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[[Category:Definitions]]
[[Category:Definitions]]
Demonic possession,is often the term used to describe the control over a human form by the Devil himself or one of his assigned advocates.Descriptions of demonic possessions often include: erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying.[1] Unlike in channelling or other benign forms of possession, the subject has no control over the possessing entity and so it will persist until forced to leave the victim, usually through a form of exorcism. Many cultures and religions contain some concept of demonic possession, but the details vary considerably. Some cultures, in particular the Roma people believe that demons can also possess animals, plants, deceased persons or inanimate objects.


The oldest references to demonic possession are from the Sumerians, who believed that all diseases of the body and mind were caused by "sickness demons" called gidim or gid-dim [2]. The priests who practiced exorcisms in these nations were called ashipu (sorcerer) as opposed to an asu (physician) who applied bandages and salves[3]. Many cuneiform tablets contain prayers to certain gods asking for protection from demons, while others ask the gods to expel the demons that have invaded their bodies.


Most illustrations portray these spirits as small, gruesome characters with inhuman distinctiveness. Often referenced as a witch’s “familiars” demons and other evil-spirits employed by witches are also displayed as society’s cast-offs or those beings incapable of caring for themselves thus seeking refuge with a witch. Witches would provide shelter and nourishment via the “witch’s teat” in exchange for the valuable services of the familiars in addition to spells, potions and other attempts by a witch to case evil or “maleficium” over another.[4]
'''Demonic possession''' is often the term used to describe the [[Spirit possession|control over a human form]] by a [[demon]]. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include: erased [[memories]] or [[personalities]], [[convulsions]], “fits” and [[fainting]] as if one were dying.<ref>Ferber, Sarah, Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France(London, Routledge, 2004, 25, 116).</ref> Unlike in [[mediumship|channeling]] or other forms of possession, the subject has no control over the possessing entity and so it will persist until forced to leave the victim, usually through a form of [[exorcism]]. Other descriptions include access to hidden knowledge ([[gnosis]]) and foreign languages ([[glossolalia]]), drastic changes in vocal intonation and facial structure, sudden appearance of injury (scratches, bite marks) or lesions, and superhuman strength.


Nevertheless there are no descriptions of specific punishments against possessed persons as it happened later many times in Christian societies. Shamanic cultures also believe in demon possession and shamans perform exorcisms too; in these cultures often diseases are attributed to the presence of an evil spirit or demon in the body of the patient.
Many cultures and [[religion]]s contain some concept of demonic possession, but the details vary considerably. The [[Roma (Romani subgroup)|Roma people]] believe that demons can also possess animals, plants, deceased persons or inanimate objects.


Demon possession became a plague among Christians; exorcisms and executions were performed on persons allegedly possessed; many mentally ill people were accused of being demon-possessed and were killed. The Malleus Maleficarum speaks about some exorcisms that can be done in different cases. In Christianity, animals were also believed to be able of being possessed; during the Middle Ages, hundreds of cats, goats, and other animals were slain because of the idea that they were either an incarnation of a demon or possessed by one.
The oldest references to demonic possession are from the [[Sumerians]], who believed that all diseases of the body and mind were caused by "sickness demons" called gidim or gid-dim <ref>[http://www.sumerian.org/sumlogo.htm Sumerian "gidim"]</ref>. The [[priest]]s who practiced exorcisms in these nations were called ashipu (sorcerer) as opposed to an asu (physician) who applied bandages and salves<ref>[http://www.indiana.edu/~ancmed/meso.HTM Indiana Univ: ''MEDICINE IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA'']</ref>.  
Many [[Cuneiform script|cuneiform]] [[Clay tablet|tablet]]s contain prayers to certain gods asking for protection from demons, while others ask the gods to expel the demons that have invaded their bodies.


Most illustrations portray these spirits as small, sadistic-looking or tormented-looking beings with a human likeness. Demons are often referenced as [[familiars]]. Witches would allegedly provide shelter and nourishment via the [[Witches' mark|witches' teat]] in exchange for the valuable services of familiars.<ref>Willis, Deborah, Malevolent Nurture: Witch-Hunting and Maternal Power in Early Modern England (New York, Cornell University Press, 1995)</ref>


== Demonic possession in the Bible ==
[[Shamanic]] cultures also believe in demon possession and [[shaman]]s perform exorcisms too; in these cultures often diseases are attributed to the presence of a vengeful [[spiritual being|spirit]] or (loosely termed) demon in the body of the patient. These spirits are more often the spectres of animals or people wronged by the bearer, the exorcism rites usually consisting of respectful offerings or sacrificial offerings.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia: Demonical Possession:
"In the Old Testament we have only one instance, and even that is not very certain. We are told that "an evil spirit from the Lord troubled" Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). The Hebrew rûah need not imply a personal influence, though, if we may judge from Josephus (Ant. Jud., VI, viii, 2; ii, 2), the Jews were inclined to give the word that meaning in this very case. In New-Testament times, however, the phenomenon had become very common."


The New Testament mentions several opportunities in which Jesus drove out demons from diseased persons, believed to be these entities responsible for those illnesses.
The ''[[Malleus Maleficarum]]'' speaks about some exorcisms that can be done in different cases. Depending on the severity of the alleged possession, solutions range from prayers of deliverance to the Solemn Rite of Exorcism as practiced by the Catholic Church.  Accordingly, the ''Malelficarum'' was used extensively during the Spanish Inquisition in its hunt for heretics and witches, despite its author being denounced by the Inquisition in 1490.


