Saint Francis exorcised demons in Arezzo, fresco of Giotto

Exorcism (from Late Latin exorcismus, from Greek exorkizein - to adjure) is the practice of evicting demons or other evil spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed (taken control of). The practice is quite ancient and part of the belief system of many religions. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (864x1001, 138 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Exorcism ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (864x1001, 138 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Exorcism ... Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 or 1182 – October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. ... Arezzo (Latin Arretium) is an old city in central Italy, capital of the province of the same name, located in Tuscany. ... There are several things that have been named Giotto: Giotto di Bondone an Italian painter. ... For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ... “Fiend” redirects here. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Spiritual possession is a concept of supernatural and/or superstitious belief systems whereby gods, daemons, demons, animas, or other disincarnate entities may temporarily take control of a human body, resulting in noticeable changes in behaviour. ...

The person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is often a member of the clergy, or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills. The exorcist may use prayers, and religious material, such as set formulas, gestures, symbols, icons, amulets, etc.. The exorcist often invokes God, Jesus and/or several different angels and archangels to intervene with the exorcism. An exorcist is a person who performs exorcism, the ridding of demons or other supernatural beings who have possessed a person, or (sometimes) a building or other object. ... For other uses, see Prayer (disambiguation). ... For gestures in computing, see mouse gesture. ... This article is about the religious artifacts. ... An amulet from the Black Pullet grimoire. ... This article is about the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... This article is about the supernatural being. ... 12th century icon of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Saint Catherines Monastery, Mount Sinai). ...

In general, possessed persons are not regarded as evil in themselves, nor wholly responsible for their actions. Therefore practitioners regard exorcism more as a cure than as a punishment. The mainstream rituals usually take this into account, making sure that there is no violence to the possessed, only that they be tied down if there is potential for violence^[1]. For other uses, see Evil (disambiguation). ...

History

The concept of possession by evil spirits and the practice of exorcism are very ancient and were widespread, and may have originated in prehistoric Shamanistic beliefs. This article is about the practice of shamanism; for other uses, see Shaman (disambiguation). ...

The Christian New Testament includes exorcism among the miracles performed by Jesus. Because of this precedent, demonic possession was part of the belief system of Christianity since its beginning, and 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. ^[2] Topics in Christianity Preaching Prayer Ecumenism Relation to other religions Movements Music Liturgy Calendar Symbols Art Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... This article is about the Christian scriptures. ... According to the canonical Gospels, Jesus worked many miracles in the course of his ministry. ... Demonic possession, in supernatural belief systems, is a form of spiritual possession whereby certain malevolent extra-dimensional entities, demons, gain control over a mortal persons body, which is then used for an evil or destructive purpose. ... As a Christian ecclesiastical term, Catholic—from the Greek adjective , meaning general or universal[1]—is described in the Oxford English Dictionary as follows: ~Church, (originally) whole body of Christians; ~, belonging to or in accord with (a) this, (b) the church before separation into Greek or Eastern and Latin or... Eastern Orthodoxy (also called Greek Orthodoxy and Russian Orthodoxy) is a Christian tradition which represents the majority of Eastern Christianity. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church[3] in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the oldest among the communions thirty-eight independent national churches. ...

After the enlightenment, the practice of exorcism has diminished in its importance to most religious groups and its use has decreased, especially in western society. Generally, in the 20th century its use was found mainly in Eastern Europe and Africa, with some cases gaining media coverage; Anneliese Michel is perhaps the most recent of these. This is due mainly to the study of psychology and the functioning and structure of the human mind. Many of the cases that in the past which were candidates for exorcism are often explained to be the products of mental illness, and are handled as such. Anneliese Michel (September 21, 1952 – July 1, 1976) was a Catholic woman from Germany who was said to be possessed by six or more demons and subsequently underwent an exorcism. ... Psychological science redirects here. ... For other uses, see Mind (disambiguation). ... A mental illness or mental disorder refers to one of many mental health conditions characterized by distress, impaired cognitive functioning, atypical behavior, emotional dysregulation, and/or maladaptive behavior. ...

However in 1973 the motion picture The Exorcist came out, and the idea of Exorcisms became thrust into the limelight. After its release a very large response came from the public in the United States and Europe, and belief in Demon Possession and Exorcisms found a place in contemporary society. Belief in the validity of the practice became less of a radical idea, and more widespread.^[3] The Exorcist is an Academy Award-winning 1973 American horror film, adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, dealing with the demonic possession of a young girl, and her mother’s desperate attempts to win back her daughter through an exorcism conducted by two... Spiritual possession is a concept of many religions and tales, where it is believed that a demon may take temporary control of a human body, resulting in noticeable changes in behaviour. ...

