Exorcism (from Late Latin Late Latin is the scholarly name for the written Latin of Late Antiquity. The English dictionary definition of Late Latin dates this period from the 3rd to the 6th centuries AD. extending in Spain to the 7th. This somewhat ambiguously defined period fits between Classical Latin and Medieval Latin. Although there is no scholarly certainty when exorcismus, from Greek Greek , an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages, is the language of the Greeks. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. In its ancient form, it is the language of classical ancient Greek literature and the New Testament of exorkizein - to bind by oath) is the practice of evicting demons In religion and mythology, occultism and folklore, a demon is a supernatural being that is generally described as a malevolent spirit; however, the original neutral connotation of the Greek word daimon does not carry the negative one that was later projected onto it, as Christianity spread or other spiritual entities The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, all of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body. The spirit of a human being is thus the animating, sensitive or vital principle in that individual, similar to the soul taken to be the seat of the mental, intellectual and emotional powers. The from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed Spirit possession is the scientifically unfounded belief of paranormal, supernatural, psychological and/or superstitious spirits, gods, demons/daemons , animas, extraterrestrials, or other disincarnate or extraterrestrial entities taking control of a human body, resulting in noticeable changes in health and behavior. The concept of spiritual by causing the entity to swear an oath. The term became prominent in early Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. Christianity comprises three major branches: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy (which parted ways with Catholicism in 1054 A.D.) and Protestantism (which came into existence during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th from the early second century onward as the casting out of demons Christian demonology is the study of demons from a Christian point of view. It is primarily based on the Bible , the exegesis of these scriptures, the scriptures of early Christian philosophers and hermits, tradition, and legends incorporated from other beliefs.^[1] Nevertheless, the practice is quite ancient and part of the belief system of many cultures and religions.

Christianity

In Christian practice the person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is often a member of the church, or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills. The exorcist may use prayers Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional connection to God, or any deity, through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creedal, and religious material, such as set formulas, gestures A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. Gestures differ from physical non-verbal communication that does not communicate specific, symbols A symbol is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On maps, crossed sabres may indicate a battlefield. Numerals are symbols for numbers . All language consists of symbols, icons An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism. More broadly the term is used in a wide number of contexts for an image, picture, or representation; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it either concretely or by analogy, as in semiotics;, amulets An amulet , a close cousin of the talisman (from Arabic طلاسم tilasm, consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential amulets include: gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc.; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro, etc. The exorcist often invokes God God is the English name given to the singular omnipotent being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism, Jesus Jesus of Nazareth , also known as Jesus Christ or simply Jesus, is the central figure of Christianity, which views him as the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God (in the concept of the Trinity, he is God [as] the Son), who came to provide humankind with salvation and reconciliation with God by his and/or several different angels Angels are messengers of God in the Hebrew Bible , the New Testament and the Quran. The term "angel" has also been expanded to various notions of "spiritual beings" found in many other religious traditions. Other roles of angels include protecting and guiding human beings and archangels Archangel is a term meaning an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are the archangels named in the Bible as recognized by both Jews and many Christians. The book of Tobit mentions Raphael, who is also considered by some to be an archangel to intervene with the exorcism.

In general, possessed persons are not regarded as evil Evil is the intention of causing harm or destruction while threatening or deliberately violating morality. Largely due to the subjectivity of the word morality , there is no agreement about whether evil is a matter of social custom or universally correct principle that overrides custom. Evil, however, is most commonly used to refer to any in themselves, nor wholly responsible for their actions. Therefore, practitioners regard exorcism as more of a cure than 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.^[2]

Jesus

In Christianity, exorcisms are performed using the power of Christ in the Name of Jesus or through prayer. This is founded in the belief that Jesus commanded his followers to expel evil spirits in his name This article lists many of the Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament that are used to describe Jesus Christ. In more indirect ways, the Old Testament also contains names and titles of Jesus in more indirect ways, primarily in prophecy. The study of these names is called christology. Names and titles of Jesus also appear in Church (Matthew 10:1,Matthew 10:8; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1 10:17, (Mark 16:17). According to the Catholic Encyclopedia The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia on the Catholic Answers web site, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and it was completed in April 1914. It was designed "to give its readers full article on Exorcism: Jesus points to this ability as a sign of his Messiahship, and he empowered his disciples to do the same.^[3].

The Jewish Encyclopedia The Jewish Encyclopedia was an encyclopedia originally published in New York between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. It contained over 15,000 articles in 12 volumes on the history and then-current state of Judaism and the Jews as of 1901. It is now a public domain resource article on Jesus states that Jesus "was devoted especially to casting out demons" and also believed that he passed this on to his followers; however, "his superiority to his followers was shown by his casting out demons which they had failed to expel."^[4]

In the time of Jesus, non-New Testament Jewish sources report of exorcisms done by administering drugs with poisonous root extracts or others by making sacrifices.^[5] They mention that exorcisms were done by the Essene The Essenes were a Jewish religious group that flourished from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE that some scholars claim seceded from the Zadokite priests. Being much fewer in number than the Pharisees and the Sadducees (the other two major sects at the time) the Essenes lived in various cities but congregated in communal life dedicated branch of Judaism (Dead Sea Scrolls The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of about 900 documents, including texts from the Hebrew Bible, discovered between 1947 and 1956 in eleven caves in and around the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in the West Bank at Qumran).