*Matthew 4:23-25: Demon-possessed persons are healed by Jesus (also Luke 6:17-19).
== Demonic possession in The Bible ==
*Matthew 7:21-23: Many will drive out demons in Jesus' name (also Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 5:16; 8:7).
According to the [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12315a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Demonical Possession]:
*Matthew 8:14-17: Jesus healed many demon-possessed (also Mark 1:29-39; Luke 4:33-41).
:"In the [[Old Testament]] we have only one instance, and even that is not very certain. We are told that "an evil spirit from the Lord troubled" [[Saul the King|Saul]] ({{bibleverse|1|Samuel|16:14}}). The Hebrew [http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/words.pl?word=07307 rûah] need not imply a personal influence, though, if we may judge from [[Josephus]] (Ant. Jud., VI, viii, 2; ii, 2), the Jews were inclined to give the word that meaning in this very case. In [[New Testament|New-Testament]] times, however, the phenomenon had become very common."
*Matthew 8:28-34: Jesus sent a herd of demons from two men into a herd of about two thousand pigs (also Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39, both referring to only one man).
*Matthew 9:32-34: Jesus made a demon-possessed and mute man speak, the Pharisees said it was by the power of Beelzebub (also Mark 3:20-22).
*Matthew 10:1-8: The Twelve Apostles given the authority to drive out evil spirits (also Mark 3:15; 6:7; 6:13; Luke 9:1; 10:17).
*Matthew 11:16-19: "this generation" said that John the Baptist was possessed by a demon (also Luke 7:31-35).
*Matthew 12:22-32: Jesus healed a demon-possessed blind and dumb man (also Luke 11:14-23; 12:10; Mark 3:20-30).
*Matthew 12:43-45: Jesus told an allegory of nasty spirits coming back home, that is to the human body where they have lived before (also Luke 11:24-26).
*Matthew 15:21-28: Jesus expelled a demon from the body of the daughter of a Canaanite woman (also Mark 7:24-30).
*Matthew 17:14-21: Jesus healed a lunatic by driving out a demon from him (also Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-49).
*Mark 1:21-28: Jesus expelled a nasty spirit from a man (also Luke 4:31-37).
*Mark 9:38-40: A non-Christian is seen driving out demons in Jesus' name (also Luke 9:49-50).
*Mark 16:9: Jesus had driven seven demons out of Mary Magdalene (also Luke 8:2).
*Luke 7:21: Many people are cleansed from evil spirits by Jesus.
*Luke 13:10-17: Jesus expelled a spirit of disease from the body of a woman on the Sabbath.
*Luke 13:31-32: Jesus continued to cast out demons even though Herod Antipas wanted to kill him.
*Luke 22:3: Satan entered into Judas Iscariot (also John 13:27).
*John 7:20: A "crowd of Jews" that wanted to kill Jesus said he was demon-possessed.
*John 8:48-52: "The Jews" said Jesus was a Samaritan and demon-possessed.
*John 10:20-21: Many Jews said Jesus was raving mad and demon-possessed, others said he was not.
*Acts 5:3: Satan filled the heart of Ananias.
*Acts 5:16: The Apostles healed those tormented by evil spirits.
*Acts 8:6-8: At the teaching of Philip the Evangelist in Samaria, evil spirits came out of many.
*Acts 8:18-19: Simon Magus offered to buy the power of Laying on of hands.
*Acts 10:38: St. Peter said Jesus healed all who were under the power of the devil.
*Acts 16:16-24: Paul and Silas were imprisoned for driving a future-telling spirit out of a slave girl.
*Acts 19:11-12: Handkerchiefs and aprons touched by Paul cured illness and drove out evil spirits.
*Acts 19:13-20: Seven sons of Sceva attempted to drive out evil spirits by saying: "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." But because they did not have faith in Jesus, they were unsuccessful and were actually driven from that house by the possessed.
Revelation 18:2: The Whore of Babylon is a home for demons, evil spirits and unclean birds.
*Acts of the Apostles contains also a number of references to people coming under the influence of the Holy Spirit (1:8, 2:4, 2:17-18, 2:38, 4:8, 4:31, 6:3-5, 7:55, 8:15-19, 8:39, 9:17, 10:19, 11:12-16, 11:28, 13:9, 16:6-7, 19:2-6, 20:23, 21:11, 23:8-9) which is believed to be a good thing in contrast to demonic influence.


== Demonic possession in Christianity ==
According to the American Standard Bible, King Saul requested that the deceased prophet Samuel be summoned by channeling, even though he had been admonished by God not to allow such practices in his kingdom.  He used a woman possessed by a "familiar spirit" - the Witch of Endor - for this purpose (1 Samuel ch. 28).
Despite its widespread currency, including traditional use among Christian writers, the expressions "demonic possession" or "possessed by demons" are problematic and controversial from a Biblical perspective. Despite English language translation tradition, the Bible never refers to people as being possessed by demons. The main New Testament expressions referred to demonic influence are:


'to be demonized' (daimonizomai) - this is the most frequent expression.
The New Testament mentions several opportunities in which [[Exorcism#Jesus|Jesus drove out demons from persons]], believing these to be the [[entity|entities]] responsible for those mental and physical illnesses.  


'having a demon' (echon daimonion) - note it is the person who possesses the demon, not the demon who possesses the person.[5]
* {{bibleverse||Matthew|4:23-25}}: Demon-possessed persons are healed by Jesus (also {{bibleverse||Luke|6:17-19}}).
Certainly the language of "possession", like other mistranslations, has gained a life of its own, as is reflected in the title of this article. Murphy comments on the traditional language of "possession": "Fortunately, the practice of using these terms is now in the process of correction because of renewed historical-contextual studies of Scripture and renewed experience with the demonized."[6] Some allow the term "possession" but restrict its use only for the most extreme cases, which are thought to be extremely rare. [7]
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|7:21-23}}: Many will drive out demons in Jesus' name (also {{bibleverse||Mark|16:17}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|10:17}}; {{bibleverse||Acts|5:16}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|8:7}}).
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|8:14-17}}: Jesus healed many demon-possessed (also {{bibleverse||Mark|1:29-39}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|4:33-41}}).
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|8:28-34}}: Jesus sent a herd of demons from two men into a herd of about ''two thousand'' pigs (also {{bibleverse||Mark|5:1-20}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|8:26-39}}, both referring to only one man).
* {{bibleverse||Matthew|9:32-34}}: Jesus made a demon-possessed mute man speak, the [[Pharisees]] said it was by the power of [[Beelzebub]] (also {{bibleverse||Mark|3:20-22}}).
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|10:1-8}}: The [[Twelve Apostles]] given the authority to drive out evil spirits (also {{bibleverse||Mark|3:15}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Mark|6:7}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Mark|6:13}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|9:1}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Luke|10:17}}).
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|11:16-19}}: "this generation" said that [[John the Baptist]] was possessed by a demon (also {{bibleverse||Luke|7:31-35}}).
* {{bibleverse||Matthew|12:22-32}}: Jesus healed a demon-possessed blind and dumb man (also {{bibleverse||Luke|11:14-23}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Luke|12:10}}; {{bibleverse||Mark|3:20-30}}).
* {{bibleverse||Matthew|12:43-45}}: Jesus told an allegory of nasty spirits coming back home, that is to the human body where they have lived before (also {{bibleverse||Luke|11:24-26}}).
* {{bibleverse||Matthew|15:21-28}}: Jesus expelled a demon from the body of the daughter of a [[Canaan]]ite woman (also {{bibleverse||Mark|7:24-30}}).
* {{bibleverse||Matthew|17:14-21}}: Jesus healed a lunatic by driving out a demon from him (also {{bibleverse||Mark|9:14-29}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|9:37-49}}).
* {{bibleverse||Mark|1:21-28}}: Jesus expelled a nasty spirit from a man (also {{bibleverse||Luke|4:31-37}}).
*{{bibleverse||Mark|9:38-40}}: A non-Christian is seen driving out demons in Jesus' name (also {{bibleverse||Luke|9:49-50}}).
*{{bibleverse||Mark|16:9}}: Jesus had driven seven demons out of [[Mary Magdalene]] (also {{bibleverse||Luke|8:2}}).
* {{bibleverse||Luke|7:21}}: Many people are cleansed from evil spirits by Jesus.
* {{bibleverse||Luke|13:10-17}}: Jesus expelled a spirit of disease from the body of a woman on the [[Biblical Sabbath|Sabbath]].
*{{bibleverse||Luke|13:31-32}}: Jesus continued to cast out demons even though [[Herod Antipas]] wanted to kill him.
*{{bibleverse||Luke|22:3}}: [[Satan]] entered into [[Judas Iscariot]] (also {{bibleverse||John|13:27}}).
*{{bibleverse||John|7:20}}: A "crowd of Jews" that wanted to kill Jesus said he was demon-possessed.
*{{bibleverse||John|8:48-52}}: "The Jews" said Jesus was a [[Samaritan]] and demon-possessed.
*{{bibleverse||John|10:20-21}}: Many Jews said Jesus was raving mad and demon-possessed, others said he was not.
*{{bibleverse||Acts|5:3}}: Satan filled the heart of [[Ananias and Sapphira|Ananias]].
*{{bibleverse||Acts|5:16}}: The Apostles healed those tormented by evil spirits.
*{{bibleverse||Acts|8:6-8}}: At the teaching of [[Philip the Evangelist]] in [[Samaria]], evil spirits came out of many.
*{{bibleverse||Acts|8:18-19}}: [[Simon Magus]] offered to buy the power of [[Laying on of hands]].
*{{bibleverse||Acts|10:38}}: [[St. Peter]] said Jesus healed all who were under the power of the [[devil]].
* {{bibleverse||Acts|16:16-24}}: [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] and Silas were imprisoned for driving a future-telling spirit out of a slave girl.
*{{bibleverse||Acts|19:11-12}}: Handkerchiefs and aprons touched by Paul cured illness and drove out evil spirits.
*{{bibleverse||Acts|19:13-20}}: Seven sons of [[Sceva]] attempted to drive out evil spirits by saying: "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out."  But because they did not have faith in Jesus, they were unsuccessful and were actually driven from that house by the possessed.
*{{bibleverse||Revelation|18:2}}: The [[Whore of Babylon]] is a home for demons, evil spirits and unclean birds.


