Exorcism
Exorcism (from Late Latin exorcismus—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. The practice is quite ancient and still part of the belief system of many religions.
The person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is often a priest, shaman, or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills. In general, possessed persons are not regarded as evil in themselves, nor wholly responsible for their actions.
The concept of possession by evil spirits and the practice of exorcism originated in prehistoric shamanistic beliefs. In Hinduism, the Vedas (holy books of the Hindus) include sacred spells needed to cast out demons and evil spirits. Several examples are found in the Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament includes numerous exorcisms among the miracles performed by Jesus. Today, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and some Protestant sects recognize the practice.
In recent times, the practice of exorcism has diminished in its importance to most religious groups and its use has decreased. 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.
Exorcism is a popular fictional theme, with the bestselling 1971 novel, The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty), being a prime example.
Shamanism
The concept of possession by evil spirits and the practice of exorcism are very ancient and widespread. In shamanic healing, exorcism is needed when a negative entity, called a demon in Western society, takes hold of a person's soul. When a shaman performs an exorcism, the demon may try to engage the shaman in conversation, reveal secrets that the shaman may be ashamed of, or use physical, energetic, and telekinetic attacks against the shaman. The only thing that will protect the shaman is her firm connection to, and faith in the power of her divinity.
Shamanism in China
Exorcizing demonic forces is central to native Chinese religious culture. One key way that people in China dealt with demons was through ritual performances that summoned martial deities from a celestial bureau called the Thunder Department (lei bu). These performances have been used to exorcise demons blamed for causing individual illnesses, epidemic outbreaks, irregular patterns of rainfall, and other disorders in the world. By marshaling the powers of thunder in these Thunder Ritual systems (lei fa), ritual practitioners (shamans) turned to celestially sanctioned forms of violence to rid the world of disruptions of order and set the world aright.
Taoism, which strongly emphasizes the maintenance of harmony in the world, has blended well with shamanistic beliefs and practices among the Chinese peoples. On the other hand, the well-known terms "Ying" and "Yang"—opposing elements in traditional Chinese dualistic philosophy—applied to the idea that the imbalance of opposing spiritual forces leads to disease, often are used in healing practices. The shaman may enter into a spiritual trance as a way of establishing the connection between the forces of light and darkness that are necessary to promote healing and wholeness.
Korean shamanism
Korean shamanism encompasses a variety of indigenous beliefs and practices that have been influenced by Buddhism and Taoism. In contemporary Korean, shamanism is known as muism and a shaman is known as a mudang (무당, 巫堂). The role of the mudang, usually a woman, is to act as intercessors between a god or gods and human beings. Often a woman will become a shaman very reluctantly—after experiencing a severe physical or mental illness that indicates "possession" by a spirit. Shamans are enlisted by those who want the help of the spirit world. Shamans hold gut, or services, in order to cure illnesses by exorcising evil spirits, or propitiate local or village gods. Such services are also held to guide the spirit of a deceased person to heaven.
Until recent times, the Korean shamanistic folk practice of the exorcism of evil spirits is directly rooted in the existential reality of everyday life. An evil spirit (sal) is identified as that which prevented the fulfillment of life and, as such, would naturally have to be exorcised. The exorcism of evil, known as a salp'uri, is a way of to confront and overcome evil by understanding its essence. Salp'uri is not simply a ritualistic act of exorcism, but a whole perception of reality—the understanding of how to struggle with life and resolve life's problems. When the process of salp'uri reaches a climax, it releases a power and produces an experience known as shinmyong, which is characterized by ecstasy and spontaneous song and dance.
Korean shamans are similar in many ways to those found in Siberia, Mongolia, and Manchuria. They also resemble the yuta found on the Ryukyu Islands, in Japan. Cheju Island off South Korea is also a center of shamanism.
Shamanism among Native Americans
Native Americans believe that much illness stems from spiritual problems. They also say that diseases are more likely to invade the body of a person who is imbalanced, has negative thinking, and lives an unhealthy lifestyle.
Native American shamans use purifying rituals to cleanse the body. The healer focuses on using spiritual healing powers to treat people with illness based on the idea that spirits have caused the illness. Sweat lodges (special, darkened enclosures heated with stones from a fire) or special teas that induce vomiting may be used by the healer to purify the spirit. The smoke of the sage plant is believed by some to exorcise evil spirits from an area to help create a sacred space. Smudging (cleansing a place or person with the smoke of sacred plants) can be used to bring about an altered state of sensitivity, making a person more open to the healing techniques. Because some illnesses are believed to come from angry spirits, healers may also invoke the healing powers of spirits. They may also use special rituals to try and appease or exorcise the angered spirits.