Exorcism in Christianity

Jesus

In Christianity, Exorcisms are performed using the "power of Christ" or "In the name of Jesus." This is founded in the belief that Jesus commanded his followers to expel evil spirits in his name(Matthew 10:1,Matthew 10:8; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:110:17),(Mark 16:17). According to the Catholic Encyclopedia article on Exorcism: Jesus cast out demons as a sign of his Messiahship and empowered his disciples to do the same^[4]. Not to be confused with New Catholic Encyclopedia. ...

The Jewish Encyclopedia article on Jesus stated that Jesus "was devoted especially to casting out demons" and also believed that he passed this on to his followers, however he was superior to them in the Exorcisms."^[5] The Jewish Encyclopedia was an encyclopedia originally published between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. ...

In the time of Jesus, non-New Testament Jewish sources report of exorcisms done by administering drugs with poisonous root extracts or other by making sacrifices. (Josephus, "B. J." vii. 6, § 3; Sanh. 65b). They do not report of Jesus being an exorcist, but do mention that exorcisms were done by the Essene branch of Judaism (Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran). The Essenes (Issiim) were a Jewish religious sect of Zadokites that flourished from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD. The name Essene, itself, is either a version of the Greek word for Holy, or various Aramaic dialect words for pious, and is probably not what the... The Dead Sea scrolls consist of roughly 1000 documents, including texts from the Hebrew Bible, discovered between 1947 and 1979 in eleven caves in and around the Wadi Qumran (near the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea) in the West...

Roman Catholicism

Painting by Francisco Goya of Saint Francis Borgia performing an exorcism.

The belief in Roman Catholicism is that unlike Baptism or Confession, Exorcism is one ritual that isn't a sacrament. Unlike a sacrament, exorcism's "integrity and efficacy do not depend ... on the rigid use of an unchanging formula or on the ordered sequence of prescribed actions. Its efficacy depends on two elements: authorization from valid and licit Church authorities, and the faith of the exorcist."^[6] That being said, Catholic Exorcism is still one of the most rigid and organized of all existing exorcism rituals. Solemn exorcisms, according to the Canon law of the church, can be exercised only by an ordained priest (or higher prelate), with the express permission of the local bishop, and only after a careful medical examination to exclude the possibility of mental illness. The Catholic Encyclopedia (1908) enjoined: "Superstition ought not to be confounded with religion, however much their history may be interwoven, nor magic, however white it may be, with a legitimate religious rite." Things listed in the Roman Ritual as being indicators of possible demonic possession include: speaking foreign or ancient languages of which the possessed has no prior knowledge; supernatural abilities and strength; knowledge of hidden or remote things which the possessed has no way of knowing, an aversion to anything holy, profuse blasphemy, or sacrilege. Image File history File links Saintfrancisborgia_exorcism. ... Image File history File links Saintfrancisborgia_exorcism. ... Goya redirects here. ... Francis Borgia was born near Valencia, Spain, on October 28, 1510. ... Catholic sacraments redirects here. ... Canon Law is the ecclesiastical law of the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Roman Ritual (Latin: Rituale Romanum) is a religious text of the Catholic faith. ... For the black metal band, see Blasphemy (band). ... Sacrilege is in general the violation or injurious treatment of a sacred object. ...

The Catholic Church revised the Rite of Exorcism in January 1999, although the traditional Rite of Exorcism in Latin is allowed as an option. The act of exorcism is considered to be an incredibly dangerous spiritual task; the ritual assumes that possessed persons retain their free-will, though the demon may hold control over their physical body, and involves prayers, blessings, and invocations with the use of the document Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications. Other formulas may have been used in the past, such as the Benedictine Vade retro satana. In the modern era, the Catholic Church authorizes exorcism rarely, approaching would-be cases with the presumption that mental or physical illness is in play. In mild cases the Chaplet of Saint Michael should be used. Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications (Latin: De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam) is an 84-page document of the Roman Catholic church describing the rite of exorcism. ... St Benedict of Nursia (c. ... Vade retro satana (Step back, Satan) is a Medieval Catholic formula for exorcism, recorded in a 1415 manuscript found in the Abbey of Metten in Bavaria and traditionally attributed to Saint Benedict. ... Chaplet of St. ...

Anglicanism

In 1974, the Church of England set up the "Deliverance Ministry". As part of its creation every diocese in the country was equipped a team trained in both exorcism and psychiatry. According to its representatives most cases brought before it have conventional explanations and actual exorcisms are quite rare, though sometimes blessings are given to people for psychological reasons. ^[2] Pope Pius XI blesses Bishop Stephen Alencastre as fifth Apostolic Vicar of the Hawaiian Islands in a Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace window. ...