The literal view of demonization is still held by a number of Christian denominations. Official Catholic doctrine affirms that demonic oppression can occur as distinguished from mental illness, but stresses that cases of mental illness should not be misdiagnosed as demonic influence. Catholic exorcisms can occur only under the authority of a bishop and in accordance with strict rules; a simple exorcism also occurs during Baptism (s1673 Catechism of the Catholic Church,). As demonic possession became more and more prevalent, the Catholic Church began to actively seek out those whom were apparently possessed by demons. The Catholic Church, looking to expand its ever growing sphere of influence and in an effort to revive its somewhat tarnished reputation, truly believed in its ability to strengthen its organization through its exorcism of demons from possessed humans. For a period in history, the Catholic Church had fallen out of favor with a great deal of its parishioners and in an effort to restore faith, the Catholic Church came to increase its presence in the public by leading the effort to exorcise demons manifested within human bodies.[8]
[[Acts of the Apostles]] contains also a number of references to people coming under the influence of the Holy Spirit ({{bibleverse-nb||Acts|1:8}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|2:4}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|2:17-18}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|2:38}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|4:8}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|4:31}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|6:3-5}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|7:55}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|8:15-19}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|8:39}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|9:17}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|10:19}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|11:12-16}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|11:28}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|13:9}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|16:6-7}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|19:2-6}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|20:23}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|21:11}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|23:8-9}}) which is believed to be a good thing in contrast to demonic influence.


A great deal of controversy surrounds the book War on the Saints originally published in 1912. The original edition is long out of print. Over the years various publishing houses have produced abridged and pseudo-unabridged editions which have largely eliminated the original thrust of the book as a resource to the Christian faced with combating demon influences.
== In Christianity ==
{{further|[[exorcism]]}}
Despite an English language translation tradition, the Bible never refers to people as being possessed by demons.  The main [[New Testament]] expressions referred to demonic influence are:
# 'to be demonized' (daimonizomai) - this is the most frequent expression.
# 'having a demon' (echon daimonion) - note it is the person who possesses the demon, not the demon who possesses the person.<ref>Murphy, Ed. 1996.The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.51</ref>
Certainly the language of "possession", like other mistranslations, has gained a life of its own, as is reflected in the title of this article. Murphy comments on the traditional language of "possession": "Fortunately, the practice of using these terms is now in the process of correction because of renewed historical-contextual studies of Scripture and renewed experience with the demonized."<ref>Murphy, Ed. 1996. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.50</ref> Some allow the term "possession" but restrict its use only for the most extreme cases, which are thought to be extremely rare.<ref>MacNutt, Francis. 1995. Deliverance from evil Spirits: a practical manual. Grand Rapids: Chosen Books. p.71</ref> In most cases where a demon is believed to be involved, it tends to (1) influence the individual towards sinful or violent behavior or (2) cause physical or mental ailments that prove resistant to medical or psychiatric intervention.


The concept of demon influence in Christianity was similar to that of Jewish belief. In the New Testament Jesus is reported to have encountered people who were demonized and to have driven the "evil spirits" out of these demoniacs. In the 4th century, St. Hillary asserted that demons entered the bodies of humans to use them as if they were theirs, and also proposed that the same could happen with animals, expelling a demon from his camel to prove his theory.[citation needed] In the 5th century, Gregory the Great (later Pope Gregory I) wrote about a nun that was oppressed by a demon that penetrated her body via a lettuce she had eaten.
The literal view of demonization is still held by a number of Christian denominations. Official [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] doctrine affirms that demonic oppression can occur as distinguished from [[mental illness]], but stresses that cases of mental illness should not be misdiagnosed as demonic influence. Catholic [[exorcism]]s can occur only under the authority of a [[bishop]] and in accordance with strict rules; a simple exorcism also occurs during [[Baptism]] (''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church|CCC]]'' 1673). In [[Charismatic movement|charismatic]] Christianity, [[Deliverance ministry|deliverance ministries]] are activities carried out by individuals or groups aimed at solving problems related to demons and spirits, especially possession.


Later, in the Middle Ages, a list of symptoms required to confirm demonic oppression was carefully prepared:
A great deal of controversy surrounds the book [[War on the Saints]] originally published in 1912 as a resource to the Christian faced with combating demon influences.


*The ability to curse/blaspheme in languages unknown to the person.
The concept of demon influence in Christianity was similar to that of Jewish belief {{citation needed|date=April 2010}}. In the New Testament Jesus is reported to have encountered people who were demonized and to have driven the "evil spirits" out of these demoniacs. In the 4th century, [[Pope Hilarius|St. Hillary]] asserted that demons entered the bodies of humans to use them as if they were theirs, and also proposed that the same could happen with animals.  
*The ability to find secret things, read the mind, and divine future happenings.
*The ability to make physical efforts abnormal for that person.
*The act of spitting or vomiting every object the demons would have made the person swallow.
*Other symptoms occasionally listed include:
*Fear and/or hatred of holy objects.
*The inability to say the word "Christ".


Normally, only one of these symptoms was enough to determine demonization. It was said by people of that time that oppressed persons had an ugly and terrible aspect, wrathful eyes, bluish lips, foam coming off their mouth; their body was almost permanently shaking, when they spoke their tongue came abnormally out, their speech consisted mainly in curses and blasphemies, and they were able to imitate animal sounds as well as to speak with human-like voices with a strange sound and a different pitch of theirs. However, these symptoms as described are not always in accordance with scripture. The New Testament's description of people who had evil spirits includes ability of divination (Acts 16:16)and great strength (Act 19:16), among others, but shows those with evil spirits can speak of Christ (Acts 19:16, Mark 3:11). According to Catholic theologians demonization is involuntary and allowed by God to test a person (for more details about God's tests on persons see Job). Involuntary demonization according to these theologians, cannot be negated because this would imply the negation of the cases mentioned in the New Testament (12, some of them repeated in more than one Gospel) and, by extension, the veracity of it. Voluntary demonization can be also mentioned, favored by drugs, alcohol and/or frantic dances, like those of certain ancient cults (i.e. the Bacchanals), still practiced in some Shamanic societies, and alleged to be also practiced by witches during their Sabbaths. Another form of voluntary oppression is that in which a person offers his/her body to be influenced by a demon to serve as a medium among him/her and the other attendants to the reunion.
The New Testament's description of people who had evil spirits includes a capacity for hidden knowledge (e.g., future events, innermost thoughts of the people around them) (Acts 16:16) and great strength (Act 19:16), among others, and shows those with evil spirits can speak of Christ (Acts 19:16, Mark 3:11). According to [[Catholic]] [[theology|theologian]]s, demonic assault can be involuntary and allowed by [[God]] to test a person (for more details about God's tests on persons see [[Job (Biblical figure)|Job]]). Involuntary demonic assault, according to these theologians, cannot be denied because this would imply the negation of the cases mentioned in the New Testament (12, some of them repeated in more than one [[Gospel]]). However, in the overwhelming majority of cases of alleged demonic possession in modern times, the victim can suffer due to any of a number of personal initiatives: occult practices, [[mortal sin]], loss of faith, or psychological trauma, among others.


