From Hollywood horror flicks to hushed church lore whispered about in the pews, exorcism has always lived at the edge of many churchgoers’ imaginations. The ritual is both feared and fascinated over, dismissed by skeptics yet kept alive by believers who insist that evil is more than metaphor.
The Catholic rite, in which a priest authorized by the Vatican expels a demon from a possessed individual, has long been shrouded in mystery, known to most only through the lurid exaggerations of late-night horror films.
Now, a new report reveals something very real. Requests for exorcisms are rising across the United States, and people want to know why.
Exorcisms Rising
CNN recently contacted all 196 Catholic dioceses and archdioceses in the United States to inquire about rates of exorcisms. Of the 48 that responded, 25 dioceses – over 50% – reported an increase in recent years for exorcism requests. 15 locations reported no increase, and 8 said they didn’t keep data on exorcism requests.
CNN Senior Correspondent David Culver spoke with an anonymous priest authorized to perform exorcisms since 1999, who claims that there had been a “surge” in exorcism requests in recent years, explaining that there were “three to five” requests every “one to three months” when he started. Now, he says, there are three to five requests every single week.
A Brief History of Exorcism
For nearly as long as people have believed in the divine, they’ve also believed in forces that oppose it, and the Christian practice of exorcism grew from that ancient tension. Christianity came of age in a time ripe with mystical healers, temple rites, and protective charms, and so, inspired by Jesus’ performance of the rite of exorcism in the Holy Bible, Christians distinguished themselves by casting out devils and demons explicitly in His name.
For centuries, the rite of exorcism was often improvised, looking closer to local folk magic than what we might think of today. That changed with the Roman Ritual of 1614, which standardized exorcism practices in Catholicism, laying out exactly how a priest should prepare, what prayers to say, what signs to look for, and how to proceed if the situation escalated.
Related: An Exorcist Explains the Demonic
Even as skepticism rose in the Enlightenment and modern science offered new explanations for unusual behavior, exorcism never disappeared. The Catholic Church performs them even today, though Vatican officials deem them exceptionally rare and priests must still rule out mental illness, drug use, or other explanations for the possession.
More recently, there's been a public clash over who has proper authority to perform the delicate practice, as "rogue" exorcists compete with Catholic officials.
What Does This Signal?
Whatever the cause in the rising exorcism requests, the renewed uptick in exorcism requests is reflecting something quintessentially 21st century. The question is… what?
Are these increases a sign of growing spiritual anxiety in a world where science has explained away much of what was once believed mystical? A response to cultural polarization and uncertainty, driven by our always-online lives? Or simply the result of more public conversation about a practice once kept firmly behind church doors?
Whatever the cause, the renewed interest suggests that many Americans are turning to spiritual frameworks – and ancient ones, at that – to make sense of modern fears. And whether one views exorcism as literal battle, symbolic ritual, or a pastoral response to profound suffering, it’s clear the rite continues to occupy a unique (and growing) place in the American religious imagination.
As exorcism re-enters the cultural mainstream, what does that say about us: our fears, our faith, and the stories we choose to believe? And why do you think more Americans are seeking exorcisms?
77 comments
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Rev Ned
Our country needs an exorcism. It’s currently infested with demons AKA MAGAts.
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Minister Rob
aaaaannnnddddd another "person" that just can't seem to keep politics OUT of a religious discussion! SMH!!!
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Walter J. Holbrook
I am at a lost
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Pastor Bobby Roy
If Jesus were addressing the rise in exorcism requests, His response would likely emphasize:
Healing and compassion for those suffering.
Confidence in God’s power over evil.
A reminder that faith, love, and community are stronger than fear.
So rather than fueling fascination with exorcism itself, He would redirect people toward hope, trust, and the transformative love of God.
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Father Frederick
If you have the time, and really want to know about possession and exorcisms, pick up this book.
"Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Contemporary Americans" by Father Malachi Martin. The paperback edition is ISBN-10: 006065337X or ISBN-13: 978-0060653378.
Father Martin, was an Irish-born American Traditionalist Catholic priest, biblical archaeologist, exorcist, palaeographer, professor, and writer on the Catholic Church. He passed in 1999, but you can hear some of his interviews on YouTube, and he has several books. He doesn't mince words.
