re: #5 Charles

An important point about the exorcism Jindal participated in: this was not an official rite sanctioned by any church — it was an amateur exorcism by a campus religious group. More details:

[Video]

Charles,

Nowhere in the Bible does it specify that “official clergy must cast out demons and no one else.”

In fact, it’s the opposite:

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19).

“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.” (Mark 3:14,15).

Just giving you a “theological” perspective as I understand it… not making any assertions or trying to argue. Technically, if one is a Christian, there are several passages in the New Testament that indicate that Jesus’ followers have this authority and ability if they are “with him.”

I’m not defending Jindal’s creationism legislation, however.