Demon possession and exorcism – fact or fiction?
Here is a report from a Vatican expert on exorcism, as practiced by the RC church.

Do you think "possession" exists, and how does exorcism work?
Karlis

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=12861

Rome, Jun 6, 2008 / 11:10 am (CNA).-
In an interview with the magazine “Maria Mensajera,” famous Italian exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth said, “Everybody is vulnerable to the work of Satan” and that “the devil loves to take over those who hold political office.”

The Spanish daily “La Razon” published the interview in an article by Alexander Smoltczyk in which the 82 year-old priest describes what happens in an exorcism. He said he has performed more than 70,000.

“Evil exists in politics, quite often in fact,” Father Amorth said. “The devil loves to take over business leaders and those who hold political office. Hitler and Stalin were possessed. How do I know? Because they killed millions of people. The Gospel says: ‘By their fruits you will know them.’ Unfortunately, an exorcism on them would not have been enough, since they were convinced of what they were doing. We can’t say it was a possession in the strict sense of the word, but rather a total and voluntary acceptance of the suggestions of the devil.”

“I tell those who come to see me to first go to a doctor or a psychologist,” the priest continued. “Most of the time there is a physical or psychological basis for explaining their suffering. The psychiatrists send me the incurable cases. There is no rivalry. The psychiatrist determines if it is an illness, the exorcist if it is a curse,” Father Amorth explained.

Nobody, he went on, not even himself, is “safe from the devil. Everyone is vulnerable.” “The devil is very intelligent. He retains the intelligence of the angel that he was.”

“Suppose, for example, that someone you work with is envious of you and casts a spell on you. You would get sick. 90 percent of the cases that I deal with are precisely spells. The rest are due to membership in satanic sects or participation in séances or magic. If you live in harmony with God, it is much more difficult for the devil to possess you,” Father Amorth stated.

“The Pope supports exorcists,” he explained, but “satanic sects are proliferating,” and for this reason Father Amorth said his calendar for the next two months is full. “I work seven days a week, from morning until night, including Christmas Eve and Holy Week,” he said.

I suppose if he sends them to a health care practitioner then there's no problem with him practicing his beliefs.


Do I personally believe in possession? I'd be a fool not.

Do I believe in exorcisms? Yes. I have witnessed a couple.

It is a fact, but very rare. I have performed a few, and successfully.

Really? How'd you go about accomplishing that?

You have to know what you are up against. I will give one example, and will have to suffice. I was exposed to a demonic force that possessed someone I knew in my twenties. I first used a Babelonian technique, and the demon only laughed. I realized that the being came from the "xian pantheon", if you will. Not being a xian, I had no cross, but I used an occult tool, and held it in one hand, using a finger of the other to make it a cross. I said words that do not agree with my personal beliefs, but allowed myself to let the spirit of the words come through me. When it came time to make the sign of the cross, I used the object to make a kabalistic cross, and whispered the words I had been initiated to say. After a few minutes of the procedure, the "victim" fell unconscious on the floor, and the person reacted with violent tremors whenever I made the kabalistic cross over them. When the exorcism was complete, the demon fled, not, to my knowledge, to return. I do not normally used Xian symbology for any purpose, but the technique worked. I actually used a published formula from an available occult text, not some secret unknown ritual. Combined with my occult training, it worked. I am neither a catholic priest, nor an xian, just an initiated light-worker. I have had other occasions to use one technique or another. All I know is, that it changes depending on the "demon" involved, and the "system" of thought it is associated with. It helps me that I have the gift of second sight and actually "see" these beings sometimes. The power itself comes from the same God, no matter which filter.

I will ask these questions;
does the demonic spirit have to be evil?
Can this spirit be more benevolent than previously thought?
Or am I just so deluded as to believe my demon to be one of the older more beneficial beings?

One of my former mentor's did exorcisms. He taught me that you don't need to subscribe to any particular faith to do it, or even use any specific ritual/method. He said that all it takes is confidence, faith, and of course power that is equal to or greater than that of the demon....What say you of this?

Just because they were evil, doesn't mean they were possessed.

So, you have a demon. How'd that come about?

