglect and mistreatment. Patients were often subjected to outdated and inhumane treatments, making the room a symbol of the hospital's neglect.
During the mid-20th century, the hospital underwent a series of reforms, gradually improving conditions and patient care. However, the Room of Forgotten Souls remained untouched, a chilling reminder of the hospital's past.
In recent years, efforts have been made to transform the Room of Forgotten Souls into a place of remembrance and reflection. The hospital has worked to identify the individuals whose remains are stored there - some 3500 of them - , providing them with the dignity and recognition they were denied in life.
Memorial plaques now adorn the walls of the room, bearing the names of those whose remains were found. It serves as a solemn memorial to these forgotten souls, allowing visitors to pay their respects and acknowledge the hospital's dark history.
When I die, I don’t care what happens. I’ll be dead. Put me in a Folger’s can and dump me in the Pacific for all I care. The forgotten remains really aren’t the most heart-breaking thing here. That’s just the coda to another sad story about how we treat the mentally ill.
You don’t really see much about monolithic MENTAL HOSPITALS anymore. The analogs are still out there, but the Dickensian prisons were more-or-less done away with in the early 80s. And boy, did those places breed horror stories. How many movies have you seen - how many campfire tales have you heard - that start or end with a mental asylum? Is there anything today to compare to that setting?
Did the Exorcist Really Happen?
Ronald Doe, a pseudonym to protect his identity, was a young boy living in Cottage City, Maryland. His journey into darkness commenced when his aunt, a spiritualist, introduced him to the world of the supernatural, dabbling in Ouija boards and seances.
Soon after experimenting with the Ouija board, Ronald's life descended into chaos. His behavior became erratic—mood swings, fits of anger, and violent outbursts. The Doe household transformed into a battleground for supernatural forces, with objects moving, levitating, and being thrown across the room. Eerie scratching sounds emanated from the walls, and Ronald's body bore mysterious markings, including words like "Hell" and "Evil."
Desperate and terrified, the family sought medical and psychiatric assistance, but no scientific explanation could account for Ronald's suffering. They turned to the Church as their last hope.
With guidance from their local priest, Father Raymond J. Bishop, and Father Albert Hughes, the Doe family embarked on a harrowing journey to confront the malevolent entity that had seized Ronald. Experts in the field believed that the boy was the victim of demonic possession.
Over several weeks, Father Bishop and Father Hughes conducted a series of exorcisms on Ronald. These rituals were grueling and intense, marked by epic battles between the forces of good and evil. Ronald exhibited terrifying manifestations, such as superhuman strength, levitation, and speaking in unknown languages. The malevolent entity within him resisted the exorcism at every turn.
Ultimately, after a prolonged and intense struggle, the exorcisms seemed to be successful. Ronald Doe returned to a relatively normal life, but skepticism lingers over the case.
Critics argue that many of the phenomena might have had psychological or physical explanations. They point to the possibility of Ronald suffering from psychological disorders that could account for his erratic behavior and physical manifestations. Skeptics also raise concerns about the religious fervor surrounding the case.
Following the ordeal, Ronald's life took an unexpected turn. Ashamed of his past, he went into hiding, taking particular care to be out of town when Halloween rolled around. He didn’t want anyone to know he was the inspiration for the fabled film. Later in life, he even found employment at NASA, working there for 40 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism_of_Roland_Doe
https://screenrant.com/exorcist-movie-true-story-regan-roland-doe-explained/
Did you see the new Exorcist movie? Did anyone? Personally, I’m still annoyed they cancelled the superlative TV show.
But this is where it starts. Not just the story of the Exorcist, but the story of exorcism in cinema. There were possessions in movies before the Exorcist, but Friedkin’s film made the mold. Have you seen a possession film where the victim doesn’t speak in Latin and thrash around on a bed? And how much of that imagery comes from Ronald?
If you can think of an interesting presentation of possession in books, tv, or film, hit me up!
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Even More Strange and Dangerous!
Thanks for reading our online newsletter! Here’s just a bit of our favorite things we’ve found lately.
Two of my favorite things are antiquated technology and horror video games. They pair pretty nicely, really. In recent years, we’ve seen indie game makers mining the nostalgia of the Playstation 1 era. At the forefront of this trend is Puppet Combo, an indie developer that crafts short, crude games that are at once nostalgic, funny, and immensely creepy.
And here’s a deeply researched documentary on Halloween!
If you’ve got any strange or dangerous stories to share, or anything you want to hear about, let me know! See you next week!
The Exorcist was banned in South Africa in the 90s. BUT the guy who ran the video store in our town had a crush on my best friend, so we got many of the best horrors 'under the counter'. The exorcist was one of those. While horribly uncomfortable and ugly, we didn't find it scary as such. There were scarier things I suppose, like Chucky and Freddy and every day things you couldn't ward against.
Even with very little internet - definitely not at the level we research things today - there were still stories about what the Vatican kept hidden in their basements, that they knew demons and vampires were real, and we would spread these and other similarly veined stories while we (secretly) smoked and played Nirvana and AC/DC on our boomboxes. On the other hand, because we weren't catholic, we were immune. Or maybe we just figured demons didn't know where Africa was. Hollywood definitely didn't. It was an era!
When they re-released it a few years ago, it was taken in stride. The 90s gave us the best horrors with the worst effects, which just made them so much grosser and scarier. Pea-soup was good, but it didn't come close to all the other horrors available.
I really like the way they did possession in the TV series Lucifer. I liked the way they handled all of it. Lucifer, angels, demons, ect. It wasn't a perfect show and I get the criticism it got but it was always fun.
P.s. in case you didn't watch it, "spoiler alert" the demons possessed recently dead bodies of priests and then started taking confessions. They picked out the most troubled confessors who were surely damned and killed them, then took over their bodies. But in a fun way cause it's a comedy buddy cop Castle-esq series. Worth checking out.