I attended one of his seminars in September 1997, and it was not only eye opening, but also frightening as he spoke about how the young would be groomed to see the underworld and Satan more like a rock star or famous actor, thus dropping their guard, and leaving Christianity because it was dull and boring. He said a change would take place in two decades where we'll see society crumble. Satan, he said, "Attracts those who look for excitement and satisfaction outside of Christianity." Also, "Those who deny or mock the presence of Satan, and possession, are typically the weakest of minds and the most vulnerable." Eyes open, you see this today in younger people.
The books are still available, as well in Kindle. I bought a used book through Abe's for only $7.00. There are also some audio "interviews" which were done with the late Art Bell, in the mid 1990s. Frankly, Father Martin's words were unsettling. The radio audio on YouTube is three hours long but you'll be changed after listening.
Knowledge is power, so I recommend fellow priests, pastors, etc to give a listen or take the time to read the book.
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Thomas W. Paine
I have read about Malachi Martin and find it fascinating. Also Scott Peck, author of "Road Less Traveled", met with Martin and was involved in a couple of exorcisms himself.
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Robert Berry
And.., you concluded what please?
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Ari Joseph Bertine
It signals that more people are subscribing to streaming platforms than ever, and they are watching horror movies and getting ideas from them. Non-corporeal entities do not go around possessing people willy-nilly, that's not how they work. You wanna get possessed, you have to convince something that it's in its interest to do so, because that is annoying BS to a non-corporeal who has zero interest in anything but energy, and it can get far more energy hanging out around an office microwave than by possessing a human body. "Demons" are a bastardized understanding of daemons, which, as neutral entities were called so by the Greeks as an alternative to the word "genius". Both are just spirits that are not humans and not gods. As with anything that is not understood by a religious group, they were decided to be evil and made into adversaries long, long after they were perceived by human beings.
What is possessing people now is selfishness, greed, or apathy. If anyone can figure out how to exorcise those things, more power to them. They are the forces destroying the world.
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Johnny Dale Crawley
Ancient Catholic voodoo.
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L Ashby
THIS IS WHERE THE DRUGS HAVE TAKEN OVER AND THE KIDS AND ADOLESCENCE HAVE BECOME SPLIT MINDED AND FORGOTTEN WHO TO HOLD TIGHT TO.. PLEASE FIND A WAY NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES .. THERES A SAYING FROM OLD THAT IF THE MUSIC DIES SO DOES THE SOUL.. HELP OUR WOLD .. THE GOOD LORD AND THE WRITTEN TEXT GIVES HOPE AND FAITH TO THE SIGHT OF LOVE WHEN DARKNESS TTAKES OVER TRY SINGING A SONG FROM HIS WORD.. LOVE MINISTER L
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Tami Tabone
I am not ruling out the possibility that parasitic energies exist that can latch onto people. Whether a religious ritual such as an exorcism can help with such things I don't know. But there are many mental illnesses that can appear as such and we would need to assess each on an individual assessment. But I believe there is an uptick of dangerous religious belief that borders on cultism and irrational interpretation of scripture and texts. So that may be part of the reason there is an increase. Irrationality relating to religion can be very dangerous.
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Patricia Ann Gross
The texts in question were written in a time about 1800 years before Sigmund Freud, so severe mental illness such as delusional behavior, schizophrenia, and other physical ailments that cause ticks and seizures (like epilepsy) were considered "demons." Since the Bible did not include any follow-up accounts of those whose demons were cast out, we don't know if it was permanent or not. Thank goodness there are alternate theories today for these behavior. I am guessing like others have stated, that people are imagining things like a "gay-demon," or a "trans-demon" to explain away their child's behavior. I doubt that even one percent of requests for exorcism (at least amongst the Catholic Clergy, which as far as I know is the only denomination that has training and a formal rite for exorcism) are actually given the rites.
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Donnie Holland
It is an indication of nothing more that a possible increase in mental health issues and the vacant intellect of far too many 'Mericans... remember - the US also has the highest UFO citings and the highest eprcentage of people who believe in angels (70%). Something is in the water!