The Churches led an active role in the campaign against witchcraft as it distributed pamphlets and other material identifying the various components of a witch, witchcraft, sorcery and demonology. This information included what “signs” to use to identify possible possessions and even information regarding one’s safety around certain areas of their countryside during the night. The Church offered suggestions or a how-to on safe-guarding one’s home. Suggestions ranged from, “dousing a household with Holy water...,” placing wax and herbs on thresholds to “ward off witches occult,” and avoiding certain areas of townships known to be frequented by witches and Devil worshippers after dark.[9]
In previous centuries, the Christian church offered suggestions on safeguarding one’s home. Suggestions ranged from dousing a household with Holy water, placing wax and herbs on thresholds to “ward off witches occult,” and avoiding certain areas of townships known to be frequented by witches and Devil worshippers after dark.<ref>Broedel, Hans Peter, The Malleus Malfeicarum and the Construction of Witchcraft (Great Britain, Manchester University Press, 2003, 32-33), Barajo, Caro, World of the Witches, (Great Britain, University of Chicago Press, 1964, 73)</ref>


== New Age view of demonic possession ==
== In medicine ==
Demonic possession is mentioned at length in Carlos Castaneda’s The Active Side of Infinity, in which it is claimed that human civilization is demonic in origin. Demons taught primordial humans how to think. Thinking leads to self-reflection: a constant rumination on a self-important “me” which is at war with other people and its environment. This self-reflection enabled humans to become a thinking species, but it also reduced them to slavery to the demons, termed “fliers”, who suck humans’ energy: “By playing on our self-reflection … the predators create flares of awareness that they proceed to consume in a ruthless, predatory fashion.  
Demonic possession is recognized as a [[psychiatry|psychiatric]] or medical diagnosis by either the [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders|DSM-IV]] as the Religious or Spiritual Problem V62.89 or the [[International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems|ICD-10]]as F44.3 Trance and possession disorders. There are many psychological ailments commonly misunderstood as demonic possession, particularly [[dissociative identity disorder]]. In the early- to mid-20 Century, "mania" or "hysteria" were common diagnoses, but such terminology has generally fallen out of favor. In cases of [[dissociative identity disorder]] in which the alter personality is questioned as to its identity, 29% are reported to identify themselves as demons.<ref>[http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/erlendsson_01_jun_03.pdf Microsoft Word - Haraldur Erlendsson 1.6.03 Multiple Personality<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However doctors see this as a mental disease called demonomania or demonopathy, a [[monomania]] in which the patient believes that he or she is possessed by one or more demons.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}.


They give us inane problems that force those flares of awareness to rise, and in this manner they keep us alive in order for them to be fed with the energetic flare or our pseudoconcerns.” (p221) According to this view many (if not most) civilized humans are demon-possessed; and that the invention of agriculture was not so much a matter of humans farming plants and animals for food as it was demons farming humans for food.
==Notable cases==
*[[Anneliese Michel]]
*[[Antoine Gay]]
*[[George Lukins]]
*[[Robbie Mannheim]]
*[[Michael Taylor (Ossett)]]
*[[Clara Germana Cele]]
*[[Johann Blumhardt]]
*[[Louviers possessions]]
*[[Aix-en-Provence possessions]]
*[[Loudun possessions]]


== Demonic possession in medicine ==
==In fiction==
Demonic possession is not a valid psychiatric or medical diagnosis recognized by either the DSM-IV or the ICD-10. This is because one of the tenets of science is that there must be natural causes for natural phenomena and thus does not look outside of the physical or natural realm. Those who profess a belief in demonic possession have sometimes ascribed the symptoms associated with mental illnesses such as hysteria, mania, psychosis, or dissociative identity disorder to possession. In cases of dissociative identity disorder in which the alter personality is questioned as to it's identity, 29% are reported to identify themselves as demons.[10] There is, however, a mental disease called demonomania or demonopathy. This is a monomania in which the patient believes that he or she is possessed by one or more demons.
{{In popular culture|date=January 2010}}
{{Trivia|date=January 2010}}
{{fictionrefs}}


