ExorcismFrom TinWiki.org
Exorcism is the practice of evicting demons or other evil spiritual entities from a person or place where they are thought to possess. The practice is part of the belief system of many cultures and is quite ancient. The word exorcism comes from the Late Latin exorcismus and from the Greek exorkizein, meaning "to adjure". An exorcist (the person who performs the exorcism), is often a member of the clergy or an individual thought to be blessed with special powers or skills. The exorcist may use prayers and religious material, such as symbols, icons, and gestures, to perform the ritual. The exorcist often invokes God, Jesus, and several different angels and archangels to intervene with the exorcism. Possessed persons are not generally regarded as evil in and of themselves, nor are they wholly held responsible for their actions. Practitioners regard exorcism as more of a cure than a punishment. Mainstream rituals take this into account by making sure that there is no violence towards the possessed, only restraining them if there is a potential of violence.
[edit] HistoryOriginating in prehistoric Shamanistic beliefs, the concept of possession by evil spirits and the practice of exorcism are very ancient and widespread. Jesus performed the miracle of exorcism in the New Testament. Because of this, demonic possession was part of the Christian belief system since its beginning. Exorcism is still a recognized practice of Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant sects. The Church of England also has an official exorcist in each diocese. After the Enlightenment, exorcisms fell out of favor in Western society and diminished in importance to most religious groups. In the 20th century, exorcisms were found mainly in Eastern Europe and Africa, with some cases gaining extensive media coverage. The decrease in exorcisms was due mainly to the study of psychology and the study of the functioning and structure of the human mind. Many cases which were, in the past, described as possession, were often explained to be the product of mental illness and handled as such. After the release of The Exorcist in 1973, the idea of exorcisms was once again thrust into the spotlight. Belief in demonic possession and exorcism found a place in contemporary society, with the validity of the practice becoming less of a radical idea. [edit] Exorcism in Christian ReligionIn Christianity, exorcisms are performed by using the "power of Christ". This is founded in the belief that Jesus commanded His followers to expel evil spirits in His name. In the time of Jesus, Jewish sources report of exorcisms done by administering drugs with poisonous root extracts or by making sacrifices. The do not report Jesus being an exorcist, but to mention that exorcisms were done by the Essene branch of Judaism. [edit] Roman CatholicismIn the Roman Catholic Church, exorcism is a ritual that is not a sacrament. Unlike a sacrament, an exorcism's integrity does not depend on a rigid formula or an ordered sequence of actions. It depends on authorization from valid Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist. Catholic exorcism is one of the most rigid and organized of all existing exorcism rituals. Solemn exorcisms can be exercised only by an ordained priest, with the express permission of the local bishop, and only after a careful medical examination to exclude the possibility of mental illness. Things listed in the Roman Ritual as being indicators of possible demonic possession include:
The act of exorcism is considered to be an incredibly dangerous spiritual task. The ritual assumes that possessed people retain their free will although a demon may hold control over their physical body. The ritual includes prayers, blessings, and invocations with the use of the document Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications. Today, the Church rarely authorizes exorcism, approaching would-be cases with the presumption that mental or physical illness is the cause of the problem. [edit] AnglicanismThe Church of England set up the "Deliverance Ministry" in 1974, equipping every diocese in the country with a team trained in both exorcism and psychiatry. Actual exorcisms are quite rare, and one is not performed unless the bishop and his team (including a psychiatrist and a physician) have approved it. [edit] Protestant DenominationsSome Protestant denominations recognize possession and exorcism; their practice is generally less formalized than it is in the Catholic Church. The Methodist Church has appointed people to be used in exorcism cases. Some denominations perform exorcisms very sparingly and cautiously; some perform it routinely, as part of regular religious services. [edit] ScientologyScientology believes that foreign beings known as "Body Thetans" have clustered themselves around a person and caused them confusion. The goal of Scientology is to remove these beings from a person. Scientologists believe that Body Thetans possess every person except for those who have been exorcised. [edit] Famous Exorcisms
[edit] Scientific ViewDemonic possession is not a valid psychiatric or medical diagnosis recognized by either the DSM-IV or the ICD-10. Those who profess a belief in demonic possession have sometimes ascribed symptoms associated with mental illness to possession:
In cases of DID where the alter personality is questioned about its identity, 29% are reported to identify themselves as demons. There is a form of monomania called demonomania or demonopathy in which the patient believes he or she is possessed by one or more demons. The fact that exorcisms work on some is attributed to the placebo effect and the power of suggestion. [edit] External Links[edit] Relevant discussion threads on AboveTopSecret.com |
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