View source for Exorcism

{{Short description|Evicting spiritual entities from a person or area}} {{Other uses}} {{use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
[[File:Saint_Guy_guérissant_un_possédé.jpg|thumb|''St. Guy Heals a Possessed Man'' (1474)]]
'''Exorcism''' ({{etymology|grc|''{{wikt-lang|grc|ἐξορκισμός}}'' ({{grc-transl|ἐξορκισμός}})|binding by oath}}) is the religious or spiritual practice of evicting [[Demon|demons]], [[Jinn|jinns]], or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person, or an area, that is believed to be possessed.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jacobs|first1=Louis|title=A Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=1999|isbn=9780192800886|chapter=Exorcism|doi=10.1093/acref/9780192800886.001.0001}}</ref> Depending on the spiritual beliefs of the [[exorcist]], this may be done by causing the entity to swear an oath, performing an elaborate [[ritual]], or simply by commanding it to depart in the name of a higher power. The practice is ancient and part of the belief system of many cultures and religions.

== Christianity ==
{{Main|Exorcism in Christianity||Minor exorcism in Christianity}}
[[File:JesusCuresamute.gif|right|thumb|[[Jesus exorcising a mute|''Exorcising a Mute'']] by [[Gustave Doré]], 1865]]
In [[Christianity]], exorcism is the practice of casting out or getting rid of [[Christian demonology|demons]]. In Christian practice, the person performing the exorcism, known as an [[exorcist]], is a member of a [[Christian Church]], or an individual thought to be [[Grace (Christianity)|graced]] with special powers or skills. The exorcist may use prayers and religious material, such as set formulae, [[Gesture|gestures]], [[Symbol|symbols]], [[Icon|sacred images]], [[Sacramental|sacramentals]], etc. The exorcist often invokes [[God in Christianity|God]], [[Jesus]] or several different [[Angel|angels]] and [[Archangel|archangels]] to intervene with the exorcism. Protestant Christian exorcists most commonly believe the authority given to them by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the [[Trinity]]) is the sole source of their ability to cast out demons.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Royal|first=Kenneth|date=2012|title=Investigating the Practice of Christian Exorcism and the Methods Used to Cast out Demons|url=https://www.academia.edu/48376657/Investigating_the_Practice_of_Christian_Exorcism_and_the_Methods_Used_to_Cast_out_Demons|journal=The Journal of Christian Ministry|via=[[Academia.edu]]}}</ref>

In general, people considered to be possessed are not regarded as evil unto themselves, nor wholly responsible for their actions, because [[Spirit possession|possession]] is considered to be the unwilling manipulation by a demon resulting in harm to self or others. Therefore, practitioners regard exorcism as more of a cure than a punishment. The mainstream rituals usually take this into account, making sure that there is no violence to the possessed, only that they be tied down if there is potential for violence.<ref name="Martin1976">{{Cite book|last=Martin|first=Malachi|author-link=Malachi Martin|title=Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Contemporary Americans|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|year=1976|isbn=0-06-065337-X|location=San Francisco}}</ref>{{Rp|page=462}}

Requested and performed exorcisms began to decline in the United States by the 18th century, and occurred rarely until the latter half of the 20th century when the public saw a sharp rise due to the media attention exorcisms received. There was "a 50% increase in the number of exorcisms performed between the early 1960s and the mid-1970s".<ref name="Martin1976" />{{Rp|page=120}}