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Tami Tabone
I do believe there is a lot that points to mental health. But I have also had experiences that cannot be explained, that definitely lead me to believe there is more to this universe than what we currently define as reality. Remember, a scientific viewpoint is only as good as the facts we currently know. Science is ever changing and being updated. So I am open to the idea that in some cases there may be energies and / or physical beings that we have not yet defined that exist.
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James Riggle-Johnson
UFOs/UAPs are not a myth, nor are their sightings a US phenomenon. Hundreds of sightings are reported worldwide.
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Donald G Magel
Could this be the "work on earth" that our anti-christ president is doing?
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James Riggle-Johnson
You mean the Beast? Lol
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Minister Rob
Annnnnnd cue the FIRST person to bring politics into this discussion..... SMH!!!
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Rev. Kev
I am not a fan of the whole End Times "Left Behind" Millennialist movement.
However, I am struck by the many descriptions such Christians have given of the Antichrist in sundry books and pamphlets over the years and their rather close approximation to our current head of state. If it wasn't affecting real life it would almost be humorous that THIS is the guy who would bring down the planet.
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Gordon Billingsley
Our resurgence in anti-science and, thus, magical thinking leads people to grasping for both emotional and psychological fixes.
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ServantOfJudgement
I can't believe people say men can get pregnant but they swear by it.
Next thing they'll do is put tampons in the men's bathroom.
So much for science and reason.
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Pamela Kay Waters
Well with all this transgender crap, yes they probably will.
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Roy S. Thorpe
It's like the old joke! What happens when you don't pay your exorcist? You get repossessed! Seriously, most of the lost sheep that inhabit the world are looking for anything to believe in! It's sad but true!
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L Ashby
AMEN..SHOW THEM MUSIC AND GOD
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Melissa Ronnebaum
When we allow the demons who control government (rich, entitled people control other people's lives(not to help the people or situations but to glorify their own lives to be gluttons of land, air, food, religion, love, families and livelihoods and freedoms) while they do and act the same as the innocent people they condemn and viliof the very disgusting characteristics they are actually guilty of. Decide who is worthy of the very things they lie, steal, cheat and kill and judge and condemn. These are not leaders of equality, they are the biblical parables, stories of the very things that Jesus Christ died so we would learn to be aware that would be demons, working for Satan. To condemn our very souls. That we we're to be good and be like Christ. That Satan wants to see you burn. And here we are,righton schedule follow the steps of demons, not Christ. You are no better than anyone else. Immigrants are not our enemies . Native Americans watching immigrants coming to the shores and they embraced them. Shared food with them. And how did we immigrants repay these children of God. We said your kind are savages, they don't know our religious beliefs,beat it into them. Separate families, rape and murder them with impunity. Steal everything from them. Kill their food supply, so the greed and gluttons of God's beautiful planet. Destroy species, stealing everything that they deemed expendable in their eyes. How can we follow these things over God's children,can keep claiming how these different colors, nationalities, religions, freedoms are only for the ones that made the decision of who you and me and people are. Judging people by laws that protect no one,if the price is right and lie is believed. Wake up, please wake up. Armageddon is hear, just like Jesus Christ said,and I for one will never bow or consider to follow these demons to hell. I will fight against, because I know what that beautiful immigrant brown man was trying to teach. Love each other, protect your neighbors, help those people, don't judge, don't condemn and don't put any false witness or snares to hurt each other and if someone is telling you that this what Jesus died for. You better reread God's laws. Satan is a liar and a cheater and deceiver. God is the way, the truth and the light. What is happening to us as a creation of God,was foretold. You can't ever say you are doing God's work and confirming your hatred of everything and everyone that you have been chosen to do what Our Lord and his Son and his mother said was going to be satan and his demons collective to get souls. I see the powers of Satan and who is following. And you might be surprised who you are turning to lead your souls!!!! Did you follow God to Paradise or Satan to hell. The choice is our own,or did you give that to the demons to decide, you are already handing your families, children health, love, religion over powers of Satan and calling them names like intelligent, proactive, patriotic, doing the work of God. That's why you are losing your homes and jobs and families and freedom . Because they choose who you should vilify for your poor choice of free will. The demons aren't suffering, they told you someone that loves, beliefs and religion and skins are to blame and you followed them instead??? Who are you really??? God will see, he has always known who each of are,do you know, what you even know or do you just follow the word of a liars? Liars are destroying us, and because we enjoy the suffering (unless it's ourselves) the hatred and indifference and intolerance. Awaken from Satan's grip on your lives. You work for him today and tomorrow. I weep for the you all. And so does God. For shame, to be so happy to be part of God's warning of prophecy and be so blind of sight,heart and brotherhood, you couldn't see it right in front of you. When the Truth is a liar and The lies are your justification to destroying what God has created, because you want it all. You are already Dead and no longer humans...again you don't even see or comprehend your wasted life, loss of existence, because Satan said.. It's not you, it's them. Even when you wrap yourself up in your false witness of your own brother. That's why I am a pastor. The Lord's sheep are dwindling and they will be just a small but beautiful witness to what God wants for us all. Not just a selection of an entitled few. WWJD?? I'm going to try and see the glory of paradise, follow the word,he sacrificed his own son to save me, you and all. Turn from the path of darkness and let me and your brothers and sisters shine bright for The family all of us God's beautiful family.
