Berry College Student Performs Alleged Exorcism on Campus

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I must say something too. For people to ridicule nathan because of something that he believes in is ridiculous. No one was hurt or forced into anything. Why would you want to put some one else down. If nathan mallory has done something in the comfort of his own bible study group, where they all know him and want to be there then we shouldnt judge him. If you do not agree with this then do not attend the bible studies.
I do not agree with his termination, i think it was a bit much for this situation. He was making this group feel comfortable, if not they would not attend or keep attending.
Who can say that the people who attend or interact with people at Berry are ignorant. Who are we too say he was wrong or crazy. He does not need to be checked in anywhere. I myself have never expierienced anything of this nature, but that does not mean that no one else has or can.
I am proud of Nathan for doing what he thought was right for this girl. He didnt think about what people might think of him or say or do to his job. He did what he thought was helpful to this girl.

megan young of GA 12:59AM October 31, 2009

As an alumni of Berry College and the wife of a fellow Berry student, who happened to also be a WinShaper, I would say that those who feel the need to comment on Berry's academic or religious standing obviously have no understanding of what this college is or stands for. First and foremost it is considered, and has long been considered, one of "America's Best Colleges" by the US News and World Report. It is an excellent place to learn and grow, both spiritually and academically. Oh, and yes, it is considered a "christian" school because it was founded on the beliefs of Martha Berry who was devout believer of using one's head, heart, and hands to give back to the world God has given us.
To assume that Berry is being run by Truett Cathy and the WinShape Foundation is ridiculous. Rather, WinShape has provided the college a fiscally responsible way to keep the beautiful and historic mountain campus in use and profitable to the school. The student body of WinShape is only a small portion of the overall student body and as others have pointed out, is as diverse in it's beliefs about Christianity as the rest of the campus is. To believe that this program, which only seeks to offer students the opportunity to attend an expensive and esteemed institution that embraces their faith as well as their college education, is building an army of extremists is ignorant and judgemental. Especially if one considers the amount of former WinShape students who have chose paths very different from that of the "morality code" these students sign.
The truth is for such a "conservative" school, I learned more about liberal ideas at Berry than I have anywhere since. It was at Berry that I first embraced homosexuals as friends, worked on plays and read novels with ideas that were fundamentally opposite of my own, and in general developed the ability to think for myself and demand answers of the faith I had been raised with and now choose to believe, not because I have to , or because I should, but because I truly believe it to be the truth of the world.
Berry is an amazing place that is struggling to find it's way in a very different century that no longer respects the core beliefs it was founded upon. The issue no longer seems to be deciding if an exorcism was appropriate, but deciding if religion on campus is. To remove this from the mission of Berry College is to topple it from it's foundation, and to assume that because the school encourages students to develop their spiritual beliefs it is somehow a "lesser" place to get a degree is to degrade the thousands of us who are respected for the diploma we hold from a school that is more than a mascot, more than a denomination, more than an organization. Berry College is an experience, and if you haven't experienced it, keep your judgements to yourself.

Lindsey of GA 12:16PM October 23, 2009

Nice article as for me. It would be great to read more concerning this matter.

PhillDoc of AL 7:01AM October 22, 2009

for all of you who are so negative please let me tell you oh aman i know HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST and he DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU AND FOR ME ! THIS BOY DONE NOTHING WRONG HE PRAYED FOR HER.PLEASE TAKE NOTE TO THAT WE SEE DEMONS IN PEOPLE EVERYDAY FOR IF YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE SICK WHO DO YOU SEEK FOR CANCER AND ALL OTHER SICKNESS IS AND ARE DEMONS LET ME PLEASE REMIND YOU THERE ARE KNOW ATHESIST IN HELL BECAUSE WHEN THEY LOOK UP THEY SEE MY GOD AND YOUR GOD NATHAN PLEASE FEL FREE TO ADD ME WHEN YOUR PRAYING I ALWAYS STAND IN NEED AND FOR YOU LOSING YOUR JOB DONT WORRY OR FRET IT DOORS WILL BE OPEN AND SINCE YOU MAY GO TO PRAYER MEETINGS ON YOUR ON FREE WILL AND WHERES THE GIRLS COMMENTS ON THIS EVIL IS EVERYWHERE WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHER. SEEK GOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TERRI TIDMORE of GA 12:07AM October 22, 2009