In The Episcopal Church the Book of Occasional Services discusses provision for exorcism; but it does not indicate any specific rite, nor does it establish an office of "exorcist". ^[7] Diocesan exorcists usually continue in their role when they have retired from all other church duties. Anglican priests may not perform an exorcism without permission from the Diocesan bishop. Is not usually performed unless the bishop and his team of specialists (including a psychiatrist and physician) have approved it.-1... Roman Catholic priest A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      This article... For other uses, see Psychiatrist (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Doctor. ...

Protestant denominations

Some Protestant denominations also recognize possession and exorcism, although the practice is generally less formalized than it is in the Catholic Church. The Methodist Church also has appointed people in place for use in such circumstances^[8]. While some denominations perform exorcism very sparingly and cautiously, some may perform it almost routinely, as part of regular religious services.

Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck researched exorcisms (initially in an effort to disprove demonic possession), and claims to have conducted two himself. He concluded that the Christian concept of possession was a genuine phenomenon. He derived diagnostic criteria somewhat different from those used by the Roman Catholic Church. He also claimed to see differences in exorcism procedures and progression. After his experiences and in an attempt to get his research validated, he has attempted to get the psychiatric community to add the definition of "Evil" to the DSMIV^[9]. Morgan Scott Peck (22 May 1936 – 25 September 2005) was a US psychiatrist and best-selling author. ... The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is an American handbook for mental health professionals that lists different categories of mental disorders and the criteria for diagnosing them, according to the publishing organization the American Psychiatric Association. ...

Deliverance

In the less formalized sections of Protestant denominations the ritual can take many forms and belief structures, especially in Charismatic movement. The most common of these is the Deliverance ceremony. This differs from the exorcism ceremony by the fact that the Devil may have gotten a foothold, into a persons life rather than gaining complete control if complete control has been gained a full fledged exorcism is necessary. However a "spirit filled Christian" can not be possessed based on their beliefs. Within this belief structure the reasons for the devil to get a foothold are usually explained to be some sort of deviation from theological doctrine or because of pre-conversion activities (like dealing with the occult) ^{[10] [11]}

The method for determining if a person needs a Deliverance is done by having someone present who has the gift of Discernments of Spirits. This is a gift of the Holy Spirit from Cor. 1:12 that allows a person to "sense" in some way an evil presence^[12]. While the initial diagnosis is usually uncontested by the congregation, when many people are endowed with this gift in a single congregation results may vary^[13].

Fr. Gabriele Amorth references these people calling them "seers and Sensitives" and uses them on many occasions; they have the ability to detect an evil presence. He notes however that "They are not always right: their "feelings" must be checked out." In his examples they are able to detect the events that caused the Demon to enter, or are able to discover the evil object that has cursed the individual. He notes that "they are always Humble."^[14]

Exorcism in Judaism

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In kabbalah and European Jewish folklore (which does not believe in possession by demons), possession takes on a different (and often much more positive) context. A person may be possessed by a spirit called a dybbuk — which is believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person, returned from Gehenna (a Hebrew term for the in between world or purgatory that all spirits go to before entering heaven. It literally refers to the valley outside Jeruselem where the city's garbage and dead bodies were burned. The word later came to mean "the valley of dead", and became very loosely translated as "hell" by later Christian researchers). According to those beliefs, on rare occasions a soul which has not been able to fulfill its function in its lifetime is given another opportunity to do so in the form of a dybbuk. The soul then seeks out and "attaches" itself to a living person who is going through things or in a similar "life position" to what the soul was in during its lifetime. Image File history File links Question_book-new. ... This article is about traditional Jewish Kabbalah. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dybbuk - in kabbalah and European Jewish folklore, is a malicious possessing spirit, believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person, escaped from Gehenna, a Hebrew term very loosely translated as hell. The word dybbuk is derived from the Hebrew דיבוק, meaning attachment; the dybbuk attaches itself to the body... For other uses, see Soul (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the theological or philosophical afterlife. ...

It is believed there are good dybbuks and bad, with a good dybbuk's "attachment" performing more the role of a "spiritual guide" there to help the person through their current trials and tribulations that the soul was attracted to. These "good" possessions are usually referred to as a 'sod ha'ibbur.

In the case of a negative dybbuk, the spirit is not there to help as much as cause the same mistakes and chaos that it originally experienced during its own lifetime.

In the case of exorcism, there are generally two types - though both take on a much less negative confrontational manner than in the Christian context.

Briefly, the first involves a non-invasive approach (which generally is applied to the non-negative type of attachment but can be used in both) and involves treating the person and attached entity as a whole. Helping "him" to identify his goal or path in life (his true identity and purpose) and guiding them along it. In the case of a positive attachment, the spirit will leave when the "path" or purpose is significantly engrained and pursued. In the case of a negative, the pursuant of the "path" keeps it in check and eventually causes it to lose its connection (sometimes referred to as the "void" in the host) thereby forcing it to move on.