Practice in the Christian Church

Anglicanism

In 1974, the Church of England set up the "Deliverance Ministry". As part of its creation, every diocese In some forms of Christianity, a diocese is an administrative territorial unit administered by a bishop. It is also referred to as a bishopric or Episcopal Area /episcopal see, though strictly the term episcopal see refers to the domain of ecclesiastical authority officially held by the bishop, and bishopric to the post of being bishop. The in the country was equipped with 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; although, blessings are sometimes given to people for psychological reasons.^[6]

In The Episcopal Church The Episcopal Church is the Province of the Anglican Communion in the United States, Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe. In keeping with Anglican tradition and theology, the Episcopal Church considers itself "Protestant, yet Catholic", 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 A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Their office or position is the priesthood, a term which may also apply to such persons collectively may not perform an exorcism without permission from the Diocesan bishop A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the Anglican churches, bishops claim Apostolic. An exorcism is not usually performed unless the bishop and his team of specialists (including a psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry and is certified in treating mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy. As part of their evaluation of the patient, psychiatrists are one of the few mental health professionals who may prescribe psychiatric medication, conduct physical and physician A physician—also known as doctor of medicine, medical doctor, or simply doctor—practices the ancient profession of medicine, which is concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease or injury. This properly requires both a detailed knowledge of the academic disciplines underlying) have approved it.

Eastern Orthodoxy

In the Eastern Orthodox Church The Orthodox Church, also officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church[note 1] and also the Eastern Orthodox Church, asserts that it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles almost 2,000 years ago. The Church is composed of several self-governing ecclesial bodies, each geographically and, demonic activity Demonic possession is often the term used to describe the control over a human form by a demon. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include: erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying. Unlike in channeling or other forms of possession, the subject has no control over the possessing entity and is inextricably associated with disease A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal disfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases and blight Blight refers to a specific symptom affecting plants in response to infection by a pathogenic organism. It is simply a rapid and complete chlorosis, browning, then death of plant tissues such as leaves, branches, twigs, or floral organs. Accordingly, many diseases that primarily exhibit this symptom are called blights. Several notable examples are:.^[9] As a result, exorcisms are quite common, even finding their way in rituals involving the blessing of fields In Australian and New Zealand English, any agricultural field may be called a paddock.^[9] The exorcism ritual, found in the Euchologion The Euchologion is one of the chief liturgical books of the Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches, containing the portions of the services which are said by the bishop, priest, or deacon (it corresponds more or less to the Roman Catholic Missal, Ritual, and Pontifical combined). There are several different volumes of the book in use, is that of St. Basil the Great Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great, (Greek: Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας) was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential 4th century Christian theologian and monastic. Theologically, Basil was a supporter of the Nicene faction of the church, in opposition to.^[9] The baptism In Christianity, baptism is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which a person is admitted to membership of the Church. The New Testament reports that Jesus himself was baptized liturgy in Eastern Orthodoxy also contains an exorcism ritual.^[10][11]

Lutheranism

The Lutheran Church Lutheranism is a theological movement to reform Christianity with the teaching of justification through faith alone. Lutheranism identifies with the theology confessed in the Augsburg Confession and the other writings compiled in the Book of Concord. Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin traces the practice of exorcism to the Scriptural claim that Jesus Christ Jesus of Nazareth , also known as Jesus Christ or simply Jesus, is the central figure of Christianity, which views him as the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament, with most Christian denominations believing him to be the Son of God and God incarnate who was raised from the dead. Islam and the Baha'i Faith consider Jesus a prophet and also the expelled demons with a simple command (Mark 1:23–26; 9:14–29; Luke 11:14–26).^[12] The apostles In Christianity, the Apostles were missionaries among the leaders in the Early Church and, in the Epistle to the Hebrews,[3:1] Jesus Christ himself. The term was also used, especially by the Gospel of Luke, for "the Twelve," Jesus' inner circle of disciples (students). They were, according to the Acts of the Apostles and Christian continued the practice with the power and in the name of Jesus (Matthew 10:1; Acts 19:11–16).^[12] Contrary to some denominations Worldwide, Christians are divided, often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and another are defined by doctrine and church authority. Issues such as the nature of Jesus, the authority of apostolic succession, and papal primacy separate one denomination from another of Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. Christianity comprises three major branches: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy (which parted ways with Catholicism in 1054 A.D.) and Protestantism (which came into existence during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th, Lutheranism affirms that the individual, both the believer and the non-believer, can be plagued by demons, based on several arguments, including the one that "just as a believer, whom Jesus Christ has delivered from sin (Romans 6:18), can still be bound by sin in his life, so he can still be bound by a demon in his life."^[13]