From another point of view, those who accuse others of being demon-possessed have to be mentioned too. In cases like those of the witches of Salem, Massachusetts, or the nuns who accused father Urbain Grandier, a collective hysteria takes place, involving more than one person "contagiously" convinced of that "truth". In particular cases (sometimes a small number of persons, e.g., some members of a family or a small group of friends, but generally one person) the accusation of demon possession is caused because of the diseases above-mentioned or the phenomenon of collective hysteria. Another case that is necessary to mention is that of simulation; simulation is generally considered a psychological alteration of the human behaviour rather than a psychiatric disease, but there are in Medicine cases of simulators mentally ill that act by compulsion. It was common the case of children and teenagers accusing people of having bewitched them and feigning to be demon-possessed, and later apologising for that; unfortunately, due to the processes carried out by the religious tribunals, generally those innocents had already lost their lives, and that was the cause of many of those apologies: the feeling of being guilty, or remorse. There were several cases of simulation in England, most of them between 1533 and 1697, until accusations made by children were prohibited in 1718; there were cases of simulation in France and America too; it is thought that the collective hysteria that generated the accusation against Urbain Grandier was started by a case of simulation. It rests to say that a person easy to influence can be convinced by third parties of being demon-possessed.
===Cinema===
* A well-known work on the subject is the 1973 film ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'', based on the [[The Exorcist (book)|book of the same name]], which portrays a typical medieval case of demonic possession in which the victim shows all required characteristics to confirm the status of possessed. This was continued in the 1990 sequel ''[[The Exorcist III]]'', and the prequel, ''[[Exorcist: The Beginning]]'' from 2004 and the original cut of the film, ''[[Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist]]'' which was released on DVD in 2005.
* The original ''Exorcist'' film was satirised by the 1987 [[Warner Bros.]] cartoon spoof The ''Duxorcist'' (starring [[Daffy Duck]]), as well as the 1990 comedy film ''[[Repossessed]]'' which starred [[Leslie Nielsen]] and ''Exorcist'' actress [[Linda Blair]].
* The 1974 [[blaxploitation]] film ''[[Abby (film)|Abby]]'' dealt with a woman who is possessed by an [[African people|African]] sex demon.
* In the famous ''[[Evil Dead]]'' trilogy films from 1981, 1987 and 1993, many of the protagonists are possessed by "Kandarian" demons who when [[resurrection|resurrected]], are given "license to possess the living". This form of possession was heavily based on ''[[The Exorcist]],'' because the protagonists ''physically'' mutate when possessed, and develop abilities to [[telepathy|read minds]], crawl up walls, and breathe fire.
In the 1972 film "she waits" Patty Duke plays a young Newlywed who gets possessed by her husband's dead first wife.
* Demonic possession is the central theme in many other horror films, including: ''[[Beyond the Door (1974 film)|Beyond the Door]]'' from 1974; the 1982 film ''[[Amityville II: The Possession]]'' (based on the true life [[The Amityville Horror|Amityville Horror]] case); ''Demons'' from 1985 and ''Demons 2: The Nightmare Returns'' from 1986 by [[Italians|Italian]] director [[Lamberto Bava]]; the 1987 [[John Carpenter]] film ''[[Prince of Darkness (film)|Prince of Darkness]]''; the 1988 cult flick ''[[Night of the Demons (1988 film)|Night of the Demons]]''; and the 2000 film ''The Convent'' (starring [[Adrienne Barbeau]]).
* The 1998 thriller film ''[[Fallen (film)|Fallen]]'' deals with a cop (played by [[Denzel Washington]]) investigating a series of murders where the culprits are possessed by the demon [[Azazel]].
* The 1999 [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] film ''[[End of Days (film)|End of Days]]'' shows another form of demonic possession suggested by [[Pope Hilarius]].
* At the beginning of the 2005 film ''[[Constantine (film)|Constantine]]'' based on the [[Vertigo Comics]] series ''[[Hellblazer]]'', protagonist [[John Constantine]] (played by [[Keanu Reeves]]) performs an exorcism on a young girl who exhibits behavior reminiscent of ''The Exorcist'' film. Later in the film, the character of Angela Dodson (played by [[Rachel Weisz]]) becomes demonically possessed in an [[occult]] ritual.
* The 2005 film ''[[The Exorcism of Emily Rose]]'' (directed by [[Scott Derrickson]]) is loosely based on the real life story of [[Anneliese Michel]], a [[Germans|German]] [[Catholic]] woman said to be possessed by demons and later exorcised.
* In the 2007 Spanish horror film ''[[REC (film)|REC]]'', a [[virus]] is identified as the cause of what was previously interpreted as "demonic possession".
* In the 2009 dark comedy/horror film ''[[Jennifer's Body]]'', Jennifer Check, played by [[Megan Fox]], is murdered and is then possessed by a demon, becoming a [[succubus]].
* In the 2009 film ''[[Paranormal Activity (film)|Paranormal Activity]]'', a couple sets up a video camera to capture activity experienced by the female character that is determined to be demonic in nature.
* In the 2010 film ''[[The Last Exorcism]],'' the plot revolves around the demon [[Abalam]], who, seeking to continue his clan into the mortal world, possesses a young girl named Nell. She is possessed for a while and later gives birth to his son.


Medicine can explain some aspects of the "symptoms" shown by those persons allegedly possessed; it is known that "supernatural strength" is common in some cases of insanity (mania, energumens, etc.).
===TV===
* The American sitcom ''[[Soap (TV series)|Soap]]'' featured a second season storyline in which Corinne Tate's baby was possessed by the [[Devil]].
* The 1980s horror series ''[[Friday the 13th: The Series]]'' featured a second season finale/third season premiere storyline in which the main character of Ryan Dallion was possessed by the Devil.
*In the 1990s television series "''[[Twin Peaks]]''", [[Leland Palmer]] becomes inhabited by and the "host" of the evil entity [[Killer BOB]], who forces him to rape and murder his own daughter, [[Laura Palmer]].
* During late 1994 and the first half of 1995, the daytime [[soap opera]] ''[[Days of our Lives]]'' dealt with the demonic possession of one of its star characters, [[Marlena Evans|Dr. Marlena Evans]]. This storyline, written by the late [[James E. Reilly]], was controversial at the time, but did bring the show a huge spike in ratings when most other soaps were dying in the wake of the [[O.J. Simpson murder case|O.J. Simpson murder trial]].  Longtime character [[John Black (Days of our Lives)|John Black]], a priest at the time, exorcised the demon along with the help of other such characters as Father Francis, [[Kristen Blake|Kristen Blake Dimera]], [[Caroline Brady]], and [[Mike Horton|Dr. Mike Horton]].
* In "[[Die Hand Die Verletzt]]", a 1995 episode from the second season of the ''[[X-Files]]'', a substitute teacher named Mrs. Paddock (played by Susan Blommaert) kills a teenage girl by possessing her, while [[dissection|dissecting]] a pig [[fetus]] after class. The teacher also possesses a snake which eats and digests a human being in less than 5 minutes (despite [[Dana Scully|Agent Dana Scully]] knowing that it would take hours or even days to digest a human being). Early in the episode, it was revealed that the school board members were devil worshippers themselves.
* The series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' often dealt with demons and possession.
* ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'' featured a few episodes that involved demonic possession of humans, but in a more fantasy-oriented manner given the nature of the show.
* Possession (taken seriously) is central to the British TV series ''[[Hex (TV series)|Hex]]''.
* The series ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'' has also explored themes of demonic possession.  Demons play a major part in the plots of the second and third seasons.  They are portrayed as incorporeal beings, where they need to possess a body to carry out their actions.
* In the episodes "[[The Impossible Planet]]" and "[[The Satan Pit]]" of [[Doctor Who (series 2)|Series 2]] of the current ''[[Doctor Who]]'' series, [[Tenth Doctor|the Doctor]] and companion [[Rose Tyler]] encounter an ancient demonic entity known as the Beast, who has taken possession of a space mining crew member Toby Zed, as well as the crew's alien [[The Ood|Ood]] servants.
* The main character of the 2008 [[BBC1]] television drama series ''[[Apparitions (TV series)|Apparitions]]'' is a priest who performs exorcisms.<ref>[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article5088285.ece Martin Shaw has a devil of a job in Apparitions], ''[[The Times]]''. November 8, 2008</ref>
* In [[Family Guy]] episode [[Boys Do Cry]], the town thinks [[Stewie|Stewie Griffin]] is possessed by the devil after he vomits the blood and body of Christ.


== Demonic possession in fiction ==
===Video games===
The theme of demon possession has been by far better exploited by cinema than literature. Maybe the most known work on the subject is the 1973 film The Exorcist, based on the book of the same name, which portrays a typical mediaeval case of demonic possession in which the victim shows all required characteristics to confirm the status of possessed.
* In the 2003 [[Action game|action]] [[video game]] [[Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb]] a woman named Mei Ying is possessed by a [[China|Chinese]] demon Kong Tien after being sacrificed to him. [[Indiana Jones]] must then free her.
* In the horror survivor video game Fatal Frame Two: Crimson Butterfly, the main character`s twin sister, Mayu, is possessed by the sacrificed spirit of a girl, who was sacrificed to appease hell, to keep the dead from ravaging the land. In the same game, a doll made in the likeness of a sacrificed girl to help make the girl`s twin happy, becomes possessed by an evil spirit.
*In the First person action-horror game series DOOM certain enemies are humans possessed by the demons of Hell