Another practice of Native American shamans—symbolic healing rituals—can involve whole communities. These ceremonies can include exorcisms, including limited use of mind-altering substances to persuade the spirits to heal the sick person. Rituals can last hours or even weeks. These ceremonies are a way of asking for help from the spiritual dimension. Prayer is also an essential part of all Native-American, spiritual-healing techniques.
Shamans in Africa
In Africa, shamans (called witch doctors because of the supposed ability to combat witchcraft), often perform exorcisms to cure people of various maladies. In Southern Africa among the Zulu, Swazi, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, Venda and Tsongo/Shangaan traditions, such a shaman is known as a Sangoma.
In African tribal culture, the devil is said to sometimes target children. In a number of regions of Africa, there is a strong belief that witches indeed exist, and that there are people who are being used by the devil to bring a curse or bad luck to other people's lives, even to kill them. Chants and ritualistic formulas are used to drive out the demons. However, sometimes violence is used for deliverance. In some cases peppers may be rubbed in the child's eyes, or they are threatened with drowning in an attempt to drive out the evil spirit.
Exorcism in Hinduism
In Hindu tradition, 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 Kerala. The basic means of exorcism are mantra and yajna used in both Vedic and Tantric traditions.
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 third, seventh, and eighth chapter of Bhagavad Gita and mentally offering the result to departed persons helps them to get released from their ghostly situation. Also, Kirtan, the continuous playing of mantras; keeping scriptures and holy pictures (especially of Narasimha) in the house; burning incense offered during a puja; and the sprinkling water of holy rivers and blowing conches used in puja are other effective practices.
The main Vedic resource on ghost- and death-related information is Garuda Purana.
Exorcism in Buddhism
The arrival of Buddhism absorbed and reinforced shamanism. Buddhism teaches the need to attain moral perfection through a series of reincarnations in order for a person to experience nirvana—absolute peace and absolute nothingness. Buddhism is strongly shamanistic in its popular versions. Shamans are especially active in Tibetan Buddhism.
A large number of Buddhist exorcists work in Japan. A Buddhist exorcism is performed by a temple's chief priest and his assistant, reading an appropriate sutra (the scriptures of Buddhism) and burning a special incense. The priest also carries a shakujo—a wooden staff with metal rings threaded onto it, creating an unearthly sound to scare evil spirits away. In some Buddhist traditions, spirits are driven out of a person's body by causing physical discomfort such as fasting, bathing in extremely cold water, or slapping the skin of the possessed person.
Exorcism in Judaism
Around the first century C.E., 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). Exorcisms were reportedly done by the Essene branch of Judaism (Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran). Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish healer and exorcist, and was apparently not alone in this profession, as evil spirits were believed to be the source of much illness.
In kabbalah and European Jewish folklore, 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. According to these 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.
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. In the case of a negative dybbuk, the spirit is not there to help as much and cause the same mistakes and chaos that it originally experienced during its own lifetime.
Exorcism is 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 and involves treating the person and attached entity as a whole. 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 loose its connection to the host, thereby causing it to move on.
The second approach is more confrontational. It involves 10 people (including the rabbi) who surround the possessed individual. The rabbi that leads the ceremony also requires a shofar (a ram's horn trumpet). 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 possesser, 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.
Exorcism in Christianity
Jesus
Jesus was the premier exorcist of his time. As much as one-quarter of Jesus' healings were exorcisms. The ability to cast out evil spirits was a sign of true discipleship among the apostles. At least 26 references to exorcisms by Jesus may be found in the bible, including: "Jesus preached and cast out devils," Mark 1:39; "Jesus gave his twelve disciples the power against unclean spirits, to cast them out," Matthew 10:1; "The evil spirits went out of them," Acts 19:12; and "Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou deaf and dumb spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead, insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose," Mark 9:25-27. In the exorcism of a madman, Jesus had cast out the foul spirits; the spirits then entered into a herd of pigs who in turn ran over a cliff and drowned in the waters below.