After the Protestant Reformation The Protestant Reformation was the European Christian reform movement that established Protestantism as a constituent branch of contemporary Christianity. It began in 1517 when Martin Luther published The Ninety-Five Theses, and concluded in 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia that ended one hundred and thirty-one years of consecutive European, Martin Luther Martin Luther was a German priest and professor of theology who initiated the Protestant Reformation. Strongly disputing the claim that freedom from God's punishment of sin could be purchased with money, he confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his The Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand abbreviated the Roman ritual used for exorcism.^[14] In 1526, the ritual was further abbreviated and the exsufflation In religious and magical practice, insufflation and exsufflation are ritual acts of blowing, breathing, hissing, or puffing that signify variously expulsion or renunciation of evil or of the devil , or infilling or blessing with good (especially, in religious use, with the Spirit or grace of God) was omitted. This form of the Lutheran Ritual for Exorcism was incorporated into the majority of the Lutheran service-books and implemented.^[14][15] According to a Pastoral Handbook of the Lutheran Church Lutheranism is a theological movement to reform Christianity with the teaching of justification through faith alone. Lutheranism identifies with the theology confessed in the Augsburg Confession and the other writings compiled in the Book of Concord. Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin,

These pastoral manuals warn that oftentimes, symptoms such as ecstasy, epileptic seizures, lethargy, insanity, and a frantic state of mind, are the results of natural causes and should not be mistaken for demon possession Demonic possession is often the term used to describe the control over a human form by a demon. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include: erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying. Unlike in channeling or other forms of possession, the subject has no control over the possessing entity and.^[16] According to the Lutheran Church, primary symptoms that may indicate demon possession and the need of an exorcism include:

1. The knowledge of secret things, for example, being able to predict the future (Acts 16:16), find lost people or things, or know complex things that one has never learned (e.g., medicine). It is said that fortune-tellers often ask a spirit for help and that this spirit gives them certain powers. In that case, the evil spirit is assisting, not necessarily possessing the person bodily.^[16]
2. The knowledge of languages one has never learned. Just as the devil can bind one's tongue (Luke 11:14), it is reported from the early church as well as the time of the Reformation that certain demon-possessed people could speak languages they had never learned.^[16]
3. Supernatural strength (Mark 5:2-3), far beyond what they previously had or should have considering their sex and size. Much caution in judging demon possession is required. All of the circumstances and symptoms must be taken into consideration. Insanity should not be confused with possession. On the other hand, possession may be taking place even where these symptoms are absent.^[16]

The Church lists the secondary symptoms of horrible shouting (Mark 5:5), blasphemy Blasphemy is irreverence toward holy personages, religious artifacts, customs, and beliefs. The Abrahamic religions condemn blasphemy vehemently. Some countries have laws to punish blasphemy, while others have laws to give recourse to those who are offended by blasphemy. Those laws may discourage blasphemy as a matter of blasphemous libel, of God The Christian doctrine of the Trinity teaches the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead. The doctrine states that God is the Triune God, existing as three persons, or in the Greek hypostases, but one being. Since the beginning of the third century the doctrine of the Trinity has been stated as "the one God and jeering at one's neighbor, deformation of movements (e.g. ferocious movements, facial contortion, immodest laughing, gnashing of teeth, spitting, removing clothes, lacerating self, Mk. 9:20; Lk. 8:26f.), inhuman revelry (e.g. when they take food beyond the capability of nature), torment of bodies, unusual injuries of the body and of those nearby, extraordinary motion of bodies (e.g., an elderly man who, being demon-possessed, was able to run as fast as a horse), and forgetfulness of things done.^[16] Other symptoms include the corruption of reason in man, which make him like an animal, melancholy, the acceleration of death (Mark 9:18 [suicide attempts]), and the presence of other supernatural occurrences.^[16]

After these determinations have been made, the Church recommends experienced physicians to determine whether there is a medical explanation for the behaviour of the individual.^[16] When a true possession is recognized, the poor one is to be committed to the care of a minister of the Church In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform clergy functions such as teaching of beliefs; performing services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community who teaches sound doctrine, is of a blameless life, who does nothing for the sake of filthy lucre, but does everything from the soul.^[16] The pastor is then to diligently inquire what kind of life the possessed one led up to this point and lead him or her through the law to the recognition of his sins.^[16] After this admonition or consolation has taken place, the works of a natural physician are to be used, who will cleanse the possessed one from malicious fluids with the appropriate medicines.^[16] The Pastoral Handbook then states:

Methodism

The United Methodist Church holds that the ritual of exorcism involves "the casting out of an objective power of evil which has gained possession of a person."^[17] Moreover, the Methodist Church teaches that "the authority to exorcise has been given to the Church as one of the ways in which Christ's Ministry is continued in the world."^[18] Ordained clergy must first consult the district superintendent in order to perform an exorcism.^[19] The Methodist Church holds that it is of great importance to ensure that the presence and love of Christ is assured to the individual(s) seeking help.^[20] In addition, the ministry of the "bible, prayer and sacraments" should be extended to these individuals as well.^[21] A combination of these things has been proven to be effective.^[22] For example, in one particular situation, a Roman Catholic woman believed that her house was haunted, and therefore consulted her priest for assistance. Since he was not available to drive the demons from the woman's home, she contacted a Methodist pastor, who exorcised the evil spirits from a room, which was believed to be the source of distress in the house, and celebrated Holy Communion in the same place;^[22] following these actions, there was no longer any problem in the house.^[22]