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ServantOfJudgement
Jesus never immigrated anywhere. Not once not for a microsecond.
June 6, 1944. 156,000 men entered France illegally. It's refered to as The Normandy Invasion. Key word is invasion.
15,000,000 illegal entries into a country is also an invasion.
Jesus would have everyone follow the law and enter the country legally.
What is the fruit of the seed of illegal entry into a country? DEPORTATION. That's the fruit of breaking the law. Deportation.
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Rev. Kev
It wasn't the Normandy invasion. It wasn't illegal. It was an Allied landing that began an offensive against the actual, invading, German forces. It was welcomed by the invaded nation which was seeking liberation.
Likewise, your language is incorrect when you call immigration an invasion. Words have meanings. Calling it an invasion would be appropriate if we were not a nation that accepts immigrants or if the immigrants forced their way through our borders en mass by force of arms. Invasions are what another nation's armies do. Like Germany invading France or Russia invading Ukraine.
You are correct that nations have the right to deport immigrants who do not meet certain conditions. The U.S. has been doing that all along. But legally and with concerns for human rights. What the current U.S. administration is doing is less deportation and more an ethnic cleansing that bypasses the due process ALL have the right to have on U.S. shores. When a nation sweeps up people and tosses them out without following the legal deportation process, also tossing out actual citizens or people in the legal process of becoming citizens, THAT is illegal. If you are one who supports national and international laws, as well as concern for human rights, you should be more angered at what is happening in the U.S. far more than the fictional "invasion" you were fed as a political talking point that isn't true.
BTW, Joseph, May, and Jesus fled to Egypt (or so the Bible says) for sanctuary. They stayed there for a few years until it was safe to leave. Can you imagine how everything would be different if they were arrested by Egyptian border control and deported back to Israel so that Herod could unalive baby Jesus?
What about people in the present fleeing their country and seeking asylum elsewhere or face brutal violence or death? Or even just seeking a path to a better life for their families?
You appear to be letting your adoration of authoritarian rule and apparent lack of concern for human suffering to cloud your judgement. You can serve the worldly, the greedy, the inhumane, or you can serve God. You can't serve both. I guess you made your decision.
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Michael Hunt
Imagine calling the Allied forces storming the beaches of occupied Normandy invaders. French soldiers fighting to take their home back are apparently invaders of their own lands. Wow, that was a good, hearty laugh.
Thanks Rev. Kev for helping keep the record straight.
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Patricia Ann Gross
You are so wrong. Jesus immigrated to Egypt shortly after his birth because Herod put a price on his head and went around killing all first born children under one or two years of age. I suggest you check out your church's Christmas pageant this year. He was not unlike many of the refugees who were granted TPS, which Trump recinded making them all "undocumented" and eligable for removal back to their home (or some other) country.
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Steven Ferrell
Only a fool would believe there is not satan and that his demons don’t exist and don’t invade people or places.
Does that mean each case is an actual demon, no as there are many things that can happen such as mental illness.
But we should never ignore what is sometimes before us.
