The first physical reality is that we are third tier chemical bodies operated by very physical second tier so called spirit bodies formed out of Dark Matter and it all looks like a damn computer.
On death we separate and usually connect up with those we are like and commune. However profoundly discordant individuals also do the same and create their own hell. some even run free.
All this provides a cast of bad actors quite able to infiltrate a body and spirit for its own pleasures. Thus the whole phenomena of possession has a plausible explanation once we accept the reality of spirit.
The second thing worth noting is that at least one psychologist has concluded that mental illness is best explained by all this. So we are not totally whistling in the dark.
Obviously meddling in spiritual matters opens access or at least draws unwelcome and dangerous attention that can lead to possession. The Ouija board is the best example of this actually happening.
I will go further. All mental illness should be first challenged with an exorcism simply to eliminate such an eventuality. If this proves efficacious, then a vast fortune is saved on mental health care. It is also a cheap way to find out for sure.. .
On death we separate and usually connect up with those we are like and commune. However profoundly discordant individuals also do the same and create their own hell. some even run free.
All this provides a cast of bad actors quite able to infiltrate a body and spirit for its own pleasures. Thus the whole phenomena of possession has a plausible explanation once we accept the reality of spirit.
The second thing worth noting is that at least one psychologist has concluded that mental illness is best explained by all this. So we are not totally whistling in the dark.
Obviously meddling in spiritual matters opens access or at least draws unwelcome and dangerous attention that can lead to possession. The Ouija board is the best example of this actually happening.
I will go further. All mental illness should be first challenged with an exorcism simply to eliminate such an eventuality. If this proves efficacious, then a vast fortune is saved on mental health care. It is also a cheap way to find out for sure.. .
Modern Possessions: What Evil is Behind the Resurgence in Demand for Exorcisms?
http://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/modern-possessions-what-evil-behind-resurgence-demand-exorcisms-008359
Less than five years ago, a new army of exorcists was
created by the Roman Catholic Church. They were trained to deal with
the “unprecedented rise” in requests for help in battling evil spirits.
The Church has claimed that an increase in demonic possessions is
related to the ease of finding information on the “dark arts” online.
Fr Francesco Bamonte, of the International Association for Exorcists
in Italy, told La Repubblica: “Diabolical possessions are on the
increase as a result of people subscribing to occultism. The few
exorcists that we have in the dioceses are often not able to handle the
enormous number of requests for help.”
A woodcut from 1598 shows an exorcism performed on
a woman by a priest and his assistant, with a demon emerging from her
mouth. ( Public Domain )
For those who follow this belief, signs of demonic possession
include: a person speaking in strange/unknown languages, uncontrollably
shaking, and/or vomiting strange items such as nails, metal, and glass.
Catholics assert that the exorcism ritual is the only way to rid a
person of an evil being. Exorcisms involve a priest invoking the name of
various saints, the Archangel Michael, and God.
St. Catherine of Siena Exorcising a Possessed Woman. ( Public Domain )
Exorcisms in Various Cultures and Religions
Although many people associate the practice with the Catholic Church,
ritual exorcisms are a worldwide, multicultural phenomenon. In fact,
the idea of performing exorcisms is said to date back thousands of years
and has been found in pretty much all religious traditions.
For example, ancient Mesopotamians believed that physical and
psychological illnesses were caused by a malevolent spirit “possessing”
or attaching itself to a person who had used specific incantations to
the gods or had directly challenged demons. Their “exorcism” involved a
priest destroying a clay or wax representation of the demon at fault.
Other early examples of malevolent elements interfering with human
health and happiness are described in the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit texts
of Hinduism from about 1000 BC. For this religion, the purification of a
person’s mind is necessary to overcome the terrible state.
In Persia, another type of exorcism took place about 600 BC by
Zoroaster (the founder of Zoroastrianism). He used holy water, prayers,
and other ritual practices in his work.
L'Exorcisme (The Exorcism) by André Brouillet. ( CC BY SA 3.0 )
Christians have many examples of Jesus casting out evil spirits too. A
popular example is the story of Jesus commanding “foul spirits” to
leave a madman. The result was a herd of pigs being possessed and
running off a cliff and drowning instead.
Demonology and superstitious beliefs were prevalent in the Middle
Ages and these beliefs had an impact on the common understanding of
mental illness. Often clergymen performed torturous acts on patients in
the name of ridding them of demons. One terrible example was scourging.
1519 painting of an exorcism. ( Public Domain )
Some popular methods used in exorcism rituals over the centuries have
been the use of prayers,
Skepticism and Debate
Many sceptics have said that mental illnesses, such as hysteria,
mania, psychosis, Tourette’s syndrome, schizophrenia, or personality
disorders have been the real issues behind so-called “demonic
possessions.” For them, the “power” of exorcisms is just the power of
suggestion - a placebo effect.
Nevertheless, the belief in malevolent spirits possessing unfortunate
people is an ancient one which continues to have a hold on the minds of
many people around the world today. Whether these examples of
“possession” are medical, psychological, or demonic at the root is still
a heavily controversial subject.
Exorcism. (Gwendal Uguen/ CC BY NC SA 2.0 )
Top Image: Painting of Father General Saint Francis Borgia, SJ, performing an exorcism, by Goya. Source: Public Domain
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