EXORCISM

PART OF "UNDAS: A HALLOWEEN AND CHALLENGING HORROR AND MYTHS" SERIES

Photo: Sarah E. Frazer / Pinterest

Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Disclaimer 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of any religious organization or denomination. This article is for religious and educational purposes only.

Reader Advisory

This article discusses sensitive topics that may not suitable for all audiences, Reading Discretion is Advised and Parental Guidance for is recommended.

Introduction

Exorcism is the religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons or other malevolent entities from a person, place, or object believed to be possessed. It involves rituals and prayers performed by an exorcist, who may use religious objects to command the spirit to leave in the name of a higher power, such as God or Jesus.

Origins

Exorcism has ancient origins, with some of the earliest examples coming from Mesopotamia thousands of years ago, where "Ashipu" or spiritual healers would use incantations and rituals to expel demons causing illness. The practice spread to other ancient civilizations, including Egypt, and was later developed within Judaism and Christianity, with detailed accounts appearing in the Bible (Exorcism - New World Encyclopedia, n.d.).

The practice in Christianity gained prominence in the 2nd century, with figures like Jesus performing numerous exorcisms as described in the New Testament. The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and some Protestant sects recognize the practice today.

Practice

This practice is found in many cultures and religions, including the Abrahamic Religions: "Christianity, Judaism, and Islam", though modern psychological and medical explanations are often considered first (Rholetter, 2022).

In Christian exorcism may vary in different branches. In the Catholic Church, they recognizes major exorcisms for genuine demonic possession and minor exorcisms, such as those performed during baptism, to ward off evil influence. A major exorcism can only be performed by a priest with the express permission of a local bishop, and only after a thorough medical and psychological evaluation rules out mental illness (USCCB, n.d.). 

In Orthodox, All priests are trained to perform exorcisms, and the practice is common, even included in baptismal rituals. This involves priests invoking God's name to expel demonic influence, and it is an integral part of the baptismal rite for all individuals (Chetsas, 2025).

In Protestant Denominations, approach exorcism may vary, as a spiritual healing based on the authority of Jesus Christ, typically involving prayer and scripture rather than a rigid, formalized ritual. While some denominations have more structured "deliverance" ceremonies, especially in charismatic and Pentecostal churches, many mainline Protestant churches are less likely to perform formal exorcisms, with some denying the possibility of demonic possession or preferring to focus on psychological and spiritual counseling (CMS Admin, 2019; Do Protestants, like Catholics, rely on psychiatrists and physicians to rule out natural causes before declaring someone demon-possessed?, 2024)

Some denominations, like the Free Church of Scotland, forbid exorcisms, viewing them as dangerous and abusive. They instead advise ministers to provide pastoral counseling, prayer, and medical advice (Fowle, 2022). Other evangelicals believe that genuinely saved Christians cannot be fully demon-possessed (Mohler, R. A., 2010).

Conclusion

Exorcism varies significantly across different contexts, but generally involves a negotiation between religious, social, and psychological interpretations. Some traditions view exorcism as a spiritual cure, while others see it as a complex process where medical and religious discourses overlap and compete. Modern approaches often involve collaboration between priests and medical professionals to distinguish between a spiritual or psychological ailment, with the final ritual being the result of a negotiation over the "diagnosis" and appropriate treatment. 

Reference

Rholetter, W. (2022). Exorcism | EBSCO. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | Www.ebsco.com. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/exorcism

USCCB. (n.d.). Exorcism | USCCB. Www.usccb.org. https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism

‌Chetsas, A. (2025, February 19). Possession and Exorcism: What Do Orthodox Christians Believe? Public Orthodoxy. https://publicorthodoxy.org/2025/02/19/possession-and-exorcism/

CMS Admin. (2019, October). Meet the Protestant Exorcists - Christianity Today. Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2019/09/exorcism-vatican-training-protestants/

Do Protestants, like Catholics, rely on psychiatrists and physicians to rule out natural causes before declaring someone demon-possessed? (2024, May 21). Christianity Stack Exchange. https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/101747/do-protestants-like-catholics-rely-on-psychiatrists-and-physicians-to-rule-out

‌Fowle, E. (2022, October 31). Demonising deliverance: Is there still a place for exorcism in the Church? Premier Christianity. https://www.premierchristianity.com/features/demonising-deliverance-is-there-still-a-place-for-exorcism-in-the-church/14133.article#:~:text=The%20evangelical%20Free%20Church%20of,to%20rule%20anything%20else%20out%E2%80%9D.

Mohler, R. A. (2010, November 15). On Exorcism and Exorcists: An Evangelical View - AlbertMohler.com. AlbertMohler.com. https://albertmohler.com/2010/11/15/on-exorcism-and-exorcists-an-evangelical-view/

Exorcism - New World Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Www.newworldencyclopedia.org. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Exorcism

Disclaimer 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of any religious organization or denomination. This article is for religious and educational purposes only.

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