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Joseph Grieco
I would be willing to check the educational level of folks reporting these situations. How many of them are from family members who do not know how to recognize psychological crises or substance abuse situations? How many of them do not recognize rebellion from parental authority as a natural part of growing up. I am not denying the possibility of Demonic Possession, requiring an exorcism of an individual, but it would not be the cinematic special effects we see in movies and TV shows. On the other hand, there are some properties that need cleansing. There is something called the "egregore". It's defined as a group thought-form—an autonomous psychic entity created by the collective thoughts and emotions of a group of people with a shared purpose. We see these in buildings that have continuous uses. Think about some of the more inspirational churches you have been in. Think about the edgy feeling you get when walking by a non-descript building only to find out it served for decades as a psychiatric facility. The egregore is what most Churches and Masonic Lodges want to develop - a feeling of welcome. You also get this feeling when you enter some folks homes. They are the ones where the family treats you as one of their own from the day they meet you. In some places, when the negativity is strong enough, the egregore will physically influence the surroundings. Examples of this are the Poltergeist that seem to abound in schools. That much teenage angst given form can cause much havoc, as any of us who have raised a teenager can attest. The egregore can definitely have a psychic impact on the occupants, too! A building with strong negative feelings will force those feelings on the occupants. These are the properties where an exorcism is needed. It's not just a case of banish a ghost or two. That's easy. Talk to them and point them in the direction of the light, and they are gone. But if any of you have the idea that you can grab a sage bundle, a vial of holy water, a cross and a bible and perform an exorcism on your own, stop right now. Unless you know exactly what you are going up against, you WILL fail! It takes many hours of preparation to make yourself ready. First - Make sure you have a back up plan. Why? Because Murphy governs exorcisms. If you aren't ready, it'll go wrong and in the worst possible way. Second - Have a team. You need to make sure you have someone to pull you out if things go sideways. The Scooby Squad theory works. Third - Make sure you know everything there is to know about the place or person you are trying to exorcise. Fourth - Stick with your own ethnic traditions. If you're not a Native American, don't try their workings. If you're not a well-practiced Voudon, don't try their workings. If you're not an Italian, don't try Stregheria. Simply put, go with what your Great-Grandparents would have done.
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ServantOfJudgement
More exorcisms? Hardly a surprise with every single Hollywood movie star's kids identifying as 'they'. Who the heck y'all think the other people in 'their' head was? Them?
'I am legion for we are many'.
Did Jesus kill a non binary? The guy lived but they didn't.
Uh oh, if the media gets wind they'll try to cancel Jesus for deadnaming Legion.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Wow… I thought judgment was supposed to be God’s job, but it looks like you’re eager to handle it for Him.
“They/them” isn’t a split personality or a demon — it’s just someone saying they don’t fit old-fashioned gender boxes. No one is spitting in God’s face for choosing different pronouns.
And deadnaming has nothing to do with they/them pronouns — it’s using someone’s old name. This whole Legion comparison is what happens when theology, grammar, and TikTok rumors get tossed in a blender.
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ServantOfJudgement
Whoa chief. I'm not saying people who have funky pronouns are hellbound. Not at all, not my call. Since we're all sinners, except Trump, we still can land in heaven if we accept that fact and turn to Jesus for help. If we don't, that's where we're start playing with fire. If the Bible is true.
I'm just providing correlation with the increased need for exorcism, the first documented person that used they/them who was possessed and the skyrocketing use of they/them pronouns.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Please tell me who the first person possessed and used they/them pronouns was? There must be a link somewhere.
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Rev. Kev
Servant,
You wrote: "Since we're all sinners, except Trump..."
I'm wondering if you can clarify that statement? Are you saying Trump is NOT a sinner?
I don't want to make this political. This is strictly about the aspect of sin.
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Patricia Ann Gross
If you want to get to the timing thing, there were probably other things going on at the same time, not just the first person to use they/them. Perhaps we can blame the launch of ChatGPT on the demon surge, especially seeing how some of the chat bots I talk to on the phone talk like their head is spinning in circles. If you've never tried talking to one, just call Xfinity customer service sometime, if you can even find a phone number any more. ChatBots are demons masquerading as experts in technology.....
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Pamela Kay Waters
As hateful as a lot of kids are these days, I can see how things are going down hill.
