The Saint Euphrosynos Cafe

My little brother was watching television the other night and he was watching this show called Stan Lee's Superhumans on History Channel. Stan Lee is the guy who owns Marvel comics, behind such characters as Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk. Anyhow, the show documents people around the world who seem to have superhuman powers. For example, on the episode my brother was watching the other night, there was this one man who could walk on burning glass without feeling any pain or damage at all, and another who could move things without touching them. Here are some clips I've gathered from youtube:

This man has an extremely powerful skull that can withstand an incredible amount of blunt force that would probably kill most of us. The video demonstrates him hammering in a nail with his forehead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE40JEoNCrk

This man can cause things to stick to his forehead without touching them, and strangely enough, he claims his powers did not begin until he started meditating and dabbling in Far Eastern religion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpbbwmgQTkM

This Buddhist monk can bend a spear with the soft fleshy part of his neck without bleeding or cutting himself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuqkP5Mic2U

This guy can eat glass and metal and other inedible objects while sustaining no injury at all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdYiYOs8H6U

So, is there a natural explanation to this phenomena? Is it possible perhaps that these people are just freaks of nature who've developed these odd, unorthodox abilities? Or, is it the work of demonic forces and possession? I personally don't like to subscribe to the latter view, because it lends credence to the secular myth that Christianity is opposed to knowledge and science, however, I don't see how much of this phenomena can be scientifically possible.

I'm not sure how much this matters for the faith. They might have a natural explanation, or they might be the effects of magic, i.e. demonic. Are you worried that such things "prove" the truth of these other religions? Don't worry about that. I don't think much of a religion whose claim to truth involves the ability to eat glass without cutting yourself. Somehow I don't think that kind of trick solves the problem of death or the eternal fate of your soul.

I think JamesR is smart to investigate and ask questions which in fact ANYONE may think of
When he asks here, it gives people a chance to think of appropriate answers if asked such basic, understandable
questions by friends out in the world, or new members of their parishes.

It's natural to ponder these in my opinion.

James,

There are two kingdoms. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan. If the power is not from God, then what's left? There's no sitting on the fence on this one.

Joanna