Hi Ted,

I note that you have deleted your response to my article on demonic possession in response to this one of yours. I hope that this can only be through embarrassment at having written it, and that you wouldn't want others to see what you had written.

Your reference to 'hell' was presumably metaphorical, since I assume you don't believe in it.

With regard to children being taught this stuff, I'm not aware of this, but can only assume that you are referring to Fundamentalist Christians [preachers or parents] warning children of the dangers of 'sin'. I agree that could cause deep psychological harm, and would indeed be appalling, if that's what you're referring to. There is absolutely no need to teach children about demonic possession.

For adults to ignore the problem is equally appalling. I thought that we were going to engage in a serious debate, and was therefore surprised and disappointed by your response. In order to maintain your position, you have had to accuse three therapists of the highest moral integrity, who have dedicated their lives to helping others, on the basis of NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER, of lying to the public in print. [How would they have got this stuff past their editors?] Why would anyone want to make this up? Unfortunately, yours is a typical response of so-called 'scientists' when confronted with evidence of something they don't want to contemplate, because it contradicts and threatens their worldview. They say that the witnesses were lying.

Why are you so desperate to deny the supernatural and associated problems? Your response reminded me of a child who hides behind the sofa when a monster appears in a sci-fi movie.

But you have deleted it.