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James Michael Garrison
None are as blind as those who believe they know all there is to know.
It would hardly be fish that discovered the existence of water.
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L Ashby
BUT WHEN OUT OF THE WATER HE WOULD KNOW THAT THE WATER WAS IN EXISTANCE..LIKE GOD .. WEALL KNOW OF HIM BUT DO THE POEPLE REALLY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ..SING A HYMN FOR HIM INSTEAD OF THE CHURCH..
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Patricia Ann Gross
The question I have for the priest that said, "that there were 'three to five' requests every 'one to three months' when he started. Now, he says, there are three to five requests every single week, how many of those requests were accepted to recieve the rites both then and now? What is the nature of the "demon" needing to be eliminated? My guess is that there is a rise in a theology of "you just have to pray better and give more to the church" that leads to spiritual anxiety due to the proliferation of the "Prosperity Gospel" by [primarily] the televanelists and mega-churches.
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John Alex Paxson
Depends on your beliefs, no one belief is the right one, or no symbol of good is the right one, there is some truth in all, but we will not find out the true answer until we pass, PEACE.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
A “belief” that can be proven, is no longer a belief, but a theory, then as time allows, becomes a law. Whenever one claims that “they believe” what they should have said instead, is “I was raised into a social situation, in which everyone was expected to believe in an ineffable God.”
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L Ashby
AMEN..THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BEYOND WHAT IS TAUGHT..THE PERSONAL SIDE OF GOD IS WHAT THEY SEEK BUT KNOW NOT
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Lionheart
You’re right, but I’m not even sure we will find out when we pass if nothing exists, much like we have no evidence and memory before we were born. This life might be all there is, so enjoy it while you can. 🤗
Live, laugh, and love.
🦁❤️
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L Ashby
AMEN TO THAT
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Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski
Interesting article blest be Amen. There's a good book written by the Vatican's chief exorcist Fr. Amorth " An exorcist explains the Demonic." an antic of Satan & his army of fallen angels. you could get the book from ulc. It's worth the read.
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Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP
This firmly science-based MD/psychologist/ULC minister readily acknowledges how complex and often not understandable is the human psyche. Exorcism does sometimes change a persons's behavior. Both within and without the realms of religion we witness other behavior altering practices which aren't readily explained. Consider blessings, prayers, confession and contrition, homeopathic medicine, the placebo effect, sudden conversions, faith healing. Hopefully these practices don't displace conventional therapy or effective medical treatment. But if the outcome for the individual is favorable who are we to judge?
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Patricia Ann Gross
The way I understand it, is that before a priest exhorcises the person, they rule out other issues, like mental illness and medical issues. My biggest question that is not answered in the article, is what is the rate of those accepted for that ritual. If it went to the rate in a week what was usually in 2-3 months, what is the rate of those accepted for the rite?
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Nicholas J Page
The only demons that exist are drink drugs and unhealthy living watching too many films and tv that shows people possessed I doubt Exorcism works im 67 and this was never heard of at the time especially in the UK
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Reverend Paula Copp
Religion is the pablum of the masses, but if it helps people get through their daily lives then it seems worthwhile. Of course, those who watch shows like “the Dead Files” and “Secrets of the Paranormal” are probably more prone to “needing” an exorcism, and if that’s what it takes to make themselves feel better, then it’s none of my business.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Thanks for not judging The Dead Files. Amy Allen is one of the most talented physical mediums I’ve ever seen. I do believe in life after death, but I’m not sure humans can fully comprehend things like that. I don’t think humans can understand what God is either. Is there evil in the world? Yes, I think so. Does it possess humans? I have no idea.
What I’m almost sure of is that the bible was written by men trying to make sense of their place in the universe. I don’t think God was speaking to them. The more I listen to what organized religions do with what they read in the bible, the more I’m convinced God it did not come from God (whatever God is.)
