Exorcism is making a comeback. Is this a sign of the end times?

EXORCISM. It’s back. From the courtrooms of South Africa to the cornfields of heartland America, the battle for your soul has taken a decidedly physical turn.

Possessed presidential candidates. Demon-haunted miscreants. Snake-spirit infested parishioners. Exorcism just keeps appearing in the headlines.

Exorcism just keeps appearing in the headlines. From television to the tea-room, exorcists are making a comeback. A so-called ‘wave’ of drug-related satanic killings sweeping Mexico (with the alleged intention of turning the victims into vampires) has resulted in calls for a ‘Magno Exorcisto’.

A confessed killer in Cape Town is appealing for an ‘exorcism’ as part of his sentencing, to expel the ‘demonic forces’ that ‘made him’ behead his 15-year-old victim and sell his body parts to a traditional healer.

And late last year, staff in a German hotel were stunned to find a 41-year-old mother beaten to death by her South Korean family (aged between 44 and 15) in an effort to ‘drive out the devil’.

Exorcism appeared well and truly dead-and-buried after a public scandal in 1973 when a young German woman, Anneliese Michel, was killed after repeated rituals. But a turnaround of sorts began in 2004. An official decree from Pope John Paul II instructed every Catholic diocese to appoint an exorcist. Who would dare disobey?

It’s not just ‘a Catholic thing’. Pentecostal churches have long been enthusiastically adding their high-profile branding to the ceremony. And virtually every flavour of religion — be it ancient Assyrian or Hindu — mentions some form of rite to expel oppositional spirits in its holy texts.

But the Catholic International Association of Exorcist’s upped the ante in 2014: Their annual meeting declared occult activity was on the rise. (For the uninitiated, this includes believing in the power of crystals, t’ai chi and yoga — as well as the more traditional Ouija boards, palm-reading and tarot cards.)

Its head, Italian priest Gabriele Amorth, is something of an ace: He claims to have personally cast out 160,000 demons. Despite this metaphysical massacre, he needs help. To that end the Regina Apostolorum pontifical institution of the Legionaries of Christ is about to conduct its annual one-week course on exorcism in Rome. “We have a very secularised society in which, more than in the past, there’s the tendency to open the doors to occultism and esotericism,” said Father Pedro Barrajon, director of the Istituto Sacerdos. The course is intended to train participants in recognising at-risk members of congregations.

“Demonic influence is favoured by magical practices and the use of fortune tellers, which can have a real influence leading even to possession,” Barrajon said.

The Catholic News Agency in the United States recently published an article describing how to recognise the demon-possessed. Interviewing one Father Cipriano de Meo, whose exorcist credentials dating from 1952, it concedes most cases are, in fact, mental illness. Not possession.

The Catholic Catechism is specific in its application: “Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church,” it reads. “ Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.”

The only way to tell the difference, Father de Meo says, is through a personal revelation to the priest — and the reaction of the patient to prayer. “A possessed person has various general attitudes towards an exorcist, who is seen by the Adversary as an enemy ready to fight him,” he is quoted as saying. “There’s no lack of frightening facial expressions, threatening words or gestures and other things,” he said, “but especially blasphemies against God and Our Lady.”

But is exorcism actually on the rise? Michael Cuneo, sociologist and author of newly published “American Exorcism,” asserts “Exorcism is more readily available today in the United States than perhaps ever before.” He goes on to say: “By conservative estimates, there are at least five or six hundred evangelical exorcism ministries in operation (in the US) today, and quite possibly two or three times this many.”

Australia? It’s not telling. Unlike their overseas counterparts, Australian Catholic diocese have been backwards about coming forward with the exploits of their proactive priests. But they’re certainly there. The Catholic Church in Australia recently admitted to having up to 30 exorcists on the march against evil.

www.adelaidenow.com.au...

I would like to point out that within the article I highlighted an area of interest concerning mental illness. I did this for a reason..... for those who do not believe. In order to believe exorcisms are real you would have to believe in demons (evil spirits), angels, the supernatural world, a creator or any type of spirits.... because you must deny all these things are NOT real before rejecting exorcism otherwise you would be a hypocrite.

Today exorcists and demonologists have a much better understanding concerning mental illness than it did 50 years ago. If you actually research exorcism you will find that MAYBE 1 or 2 people out of 100 might be actually possessed meanwhile the other 99 people need medication and/or mental health therapy. This of course does not take into account spiritual manifestations and spiritual obsessions.