Oriental Orthodoxy

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, priests intervene and perform exorcisms on behalf of those believed to be afflicted by demons or buda. According to a 2010 Pew Research Center study, 74% of Christians in Ethiopia claim to have experienced or witnessed an exorcism.^[23] Demon-possessed persons are brought to a church or prayer meeting.^[24] Often, when an ill person has not responded to modern medical treatment, the affliction is attributed to demons.^[24] Unusual or especially perverse deeds, particularly when performed in public, are symptomatic of a demoniac.^[24] Superhuman strength – such as breaking one's bindings, as described in the New Testament accounts – along with glossolalia are observed in the afflicted.^[24] Amsalu Geleta, in a modern case study, relates elements that are common to Ethiopian Christian exorcisms:

It includes singing praise and victory songs, reading from the Scripture, prayer and confronting the spirit in the name of Jesus. Dialogue with the spirit is another important part of the exorcism ceremony. It helps the counselor (exorcist) to know how the spirit was operating in the life of the demoniac. The signs and events mentioned by the spirit are affirmed by the victim after deliverance.^[24]

The exorcism is not always successful, and Geleta notes another instance in which the usual methods were unsuccessful, and the demons apparently left the subject at a later time. In any event, "in all cases the spirit is commanded in no other name than the name of Jesus."^[24]

Pentecostalism

In the Pentecostal Church, Charismatic Movement, and other the less formalized sections of Christianity, the exorcism ritual can take many forms and belief structures. The most common of these is the deliverance ceremony. Deliverance differs from the exorcism ceremony in that the Devil may have gotten a foothold into a person's life rather than gaining complete control . If complete control has been gained, a full fledged exorcism is necessary. However, a "spirit-filled Christian" cannot 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).^[25][26]

The traditional method for determining if a person needs a deliverance is done by having someone present who has the gift of discerning of spirits. This is a gift of the Holy Spirit from 1 Corinthians 12 that allows a person to "sense" in some way an evil presence.^[27] 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.^[28]

Fr. Gabriele Amorth references people with this gift calling them "seers and Sensitives," and uses them on many occasions; they have the ability to detect an evil presence. However, he notes 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."^[29]

Roman Catholicism

In Roman Catholic dogma exorcism is a ritual but not a sacrament, unlike baptism or confession. 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."^[30] In fact, until recent times, exorcists were both clerical and lay, since every Christian has the power to command demons and drive them out in the name of Christ.^[31] 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; and profuse blasphemy and/or sacrilege.

The Catholic Church revised the Rite of Exorcism in January 1999, though 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, Catholic bishops rarely authorize exorcisms, approaching would-be cases with the presumption that mental or physical illness is more likely. In mild cases the Chaplet of Saint Michael could be used.^{[citation needed]}.

Psychology

The Christian practice of exorcism approaches the subject with a procedure of presuming mental or physical illness and employing mental health and medical professionals to rule out physical or mental causes before authorization of the exorcism ritual. When all possible benign causes are ruled out, the case is treated as a malignant demonic possession and an exorcism may be performed.

Indian religions

Hinduism

Beliefs and/or practices pertaining to the practice of exorcism are prominently connected with Hindus. Of the four Vedas (holy books of the Hindus), the Atharva Veda is said to contain the secrets related to magic and alchemy.^[32][33] Possession is one the siddhis (laghima) or psychic power acquired with asuterity, chastity or yogic sadhana in tantric tradition. Milarepa entered the body of his disciple Gampoba with this siddhi. These beliefs are particularly strong and practiced in West Bengal, Orissa and southern states like Kerala.^{[citation needed]}

The basic means of exorcism are the mantra and the 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 the 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 of the deities (Shiva,Vishnu,Brahma,Shakti e.t.c) (esp. of Narasimha) in the house, burning incense offered during a puja, sprinkling water from holy rivers, and blowing conches used in puja are other effective practices.^{[citation needed]}

Main Puranic resource on ghost- and death-related information is Garuda Purana.^{[citation needed]}

Buddhism

In Buddhism, exorcism exists depending on the Buddhist sect. Each differs from the other, some view it as metaphoric, or esoteric and even literal. Some Tibetan Buddhists view exorcism as being nothing more but a metaphoric symbolism to expel the negative thoughts and transform it into an enlightened mind.

Certain Buddhists believe in blessings, rather than exorcisms to rid themselves or property of negative thoughts and/or negative spirits.

Islam

In Islam, exorcism is made by reading some verses from the holy Quran which glorify God and invoke God's help

Notable examples

• Salvador Dalí 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 that he gave the friar in thanks.^[34]

• 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. There is also a documentary movie Exorcism of Anneliese Michel ^[35] (in Polish, but the English subtitles are also available) featuring the original audio tapes from the proceedings of exorcism.