This 'exorcism' story is going to damage the reputation of Berry College and lead many to believe that the College just another fundamentalist Christian diploma mill. Take note Berry graduates: here in DC, when the Obama administration came into power, many federal appointees with bachelor’s degrees from Regent University, Ave Maria College, and Patrick Henry College were dismissed from their high-paying positions. Those who managed to ‘burrow’ into permanent positions have been utterly marginalized in terms of career advancement by being relegated to menial duties.
Let’s face it, with Bush and Cheney gone, no one at NASA is in the mood to pander anymore to an overpaid program administrator with a bachelors degree in ‘General Studies’ from Patrick Henry College, who has a laughable understanding of modern science. Such Patrick Henry grads are now busy photocopying payroll forms, and putting EEO posters up in conference rooms…if they do anything at all.
In exchange for cash, Berry College has entered into a Faustian bargain with Truett Cathy and his Winshape program for the formation and indoctrination of an army of fundamentalist androids. It's like something from a Jack Chick cartoon pamphlet. As long as Winshape dominates Berry College, there will continue to be problems with awkward, embarrassing stories about the College coming to light.
Nathan Mallory needs to spend some time in a modern, well-equipped psychiatric hospital until his fantasies about 'possession' and 'demons' can be managed enough to let him function in 21st century society. But the fundamentalist pastors and ‘evangelists’ who inculcated this naïve young man with nonsense must also share the blame, and look to their own ‘spiritual’ state.

tarbandu of DC 1:06PM October 19, 2009

In defence of Nathan's assumption that the source of another student's problem was of Satanic origen which influenced her mental disturbance,I want to sdd a comment.
Nathan's psychiatrist grandfather, a not so "stupid" graduate of Princeton University and Duke Medical School, has on occassion come to the same conclusion about certain patients.This was rare but before the patient could even begin to benefit from treatment, the Satanic source had to first be removed. Unlike Nathan, he didn't discuss his actions so he was then spared the redicule.
Do we really believe only bad parenting or mental illness or genetics is the reason for all our misery including all the hatred, murder, greed,and poverty?? I am glad my grandson knows how to offer God's help to another human being who has this kind of need and he is willing to live with the consequences.

Betsy Mallory of TN 3:54PM October 17, 2009

So let me get this straight, once again someone does the right thing and is punished for it?
ok so I don't send my kid to this school for punishing a student for doing something right and we wonder why the Church fails it's because disciples of Christ are persecuting their own.

ATHaskins of CA 8:41PM October 14, 2009

As a fellow RA at Berry College, the decision to remove Nathan from the RA position was the right thing to do. The RA's job is to establish community and provide a comfortable environment for every resident, and how can that happen when something this extreme happens? The real issue is not that the exorcism took place, it is the fact that it took place in a residence hall and it took place with out professional help from anyone. Someone should have been called. Safety is always the first priority and whether it was a demon or a psychotic break, there were people at risk and no one there to know how to handle the situation.
Berry is a wonderful place that embraces all types of faith and we should extend that to everyone, even if we believe their behaviors are a bit extreme. While Nathan should have been removed from his position, he should no be ridiculed or judged based on his beliefs. If he truely believes he did the right thing, then good for him for standing up for what he believes in, however there is a time and a place for everything and that place is not a residence hall.

Berry RA of GA 12:49PM October 11, 2009

Apparently no one here has ever visited Berry College. You are too quick to judge the faculty and staff at Berry. Just because a student allegedly preforms and exorcism does not mean that the whole campus is crazy.

James of AR 1:14PM October 09, 2009

It is not surprising to read something like this. A lot of strange and ignorant things go on out at Berry College. It is a small school in a small town, so it does not often get in a spotlight. Berry has become a haven for both dimwits and kooks. Those running Berry try to keep it all quiet, but both the students and staff there leave much to be desired.

Al in Georgia of GA 1:55AM October 09, 2009