The second approach is a little more confrontational, but still far less than those commonly seen in Christian rites. It involves 10 people (including the rabbi) who surround the possessed individual. Each person (including the rabbi leading the ritual) represents the 10 kabbalistic sephirot. The rabbi that leads the ceremony also requires a shofar, which is interestingly used in a manner similar to the bell in Buddhist and other east Asian meditative practices. The group repeatedly recites Psalm 91 and then the rabbi proceeds to blow the shofar in a specific pattern. This "shocks" both the possessed and the possessor, causing a loosening between the two enabling the addressing of each individually. The rabbi then enters in to dialogue with the spirit to find its purpose, and the group proceeds to heal it through dialogue and prayer meant to have it feel it has accomplished its goal. This is also done for the possessed. As Rabbi Gershon Winkler puts it: "We don't drive anything out of anybody. What we want to do is to heal the soul that's possessing and heal the person. It's all about healing -- we do the ceremony on behalf of both people." “Sefirah” redirects here. ... A shofar made from the horn of a kudu, in the Yemenite Jewish style. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Psalm 91 Psalm 91 (Greek numbering: Psalm 90), referred to by its Latin title Qui habitat (after its first line, Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High), is known as the Psalm of Protection, and it is often sung or...

Exorcism in Hinduism

This article does not cite any references or sources. (November 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Beliefs and practices pertaining to the practice of exorcism are prominently connected with the ancient Dravidians in south. Of the four Vedas (holy books of the Hindus), the Atharva Veda is said to contain the secrets related to magic and medicine. Many of the spells described in this book are for casting out demons and evil spirits. These beliefs are particularly strong and practiced in West Bengal, Orissa and southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Image File history File links Question_book-new. ... Veda redirects here. ... The Atharva Veda is a sacred text of Hinduism, part of the four books of the Vedas. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchim Bônggo IPA: ) is a state in eastern India. ... , Orissa   (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା), is a state situated on the east coast of India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... -1...

Basic means of exorcism are mantra and yajna used in both Vedic and Tantric traditions. For other uses, see Mantra (disambiguation). ... In Hinduism, Yajna (Devanagari यज्ञ IAST ; also anglicized as Yagna or Yagya) is a ritual of sacrifice (Monier-Williams gives the meanings worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation, sacrifice) more commonly practised during Vedic times. ...

Vaishnava traditions also employ a recitation of names of Narasimha and reading scriptures (notably Bhagavata Purana) aloud. According to Gita Mahatmya of Padma Purana reading of 3rd, 7th and 8th chapter of Bhagavad Gita and mentally offering the result to departed persons helps them to get released from their ghostly situation. Kirtan, continuous playing of mantras, keeping scriptures and holy pictures (esp. of Narasimha) in the house, burning incense offered during a puja, sprinkling water of holy rivers and blowing conches used in puja are considered to be other effective practices. Vaishnavism is the branch of Hinduism in which Vishnu or one of his avatars (i. ... Narasimha (IAST , Sanskrit नरसिंह) (other spellings are Narasingh, Narasinga) is an avatara of Vishnu described in the Puranas, Upanishads and other ancient religious texts of Hinduism,[1] and one of Hinduisms most popular deities, as evidenced in early epics, iconography, and temple and festival worship for over a millennium. ... The Bhagavata Purana (sometimes rendered as Bhagavatha Purana), also known as the Srimad Bhagavatam, written c. ... Padma Purana (Devanagari: पद्म पुराण), one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is divided into five parts. ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... Swami Haridas teaching Tansen in the presence of Mughal Emperor Akbar. ... A puja as performed in Ujjain during the Monsoon on the banks of the overflowing river Shipra. ...

Main Vedic resource on ghost- and death-related information is Garuda Purana. Garuda Purana is one of the Puranas which are part of the Hindu body of texts known as the smriti. ...

Exorcism in Scientology

Scientology believes that foreign beings known as Body Thetans have clustered themselves around a person and cause them confusion. It is the goal of Scientology to remove these beings from a person. Doctrine Practices Concepts People Public outreach Organization Controversy In Scientology, a thetan is the term roughly corresponding to ones soul, and a Body Thetan is an alien thetan who is stuck in, on or near a human meat body, and all human bodies are said to be covered in... Doctrine Practices Concepts People Public outreach Organization Controversy Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American pulp fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as an outgrowth of his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. ...