The role of the exorcists and demonologist when dealing with a person that is suspected of being possessed is a long and drawn out process of lengthly interviews with the patient, numerous visits to mental health clinics for evaluation and medication. If the patient does not respond to medication and the interview process starts to show signs of supernatural evidence i.e. floating in the air, walking up walls, strength of ten men, speaking a foreign language that the patient has never learned or been around.... still an exorcism is NOT preformed. Now..... if the average person were to witness this they would be throwing holy water at the person and screaming at them while freaking out but not the exorcist or demonologist because it is also up to the patient if they want help because some are quite happy with being possessed. Father Malachi calls it "perfect possession" where the host feels secure and satisfied with the entity in its life and is not willing to surrender it up but to protect it and you would be surprised how many there are out here walking around as perfectly possessed.

So IF you think you might be possessed.... 99.99% you probably are NOT. A person that is possessed knows he/she is possessed and will not ask for help until they are close to losing their sanity. If you fall into this category and are looking for help just send me a PM and I will help direct your request to the proper personnel.

God bless you.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Don't watch freaky, convincing, real life footage or read real life stories about hateful ghosts at 2.00am in the morning when you live alone away from civilization... "Aint nobody got time for that"

a reply to: DeathSlayer

from your linked article:

A confessed killer in Cape Town is appealing for an ‘exorcism’ as part of his sentencing, to expel the ‘demonic forces’ that ‘made him’ behead his 15-year-old victim and sell his body parts to a traditional healer. And late last year, staff in a German hotel were stunned to find a 41-year-old mother beaten to death by her South Korean family (aged between 44 and 15) in an effort to ‘drive out the devil’. Exorcism appeared well and truly dead-and-buried after a public scandal in 1973 when a young German woman, Anneliese Michel, was killed after repeated rituals. But a turnaround of sorts began in 2004. An official decree from Pope John Paul II instructed every Catholic diocese to appoint an exorcist. Who would dare disobey? It’s not just ‘a Catholic thing’. Pentecostal churches have long been enthusiastically adding their high-profile branding to the ceremony. And virtually every flavour of religion — be it ancient Assyrian or Hindu — mentions some form of rite to expel oppositional spirits in its holy texts.

Murderers asking for an exorcism as part of their sentence should receive one, and I believe the Italians still send exorcists free of charge even overseas.
Unless some fool tries to confiscat their holy water at the airport lol.

Demons will say they are god, they will say they are sent by the Vatican without tangible proof, they will say everything and anything as lying is only one part of their thing, they may also kill, steal, fornicate, deceive in all forms of inventive ways and even fart in a car with the windows locked shut.

Exorcism for people who do not wish to be exorcised is abused, although consent of the patient may be put into question by relatives or close associates in cases to be determined by the exorcist.

Today is just going to be a tough day to read articles. Just not sure what will be an April Fools joke.

On the one hand, I see exorcism as complete religious insanity. On the other, I can see how they could help someone who believes the same things they do. Humans cling to belief, ritual, and fear. Every religion has its own, and every human has their own to varying degrees. If you enter a home, you must leave by the same door you came in, salt over your shoulder, and so on.

Superstitious fears can be very powerful, and bring to life a persons worst fears, even if they're only real to that person. At the same time, we also know that people have accomplished super-human feats in emergencies. It's exceptionally rare, but it happens. I think that's what we're dealing with regarding possession. Superstitious fears gone berzerk, and the rare super-human feat that manifests when we least expect it. Of course, that depends on how many of these stories one believes. Most of them are embellished to the uttermost.

I'm just not so sure at this point in my life, I can buy into demonic forces and angels. However, I won't rule out forces, natural or otherwise, we are yet to understand.

ETA: FYI OP. We're only allowed to quote a portion of an article, according to the T&C's. I think it's something like 10%, give or take.

a reply to: wisvol

Exorcisms are free around the world. If someone attempts to charge for an exorcism ..... walk away and if the person is a priest then it should be reported to his bishop. The same with deliverance ministry....... it is free.

Exorcism for people who do not wish to be exorcised is abused, although consent of the patient may be put into question by relatives or close associates in cases to be determined by the exorcist.

In order to free a patient of possession that individual MUST personally reject the evil spirit and want an exorcism otherwise it will not work. It is called legalism which gives the evil spirit a legal right to remain inside the patient. Legalism is a big reoccurring issue with exorcism. You can not expel any spirit that has a legal right to remain.

