Statistics show that actual exorcisms are really quite rare. Most of the cases that priests are called out to deal with, more times than most, are given blessings. This could be because the priest believes that there is no reason for the exorcism or because there are other explanations to this sort of behaviour like, for example, psychological illness. Numbers of exorcisms are quite hard to tally simply because they are kept very private within the religious sphere. The worldwide number of exorcists is estimated at somewhere between 150 and 300. However other reports have claimed that there are up to 400 exorcists in Italy alone.
What Can Science Tell Us?
A large number of websites have reported that the most common scientific explanation for exorcism, as I have already briefly touched on, is that the individual is suffering from nothing more than a psychological or mental illness. When approaching a case, the priest at the head of the exorcism investigation should of consulted with a doctor of psychology or a mental health professional before it begins. The medical conditions that have usually been ascribed as an alternative to demonic possession are as follows: Hysteria, Psychosis, Epilepsy, Dissociative Identity Disorder and other mental health conditions which may alter the personality.
The Clip of the film The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) fantastically illustrates the fight between the scientific explanation of exorcism versus religious superstition. Here the priest who has been appointed to handle the exorcism is on trial for the murder of Emily Rose, the girl he exorcised. The opposition fight using science and logic, specifically claiming that Emily Rose suffered from Epilepsy, to prove that real exorcism did not exist. This video shows the defence examining Dr Adani (on the scientific side) which reveals that her medication for 'epilepsy' could of infact helped towards her death.
Why Girls?
From the sources I have found so far it seems that most of the cases of exorcism are against girls/women. Taking the scientific approach I decided to investigate whether mental illness, specifically schizophrenia, was more common in females than males. I chose schizophrenia because many of the cases I have seen, seem to demonstrate this type of behaviour. Take the case of Annaliese Michel, the real exorcism victim behind the film The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Here is a girl who appeared to be a normal teenager until the supposed demon began to possess her body. Although I am not a scientist I would give this analysis. Annaliese developed a strong case of schizophrenia or mulitiple personality disorder which meant a number of things; Firstly, reports state that she spoke in different languages one of which was Latin. Annaliese already knew some Latin and I believe her second personality used that to establish an identity. Secondly, reports said that she partially starved. I would explain that by the fact that when are own personality was being revealed she would eat but as the second personality, the said devil, revealed itself it did not want to eat. Therefore as the devil personality began to take over her own personality, she would eat less and less contributing to her illness. The fact that she wasn't always in the second personality state is another give away that she was suffering from mental illness. Crying, dressing differently, hallucinations are all proofs of this type of problem.This of course is an analysis from someone who knows very little in the field of mental health but I leave it open to you to make your own. Suprisingly to me statistics show that schizophrenia is equally as common in men than it is in women. However borderline personality disorder is reported to be several times more common in young women than men. This statistic is very telling.
Why Girls?
From the sources I have found so far it seems that most of the cases of exorcism are against girls/women. Taking the scientific approach I decided to investigate whether mental illness, specifically schizophrenia, was more common in females than males. I chose schizophrenia because many of the cases I have seen, seem to demonstrate this type of behaviour. Take the case of Annaliese Michel, the real exorcism victim behind the film The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Here is a girl who appeared to be a normal teenager until the supposed demon began to possess her body. Although I am not a scientist I would give this analysis. Annaliese developed a strong case of schizophrenia or mulitiple personality disorder which meant a number of things; Firstly, reports state that she spoke in different languages one of which was Latin. Annaliese already knew some Latin and I believe her second personality used that to establish an identity. Secondly, reports said that she partially starved. I would explain that by the fact that when are own personality was being revealed she would eat but as the second personality, the said devil, revealed itself it did not want to eat. Therefore as the devil personality began to take over her own personality, she would eat less and less contributing to her illness. The fact that she wasn't always in the second personality state is another give away that she was suffering from mental illness. Crying, dressing differently, hallucinations are all proofs of this type of problem.This of course is an analysis from someone who knows very little in the field of mental health but I leave it open to you to make your own. Suprisingly to me statistics show that schizophrenia is equally as common in men than it is in women. However borderline personality disorder is reported to be several times more common in young women than men. This statistic is very telling.
On the Subject Of Films…
The 1973 film ‘The Exorcist’ is probably the most well known film about this topic. William Friedkin's film was a transformation from the book by William Peter Blatty. When the film came out it was not registered under the BBFC and came out with the certificate ‘X’. The film follows a twelve year old girl who begin
s to act strangely by displaying some supernatural powers, speaking in vulgar languages and blaspheming. The child undergoes a series of tests but no one could find a condition let alone a cure for her condition. In the end a priest is brought in to bless the child and ends up performing an exorcism. The Exorcism itself is pretty standard however what happened off the set is what intrigues me. The set was said to be haunted. Ellen Burstyn, actress who played Regan in the Exorcist, in her 2006 autobiography, Lessons In Becoming Myself, has indicated that some of this talk is true. A fire was said to of blazed through the set destroying the studio which then had to be rebuilt. The stunt man that was playing the part of the priest was said to of fallen and broken his neck and died and there was also a claim that a real priest was repeatedly brought in to bless the set.The set of the Exorcist is just one of the sets that are said to of been haunted during or after the making of a film. The Poltergeist was another with the murder of Dominique Dunn and death of Heather Rourke. The Omen is another which is said to of killed a crew members wife coincidentally 6.66 miles away from a town called Ommen.
What Does This Mean For The Religious View?
More importantly if exorcism is real, what does it mean about God. Surely a good, omnibenevolent, caring, all knowing God would not allow demons to come into the world? The most obvious, and commonly used argument, is that God ultimately gave every being a choice. God chose not to program every individual to obey him and therefore, coming as a consequence of that choice, evil is allowed to enter the world. This may be a satisfactory statement for some but it does leave one wondering. These girls that I have used in these examples are innocent, young, wholesome people who's lives are good and joyful. If these demons do exist and are allowed to take over these innocent individuals lives and bodies what sort of comfort is it to know that God has planned for it to happen.
More importantly if exorcism is real, what does it mean about God. Surely a good, omnibenevolent, caring, all knowing God would not allow demons to come into the world? The most obvious, and commonly used argument, is that God ultimately gave every being a choice. God chose not to program every individual to obey him and therefore, coming as a consequence of that choice, evil is allowed to enter the world. This may be a satisfactory statement for some but it does leave one wondering. These girls that I have used in these examples are innocent, young, wholesome people who's lives are good and joyful. If these demons do exist and are allowed to take over these innocent individuals lives and bodies what sort of comfort is it to know that God has planned for it to happen.
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