Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board
When I was about five years old, my twin brother and I played the levitation game, "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board" with the neighbor kids. Around that same time, a witch came to visit us during the night. We both heard it, and in fact, one of us was so scared that he jumped in bed with the other. I can't remember if John jumped into my bed, or I into his. We had the covers pulled up over our head and cowered as the witch asked for some Jello. The whole thing sounds ridiculous, and the next day we told our stepdad about it and he brushed it off saying we probably had seen our mother. In the three years after that, all kinds of strange statements would come out of John's mouth. He died at 51, a hopeless alcoholic. Here's the question: Could playing "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a board," have opened a door to the demonic? Could his alcoholism, the worst I've ever seen or even heard about, have been a case of demonic oppression? Neither one of us were baptized, he never did get baptized, and I only got baptized at 26 years old.
Simony
I know the selling of relics is simony and is prohibited by the church. That’s the extent of what I know for certain. Historically, as I understand it, people have tried to get around this by “selling the precious metals that make up the reliquary” which is morally dubious- correct? However, in one episode, you mention purchasing relics from a sort of black market. In this case, is that permissible, because it’s “rescuing” the relics from being desecrated? I’ve never heard simony discussed in depth at all, so I’m very curious to hear your response and get clarification!
Authority as a father, of adopted children the same as natural born children?
Hi Father, can you help me with this question? I think the answer is yes, but I am looking for confirmation on this. I am married. My wife and I adopted 2 girls from China several years ago, and they have been legally re-adopted here in America. Both of our daughters have been baptized and received all of their sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church. We are practicing Catholics. Do i have the same authority, as a father, as I would if I were their father by natural birth? I think the answer is yes, but just want to be certain. Please let me know. Thank you.