This was later satirised in 1990 by Repossessed. ''The Demon Murder Case'' is a 1983 movie with Kevin Bacon about a young boy who is taken over by demons who force him to commit murder.  
===Novels, comic books, etc.===
End of Days (1999) shows another form of demonic possession suggested by Hilarius. Possession (taken seriously) is central to the recent TV series Hex (TV series). The TV series Supernatural has also explored themes of demonic possession, most recently in the second season episode Born Under a Bad Sign.
* In the 1970s book [[The Amityville Horror]], the house at 112 Ocean Avenue is portrayed as demoniacally possessed.
* The 1971 novel ''[[The Exorcist]]'' by [[William Blatty]] drew its inspiration on a 1949 exorcism Blatty heard about while he was a student in the class of 1950 at [[Georgetown University]], a [[Jesuit]] and Catholic school. Blatty wrote ''[[Legion (novel)|Legion]]'', a sequel to the original novel in 1983.
* The [[DC Comics]] character [[Etrigan the Demon|The Demon]] is a normal human named Jason Blood whose soul was bonded to a demon named Etrigan, and literally transforms into Etrigan in order to fight evil. 
* The concept behind the [[Marvel Comics]] superhero [[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Ghost Rider]] involves [[motorcycle]] stunt daredevil Johnny Blaze being bonded with a demon named [[Zarathos]] by another demon, [[Mephisto]].  When necessary, Blaze is transformed and possessed by Zarathos to become the Ghost Rider character.
* A Marvel Comics storyline from the 1980s involving the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] [[superhero]] team featured the [[Scarlet Witch]] being physically possessed by the demon [[Chthon (Marvel Comics)|Chthon]].
* The 2007 novel ''[[A Good and Happy Child]]'' deals largely with the possible subject of demonic possession.
* The X-Man Rogue has the ability to absorb the minds and the powers of the people she touches; sometimes it happens that she is possessed by the minds of the people she has just touched.  
* Karma of the New Mutants the power to mentally possess other people.
* At least three enemies of the X-Men have the ability to possess other people: Shadow King must use host bodies to enter the physical plane, and a Marauder, Malice, is a psychic entity who can possess other people. (Her most famous host is Polaris); Proteus has possessed a lot of bodies before being killed by Colossus.
* In the [[Stephen King]] novel, [[Desperation]], several people traveling along [[Highway 50]] in [[Nevada]] are abducted by Collie Entragian, a deputy of the town of Desperation and who is possessed by [[Tak]], a supernatural entity.


== Notes and references ==
== See also ==
1 Ferber, Sarah, Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France(London, Routledge, 2004, 25, 116).
* [[Spirit possession]]
 
* [[Catatonia]]
2 Sumerian "gidim"
* [[Demon]]
 
* [[Demonology]]
3 Indiana Univ: MEDICINE IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA
* [[Exorcism]]
 
* [[List of exorcists]]
4 Willis, Deborah, Malevolent Nurture: Witch-Hunting and Maternal Power in Early Modern England (New York, Cornell University Press, 1995)
* [[Body hopping]]
 
* [[Alien abduction]]
5 Murphy, Ed. 1996.The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.51
* [[Post-abduction syndrome]]
 
* [[Culture-bound syndrome]]
6 Murphy, Ed. 1996. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.50
* [[Anneliese Michel]]
 
* [[Dorothy Talbye Trial]]
7 MacNutt, Francis. 1995. Deliverance from evil Spirits: a practical manual. Grand Rapids: Chosen Books. p.71
* [[Evil eye]]
 
* [[Ouija board]]
8 Ferber, Sarah, Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France (London, Routledge, 2004, 38-39)
* ''[[The Exorcism of Emily Rose]]''
 
* ''[[An American Haunting]]''
9 Broedel, Hans Peter, The Malleus Malfeicarum and the Construction of Witchcraft (Great Britain, Manchester University Press, 2003, 32-33), Barajo, Caro, World of the Witches, (Great Britain, University of Chicago Press, 1964, 73)
 
10 http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/erlendsson_01_jun_03.pdf


11 Castaneda, Carlos. 1998. The Active side of Infinity. NYC HarperCollins.
== Notes ==
 
{{reflist|2}}
== See also ==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism Exorcism]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Exorcists List of Exorcists]
*[[Demonology]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_possession Spiritual possession]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abduction_phenomenon (Alien) Abduction phenomenon]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-abduction_syndrome Post-abduction syndrome]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exorcism_of_Emily_Rose The Exorcism of Emily Rose]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_American_Haunting An American Haunting]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anneliese_Michel Anneliese Michel]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Talbye_Trial Dorothy Talbye Trial]


== References ==
== References ==
1 Ferber, Sarah, Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France(London, Routledge, 2004, 25, 116).
* Castaneda, Carlos. 1998.  The Active side of Infinity. NYC HarperCollins.  


2 Sumerian "gidim"
== External links ==
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonic_possession The original source of this article at Wikipedia]
3 Indiana Univ: MEDICINE IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA
*[http://medchrome.com/featured/demonic-possesion-explained-medical-concept/ ''Medchrome Magazine'' "Demonical Possession Medically Explained"]
 
* [http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/articles/id/spiritualresearch/difficulties/Ghosts_Demons/demonicpossession_definition Definition Of Demonic Possession]
4 Willis, Deborah, Malevolent Nurture: Witch-Hunting and Maternal Power in Early Modern England (New York, Cornell University Press, 1995)
*[http://rjohara.net/gen/knapp/ ''Demonic possession of Elizabeth Knapp'':] Cotton Mather's widely cited report on the demonic possession of Elizabeth Knapp of Massachusetts (1701)
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12315a.htm ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Demonical Possession"]
*[http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Possession Encyclopedia Britannica: Possession]
* Andrew Lang, [http://www.psychanalyse-paris.com/848-Demoniacal-Possession.html Demoniacal Possession], ''The Making of Religion'', (Chapter VII), Longmans, Green, and C°, London, New York and Bombay, 1900, pp.&nbsp;128–146.
*[http://www.apostasynow.com/wots/Contents.html ''War on the Saints''] Jessie Penn-Lewis & Evan Roberts (The Original and Completely Unabridged Edition less graphics)


5 Murphy, Ed. 1996.The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.51
{{DEFAULTSORT:Demonic Possession}}
[[Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity]]
[[Category:Demons|Possession, Demonic]]
[[Category:Occult]]


6 Murphy, Ed. 1996. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.50
[[el:Δαιμονισμός]]
 
[[es:Posesión demoníaca]]
7 MacNutt, Francis. 1995. Deliverance from evil Spirits: a practical manual. Grand Rapids: Chosen Books. p.71
[[fr:Possession (anthropologie)]]
 
[[hr:Opsjednuće]]
8 Ferber, Sarah, Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France (London, Routledge, 2004, 38-39)
[[id:Kesurupan]]
 
[[it:Possessione]]
9 Broedel, Hans Peter, The Malleus Malfeicarum and the Construction of Witchcraft (Great Britain, Manchester University Press, 2003, 32-33), Barajo, Caro, World of the Witches, (Great Britain, University of Chicago Press, 1964, 73)
[[ja:悪魔憑き]]
 
[[pt:Possessão demoníaca]]
10 http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/erlendsson_01_jun_03.pdf
[[simple:Demonic possession]]
 
