Demonic possession

Demonic possession is a phrase used by religionists to explain the "unacceptable" actions, ideas, or statements of others. Often, especially in pre-scientific societies, those who were possessed included the mentally or physically ill, and those under the influence of a narcotic. It was also a convenient way to deal with people who did/do not buy into the authority's bullshit.

Because Heaven sounds lame anyways
Satanism
God's own scapegoat
A devilish plan
v - t - e
“”[possessed voice] Your mother sucks cocks in hell!
—The Exorcist[1]

This belief is found in many religious systems from Christianity to Vodun. Those who believe in demonic possession often believe that demons, ghosts or spirits exist and can possess human bodies. (See spirit possession for a broader view of the topic) Different religious systems have different dogmas but in Christianity some or all of these spirits are considered evil. Christians who believe in possession will often claim that a person opens themselves up to possession by committing particular "sins", especially participation in spiritism, black magic, or attempted communication with spirits through Ouija boards or seances or the like.

The belief in possession often serves as a dangerous substitute for seeking genuine medical explanations and real treatment for many conditions, particularly mental illness (but also addiction to drugs or gambling).[2][3]

Symptoms and remedy
“”Psychiatrist: I'm speaking to the person inside of Regan now. If you are there, you too are hypnotized and must answer all my questions. Come forward and answer me now.
[Regan growls and contorts on the bed]
Psychiatrist: Are you the person inside of Regan? Who are you?
[Regan slams her fist into the Psychiatrist's groin]
—Demonic forces winning a battle for the anti-psychiatry movement, The Exorcist[1]

As stated earlier, demonic possession is often attributed to those who are "different", especially anyone who has mental problems, problems fitting into society's prescriptions for behavior, and those not fitting into society's roles, specifically including gay people.[4][5] The remedy for demonic possession is, of course, an exorcism, usually conducted by a preacher or priest, and often without any medical assistance of any kind.

At the most extreme, a few in the professional exorcism industry, mostly from the "word of faith" branch of Pentecostal Christianity, will claim that all manner of everyday things are caused by demonic possession, from nicotine addiction to being overweight. Their prescription for their true-believing victims is multiple "exorcisms" to cast out the "demon of nicotine", the "demon of fat" and so on, along with frequent invocations of the name of Jesus to "bind Satan".

In modern societies where exorcism still occurs, this prevents the "possessed" from getting actual help from qualified physical or mental care.

Elective possession
“”[to the demon] Take me. Come into me. God-damn you. Take me. Take me. [becomes possessed, tries to strangle Regan] No! [throws himself out the window]
—The Exorcist[1]

At the other end of the spectrum are those who purposely set out to become "possessed" by a "spirit", such as for the purpose of channelling or in pursuit of lycanthropy or some other such irrational belief.

Another version of this is practiced in the religion of Vodou. In Vodou, religious leaders and practitioners seek to be possessed (or "ridden") by the loa in order to bond more closely with them. Moreover, it is felt within Vodou that a loa can better affect the world, and thus be more helpful, by having a body to temporarily reside in. For those from more rationalistic, less passionate religions, the possessions of Vodou can be quite frightening, but to practitioners it is a great gift to be possessed. (While labelled as demonic by most Christians, in practice it is not much different from the possession by the Holy Ghost that occurs at Pentecostal churches. In fact the two practices share the same African roots.)

Origin
“”Karras: Why her? Why this girl?
Merrin: I think the point is to make us despair. To see ourselves as... animal and ugly. To make us reject the possibility that God could love us.
—The Devil's secret weapon exposed at last, The Exorcist[1]

The belief in possession possibly began as an explanation for physical and mental illnesses. It certainly wasn't original to him, but Martin Luther notably held this belief, characterizing those who believed in naturalistic explanations for disease as "ignorant blockheads."

gollark: CEASE THIS.
gollark: No. I WILL NOT accept your arboreoforms.
gollark: No. DO NOT give me treeoforms.
gollark: ++tel status
gollark: This is outrageous and I WILL contact the POTAT-O5 Council.

See also

References
  1. WikiQuote: The Exorcist (film)
  2. Navajo healers, for example, have often turned to singing to help "cure" addictive behaviors.
  3. Or perhaps you like your people a little crazier. Demonic possession occurs not only in bars, clubs and casinos but also bingo night at old peoples homes.
  4. Pat Robertson says it's demons
  5. Excorcism on a gay man
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