On Scientology advanced level "OT3", "body thetans" are exorcised using a complicated technique. Body thetan exorcism, with a simpler technique, is revisited on advanced level "OT5", also known as "New Era Dianetics for Operating Thetans."^[15] after these levels (which are used to accomplish other goals as well, not just an "exorcism" for Body Thetans) you are supposed to be free from the BT's influence. Doctrine Practices Concepts People Public outreach Organization Controversy In Scientology, a thetan is the term roughly corresponding to ones soul, and a Body Thetan is an alien thetan who is stuck in, on or near a human meat body, and all human bodies are said to be covered in... This article is about the theory and practice termed Dianetics. ... In Scientology, the state of Operating Thetan (OT) is a spiritual state above Clear. ...

Exorcism in Islam

This article does not cite any references or sources. (November 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Possession by jinn or the Devil (Shaitan) and exorcism of those who are wicked at heart is warned about in Islam since its beginning. Image File history File links Question_book-new. ... For other uses, see Genie (disambiguation). ... At its simplest, Shayṭān is the Arabic word for “Satan”. In Islam, Shayṭān (Arabic: شيطان) is an entity analogous to Satan in Christianity. ...

It is believed that jinn can gain control only over those who do not hold true to God. According to Islamic scholars, "The Jinn enters the one seized by fits and causes him to speak incomprehensible words, unknown to himself; if the one seized by fits is struck a blow sufficient to kill a camel, he does not feel it." (ibn Taymiyyah, Majmoo al-Fatawa.)

Islamic clergy caution against the overuse of exorcism, citing that most cases are due to psychological and physical causes mistaken for possession. Real cases of possession are very rare and the faithful are warned to watch out for exorcists who encourage a diagnosis of possession too quickly, as they may merely be seeking profit.

Islamic authorities also deny the possibility of possession by souls of deceased persons, and warn that evil spirits may make this claim in order to encourage sinful behavior among the living.

Exorcism in the Qur'an and Sunnah

There is no explicit statement in the Qur'an referring to possession by jinn. The closest is the following Qu'ranic verse which compares the state of sinners on the Day of Judgment to the state of those made insane by the Devil: The Qur’ān [1] (Arabic: , literally the recitation; also sometimes transliterated as Quran, Koran, or Al-Quran) is the central religious text of Islam. ... For other uses, see Genie (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Some cite this verse as proof against Muslims who deny the possibility of jinn possession. Of Usury, from Brants Stultifera Navis (the Ship of Fools); woodcut attributed to Albrecht Dürer Usury (//,comes from the Medieval Latin usuria, interest or excessive interest, from the Latin usura interest) originally meant the charging of interest on loans. ... For other senses of this word, see interest (disambiguation). ... Look up Resurrection in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the concept of Satan. ...

There are also Sunnah (traditional statements that are not part of the Qur'an) about the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers expelling evil beings from the bodies of believers by using verses from the Qur'an and supplications to Allah. This example is related by Ya'la ibn Murah: Sunnah(t) () literally means “trodden path”, and therefore, the sunnah of the prophet means “the way of the prophet”. Terminologically, the word ‘Sunnah’ in Sunni Islam means those religious actions that were instituted by Muhammad(PBUH) during the 23 years of his ministry and which Muslims initially received through consensus... Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ...

On the nature of jinn

In Islamic belief, the most intelligent jinn is as smart as a 6 year old human^{[citation needed]}. Much like human beings, they have free will to choose between right and wrong. While a jinni may possess a human for pure wickedness, it may also do it for other reasons. Shaikh zabri ibn Taymiyyah suggests that a jinni may do it in order to experience the physical world, for reasons of desire or love. In this case, a jinni may not have a malicious intent, or may be unaware of the harm it is causing. A jinni might also use possession for revenge. Jinn are said to be quick to anger, especially when they believe themselves to have been purposely harmed (since jinn are usually invisible to humans, a person can accidentally injure a jinni). For other uses, see Genie (disambiguation). ... Taqi al-Din Ahmad Ibn Taymiyyah (Arabic: )(January 22, 1263 - 1328), was a Sunni Islamic scholar born in Harran, located in what is now Turkey, close to the Syrian border. ...

Notable exorcisms

Salvador Dali is reputed to have received an exorcism from Italian friar, Gabriele Maria Berardi, while he was in France in 1947. Dali created a sculpture of Christ on the cross which he gave the friar in thanks.^[16] Salvador Dalí as photographed in 1934 by Carl Van Vechten Salvador Domenec Felip Jacint Dalí Domenech (May 11, 1904 - January 23, 1989) was an important Catalan-Spanish painter, best known for his surrealist works. ... A friar is a member of a religious mendicant order of men. ...