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Rev. Miche'al Yosef Dixon
Although science does explain a lot it doesn't explain everything. Even when it explains something "supernatural" humans deny the data. Example: ghost not all but some "ghost" have been proven by science to exist, as in the recurrence of a event such as a war battle. It's learned that the Earths magnet field acts like a VHS tape and recorded the event and at certain times it plays it back. But that doesn't exclude the demons and ghost scriptures mention. And when Yeshua the Messiah exercise a demon He simply said "get out" and they left He and the Disciples didn't have long drawn out rituals that the Catholic Church has. In Hollywood not one movie shows a Minister of another "Christian" faith doing an exercism it's always a "Catholic Priest" that is called on or they try fighting the demon with magic that got them in trouble too begin with. Scripturally Yeshua the Messiah exercised two different entities unclean spirits and Phantoms (demons). The Greek terms are clearly not the same. Phantoms which the disciples exclamation on the boat "it's a phantom!" Is an evil demon not a spirit of a dead person. Yeshua did not correct them that such creatures did not exist therefore they do exist. Later when Yeshua the Messiah return from the grave they called him a Ghost/Spirit and he said "what do spirits need with flesh and bones. I'm hungry where's the fish?" Again telling us these creatures do exist. If you believe that the scriptures are true. To answer the question asked of this blog, "why the increase of exercism ?" Because there is an increase in evil in the world. Humans have noticed even if they don't admit it. Science is stumped and people are returning to the old school remedy... Supernatural. Hollywood doesn't help.
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Lionheart
Bless your heart, Miche’al, you’ll be saying next that Science has finally proved there really is a God. 🤭
“ The overwhelming consensus of science is that there is no proof that ghosts exist. Their existence is impossible to falsify, and ghost hunting has been classified as pseudoscience. Despite centuries of investigation, there is no scientific evidence that any location is inhabited by the spirits of the dead.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost
🦁❤️
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
The earth is some sort of VHS recorder/player with a hardcdrive? That's a new one.
Hockey dookey.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Rev. Dixon,
I understand your concept of the VHS recording as a metaphor. I have felt the negative energy when visiting sites where atrocities occurred. Example, the energy at the Slave Castles in Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa took my breath away. I have had similar things happen in places in the US like Fort Laramie and the Alamo. Certain cemetaries can also have "spots" of negative energy that I can't explain, when other spots don't give the same sensation. I also know that some people are more susceptible to spiritual/mystical energy than others.
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Pamela Kay Waters
Go to Salem MA and see how you feel
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Patricia Ann Gross
i'm sure. It's on my list.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Rev. Dixon, you must not have seen many Hollywood movies about exorcism. I have seen many with various religious leaders, Rabbis, Priests, Witches, etc., leading the ritual. Some of them make for good horror flicks.
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Paul Johnson
Read the Bible it clearly states that in the last day's these things will increase. The Devil hasn't gone to sleep he is very busy. People being possessed will steadily increase as we continue to want to be like god. Nothing more than selfishness, pride, bitterness, hate, addiction to drugs and alchol thinking right thinking is wrong and wrong thinking is right. It's not a game the enemy is real and he wants to win at any cost. Let's fuss and fight argue and play gotcha games. Who do you think is orchestrating this plan? You got it.
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Lionheart
Yes, read the Bible and believe in Adam and Eve, and a talking Snake, and a talking Ass, and even a Unicorn. And if you want to go that extra length, believe that a girl, possibly 13 or 14 years of age, became miraculously impregnated by a deity, and her boyfriend not only didn’t mind, he actually believed it (could have been a Democrat 🤭). I’d love to know what her parents thought. Did they go for it as well? 🤷 Then there was that man that people actually believe turned water into a wonderful fruity aged Merlot, or was it possibly a Cabernet? 🤔
Anyway, read the Bible and let’s see if you also get taken in by it all. You might want to skip Songs of Solomon, it’s a bit rude and naughty, unless you are into that sort of thing, and also try and skip the genocidal bits by a supposed deity.
From my perspective, the Harry Potter books are a better read, especially for children, but don’t take my word for it, see what you think. Both are very interesting books of fiction.
Thanks for your suggestion Paul. 🤗
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Paul Johnson
What I am hearing a lot of people are in the same condition as JOB when he had a problem understanding God. But in the end it seems like it all worklee out for the good. Espically when he realized that he was no match to play wits with and all know, caring, and loving God. Maybe I say this hoping that just maybe we do the same thing and realize that God is and will always be in control. What is sad many folks would like to take his(God's) place.
