Demonic Possession & Oppression; Exorcism

INTRODUCTION

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Theological origins of demon possession in Judaism:

The ancient Hebrews believed in evil spirits who were capable of indwelling humans. They were mentioned in Judges, 1 Kings and 1 Samuel. However they did not form a major part of their religious belief system when compared to the beliefs of the Pagan tribes surrounding them.

Judaism, during the 1^st century CE, began to believe in Satan as a profoundly evil entity controlling hordes of demons. "Among other things, the forces of evil [were considered to] promote injustice, the oppression of the people of God, idolatry, deception and violence." ₁ Many theologians believe that these concepts were picked up from the Zoroastrian faith in Persia many centuries previously during the Hebrew's captivity in Babylonian. Zoroastrians believe in an all-good deity and an all-evil deity of equal powers. This may have morphed into an evil Satan accompanying Yahweh as two main supernatural forces in the universe.

Christian teachings on demonic possession and exorcism:

Christianity has historically taught that Satan roams about the world attempting to harm, harass, and destroy humans. Perhaps because of the Christian belief that Satan is a created being -- a fallen angel -- who is incapable of being in more than one place at one time, Satan was viewed as being in control of hordes of demons who were largely responsible for performing evil acts.

There are many dozens of passages in the Christian Scriptures which 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 Gospels and Acts involve 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. However, Paul's epistles, Revelation and other books in the Christian Scriptures are silent on this topic.

According to the Christian Scriptures:

Do evil spirits exist; is exorcism needed?

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

Cultural icons die hard. Hollywood continues to crank out many grade B movies, and the occasional feature film, which includes demon possession and exorcisms as main themes.

Physical abuse during exorcisms occasionally causes serious injury ₃ or death. ₄ Accidental homicides occur at the rate of about one per year in North America. In the past few years, we have noticed news items about exorcism murders in Ontario, Canada, and in California and New Jersey in the U.S..

References used:

1. S.H.Y. Page, "Powers of Evil: A Biblical study of Satan & demons," Baker Books, (1995), Page 82.
2. "Americans Draw Theological Beliefs From Diverse Points of View," Barna Research Online, 2002-OCT-8, at: http://www.barna.org/
3. D. Trull,  "Crucifixes in throat hospitalize woman," at: http://www.parascope.com/
4. "Woman admits guilt in exorcism death," at: http://wchat.on.ca/humanist/

Copyright © 1998 to 2006 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2006-NOV-30
Author: B.A. Robinson