Sometimes, as with the daughter of the Canaanite woman, the exorcism took place from a distance, Matthew 15:22. Sometimes again the spirits expelled were allowed to express their recognition of Jesus as "the Holy One of God" and to complain that He had come to torment them "before the time," i.e the Last Judgement time of their punishment, Matthew 8:29. In Luke 13:32, the Jesus expressly distinguishes between the expulsion of evil spirits and the curing of disease. Christ also empowered the Apostles and Disciples to cast out demons in His name while He Himself was still on earth Matthew 10:8, and to believers generally He promised the same power, Mark 16:17.
According to the Jewish Encyclopedia article on Jesus he:
- "was devoted especially to "casting out demons," i.e., according to the folk medicine of the time, healing nervous and mental diseases. It would appear that Jesus shared in the current belief of the Jews in the nominal existence of demons or evil spirits; and most of his miraculous cures consisted in casting them out, which he did with "the finger of God" (Luke 11:20), or with "the Spirit of God" (Matt 12:28). It would seem also that he regarded diseases like fever to be due to the existence of demons (Luke 4:39).
At times, Jesus cured the sufferers by the mere touch of his hand (Mark 1:25), or by the use of spittle put upon the affected organ, accompanying the operation with a whisper, Mark 8:23. By the same exorcismal power he drove a whole legion of evil spirits, 2,000 in number, out of a maniac living in a cemetery and made them enter a herd of swine to be drowned in the adjacent lake (Luke 8:26-39).
Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism
An ancient ritual method, known from the African Rite, was called exsufflation (blowing out the spirit from the possessed).
Solemn exorcisms, according to the Canon law of the church, can only be exorcised 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.
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 exceedingly 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.
One example of the contemporary Church's view on exorcism is that of Emmanuel Milingo (born June 13, 1930), who was consecrated by Pope Paul VI as the Archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia in 1969. Milingo's work as an exorcist began gradually after his priestly ordination, but only in 1973 four years after his consecration did he became well-known, due to the instantaneous recovery of an apparently mentally ill woman whom he had prayed over. However, he was was asked in 1983 to step down from his position for his performance of exorcisms and faith healing practices unapproved by Church authorities. On September 24, 2006, Milingo ordained four men as bishops without a papal mandate. Later, the Holy See declared Milingo automatically excommunicated for ordaining four men as bishops without a papal mandate and marrying them at the time of their ordination on September 24, 2006.
In the Church of England, every diocese has an official exorcist, who will usually be an elderly priest and from the Anglo-Catholic wing of the church. 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." Diocesan exorcists usually continue in their role when they have retired from all other church duties. Anglican exorcisms sometimes take the form of a mass for the dead if it is suspected that the souls suffering in Purgatory are responsible for the disturbance.
Anglican priests may not perform an exorcism without permission from the Diocesan (regional) bishop. Exorcism is an extremely dangerous ritual and must not be performed unless the bishop and his team of specialists (including a psychiatrist and physician) are convinced that the individual's problem is not a form of mental illness or a behavioral disorder. The theological danger of exorcism is that if the cause of illness is not demonic in nature, the patient will perceive the continuation of their condition as a sign that they are rejected by God and beyond divine healing.
Protestant denominations
Most traditional Protestant denominations such as Southern Baptists, would disagree with the Roman Catholic rite of exorcism entirely, particularly because of the end of the rite which states: "The priest may repeat the exorcism at his discretion." Protestants say that rituals (in which the exorcism is highly coated) do not hold the power themselves as the Bible clearly states that God alone has the power to "exorcise" Satan and He may delegate this power to his children. In the New Testament, it states that if you "resist the devil he will flee from you." (James 4:7) God is considered - as in Catholicism - the only true exorcist and his children merely his obedient tools in which to use. Therefore, God has ultimate power and control, which in the Southern Baptist interpretation eliminates the need for multiple attempts of an exorcism.
Some Protestant denominations also recognize possession and exorcism, although the practice is generally less formalized than it is in the Catholic Church. While some denominations perform exorcism very sparingly and cautiously, some may perform it almost routinely, as part of regular religious services (especially Pentecostal denominations). Some denominations hold that all Christians have the authority to perform exorcism, not just the clergy.
A test which is often used to determine whether a mental disturbance is psychological or spiritual in nature is to pray over the person for the healing of their affliction and throw holy water on them. If the person reacts violently or uncharacteristically in response to prayer in the name of Jesus, it is often taken as a good indication that the affliction is demonic in nature.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Many Latter-day Saints (Mormons) believe in exorcism.