• George Lukins

• A boy identified as Robbie Mannheim,^[36][37] was the subject of an exorcism in 1949, which became the chief inspiration for The Exorcist, a horror novel and film written by William Peter Blatty, who heard about the case while he was a student in the class of 1950 at Georgetown University. Robbie was taken into the care of Rev. Luther Miles Schulze, the boy's Lutheran pastor, after psychiatric and medical doctors were unable to explain the disturbing events associated with the teen; the minister then referred the boy to Rev. Edward Hughes, who performed the first exorcism on the teen.^[38] The subsequent exorcism was partially performed in both Cottage City, Maryland and Bel-Nor, Missouri^[39] by Father William S. Bowdern, S.J., Father Raymond Bishop S.J. and a then Jesuit scholastic Fr. Walter Halloran, S.J.^[40]

• Clara Germana Cele

• Michael Taylor

• Mother Teresa allegedly underwent an exorcism late in life under the direction of the Archbishop of Calcutta, Henry D'Souza, after he noticed she seemed to be extremely agitated in her sleep and feared she "might be under the attack of the evil one."^[41]

• An October 2007 exorcism in the Wellington, New Zealand suburb of Wainuiomata led to the death of a woman and the hospitalization of a teen. After a long trial, five family members were convicted and sentenced to non-custodial sentences.^[42]

• Johann Blumhardt performed the exorcism of Gottliebin Dittus over a two year period in Möttlingen, Germany from 1842-1844. Pastor Blumhardt's parish subsequently experienced growth marked by confession and healing, which he attributed to the successful exorcism.^[43][44]

Scientific view

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.^[45][46][47] 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.^[48] 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.

The illusion that exorcism works on people experiencing symptoms of possession is attributed by some to placebo effect and the power of suggestion.^[49] 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.^[45]

Nevertheless, Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck researched exorcisms (initially in an effort to disprove demonic possession), and claimed to have conducted two himself. He concluded that the Christian concept of possession was a genuine phenomenon. He derived diagnostic criteria somewhat differently 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 attempted but failed to get the psychiatric community to add the definition of "Evil" to the DSMIV.^[50] Although Peck's earlier work was met with widespread popular acceptance, his work on the topics of evil and possession generated significant debate and derision. Much was made of his association with (and admiration for) the controversial Malachi Martin, a Roman Catholic priest and a former Jesuit, despite the fact that Peck consistently called Martin a liar and manipulator.^[51][52] Other criticisms leveled against Peck included misdiagnoses based upon a lack of knowledge regarding dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder), and claims that he had transgressed the boundaries of professional ethics by attempting to persuade his patients into accepting Christianity.^[51]

Cultural references

Exorcism has been a popular subject in fiction, especially horror.

• The Dybbuk (1914 play by S. Ansky)
• The Exorcist (1971 novel by William Peter Blatty; inspired by exorcism of Robbie Mannheim)
• The Exorcist (1973 film), and its sequels and prequels, were inspired by the exorcism of Robbie Mannheim and the Roman Catholic ritual of exorcism; based on the novels by William Peter Blatty).
• Repossessed (1990 comic movie starring Linda Blair and Leslie Nielsen)
• Kya Dark Lineage (2003 video game)
• Supernatural (2005 television series)
• 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.
• D.Gray-man (2006 Japanese animation series by Hoshino Katsura)
• A Haunting Shows reportedly 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)
• 1920 (2008 Bollywood movie)
• True Blood (2008 HBO television series)
• Apparitions (2008 TV series)
• Soul Obsession, a 2007 novel by Amy Wolff Sorter, which has an account of a Jewish exorcism
• Boys Do Cry (2007 Family Guy episode about the town of Quahog trying to exorcise Stewie, forcing the family to leave Rhode Island)
• Michou d'Auber (2007 French movie)
• Paranormal State (2008 A&E TV series)
• John Safran versus God, an Australian documentary containing a supposed exorcism of its host, John Safran.
• Possessed (2000 film inspired by exorcism of Robbie Mannheim)
• Days of Our Lives (1995 saw the first ever excorcism performed on a daytime soap opera)
• Penn & Teller: Bullshit! (Showtime TV series) Season 5, Episode 5 - "Exorcism", air date: April 19, 2007. Provides some skeptical commentary on the usefulness and scientific validity of exorcisms.

Gallery

See also

• Exorcist
• Deliverance ministry
• International Association of Exorcists
• Kecak
• List of exorcists
• Yoruba religion
• Unborn
• Gay exorcism