ETA: Also an exorcism has NOTHING to do with torturing and hurting the patient physically or mentally.

I think it has to do with exorcisms being popular in movies again.

a reply to: Autorico

Which is the cause & witch is the effect?

a reply to: wisvol

The movies are the cause. The same thing happened when The Exorcist came out in the 70's.

originally posted by: Autorico
I think it has to do with exorcisms being popular in movies again.

Father Malachi said in the late 90's that exorcisms alone on the east coast of USA has risen by 800% alone. I suggest you look for the Art Bell interview with Father Malachi back in 1993 or 1994?

The council for exorcism says worldwide exorcisms have risen dramatically. They did not want to release facts so not to scare the public and its followers.

The 1973 movie - exorcist based on true story of a young male in USA.

The movie - Possession of Emily Rose - based upon the true story of a young German woman, Anneliese Michel, was killed after repeated rituals in Wurzburg, Germany by two Catholic priests.

originally posted by: Autorico
a reply to: wisvol

The movies are the cause. The same thing happened when The Exorcist came out in the 70's.

If that is true ..... then what did Jesus and the apostles do when dealing with the possessed. If you look through all four Gospels in the New Testament there are numerous accounts and this was before TV so I think we can rule out TV and is not the cause.

There are even accounts in the Old Testament, Quran and numerous Hindu writings concerning possessions.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

I don't think it's a sign of the end times. I think, as stated in the title, exorcisms are just making a comeback.

a reply to: Autorico

Often, stories take root in actual events, how ever censored or embellished or both.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

If that is true ..... then what did Jesus and the apostles do when dealing with the possessed.

right
they said (transliterated and paraphrased) heal the sick
raise the dead
cleanse the lepers
cast out demons

so the casting demons suggests they exhorted, so to speak, people whose behaviour would be problematic when seen as the best course of action

originally posted by: wisvol
a reply to: DeathSlayer

If that is true ..... then what did Jesus and the apostles do when dealing with the possessed.

right
they said (transliterated and paraphrased) heal the sick
raise the dead
cleanse the lepers
cast out demons

so the casting demons suggests they exhorted, so to speak, people whose behaviour would be problematic when seen as the best course of action

Take a look at the specific possessed people in the Gospels that Jesus and the Apostles had expelled evil spirits from. A clear description of what made each person unique by its unique possession and not mental issues..

One example: one young girl with divinity who made two men very rich.... who pointed out Jesus as the son of God or the one who said when asked who was inside him and he responded "Legion" (meaning many) and how they left and went into the pigs who then ran over the cliff into the sea. Just two examples from many others.....

Of course there were many healings as well from opening the eyes to the blind......to waking the dead.

Today there are seminaries in Africa where you last test prior to being ordained is to wake the dead. Fail and you are not ordained.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

No.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Today there are seminaries in Africa where you last test prior to being ordained is to wake the dead. Fail and you are not ordained.

English clubs with membership requirements have had Victorian results: we're spelling English right now.
African priests have gold, lions, rhinoceroses, chocolate, they're on to something.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

While there has certainly been a rise in the number of exorcisms performed by the Vatican (the only legit exorcists), there are far more clear signs like the drying up of the Euphrates. Evil has always been there, but I do feel as though things have been ramping up. Anyway, you have to be careful about defining exorcisms. Only the Vatican has the books necessary--plenty of exorcists are charlatans and liars and thieves who exploit the fearful.

a reply to: rukia

Only the Vatican has the books necessary--plenty of exorcists are charlatans and liars and thieves who exploit the fearful.

Only the Vatican?
Japanese manga "hellsing" gives another story
The egyptian and greeks too
and others
like old Americans

Demon's doesn't just "posess" random people, you have to be willing to explore and open doors which allow them to stack to your psyche.

In my opinion they ar also older than humans, in most cases atleast, and many of them are old and important gods, but just devilished and demonized, real deamons have nothing to do with this sht you see youtube.

Possessed human's are not innocent and when you make pact whit such thing, you surely know what you have done and are goddamn coward if you go to priest, and even if they succes to "exorsist" you, these beings will still be lurkin in afterlife, so keep your faith in goodness and oneness of universe and you will be fine even if you manage to pact up with entity.

Learn to communicate and shut the fck up in some things they show to you and you should be fine, and they can be really good companion if you play it well.