Anneliese Michel was a Catholic woman from Germany who was said to be possessed by six or more demons and subsequently underwent an exorcism in 1975. Two motion pictures, The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Requiem are loosely based on Anneliese's story. Anneliese Michel (September 21, 1952 – July 1, 1976) was a Catholic woman from Germany who was said to be possessed by six or more demons and subsequently underwent an exorcism. ... The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a 2005 horror/thriller film directed by Scott Derrickson. ... Requiem (2006) is a German language film by Hans-Christian Schmid starring Sandra Hüller. ...

A boy identified by the pseudonym "Roland Doe" was the subject of an exorcism in 1949, which became the subject of The Exorcist, a horror novel and later film written by William Peter Blatty. Blatty heard about the case while he was a student in the class of 1950 at Georgetown University. The exorcism was partially performed in both Cottage City, Maryland and Bel-Nor, Missouri^[17] by Father William S. Bowdern, S.J. and a then Jesuit scholastic Fr. Walter Halloran, S.J.^[18] The Exorcist is a horror novel written by William Peter Blatty first published in 1971. ... William Peter Blatty (born January 7, 1928) is an American writer. ... Georgetown University is a Jesuit private university located in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Father John Carroll founded the school in 1789, though its roots extend back to 1634. ... Cottage City is a town located in Prince Georges County, Maryland. ... Bel-Nor is a village located in St. ... Father William S. Bowdern (died 1983) was a Jesuit Roman Catholic priest, also the lead exorcist in St. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... Father Walter H. Halloran Father Walter Halloran (September 21, 1921 – March 1, 2005) was a Jesuit Roman Catholic priest who, at the age of twenty-six, assisted in the exorcism of a thirteen year old Lutheran boy in St. ...

Scientific view

The Roman Ritual of exorcism cautions the priest to look for signs of mental and physical possession and the Catholic Church authorizes exorcism rarely, approaching would-be cases with the presumption that mental or physical illness is in play and employs mental health and medical professionals to rule out physical or mental causes before giving authorization. Many mental illnesses have been treated as demon possession, and show signs that are interpreted as such.

Demonic 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 the symptoms associated with mental illnesses such as hysteria, mania, psychosis, Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder to possession.^[19][20][21] 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.^[22] Additionally, there is a form of monomania called demonomania or demonopathy in which the patient believes that he or she is possessed by one or more demons. Demonic possession, in supernatural belief systems, is a form of spiritual possession whereby certain malevolent extra-dimensional entities, demons, gain control over a mortal persons body, which is then used for an evil or destructive purpose. ... An MRI scan of a human brain and head. ... The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a handbook for mental health professionals that lists different categories of mental disorder and the criteria for diagnosing them, according to the publishing organization the American Psychiatric Association. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) is a detailed description of known diseases and injuries. ... Hysteria is a diagnostic label applied to a state of mind, one of unmanageable fear or emotional excesses. ... This article is an expansion of a section entitled Mania from within the main article Bipolar disorder. ... For other uses, see Psychosis (disambiguation). ... Tourette syndrome — also called Tourettes syndrome, Tourette Spectrum (TS), Tourettes disorder, or Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (after its discoverer, Georges Gilles de la Tourette) — is a neurological or neurochemical disorder characterized by tics — involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly in the same way. ... Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), as defined by the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), is a mental condition whereby a single individual evidences two or more distinct identities or personalities, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. ... Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), as defined by the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), is a mental condition whereby a single individual evidences two or more distinct identities or personalities, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. ... In psychiatry, monomania (from Greek monos, one, and mania, mania) is a type of paranoia in which the patient has only one idea or type of ideas. ...

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.).^{[citation needed]} This article is an expansion of a section entitled Mania from within the main article Bipolar disorder. ... An energumen (from Greek energoumenos, possessed) is a frantic and hysterical person, who commonly shows a strength superior to what he/she should have. ...

The fact that exorcism works on people experiencing symptoms of possession is attributed to placebo effect and the power of suggestion.^[23] Some supposedly possessed persons are actually narcissists or are suffering from low self-esteem and act a "demon possessed person" in order to gain attention.^[24] For other uses, see Placebo (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Exorcism-related deaths and traumas

Exorcism and other forms of spiritual healing have been related to abuse^[25] and have been known to cause considerable physical harm to the exorcee, particularly when it is performed by those who believe that exorcism is necessarily a violent process. Notable cases include: This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Abuser redirects here. ...

