Exorcism
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===Orthodox exorcism=== | ===Orthodox exorcism=== | ||
The Orthodox Church also believes in Satan as a created being and a fallen [[angel]] with free will who always chooses to do evil.<ref>If Satan truly is free why is he incapable of choosing good?</ref> The Devil can possess people and objects. As with Roman Catholics, [[priest]]s do exorcisms and renunciation of the Devil is part of baptism. Lay Orthodox believers are also encouraged to “pray and exorcise evil.” There are specific [[prayer]]s for exorcism. | The Orthodox Church also believes in Satan as a created being and a fallen [[angel]] with free will who always chooses to do evil.<ref>If Satan truly is free why is he incapable of choosing good?</ref> The Devil can possess people and objects. As with Roman Catholics, [[priest]]s do exorcisms and renunciation of the Devil is part of baptism. Lay Orthodox believers are also encouraged to “pray and exorcise evil.” There are specific [[prayer]]s for exorcism. | ||
| − | <ref>Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: [http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7079/ Exorcism in the Orthodox Church]</ref> Among | + | <ref>Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: [http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7079/ Exorcism in the Orthodox Church]</ref> Among Orthodox exorcism can involve physical restraints on the <s>victim</s> patient.<ref>About.com Paranormal Phenomena: [http://paranormal.about.com/od/demonsandexorcism/a/aa031405.htm Exorcism in Russia]</ref> |
===Protestant exorcism=== | ===Protestant exorcism=== | ||
Revision as of 16:44, 10 September 2013
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Exorcism is the practice of purging demons, ghosts, dark influences, malevolent spirits, lost souls, and/or Satan out of a possessed person's body and/or soul, a haunted house, a cursed object, etc.
Exorcism usually involves invoking God, Jesus, angels, saints, doing funny dances, pouring holy water or dangerous substances on the patient, praying, sacrifices, amulets, and fasting either by the clergy or by the patient, among other things. It is generally performed by a member of the clergy or other holy dudes.
The existence (albeit rare) of demonic possession and exorcisms is officially recognized by the Catholic Church,[1] though it is not exclusive to Christianity. It is also present in Islam and Hinduism among other religions.
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In Christianity
According to the New Testament, Jesus cast out demons, an act which became the foundation for Christian exorcism and it appears that by the 4th Century CE there was at least one established liturgy and procedure for exorcism.[2] Those few Christians who do believe in spiritual possession feel they are empowered to do exorcisms in the name of Jesus.
Demonic or other possession was at one time used to explain everything from basic illness to odd behavior of an individual, loss of memory (for example, after an accident), social problems like alcoholism and drug abuse, prostitution, and generally any opinion which was an embarrassment to an individual, his family, or the Church. As science began to provide explanations for illness, and as society became more accepting of different points of view, "possession" became more infrequent.
Small numbers of Christians accept exorcism in the 21st century. People being exorcised appear seriously distressed; believers say the demons rather than people exorcised are distressed.[3]
Roman Catholic exorcism
The Vatican website has this to say on Exorcism:[4]
“”When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called "a major exorcism," can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.
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Pope Francis was filmed carrying out a possible exorcism in St Peter's Square. Francis has previously carried out exorcisms as did John Paul II. [5] [6]
Baptism includes aspects of exorcism to address the horror of the infant coming into contact with its mother's icky sexual vagina. Traditional belief held that such contact caused (or allowed) an evil spirit to enter the child.[7]
The Roman Catholic Church has a body of exorcists that follow tightly regulated rules, most of which are kept secret from all but a very few church members.[citation needed]
The Roman Catholic hierarchy is reviving interest in exorcism in hopes of reminding people that secular institutions are incapable of dealing with demons while the church, of course, can.[8]
Orthodox exorcism
The Orthodox Church also believes in Satan as a created being and a fallen angel with free will who always chooses to do evil.[9] The Devil can possess people and objects. As with Roman Catholics, priests do exorcisms and renunciation of the Devil is part of baptism. Lay Orthodox believers are also encouraged to “pray and exorcise evil.” There are specific prayers for exorcism.
[10] Among Orthodox exorcism can involve physical restraints on the victim patient.[11]
Protestant exorcism
Many Protestant fundamentalist churches are less regulated in their use of exorcism, leading to violent and occasionally deadly attempts to exorcise unwilling and/or uncomprehending victims. In Texas forcible exorcism is legal or was legal in 2008.[12]
Exorcisms are needed because society is often skeptical about the teachings of the more hard-line Christian groups has lost its moral compass. According to J. F. Cogan, demonic possession is behind a wide range of happenings including gay ordination, women's ordination, and even spontaneous human combustion. People can get themselves possessed by a range of activities that Christian fundamentalists dislike, such as viewing porn, illicit sex gay sex, drug abuse, and even Rock music. Astrologers and other psychics are vulnerable to demonic possession as are those who do Hindu or Buddhist meditation. Demons may time share; they torment one person then rush off at a speed slightly below the speed of light to torment someone else. Therefore possessed people may be worked up one moment and calm the next when the demon has gone off to a fresh victim.[13]
In evangelical Protestantism, exorcism is often practiced as part of a broader spiritual warfare agenda. In an even more ludicrous variety, exorcisms are performed at long distance over the telephone by Bob Larson or over the television by name it and claim it preachers ("laaay your hands on the television set").
Protestant exorcism is frequently a way televangelists make money, even teenagers do tele-exorcism. [14] Other people also make money through exorcism by selling scary books, etc. See Deliverance ministry.
Scientific explanations
Medicine and psychology do not classify demonic possession as a mental illness, but rather as a misdiagnosis of different psychological conditions.
Although validity of exorcism would be a tough argument for theism, it surprisingly isn't brought up in debates very much. Could be that even the theists realize exorcism is bollocks, or it's a taboo theme among them.
External links
- Catholic Encyclopedia: Exorcism
See also
References
- ↑ Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1673
- ↑ Ghost Investigator: Ancient Christian Exorcism Liturgy
- ↑ About.com Paranormal Phenomena Exorcism in Russia
- ↑ Vatican Archives: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery
- ↑ Video emerges of Pope Francis reportedly performing an exorcism
- ↑ Did Pope Francis Perform An Exorcism?
- ↑ ReligousTolerance.org: Roman Catholic beliefs & practices
- ↑ The New York Times: For Catholics, Interest in Exorcism Is Revived 12 November 2010
- ↑ If Satan truly is free why is he incapable of choosing good?
- ↑ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: Exorcism in the Orthodox Church
- ↑ About.com Paranormal Phenomena: Exorcism in Russia
- ↑ Pharyngula: Texas court approves traumatic exorcisms
- ↑ ReligiousTolerance.org: Conservative Protestant Beliefs & Practices
- ↑ Teen exorcists: The girls who expel demons on stage