Demon Possession & Exorcism?

Here's an Art Bell C2C interview with an exorcist (now deceased).

reply to post by mikem


Thanks, there are some similarities to myself, but my problems are smaller.

I don't like the idea of engaging in bad behaviour to feed your demon, but it does sound like you are getting psychological help and are doing the best you can. So that sounds like you are on the right track.

If there are demons, it seems like they feed-off bad behaviour. The best way to combat them is to change your behaviour. In my case, when I decided to change my bad behaviour I started experiencing some scary poltergeist activity and other weird things. It seemed like a demon was trying to punish me.

Also attending church probably helps. I attended church for a couple of years before I gave up. I think it helped even though I'm confused about my beliefs. I tend to be an atheist and I don't go to church now.

BTW I even had an exorcism performed on me when I was having the worst problems. I don't think it made any difference, but maybe it would if you have faith. I think the most helpful religious practice would be communion.

reply to post by mikem


Here is a quote that emphasizes the connection between demons and behaviour in the thinking of early Christian monks. The author seems to be saying that we can fight the demons by fighting a few basic human weaknesses. This would explain the emphasis on fasting, charity, and humility in Christian practice I suppose.

Of the demons opposing us in the practice of ascetic life, there are three groups who fight in the front line: those entrusted with the appetites of gluttony, those who suggest avaricious thought, and those who incite us to seek the esteem of men. All the other demons follow behind and in their turn attack those already wounded by the first three groups. For one does not fall into the power of the demon of unchastity, unless one has first fallen because of gluttony; nor is one's anger aroused unless one is fighting for food or material possessions or the esteem of men. And one does not escape the demon of dejection, unless one no longer experiences suffering when deprived of these things. Nor will one escape pride, the first offspring of the devil, unless one has banished avarice, the root of all evil, since poverty makes a man humble, according to Solomon (cf. Prov. 10:4 LXX). In short, no one can fall into the power of any demon, unless he has been wounded by those of the front line. That is why the devil suggested these three thoughts to the Saviour: first he exhorted Him to turn stones into bread; then he promised Him the whole of the world, if Christ would fall down and worship him; and thirdly he said that, if our Lord would listen to him, He would be glorified and suffer nothing in falling from the pinnacle of the temple. But our Lord, having shown Himself superior to these temptations, commanded the devil to 'get behind him'. In this way he teaches us that it is not possible to drive away the devil, unless we scornfully reject these three thoughts (cf. Matt. 4:1-10).

"The Philokalia: The Complete Text" Vol 1, p 38, translated by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Kallistos Ware, Faber and Faber, Inc. 1979

My understanding of myself and my dark rider has risen strange ideas of demonic possesion. The quote you posted seems incomplete and frankly unsatisfactory to say the least. A child whom is possessed does not know gluttony or the other evils it spoke of.

If demons are real then they live on another plane of existance to our own.. they are aware of us and can reach out. Sometimes they can touch you and some times they can influence and in rare cases they can attach themselves to your soul.

I don't believe people are born with demons.. I believe that our souls must go through a very tramatic experience to open ourselves up to these things. Like a parasite they leach on feeding on our emotions and experiences. Demons are ancient and we are short lived so from their point of view they do not have all the time in the world and when a full controlled possesion takes place most demons are greedy and hunger for experiences of pain and pleasure.

Yet not all demons can be the same and personalities are sure to arise in each and just like a married couple there are those that battle for control and there are those who find equals in satisfaction with each other.

I do not and will not attend church although I am not an athesist.. I do not believe in "god" however I know we have souls. Having my passenger with me I can sense the evil in others and church makes my skin burn... not because of the holy place but because of the evil bitter people within its walls. People who do not accept themselves for who they are.. who refuse to allow themselves to think outside of the boundrys that some other man set for them.

I do not want an exorcism I could not imagine the emptiness of not having this. Even though it has caused me pain in the past it has also supported me through the torment of what other humans have caused me. I can pull resevoirs of strength that are unlimited from that part.

Originally posted by faint1993
I've got a long history of demonic hauntings in my family. It sounds crazy, I find it hard to believe myself. But I have first hand experience and I know that these things are real. (Not to the extent that the movies take them, but not far either). However, despite what these demons have said to my family members, I still don't believe that they are in any way connected to Christianity. I believe that they are simply something that we do not yet understand. But yes, In my opinion, they are completely real.

Have you ever seen a ghost? How do you know they're real?