• Anneliese Michel was a German college student who died after an exorcism. Her parents and the two Bavarian priests who carried out the exorcism were later convicted. The movies The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Requiem were based on her story.
• Korean woman Joanna Lee died in early December 2001 during a violent and prolonged exorcism performed in Auckland, New Zealand by a Korean church minister. Her decomposing body was prayed over for several days before authorities were notified. During his subsequent trial, Luke Lee claimed that Joanna Lee would rise from the dead in a few days. Lee was imprisoned but has appealed the conviction.
• The Texas Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision on June 27, 2008 reversed a $300,000 jury award versus the North Texas Pentecostal church Pleasant Glade Assembly of God (over injuries Laura Schubert,17, suffered in a 1996 exorcism conducted by members thereof). She stated that "she was cut and bruised and later experienced hallucinations, was pinned to the floor for hours and received carpet burns during the exorcism." Justice David Medina, ponente, held "that finding the church liable "would have an unconstitutional 'chilling effect' by compelling the church to abandon core principles of its religious beliefs. The 'laying of hands' and the presence of demons are part of the church's belief system and accepted as such by its adherents. These practices are not normally dangerous or unusual and apparently arise in the church with some regularity. They are thus to be expected and are accepted by those in the church." But Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, in a dissenting opinion, ruled that the "sweeping immunity is inconsistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedent and extends far beyond the Constitution's protections for religious conduct. The First Amendment guards religious liberty; it does not sanction intentional abuse in religion's name."^[26][27]

Anneliese Michel (September 21, 1952 – July 1, 1976) was a Catholic woman from Germany who was said to be possessed by six or more demons and subsequently underwent an exorcism. ... This article is about religious workers. ... The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a 2005 horror/thriller film directed by Scott Derrickson. ... Requiem (2006) is a German language film by Hans-Christian Schmid starring Sandra Hüller. ... Joanna Lee (also known as Keum Ok Lee) was a Korean woman who was killed in December 2001 during a prolonged and violent exorcism carried out by Pastor Luke Lee of the Lord of All cult, in Auckland, New Zealand. ... For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ... is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... David Medina (born 1958)on Galveston Island is a justice of the Texas Supreme Court. ... Wallace B. Jefferson made Texas history as the first African American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. ...

Exorcism in popular culture

Exorcism has been a popular subject in fiction, especially horror. “Horror story” redirects here. ...

• Supernatural
• The Dybbuk (1914 play by S. Ansky)
• The Exorcist (1971 novel by William Peter Blatty)
• The Exorcist (1973 and 2000 movies), and its sequels and prequels, were inspired by Catholic exorcism ritual and folklore.
• Repossessed (1990 comic movie starring Linda Blair and Leslie Nielsen)
• The Biggest Douche in the Universe (2002 South Park television episode)
• Kya Dark Lineage (2003 video game)
• Constantine (2005 movie) is based on the DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer.
• The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005 movie) was inspired by the Anneliese Michel case.
• Requiem (2006 German-language movie by Hans-Christian Schmid) is based on the Anneliese Michel case.
• An American Haunting (2006 movie)
• D.Gray-man (2006 Japanese animation series by Hoshino Katsura)
• A Haunting Shows true stories many involving demons and exorcisms
• Stigmata 1999 film starring Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Bryne)
• Grudge 2 2006 English movie based on the Japanese Ju-on series
• El Orfanato (The Orphanage) 2008 movie directed by Juan Antonio Bayona and produced by Guillermo Del Toro

A young man in Italy named Giovanni Vespucci recently died during an exorcism.^{[citation needed]} This article is about the US TV series. ... For information on the creature from Jewish folklore, see dybbuk. ... Shloyme Zanvl Rappoport (1863–1920), better known by the pseudonym S. Ansky, was a scholar who documented Jewish folklore and mystical beliefs. ... The Exorcist is a horror novel written by William Peter Blatty first published in 1971. ... William Peter Blatty (born January 7, 1928) is an American writer. ... The Exorcist is an Academy Award-winning 1973 American horror film, adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, dealing with the demonic possession of a young girl, and her mother’s desperate attempts to win back her daughter through an exorcism conducted by two... Repossessed was a 1990 comedy film that spoofed The Exorcist. ... Linda Denise Blair (born January 22, 1959 in St. ... Leslie William Nielsen OC (born February 11, 1926) is a Canadian born American comedian and actor. ... The Biggest Douche in the Universe is episode 615 of the Comedy Central animated series South Park. ... This article is about the TV series. ... This page may meet Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... Constantine is a 2005 American film loosely based on the Hellblazer comic book, with some plot elements being taken from the Dangerous Habits arc (issues #41-46). ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... Vertigo logo Vertigo is an imprint of comic book and graphic novel publisher DC Comics. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Hellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics. ... The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a 2005 horror/thriller film directed by Scott Derrickson. ... Anneliese Michel (September 21, 1952 – July 1, 1976) was a Catholic woman from Germany who was said to be possessed by six or more demons and subsequently underwent an exorcism. ... Requiem (2006) is a German language film by Hans-Christian Schmid starring Sandra Hüller. ... Anneliese Michel (September 21, 1952 – July 1, 1976) was a Catholic woman from Germany who was said to be possessed by six or more demons and subsequently underwent an exorcism. ... An American Haunting is a 2006 American horror film written and directed by Courtney Solomon. ... Demographic Shōnen Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump Original run May 31, 2004 – Ongoing Volumes 14 (as of March 2008) TV anime Director Nabeshima Osamu Studio TMS Entertainment Network TV Tokyo Original run October 3, 2006 – Ongoing Episodes 83 (as of May 13, 2008) Game: Developer Konami Genre Action... Hoshino Katsura (星野 æ¡‚) is a Japanese mangaka. ... A Haunting is a television series on Discovery Channel that, according to its website[1] chronicles the terrifying true stories of the paranormal told by people who experienced real-life horror tales. ... Stigmata is a controversial movie directed by Rupert Wainwright that premiered on September 10, 1999. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Promotional posters for The Grudge in Japan retained the original series title prefix of Ju-on. ... The Orphanage (Spanish title: El Orfanato) is a 2007 Spanish horror/suspense/drama film. ...