References

1. ^ The Westminster handbook to patristic theology. Westminster John Knox Press. 2004. ISBN 9780664223960. http://books.google.com/?id=u4i8jv0b7IkC&pg=PA138&dq=orthodox+exorcism&cd=20#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "Exorcism From the Gree exorkizo, "i adjure" (cf. Matt. 26:63), "exorcism" became a term prominent in early Christianity from the early second century onward (cf. Justin, Dialogue with Trypho 76.6;85.2) as the casting out of devils."
2. ^ Malachi M. (1976) Hostage to the Devil: the possession and exorcism of five living Americans. San Francisco, Harpercollins p.462 ISBN 0-06-065337-X
3. ^ "Exorcism". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Exorcism.
4. ^ JewishEncyclopedia.com - JESUS OF NAZARETH
5. ^ Josephus, "B. J." vii. 6, § 3; Sanh. 65b.
6. ^ Batty, David (2001-05-02). "Exorcism: abuse or cure?". Guardian Unlimited. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2001/may/02/socialcare.mentalhealth1. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
7. ^ "Concerning Exorcism", Book of Occasional Services, Church Publishing.
8. ^ Orthodox Spirituality: An Outline of the Orthodox Ascetical and Mystical Tradition. St Vladimir's Seminary Press. 1978. ISBN 9780913836514. http://books.google.com/?id=J7abX63aB4IC&pg=PA44&dq=orthodox+exorcism&cd=16#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "St. Cyril of Jerusalem writes: "Receive the exorcisms with devotion...Divine exorcisms, borrowed from the Scripture, purify the soul.""
9. ^ ^{a b c} The Westminster handbook to patristic theology. Westminster John Knox Press. 2004. ISBN 9780664223960. http://books.google.com/?id=u4i8jv0b7IkC&pg=PA138&dq=orthodox+exorcism&cd=20#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "In the Orthodox service books the prayers of exorcism attributed to Basil the Great are still in use, for common as well as particular cases of need. In the Latin church the rite of exorcism is now very rarely used, and then only with episcopal permission. The exorcism prayers continue the ancient association of sickness and blight with demonic activity, and the blessings of beasts and fields in the Orthodox service books to this day make a regular pairing of the ideas."
10. ^ Pocket Dictionary of New Religious Movements. InterVarsity Press. 2002. ISBN 9780830814664. http://books.google.com/?id=79uJxu1TMFYC&pg=PA49&dq=orthodox+exorcism&cd=14#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "In the Orthodox Church exorcism is practiced prior to baptism."
11. ^ Orthodox Spirituality: An Outline of the Orthodox Ascetical and Mystical Tradition. St Vladimir's Seminary Press. 1978. ISBN 9780913836514. http://books.google.com/?id=J7abX63aB4IC&pg=PA44&dq=orthodox+exorcism&cd=16#v=onepage&q=orthodox%20exorcism. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "In the Orthodox rites of Baptism, this liberating action of Christ is expressed in the denial of Satan by the catechumens and in the exorcisms of the priest."
12. ^ ^{a b} "Exorcism". Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=E&word=EXORCISM. Retrieved 2009–05–27.
13. ^ "Can a Christian Have a Demon?". Kaohsiung Lutheran Mission. http://johnsmith.asia/can_christians.htm. Retrieved 2009–05–27.
14. ^ ^{a b c} "Exorcism". Christian Classics Ethereal Library. http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc04/htm/ii.vii.htm. Retrieved 2009–05–27.
15. ^ Ferber, Sarah (2004). Demonic possession and exorcism in early modern France. Routledge. p. 38. ISBN 0415212650. http://books.google.com/?id=DNS5oatndpUC&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=exorcism+lutheran. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
16. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} "Quotes and Paraphrases from Lutheran Pastoral Handbooks of the 16th and 17th Centuries on the Topic of Demon Possession". David Jay Webber. http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/djw/lutherantheology.demonpossession.html. Retrieved 2009–05–27.
17. ^ The Methodist Conference - Friday 25th June, 1976 (Preston). The Methodist Church of Great Britain. "...the casting out of an objective power of evil which has gained possession of a person."
18. ^ The Methodist Conference - Friday 25th June, 1976 (Preston). The Methodist Church of Great Britain. "...the authority to exorcise has been given to the Church as one of the ways in which Christ's Ministry is continued in the world."
19. ^ The Methodist Conference - Friday 25th June, 1976 (Preston). The Methodist Church of Great Britain. "The form of any service of healing for those believed to be possessed should be considered in consultation with the ministerial staff of the circuit (or in one-minister circuits with those whom the Chairman of the District suggests)."
20. ^ The Methodist Conference - Friday 25th June, 1976 (Preston). The Methodist Church of Great Britain. "Since pastoral guidance is first and foremost concerned to assure the presence and love of Christ, it is important to follow this practice in these cases also."
21. ^ The Methodist Conference - Friday 25th June, 1976 (Preston). The Methodist Church of Great Britain. "The ministry of bible, prayer and sacraments should be extended to those seeking help."
22. ^ ^{a b c} "Exorcism in 2006". Westminster Methodist Central Hall (Rev. Martin Turner). http://www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk/sermons/MartinTurnerSermons/ExorcismIn2006.pdf. Retrieved 2009–05–25.
23. ^ "Ten things we have learnt about Africa". BBC News. April 15, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8620249.stm. Retrieved April 15, 2010. ""In Ethiopia, 74% of Christians say they have experienced or witnessed the devil or evil spirits being driven out of a person""
24. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Geleta, Amsalu Tadesse. "Case Study: Demonization and the Practice of Exorcism in Ethiopian Churches". Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, Nairobi, August 2000.
25. ^ Poloma M. (1982) The Charismatic Movement: is there a new Pentecost? p97 Isbn. 0805797211
26. ^ Cuneo M. (2001) American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty. Doubleday: New York. pp.111-128 isbn. 0385501765
27. ^ Poloma M. (1982) The Charismatic Movement: is there a new Pentecost? p60 ISBN 0-8057-9721-1
28. ^ Cuneo M. (2001) American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty. Doubleday: New York. pp.118-119 ISBN 0-385-50176-5
29. ^ Amorth G. (1990) An Exorcist Tells His Story. tns. MacKenzie N. Ignatius Press: San Francisco. pp157-160 isbn. 0898707102
30. ^ Martin M. (1976) Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Contemporary Americans. Harper San Francisco. Appendix one "The Roman Ritual of Exorcism" p.459 ISBN 0-06-065337-X
31. ^ Believe Not Every Spirit: Possession, Mysticism, & Discernment in Early Modern Catholicism. University Of Chicago Press. 2007. ISBN 9780226762821. http://books.google.com/?id=fPGyeVQfgCUC&pg=PA43&dq=orthodox+exorcism&cd=12#v=onepage&q=lay%20exorcist. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "Yet we have seen that Johannes Nider and Heinrich Kramer found nothing wrong with the performance of exorcism by laypeopl, as long as they did not usurp the clerical rite, which included some prayers only a priest could pronounce. Every Christian, Nider reminded his readers, had the power to command demons and drive them out in the name of Christ, but lay exorcists should be extremely careful not to use unknown characters and charms, and should be aware that the only mode to adjure demons is the imperative and never the supplicative."
32. ^ Werner 1994, p. 166
33. ^ Monier-Williams 1974, pp. 25–41