I have seen a legitimate polariod photo of a ghost that an ex 'accidentally' took. He was half a king with a crown, and half reptile. The king's dace was petrified. You are right there are no answers to something like that, it's too strange to ponder. Perhaps it even could be a 'creation' of your own mind into reality on the picture. There is no other explanation to have such a visual clear figure of a king and a reptile ghost merged into one face. What is that teaching us? It is teaching us that darkness and light exists.

reply to post by mikem


The Philokalia is advice of monks for other monks, so probably you are right that it isn't too useful in this case.

What made me think I had a demon was a feeling that I was gradually losing my free will. I suppose it might reach a point where people no longer have the free will to get help for themselves - at least that's the way it seems in stories. That's why the policy of appeasing a demon by doing what it wants might not be so great in the long run.

What you brought up about feeling uncomfortable (burning) in church is interesting. When I first tried attending church I refused to kiss the icon and the cross at the end of the service like everyone else. I couldn't decide if I didn't want to kiss those things or if something else didn't want to. It bugged me. Sometimes I would wake up and it seemed like the most cruel voice you could imagine was talking to me in my sleep. I didn't mention my concerns to anybody, because I was an atheist and didn't believe in demons.

Eventually I decided to try to go to church even though I was an atheist, because I didn't like the idea of something taking over my life. Then it seemed like all kinds of weird things started happening - sort of like the devil saying "where do you think you're going, buddy?"

For several weeks I felt extremely uncomfortable in church. It would smell awful in there where I almost couldn't stand it. Then I also would start sweating and feeling like I wanted to vomit or pass-out during church. It always happened just prior to communion, but I would tough it out and make myself go up there and take communion. Eventually it went away.

I don't know what to think about it all. I sensed that something didn't want me to go to church, so that made me think there was some purpose for me going to church. But in church it was like: "here I am, God, what now?" and nobody answered. It was very frustrating and that's why I gave up after a couple of years.

If anyone or any member, senior or otherwise, is to believe that in fact Demons do exist, then what should happen to the mother who recently cut her son's throat to rid him of demons? I think it's time to lay the cards on the table. If the Catholic Church and other powerful religions with political reach says they exist, then she should be freed and laws should be changed completely. If they say they do not exist, then let's remove all trace of belief within these powerful religions. No more sitting on the fence. Demons seem to be like miracles - there is always someone to speak of their truth but there is never actual evidence solid enough for society in general. Either there is or there isn't. If I drink and drive and hurt somebody, perhaps it was a Demon that controlled me for a period of time? How can the law dispute my explanation if the same law holds conversations with high level church members who believe in Demons? Can only certain people qualify to see these demons? It is all just so ridiculous it's no longer funny. Demons don't exist. Humans, however, regardless of how they dress or what they profess to follow, can be guilty of quite demonic behaviour....

Originally posted by Cyberdaz
If anyone or any member, senior or otherwise, is to believe that in fact Demons do exist, then what should happen to the mother who recently cut her son's throat to rid him of demons? I think it's time to lay the cards on the table. If the Catholic Church and other powerful religions with political reach says they exist, then she should be freed and laws should be changed completely. If they say they do not exist, then let's remove all trace of belief within these powerful religions. No more sitting on the fence. Demons seem to be like miracles - there is always someone to speak of their truth but there is never actual evidence solid enough for society in general. Either there is or there isn't. If I drink and drive and hurt somebody, perhaps it was a Demon that controlled me for a period of time? How can the law dispute my explanation if the same law holds conversations with high level church members who believe in Demons? Can only certain people qualify to see these demons? It is all just so ridiculous it's no longer funny. Demons don't exist. Humans, however, regardless of how they dress or what they profess to follow, can be guilty of quite demonic behaviour....

I love the passion of your opinion, but let's be honest with ourselves here. Horrific child abuse as the case you have mentioned does happen. If the delusional mother had not thought they were demons, she would have used another name for whatever it was she thought the kid had. In truth the mother was probably mentally ill and the child was probably a naughty little so and so like some of them can be. Mental illness is a sad, misunderstood and powerfully intoxicating thing for the person suffering it.

None of this however disproves the existence of demons, just that there are some very sick people out there that need reaching before things get anywhere near this stage.

reply to post by Cyberdaz


Really? lol she cuts her sons throat because she can't handle him and says he has a demon in him.... lol well then she should have her throat cut as so she can spend enternity where ever her soul goes lol

I hope after she did it she ate a peanut butter sandwich with JIF peanut butter