"While [in Colesville, New York, Joseph Smith] challenged Newel Knight to pray vocally. In the attempt, Newel was attacked by an evil spirit that lifted him from the floor "and tossed him about most fearfully." Neighbors gathered, and then saw the Prophet command the devil in the name of Jesus Christ to depart. Newel felt great relief and gladly accepted baptism. (This exorcism was the first miracle performed in the restored church.)" "The Knight Family: Part I By William G. Hartley, LDS.org
Elder Alexander B. Morrison of the Seventy opined, "Some blame their problem on demonic possession. While there is no doubt that such has occurred, let us take care not to give the devil credit for everything that goes awry in the world! Generally speaking, the mentally ill do not need exorcism" "Myths about Mental Illness" LDS.org
In Latter Day Saint tradition, the act of casting out evil spirits is performed by a worthy male member of the church who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood though a Priesthood blessing, after a confirmation from the Holy Ghost.
Exorcism in Islam
Possession by evil spirits (jinn) or the Devil (Shaitan) and exorcism of those who are wicked at heart is warned about in Islam since its beginning. 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.
Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers expel evil beings from the bodies of believers by using verses from the Qur'an, supplications to Allah, and holy Zamzam water. This example is related by Ya'la ibn Murah:
- I saw Allah's Messenger (sallallahu àlaihi wa sallam) do three things which no one before or after me saw. I went with him on a trip. On the way, we passed by a woman sitting at the roadside with a young boy. She called out, 'O Messenger of Allah, this boy is afflicted with a trial, and from him we have also been afflicted with a trial. I don't know how many times per day he is seized by fits.' He (sallallahu àlaihi wa sallam) said: 'Give him to me.' So she lifted him up to the Prophet.
- He (sallallahu àlaihi wa sallam) then placed the boy between himself and the middle of the saddle, opened the boy's mouth and blew in it three times, saying, 'In the name of Allah, I am the slave of Allah, get out, enemy of Allah!' Then he gave the boy back to her and said: 'Meet us on our return at this same place and inform us how he has fared.' We then went. On our return, we found her in the same place with three sheep. When he said to her, 'How has your son fared?' She replied: 'By the One who sent you with the truth, we have not detected anything (unusual) in his behavior up to this time.... (Musnad Ahmad [vol: 4, p. 170], and al-Haakim, who declared it Saheeh)
Exorcism in Scientology
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."
Faiths opposing exorcism
In Sikhism, exorcism is not permitted and is seen as a violation of the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Code of Conduct), since Sikhs do not believe in demons, ghosts, or the sort. If a Sikh person were to be found practicing exorcism, an ordained Ghiyanhi (priest) would have the power to strip that individual of any ties to the Sikh faith. This anti-exorcism stance separates Sikhism from what are viewed as the exorcism rituals of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Taoism, and Shintoism.
Also Jainism does not believe in exorcism.
Exorcism in fiction
Exorcism has been a popular subject in fiction, especially horror.
- 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.
- House of Exorcism (1975 movie directed by Mario Bava)
- Of Love And Other Demons (1995 novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
- The Biggest Douche in the Universe (2002 South Park episode)
- Exorcism (2003 movie directed by William A. Baker)
- 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)
- Blackwater Valley Exorcism (2006 movie)
- The Devil You Know (2006 novel by Mike Carey)
- D.Gray-man (2006 Japanese animation series by Hoshino Katsura)
- The VAXorcist (1991 script by Christopher Russell)
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Amorth, Gabriele, & MacKenzie, Nicolleta V. An Exorcist Tells His Story, Ignatius Press, 1999. ISBN 978-0898707106
- Fortea, Jose Antonio. Interview With an Exorcist, Ascension Press, 2006. ISBN 978-1932645965
- Peck, M. Scott. Glimpses of the Devil: A Psychiatrist's Personal Accounts of Possession, Exorcism, and Redemption, Free Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0743254670
- Wilkinson, Tracy. The Vatican's Exorcists: Driving Out the Devil in the 21st Cientury, Grand Central Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-0446578851
External links
- Catholic Encyclopedia: Exorcism
- Jewish Encyclopedia: Exorcism
- Exorcism tradition in Islam and Interviews with Muslim Exorcists Islamic View
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Exorcism
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