[[tl:Pagsapi ng demonyo]]
== External links ==
[[tr:İyelik eki]]
*[http://rjohara.net/gen/knapp/ Demonic possession of Elizabeth Knapp]: Cotton Mather's widely-cited report on the demonic possession of Elizabeth Knapp of Massachusetts (1701)
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12315a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia "Demonical Possession"]
*[http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Possession Encyclopedia Britannica: Possession]
Andrew Lang, [http://www.psychanalyse-paris.com/848-Demoniacal-Possession.html Demoniacal Possession], The Making of Religion, (Chapter VII), Longmans, Green, and C°, London, New York and Bombay, 1900, pp. 128-146.
*[http://www.apostasynow.com/wots/Contents.html War on the Saints] Jessie Penn-Lewis & Evan Roberts (The Original and Completely Unabridged Edition less graphics)

Revision as of 14:35, 23 October 2010


Demonic possession is often the term used to describe the control over a human form by a demon. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include: erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying.[1] Unlike in channeling or other forms of possession, the subject has no control over the possessing entity and so it will persist until forced to leave the victim, usually through a form of exorcism. Other descriptions include access to hidden knowledge (gnosis) and foreign languages (glossolalia), drastic changes in vocal intonation and facial structure, sudden appearance of injury (scratches, bite marks) or lesions, and superhuman strength.

Many cultures and religions contain some concept of demonic possession, but the details vary considerably. The Roma people believe that demons can also possess animals, plants, deceased persons or inanimate objects.

The oldest references to demonic possession are from the Sumerians, who believed that all diseases of the body and mind were caused by "sickness demons" called gidim or gid-dim [2]. The priests who practiced exorcisms in these nations were called ashipu (sorcerer) as opposed to an asu (physician) who applied bandages and salves[3]. Many cuneiform tablets contain prayers to certain gods asking for protection from demons, while others ask the gods to expel the demons that have invaded their bodies.

Most illustrations portray these spirits as small, sadistic-looking or tormented-looking beings with a human likeness. Demons are often referenced as familiars. Witches would allegedly provide shelter and nourishment via the witches' teat in exchange for the valuable services of familiars.[4]

Shamanic cultures also believe in demon possession and shamans perform exorcisms too; in these cultures often diseases are attributed to the presence of a vengeful spirit or (loosely termed) demon in the body of the patient. These spirits are more often the spectres of animals or people wronged by the bearer, the exorcism rites usually consisting of respectful offerings or sacrificial offerings.

The Malleus Maleficarum speaks about some exorcisms that can be done in different cases. Depending on the severity of the alleged possession, solutions range from prayers of deliverance to the Solemn Rite of Exorcism as practiced by the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Malelficarum was used extensively during the Spanish Inquisition in its hunt for heretics and witches, despite its author being denounced by the Inquisition in 1490.

Demonic possession in The Bible

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia: Demonical Possession:

"In the Old Testament we have only one instance, and even that is not very certain. We are told that "an evil spirit from the Lord troubled" Saul (Template:Bibleverse). The Hebrew rûah need not imply a personal influence, though, if we may judge from Josephus (Ant. Jud., VI, viii, 2; ii, 2), the Jews were inclined to give the word that meaning in this very case. In New-Testament times, however, the phenomenon had become very common."

According to the American Standard Bible, King Saul requested that the deceased prophet Samuel be summoned by channeling, even though he had been admonished by God not to allow such practices in his kingdom. He used a woman possessed by a "familiar spirit" - the Witch of Endor - for this purpose (1 Samuel ch. 28).

The New Testament mentions several opportunities in which Jesus drove out demons from persons, believing these to be the entities responsible for those mental and physical illnesses.

Acts of the Apostles contains also a number of references to people coming under the influence of the Holy Spirit (Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb, Template:Bibleverse-nb) which is believed to be a good thing in contrast to demonic influence.

In Christianity

Further information: [[exorcism]]

Despite an English language translation tradition, the Bible never refers to people as being possessed by demons. The main New Testament expressions referred to demonic influence are:

  1. 'to be demonized' (daimonizomai) - this is the most frequent expression.
  2. 'having a demon' (echon daimonion) - note it is the person who possesses the demon, not the demon who possesses the person.[5]

Certainly the language of "possession", like other mistranslations, has gained a life of its own, as is reflected in the title of this article. Murphy comments on the traditional language of "possession": "Fortunately, the practice of using these terms is now in the process of correction because of renewed historical-contextual studies of Scripture and renewed experience with the demonized."[6] Some allow the term "possession" but restrict its use only for the most extreme cases, which are thought to be extremely rare.[7] In most cases where a demon is believed to be involved, it tends to (1) influence the individual towards sinful or violent behavior or (2) cause physical or mental ailments that prove resistant to medical or psychiatric intervention.

The literal view of demonization is still held by a number of Christian denominations. Official Catholic doctrine affirms that demonic oppression can occur as distinguished from mental illness, but stresses that cases of mental illness should not be misdiagnosed as demonic influence. Catholic exorcisms can occur only under the authority of a bishop and in accordance with strict rules; a simple exorcism also occurs during Baptism (CCC 1673). In charismatic Christianity, deliverance ministries are activities carried out by individuals or groups aimed at solving problems related to demons and spirits, especially possession.

A great deal of controversy surrounds the book War on the Saints originally published in 1912 as a resource to the Christian faced with combating demon influences.

The concept of demon influence in Christianity was similar to that of Jewish belief Template:Citation needed. In the New Testament Jesus is reported to have encountered people who were demonized and to have driven the "evil spirits" out of these demoniacs. In the 4th century, St. Hillary asserted that demons entered the bodies of humans to use them as if they were theirs, and also proposed that the same could happen with animals.

The New Testament's description of people who had evil spirits includes a capacity for hidden knowledge (e.g., future events, innermost thoughts of the people around them) (Acts 16:16) and great strength (Act 19:16), among others, and shows those with evil spirits can speak of Christ (Acts 19:16, Mark 3:11). According to Catholic theologians, demonic assault can be involuntary and allowed by God to test a person (for more details about God's tests on persons see Job). Involuntary demonic assault, according to these theologians, cannot be denied because this would imply the negation of the cases mentioned in the New Testament (12, some of them repeated in more than one Gospel). However, in the overwhelming majority of cases of alleged demonic possession in modern times, the victim can suffer due to any of a number of personal initiatives: occult practices, mortal sin, loss of faith, or psychological trauma, among others.

In previous centuries, the Christian church offered suggestions on safeguarding one’s home. Suggestions ranged from dousing a household with Holy water, placing wax and herbs on thresholds to “ward off witches occult,” and avoiding certain areas of townships known to be frequented by witches and Devil worshippers after dark.[8]

In medicine

Demonic possession is recognized as a psychiatric or medical diagnosis by either the DSM-IV as the Religious or Spiritual Problem V62.89 or the ICD-10as F44.3 Trance and possession disorders. There are many psychological ailments commonly misunderstood as demonic possession, particularly dissociative identity disorder. In the early- to mid-20 Century, "mania" or "hysteria" were common diagnoses, but such terminology has generally fallen out of favor. In cases of dissociative identity disorder in which the alter personality is questioned as to its identity, 29% are reported to identify themselves as demons.[9] However doctors see this as a mental disease called demonomania or demonopathy, a monomania in which the patient believes that he or she is possessed by one or more demons.Template:Citation needed.