34. ^ Dali's gift to exorcist uncovered Catholic News 14 October 2005
35. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0Ak-3wS7cQ
36. ^ Powers of the mind. TV Books. 1999-05. ISBN 9781575000282. http://books.google.com/?id=9x_o_go-nM8C&q=Luther+Miles+Schulze&dq=Luther+Miles+Schulze&cd=3. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "The Reverend Luther Miles Schulze, was called in to help and took Mannheim to his home where he could study the phenomenon at close range;"
37. ^ Paranormal Experiences. Unicorn Books. 2009-06-08. ISBN 9788178061665. http://books.google.com/?id=SpeXY898fkYC&pg=PA129&dq=Luther+Miles+Schulze&cd=4#v=onepage&q=Luther%20Miles%20Schulze. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "A thirteen-year-old American boy named, Robert Mannheim, started using an...The Reverend Luther Miles Schulze, who was called to look into the matter,..."
38. ^ A Faraway Ancient Country. Lulu. 2007. ISBN 9780615158013. http://books.google.com/?id=q469xc7mbksC&pg=PA69&dq=Walter+Halloran+exorcism+ouija&cd=13#v=onepage&q=Walter%20Halloran%20exorcism%20ouija. Retrieved 2010-03-27. "While there is no doubt that much of humanity's aberrant behavior can be classified as mental illnesses or conditions, there remains a number of unexplained cases that continue to frustrate those who completely rely on scientific reason and logic to explain all psychic phenomena. There are two well-documented instances of exorcism, which occurred during the twentieth century. The first, which happened in 1906, concerned an orphan at the St. Michael's Mission in Natal, South Africa. The account, written by a nun, tells of a girl named Clara, being able to speak languages that she had no previous knowledge of and demonstrate clairvoyance by revealing the most intimate secrets and transgressions of people with whom she had no contact. Clara could not bear to be around some blessed objects and seemed imbued with extraordinary strength and ferocity, often hurling nuns about the convent rooms and beating them up. Her cries had a savage beastiality that astonished those around her. An attending nun wrote, "No animal had ever made such sounds. Neither the lions of East Africa nor the angry bulls. At times, it sounded like a veritable herd of wild beasts orchestrated by Satan had formed a hellish choir." Two priests were chosen to perform the exorcism, which lasted for two days. Clara's first response was to knock the Bible from the priest's hands and grab his stole from his shoulders and attempt to choke him with it. But, in the end, the demon was forced out and the girl was healed. The second account is probably the most famous of all cases concerning exorcism and is believed to be the basis for William Peter Blatty's best selling book, The Exorcist. In January, 1949, a thirteen-year-old boy, living in Mt. Rainer, Maryland became involved in satanic possession after trying to contact his diseased aunt (with whom he had been very close) via an oujia board. His home became the scene of many alarming events. Whenever the youth was at home, unexplained noises would reverberate from the attic, furniture would move on its own accord, objects flew, and witnesses reported hearing the sound of marching feet. Once, a portrait of Christ fell off the wall. Forty-eight witnesses would later come forward to substantiate this case and the unbelievable incidents that occurred. The boy was examined by both medical and psychiatric doctors, who could offer no explanation for these disturbing events. Then, the frightened parents turned to their Lutheran minister for spiritual aid. At a loss, their clergyman told them that there was nothing that he could do, that there was evil at work in the teen, and their best solution would be to seek the help of a Catholic priest because Catholics knew about that sort of thing. The first exorcism was conducted by Father Albert Hughes at Georgetown University Hospital, a Jesuit institution. Within five minutes of beginning the ritual, the boy stabbed the priest, inflicting a wound that took stitches. Thus ended the initial attempt to rid the demon. The youth was released and sent home to be with his family. A few days later, the teenager began screaming hysterically while in the bathroom. The parents rushed into the room to find the words "St. Louis" written in blood upon the boy's chest. St. Louis was where the dead aunt had lived. The family then moved to St. Louis to stay with relatives. At this time, the case came before Father William Bowdern, pastor of St. Louis University - another Jesuit institution. After obtaining permission from his bishop, Bowdern would finally succeed where his predecessor had failed. After Bowdern's initial exorcism, the teen was checked into another hospital run by the Alexian Religious Order. This began the ordeal that would continue for six weeks. Father Walter Halloran, SJ, who assisted remembers time periods that lasted as quickly as a few hours or as long as most of a day. Halloran recalls that the hospital bed began shaking violently as holy water was sprinkled on the youth and that at one point, a bottle of holy water went sailing in mid air, just missing his head. Another vivid memory the Father Halloran has was of the word "evil" appearing on the teen's body during one prayer session, saying that it was a definite word, not some phenomenon up for personal interpretation. The demon, when asked when it would leave, told Bowdern and Halloran that it would only do so when the boy uttered the proper words. At last the teenager said, Christus, Domini or "Christ, Lord." At that moment, the whole hospital echoed with a thunderclap. Then boy told them, "It's over. It's over." And it was truly over. The family, now at peace, relocated to their home in Mt. Rainier, and the youth returned to normal life. After over fifty years, this man (whose identity remains a closely guarded secret) has no memories of his possession. While most psychologists would like to dismiss both these cases as that of mental illness, they cannot fully explain why both people never had a relapse. Clara and the Maryland youth went on to lead normal, healthy existences, whereas schizophrenia and other dissociative disorders are often lifelong and require extensive psychiatric treatment. In the early to middle part of twentieth century, people were committed to sanitariums for these conditions. Yet, in both cases, there seems to be no recorded residual effects. Full-blown mental illness rarely (if ever) goes away on its own."
39. ^ St. Louis - News - Hell of a House
40. ^ Part I - The Haunted Boy: the Inspiration for the Exorcist
41. ^ Archbishop: Mother Teresa underwent exorcism CNN 04 September 2001
42. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/wellington/2497284/Deadly-curse-verdict-five-found-guilty
43. ^ "Blumhardt’s Battle: A Conflict With Satan". Thomas E. Lowe, LTD. http://davidkeames.googlepages.com/blumhardt%27sbattle. Retrieved 2009–09–23.
44. ^ Friedrich Zuendel. "The Awakening: One Man's Battle With Darkness". The Plough. http://www.plough.com/ebooks/pdfs/Awakening.pdf. Retrieved 2009–09–23.
45. ^ ^{a b} How Exorcism Works
46. ^ J. Goodwin, S. Hill, R. Attias "Historical and folk techniques of exorcism: applications to the treatment of dissociative disorders"
47. ^ Journal of Personality Assessment (abstract)
48. ^ Microsoft Word - Haraldur Erlendsson 1.6.03 Multiple Personality
49. ^ Voice of Reason: Exorcisms, Fictional and Fatal
50. ^ Peck M. MD (1983). People of the Lie: the Hope for Healing Human Evil. New York: Touchstone.
51. ^ ^{a b} The devil you know, a commentary on Glimpses of the Devil by Richard Woods
52. ^ The Patient Is the Exorcist, an interview with M. Scott Peck by Laura Sheahen

