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INTRODUCTION Possession and exorcism have interested me for many years now. Growing up I viewed a real life exorcism on “20/20” and saw the movie “The Exorcist.” These two events brought many questions to my mind that could only have been answered by reading and researching demons and exorcisms. I never knew anything about the subject growing up only that it was frightening; I covered my eyes and ears every time the subject was mentioned. I asked my sister and even my mother about why these events occur, but I never really got a straight answer. As I matured, I was even more interested in the subject and when I viewed the movie, I understood it more. I was not so much frightened by the content, but rather, scared that it would happen to me. I never really knew the meaning of possession or of exorcism, so when I learned of the project I decided to read a book about possession and exorcism. The book, “How About Demons? Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World,” was authored by Felicitas D. Goodman. POSSESSION Many people do not understand the exact meaning of possession. Possession occurs when Satan enters and takes over the physical and mental capabilities of a victim; however, the soul and will remain free. Satan acts through the victim without the victim’s consent, thus the victim is morally blameless. Satan does not act alone when he possesses an individual. He works side by side with many evil spirits: spirits of lust, hate, destruction, suicide, revenge, anger, anxiety, desperation, death, torment, etc. Ms. Goodman explains in a very thorough way in which one is possessed. She states, “The car is the body, and the driver is the soul.” This metaphor makes it easier for us than any theoretical discussion could to understand what people mean when they talk about the experience of possession. Just as the driver owns the car, so the soul owns the body.” (Goodman 2) This distinction of how a person is to be possessed is a good way of explaining the occurrence to people who do not really understand the literal definition of possession. Today a more favorable climate exists for cases of possession than ever before. The Dictionary of Christian Lore and Legend defines a demon as a fallen angel; they are the devils that serve Satan and reside in Hell. Their work in this sub world is to torture the damned for eternity. Demons are also said to tempt men to sin, and they have the ability and power to possess a living body (with the effect of the victim acting like a mad man). Most dramatic forms of possession are the sudden and complete disappearance of the personality ordinarily inhabiting the body, and its replacement by a very different personality. Whether voluntary or involuntary, there is often a shift in personality so radical that family and friends of the victim can no longer recognize him or her.
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