Why does demonic possession happen

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Subscriber sign in You could not be signed in, please check and try again. Username Please enter your Username. Password Please enter your Password. The greatest cultural influence, of course, came from the classic "The Exorcist. The script was written by William Peter Blatty, adapted from his best-selling novel of the same name. Blatty believed or claimed to believe it was an accurate account, though later research revealed the story had been sensationalized was far from credible.

As for historical accuracy, though, Cuneo characterizes Blatty's work as a massive structure of fantasy resting on a flimsy foundation of one priest's diary. There really was a boy who underwent an exorcism, but virtually all of the gory and sensational details appearing in the book and film were wildly exaggerated or completely made up.

While many Americans think of real exorcisms as relics of the Dark Ages, exorcisms continue to be performed, often on people who are emotionally and mentally disturbed. Whether those undergoing the exorcism are truly possessed by spirits or demons is another matter entirely.

Exorcisms are done on people of strong religious faith. To the extent that exorcisms "work," it is due to the power of suggestion and psychology: If you believe you're possessed and that an exorcism will cure you , then it just might. Typically those viewed as "possessed" were merely afflicted by some mental condition unknown or untreated. In addition, exorcism is not the desired treatment. If the victim is truly possessed by demons, determined by authorities of the Church, then, and only then, may an exorcism occur.

Political Implications.