'The Exorcist'

The most disappointing aspect of this film isn't that it isn't that scary (I get that in 1973, it was probably terrifying ... but we've evolved), but the vulgar language of "the devil."

As we know, 12-year-old Regan MacNeil -- a super sweet daughter of an actress living in Washington, D.C. -- is possessed by "the devil" or, we assume, Satan. As he is "the devil." I don't think Satan has been referred to as "a devil." Assuming that lesser demons are considered devils.

When you think of devil and Satan, you think of them as the same being.

As the possession progresses, her physical body deteriorates and the explosions of anger and anguish by the possessing devil escalate as does the devil's language.

From the regular cuss words -- like fuck -- to penetrating the girl's vagina with a crucifix indicating that someone (the mom, the girl?) some let Jesus -- the sweet, clean Messiah -- "fuck" her.

Am I offended as a Bible-thumping, conservative American who cut his teeth on the pews and pulpits of the Judeo-Christian platform and culture?

No. It's a silly film aimed at scaring the shit out of parents into disallowing kids from goofing with Ouija boards.

I am offended that they paint the devil -- or Satan -- to be a violent, ill-tempered, vulgar and distasteful being.

I don't think Satan is like that at all. I think he's a classy, sensitive, well-spoken, articulate, scholarly and intelligent intellectual. More self-assured and arrogant than crude and vile.

He's the same being that went up to Jesus in the wilderness and simply tempted him using God's own words and scriptures. He didn't take a stone and bash Christ over the head.