Notable cases

In fiction

Template:In popular culture Template:Trivia Template:Fictionrefs

Cinema

  • A well-known work on the subject is the 1973 film The Exorcist, based on the book of the same name, which portrays a typical medieval case of demonic possession in which the victim shows all required characteristics to confirm the status of possessed. This was continued in the 1990 sequel The Exorcist III, and the prequel, Exorcist: The Beginning from 2004 and the original cut of the film, Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist which was released on DVD in 2005.
  • The original Exorcist film was satirised by the 1987 Warner Bros. cartoon spoof The Duxorcist (starring Daffy Duck), as well as the 1990 comedy film Repossessed which starred Leslie Nielsen and Exorcist actress Linda Blair.
  • The 1974 blaxploitation film Abby dealt with a woman who is possessed by an African sex demon.
  • In the famous Evil Dead trilogy films from 1981, 1987 and 1993, many of the protagonists are possessed by "Kandarian" demons who when resurrected, are given "license to possess the living". This form of possession was heavily based on The Exorcist, because the protagonists physically mutate when possessed, and develop abilities to read minds, crawl up walls, and breathe fire.

In the 1972 film "she waits" Patty Duke plays a young Newlywed who gets possessed by her husband's dead first wife.

TV

  • The American sitcom Soap featured a second season storyline in which Corinne Tate's baby was possessed by the Devil.
  • The 1980s horror series Friday the 13th: The Series featured a second season finale/third season premiere storyline in which the main character of Ryan Dallion was possessed by the Devil.
  • In the 1990s television series "Twin Peaks", Leland Palmer becomes inhabited by and the "host" of the evil entity Killer BOB, who forces him to rape and murder his own daughter, Laura Palmer.
  • During late 1994 and the first half of 1995, the daytime soap opera Days of our Lives dealt with the demonic possession of one of its star characters, Dr. Marlena Evans. This storyline, written by the late James E. Reilly, was controversial at the time, but did bring the show a huge spike in ratings when most other soaps were dying in the wake of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Longtime character John Black, a priest at the time, exorcised the demon along with the help of other such characters as Father Francis, Kristen Blake Dimera, Caroline Brady, and Dr. Mike Horton.
  • In "Die Hand Die Verletzt", a 1995 episode from the second season of the X-Files, a substitute teacher named Mrs. Paddock (played by Susan Blommaert) kills a teenage girl by possessing her, while dissecting a pig fetus after class. The teacher also possesses a snake which eats and digests a human being in less than 5 minutes (despite Agent Dana Scully knowing that it would take hours or even days to digest a human being). Early in the episode, it was revealed that the school board members were devil worshippers themselves.
  • The series Buffy the Vampire Slayer often dealt with demons and possession.
  • Xena: Warrior Princess featured a few episodes that involved demonic possession of humans, but in a more fantasy-oriented manner given the nature of the show.
  • Possession (taken seriously) is central to the British TV series Hex.
  • The series Supernatural has also explored themes of demonic possession. Demons play a major part in the plots of the second and third seasons. They are portrayed as incorporeal beings, where they need to possess a body to carry out their actions.
  • In the episodes "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit" of Series 2 of the current Doctor Who series, the Doctor and companion Rose Tyler encounter an ancient demonic entity known as the Beast, who has taken possession of a space mining crew member Toby Zed, as well as the crew's alien Ood servants.
  • The main character of the 2008 BBC1 television drama series Apparitions is a priest who performs exorcisms.[10]
  • In Family Guy episode Boys Do Cry, the town thinks Stewie Griffin is possessed by the devil after he vomits the blood and body of Christ.

Video games

  • In the 2003 action video game Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb a woman named Mei Ying is possessed by a Chinese demon Kong Tien after being sacrificed to him. Indiana Jones must then free her.
  • In the horror survivor video game Fatal Frame Two: Crimson Butterfly, the main character`s twin sister, Mayu, is possessed by the sacrificed spirit of a girl, who was sacrificed to appease hell, to keep the dead from ravaging the land. In the same game, a doll made in the likeness of a sacrificed girl to help make the girl`s twin happy, becomes possessed by an evil spirit.
  • In the First person action-horror game series DOOM certain enemies are humans possessed by the demons of Hell

Novels, comic books, etc.

  • In the 1970s book The Amityville Horror, the house at 112 Ocean Avenue is portrayed as demoniacally possessed.
  • The 1971 novel The Exorcist by William Blatty drew its inspiration on a 1949 exorcism Blatty heard about while he was a student in the class of 1950 at Georgetown University, a Jesuit and Catholic school. Blatty wrote Legion, a sequel to the original novel in 1983.
  • The DC Comics character The Demon is a normal human named Jason Blood whose soul was bonded to a demon named Etrigan, and literally transforms into Etrigan in order to fight evil.
  • The concept behind the Marvel Comics superhero Ghost Rider involves motorcycle stunt daredevil Johnny Blaze being bonded with a demon named Zarathos by another demon, Mephisto. When necessary, Blaze is transformed and possessed by Zarathos to become the Ghost Rider character.
  • A Marvel Comics storyline from the 1980s involving the Avengers superhero team featured the Scarlet Witch being physically possessed by the demon Chthon.
  • The 2007 novel A Good and Happy Child deals largely with the possible subject of demonic possession.
  • The X-Man Rogue has the ability to absorb the minds and the powers of the people she touches; sometimes it happens that she is possessed by the minds of the people she has just touched.
  • Karma of the New Mutants the power to mentally possess other people.
  • At least three enemies of the X-Men have the ability to possess other people: Shadow King must use host bodies to enter the physical plane, and a Marauder, Malice, is a psychic entity who can possess other people. (Her most famous host is Polaris); Proteus has possessed a lot of bodies before being killed by Colossus.
  • In the Stephen King novel, Desperation, several people traveling along Highway 50 in Nevada are abducted by Collie Entragian, a deputy of the town of Desperation and who is possessed by Tak, a supernatural entity.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Ferber, Sarah, Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France(London, Routledge, 2004, 25, 116).
  2. ↑ Sumerian "gidim"
  3. ↑ Indiana Univ: MEDICINE IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA
  4. ↑ Willis, Deborah, Malevolent Nurture: Witch-Hunting and Maternal Power in Early Modern England (New York, Cornell University Press, 1995)
  5. ↑ Murphy, Ed. 1996.The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.51
  6. ↑ Murphy, Ed. 1996. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Rev. Ed., p.50
  7. ↑ MacNutt, Francis. 1995. Deliverance from evil Spirits: a practical manual. Grand Rapids: Chosen Books. p.71
  8. ↑ Broedel, Hans Peter, The Malleus Malfeicarum and the Construction of Witchcraft (Great Britain, Manchester University Press, 2003, 32-33), Barajo, Caro, World of the Witches, (Great Britain, University of Chicago Press, 1964, 73)
  9. ↑ Microsoft Word - Haraldur Erlendsson 1.6.03 Multiple Personality
  10. ↑ Martin Shaw has a devil of a job in Apparitions, The Times. November 8, 2008

References

  • Castaneda, Carlos. 1998. The Active side of Infinity. NYC HarperCollins.

External links

el:Δαιμονισμός es:Posesión demoníaca fr:Possession (anthropologie) hr:Opsjednuće id:Kesurupan it:Possessione ja:悪魔憑き pt:Possessão demoníaca simple:Demonic possession tl:Pagsapi ng demonyo tr:İyelik eki

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