Overview:

Christianity has historically taught that Satan and his hordes of demons roam about the world attempting to harm, harass, and destroy humans. There are many dozens of passages in the Christian Scriptures that describe the belief that demons can indwell or possess a human being and cause them to behave strangely. Much mental and physical illness was attributed to this origin during the 1^st century CE. A major part of the Gospel message concerns Jesus' healing ministry of exorcism. He is recorded as having cured numerous sick people by banishing one or more demons from their body. In one memorable incident, he transferred a thousand demonic spirits from one person to a herd of pigs.

There is no consensus in North America about the existence of indwelling evil spirits, and effectiveness of exorcism:

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