See also

• Deliverance ministry
• Demonic possession
• International Association of Exorcists
• Kecak
• List of exorcists
• Yoruba religion

In charismatic Christianity, deliverance ministries are activities carried out by individuals or groups aimed at solving problems related to demons and spirits, especially possession. ... Demonic possession, in supernatural belief systems, is a form of spiritual possession whereby certain malevolent extra-dimensional entities, demons, gain control over a mortal persons body, which is then used for an evil or destructive purpose. ... International Association of Exorcists is a Roman Catholic organization that was founded by the world famous exorcist of Rome Father Gabriele Amorth in 1993. ... A Kecak dance being performed at Uluwatu, in Bali Kecak (pronounced: KEH-chahk, alternate spellings: Ketjak, Ketjack, and Ketiak), a form of Balinese music drama, originated in the 1930s and is performed primarily by men. ... An exorcist is a priest or laity who performs the rite of exorcism. ... Yoruba legends redirects here. ...

References

Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Resources

• William Baldwin, D.D.S., Ph.D., "Spirit Releasement Therapy". ISBN 1-88-265800-0. Practitioner & Instructor of Spirit Releasement Therapy, containing an extensive biliography.
• Shakuntala Modi, M.D., "Remarkable Healings, A Psychiatrist Discovers Unsuspected Roots of Mental and Physical Illness." ISBN 1-57174-079-1 Gives cases, and statistical summaries of the kinds of maladies remedied by this therapy.
• Malachi Martin, Hostage to the Devil. ISBN 0-06-065337-X.
• M. Scott Peck, Glimpses of the Devil : A Psychiatrist's Personal Accounts of Possession, Exorcism, and Redemption. ISBN 0-7432-5467-8
• Max Heindel, The Web of Destiny (Chapter I - Part III: "The Dweller on the Threshold"--Earth-Bound Spirits, Part IV: The "Sin Body"--Possession by Self-Made Deamons--Elementals, Part V: Obsession of Man and of Animals), ISBN 0-911274-17-0,

Malachi Martin The Reverend Dr. Father Malachi Brendan Martin (July 23, 1921 – July 27, 1999) was a Roman Catholic Jesuit priest who became a popular author and speaker upon various fringe topics such as exorcisms, Satanism, Liberation Theology, the Tridentine liturgy, obscure points of Catholic dogma and the geopolitical importance... Morgan Scott Peck (22 May 1936 – 25 September 2005) was a US psychiatrist and best-selling author. ... Max Heindel (1865-1919) Max Heindel - born Carl Louis von Grasshoff in Aarhus, Denmark on July 23, 1865 - was a Christian occultist, astrologer, and mystic. ...

External links

• Specialized Catholic web about Possession and Exorcism. Spain Exorcist Father Jose Antonio Fortea
• British doctors using exorcism to treat patients - UK newspaper article.
• "The Return of the Exorcists" (film) - the resurgence of exorcism in Italy
• Catholic Encyclopedia: Exorcism
• Jewish Encyclopedia: Exorcism
• Exorcism tradition in Islam and Interviews with Muslim Exorcists Islamic View
• Exorcism Video clips Islamic View
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Exorcism
• Diocese of Worcester webpages on Ministry of Deliverance Anglican View
• On ghosts and exorcism in Vedic traditions
• Wall Street Journal: "Exorcism: The Comeback"
• Exorcism in the Orthodox Church
• Exorcism (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese)
• Exorcism article from OrthodoxWiki
• A Guide To Getting Rid Of Demons

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