Further reading

• William Baldwin, D.D.S., Ph.D., "Spirit Releasement Therapy". ISBN 1-882658-00-0. Practitioner & Instructor of Spirit Releasement Therapy, containing an extensive bibliography.
• 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.
• Bobby Jindal, BEATING A DEMON: Physical Dimensions of Spiritual Warfare. (New Oxford Review, December 1994)
• 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
• Frederick M Smith, The Self Possessed: Deity and Spirit Possession in South Asian Literature and Civilization. New York: Columbia University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-231-13748-6
• Gabriele Amorth, An Exorcist Tells His Story. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1999. Vatican's chief exorcist tells about Roman Catholic practice of exorcism with numerous anecdotes from his own experience.
• G. Paxia, The Devil's Scourge - Exorcism during the Italian Renaissance, Ed. WeiserBooks 2002.
• J McCarthy The Exorcists Handbook - Approaches the subject of Exorcism in a clear non religious manner. Golem Media Publishers Berkeley CA ISBN 978-1-933993-91-1

External links

• Bobby Jindal. BEATING A DEMON: Physical Dimensions of Spiritual Warfare. (New Oxford Review, December 1994)
• "Exorcism". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Exorcism.
• Jewish Encyclopedia: Exorcism
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Exorcism
• Diocese of Worcester webpages on Ministry of Deliverance Anglican View
• Exorcism in the Orthodox Church

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