How can anyone of rational mind and an even rudimentary knowledge of human psychology/neurology possibly believe that demons are real?

hhhmmm IMO

hip waders


shovel

Quite the assumption that those who can understand science, even human psychology/neurology, cannot still believe in demons. One does not have to cancel out the other just because in your mind it does. What your view does is demonstrate arrogance in that it insinuates those who believe in demons are less intelligent than you or even ignorant, it amounts to the same, condescension.

Mental illness explains possession for me.

Shouldn't that be 'Mental illness explains possession of me.'

JOKE........

Boo ya.

There are those who have witnessed possessed people. Granted, you may call that a mental illness, but that's just ridiculously foolish. A person who (before) showed no signs of having a mental illness, do not just up and get a mental illness. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of human psychology/nuerology would know that.

Also, quips about "rational minds" are also ridiculously foolish because it suggests that your mind is just so much better than those of us who "believe in demons". I think maybe when responding to a thread, you should put actual consideration into how you reply instead of just using one of the common inflammatory remarks used by those with "rational minds".

Very carefully, He came with a shadow that has, so far, helped shield my heart from some nasty energies, hence is His purpose, a Guardian of a dark sort, but a Guardian never the less.
I actually asked for a protector like Him and he was at my side making sure the most dangerous aspect of my personality never became dominant, and has been successful in this as well.

Yes, my demon has many roles, but he is not alone within me.

What does your friend think of this demon?

Yes, mental illness is the problem in *most* cases; but not in all cases.

According to experts on exorcism, the affected person must be first examined (and if need be, treated) by medical experts. Exorcism should never be attempted unless all medical avenues have been exhausted; and only to be considered if doctors can find no explanations for the symptoms of possession.

Question is -- what would you suggest should be done, if mental illness is not found to be the explanation?
Karlis

One should try to ascertain the problem. They should talk to the being to see what it wants, why its there, what its name is, what it does, how it plans to accomplish its goal through the person, etc etc etc.

Yes, demons are real and possession is real. It is not wise to discount them. You can't see the wind, but you can see the effect it has. This is my solid opinion.

Good grief.

But you're forgetting about some people thinking people are pure good.

Shame... That they aren't really able to snap back to reality...

People aren't good nor bad. People are people, we kill, steal and watch blood spill because it excites us. We also empathise, honour, love, weep, laugh and help. We're the epitome of chaos. And no amount of "He's possessed" is going to change what we are.

I have never mentioned mental illness and this would not be (imo) the primary cause of the sensed presence phenomenon, of which 'demons' are one consequence. While not completely contrary to your statement that a person can 'not just up and get a mental illness', because it can happen 'just like that', the various conditions that can instigate a sensed presence episode does not constitue mental illness, but can be brought about through exposure to chemicals (drugs etc), electromagnetic fields, rhythmic binaural beats, or trauma (not necessarily physical).

As for my 'rational minds' quip, while it might have been misconstrued to suggest mental illness (as you obviously did) it was intended to indicate the mind being prone to either rationality or irrationality insofar as beliefs are considered. For example, I believe in the soul and that love is not simply our brain's perception being distorted by chemical reactions taking place within it. These beliefs are irrational in that I have no evidence other than my belief they are true. I don't mind then being labelled irrational, as I most certainly am in at least some respect.

With respect to the belief in demons being irrational, with all due respect to those who state they have had personal experience of such entities it has been shown time and again in various studies how easily the mind is duped - especially considering it is so little understood. It is my understanding that most people link demons and religion, based on books which purport to 'reveal' religion or divinity. Is such a belief rational? There are scenarios I can put forward where it would seem that, were demons real, they might exist separate from religion so, given we have no proof of this origin of demons except for these unverifiable (in the sense we cannot prove they are revealing the divine) writings it would seem the linking of demons and religion is irrational. It is a belief, and I'll not deny anyone the right to that belief, but I'll also not deny myself the right to point out why I consider this belief to be possibly false.

It is my nature to question, Kaizen, and want to know things. That there are many things within belief that cannot be explained by those who believe does not mean I am going to be satisfied with the "I don't know" answer and I will continue to put my questions forward.

We also know what creates the wind. Along with what can create the mental problem - biological, psychological, and social factors play a part in the creation of mental illnesses. For example; stress, loneliness, loss of a loved one contribute to a mental illness.



Source.