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Lionheart
I’m assuming you are referring to the Old Testament god as you reference that story. If you are, he was hardly a loving god at all judging by the way he was supposed to have killed most people on earth that would have included babies, infants, toddlers, children, and pregnant mothers, just to name a few.
There are many other gods that mankind has created throughout the eons of time that were arguably better than that biblical one. No one has been able to demonstrably prove any of them were real, even yours. Fascinating stories though…right? I still much prefer the Harry Potter stories though, and they seem to be better for children with no threats of violence if you don’t believe the stories, or people in them. What do you think, Paul?
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Paul Johnson
If I didn't know better I would assume that you at one time were interested in the word of God and you may still be greatly involved with your daily reading are at least it seems that would be the case. That doesn't matter, just a question how would you have handle the situation that God was put in. Especially when you consider how the people act in today's world. It kinda reminds you of the story of the person trying to heard a bunch of cat's theres just no way. I guess if you were the creator I can see where his patience could grew thin as you would if you were on the potter's wheel, if you make a mistake just start over. That's probably what Harry Potter would do.
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Lionheart
If I truly was omniscient as a deity, I would’ve known about the fallibility of what I had created, unlike the biblical God. He clearly messed up and tried to start again, but obviously with not much success. I’m sure his dad is not very pleased with him. That’s assuming that Gods do have dads. 🤭
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James Riggle-Johnson
Lionheart, can we have just one post where you don’t bring politics into it? I realize you cannot stand democrats/lefties/socialists, pick your poison—but none of that is mentioned in this article.
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Lionheart
I’ll try my best. Thank you for your courtesy. 🤗
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Robin Anne Hannon
If people are taking moral and spiritual responsibility, then exorcism probably is not needed. It comes from delving into things that open a door. For example, the Ouija board is not a game, but it's sold as one. Playing with that would open a door. There are many ways a door could be open, but the question is if this is a mental issue, emotional issue, spiritual issue, etc. Unless you are a professional exorcist my advice is pray from a distance.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
Whenever I encounter a potential exorcism candidate, I offer to ordain them into the ULC, then inform the new ULC minister that now they can not only “self-exorcise” but can exorcise their home at the same time. If they still want me to preform the exorcism (because, as a ULC minister— I’m also Saint, and a Bishop) there’s no charge, only expenses if there are any.
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Larissa Wright
Can I be connected to the ULC
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Mitch
Maybe I'm misunderstanding the comment section for the blog, did you not log into the site as a ULC ordained minister?
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James Riggle-Johnson
You never heard of it because the church kept it hidden, like a dirty little secret. They didn’t want people to know they were doing exorcisms.
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Lionheart
Obviously, witchcraft rituals still exist, even woven into Christianity. It’s amazing what people like to believe is true that they have convinced themselves is real. It’s basically the mental illness of religion. Catholicism is possibly the worst of them, led by a man wearing a white dress that believes he's above everyone else.
Look how people believe holding a metal cross up to their forehead will help them. Presumably, if Jesus had been stoned to death he’d be holding a rock up to her forehead, or if hanging was used back then he’d be holding a noose up to her forehead and people would be wearing a noose around their necks instead of a cross. Thank goodness there was no firing squad back in those days, people would be wearing a bullet, or a miniature rifle, around their necks. 🤭
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Pamela Kay Waters
Witchcraft was the beginning of Christianity. Look it up.
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ServantOfJudgement
Here all this time I thought it was a guy getting crucified.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Some of what is written about what Jesus supposedly SAID is of value. He said that he brought a new law, didn’t he? Love your brother as yourself. If you havevtwo cloaks…..
Maga nuts seem to have totally forgotten that. To me, any value from the new testament was in those teachings, not in a fictional tale about god giving up a 3-day weekend for the sins of humans.
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I have come to a harsh realization that I will leave note of here. When the time comes for the true Antichrist to take up his role. No angel or demon will be able to help mankind stop him Even worse is that we will have no choice, but to help him. Based on the simple fact, that he is a part of God's plan. For it is written, so to must we obey and even help place him upon the path that he must fulfill. In the end it will lead us all back to the source, God, who will judge us by our faith and work as minister of his word. I just hold on to that in dark moments such as this.