=== Catholicism ===
{{main|Exorcism in the Catholic Church}}

In Catholicism, exorcisms are performed in the name of [[Jesus Christ]].<ref name="Catechismof">{{Citation|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church|isbn=978-1-57455-110-5|access-date=15 February 2012|editor=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|editor2=Pope John Paul II|date=28 April 2000|chapter=Sacramentals|chapter-url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P58.HTM|edition=2ND|publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|location=Citta del Vaticano|page=[https://archive.org/details/catechismofcatho2000cath/page/928 928]|url=https://archive.org/details/catechismofcatho2000cath/page/928}}</ref> There is a distinction between major exorcisms and minor exorcisms. Minor exorcisms are included in some blessings in which priests create [[Sacramental|sacramentals]], such as [[blessed salt]], and are also found in the ritual [[RCIA|Scrutinies]] of the [[Catechumen|catechumens]]. A related practice is [[deliverance ministry]]. The distinction between deliverance ministry and exorcism is that exorcism is conducted by [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priests]] given special permission from the [[Catholic Church]], while deliverance ministry is prayer for people who are distressed and wish to heal emotional wounds, including those purportedly caused by evil spirits.<ref name="ireland">{{Cite news|last=Carroll|first=Rory|date=9 June 2022|title=Irish exorcist calls for extra help for people oppressed by evil spirits|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/09/irish-exorcist-extra-help-people-oppressed-by-evil-spirits|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
[[File:Ottava_di_San_Filippo_d'Agira_a_Limina_-_Province_of_Messina,_Sicily,_Italy_-_Sunday_19_May_2013.jpg|thumb|The statue of Saint [[Philip of Agira]] with the [[Gospel]] in his left hand, the symbol of the exorcists, in the May celebrations in his honor at [[Limina]], [[Sicily]]]]
The Catholic rite for a formal exorcism, called a "Major Exorcism", is given in Section 11 of the ''[[Rituale Romanum]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Roman ritual|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/prayer/roman2.txt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816205635/http://www.ewtn.com/library/prayer/roman2.txt|archive-date=16 August 2017|access-date=3 November 2017|website=www.ewtn.com|translator-last=Weller|translator-first=Philip T.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=10 June 1925|title=Rituale Romanum|url=http://www.liturgia.it/ritrom.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929170658/http://liturgia.it/ritrom.pdf|archive-date=29 September 2013|access-date=2 December 2013|website=www.liturgia.it}}</ref> The ''Ritual'' lists guidelines for conducting an exorcism and determining when a formal exorcism is required.<ref name="TheRite">{{cite book|last1=Baglio|first1=Matt|title=The Rite: the Making of a Modern Exorcist|date=2010|publisher=[[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]]|isbn=978-0-385-52271-7|edition=1st Image|location=New York}}</ref> Priests are instructed to carefully determine that the nature of the condition is not actually a psychological or physical illness before proceeding.<ref name="Catechismof" /> The [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]] state on their website: "the actual determination of whether a member of the faithful is genuinely possessed by the devil is made by the Church."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Exorcism {{!}} USCCB|url=https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism|access-date=2023-08-26|website=www.usccb.org|language=en}}</ref>

In Catholic practice, the person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, must be an ordained priest. The exorcist recites [[Prayer|prayers]] according to the [[rubrics]] of the rite, and makes use of religious materials such as [[Icon|icons]], sacramentals (e.g. [[holy water]]), and [[Relic#Christianity|holy relics]]. The exorcist invokes [[God]]—specifically the [[Holy Name of Jesus|Name of Jesus]] Christ—as well as the Most Blessed [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]], [[Saint|saints]] of the [[Church Triumphant]] and the [[Archangel Michael]] to intervene with the exorcism. According to Catholic understanding, several weekly exorcisms over many years are sometimes required to expel a deeply entrenched demon.<ref name="TheRite" /><ref>{{cite book|last1=Amorth|first1=Gabriele|title=An Exorcist Tells His Story|date=1999|publisher=Ignatius Press|location=San Francisco|isbn=978-0-898-70710-6|quote=Anthropological date collected by Mohr and Royal (2012), in which they surveyed nearly 200 Protestant Christian exorcists, revealed stark contrasts to traditional Catholic practices.}}</ref>

[[Prayer to Saint Michael|Saint Michael's Prayer against Satan and the Rebellious Angels]], attributed to [[Pope Leo XIII]], is considered the strongest prayer of the Catholic Church against cases of diabolic possession.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Young|first=Francis|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/948778692|title=A History of Exorcism in Catholic Christianity|date=2016|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-3-319-29112-3|edition=1st|series=Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic|location=Cham|pages=188–191|chapter=7 Exorcism in an Age of Doubt: The Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries|oclc=948778692|access-date=2021-07-04|archive-date=2021-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221045/https://www.worldcat.org/title/history-of-exorcism-in-catholic-christianity/oclc/948778692|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Rosary based prayers#Holy Rosary|Holy Rosary]] also has an exorcistic and [[Intercession|intercessory]] power.<ref>{{cite web|last=Longenecker|first=Dwight|date=October 6, 2016|title=How the Rosary is a key weapon in the fight against Satan|url=https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2016/10/rosary-key-weapon-fight-satan|access-date=July 31, 2023|publisher=[[cruxnow.com]]}}</ref>

=== Eastern Orthodoxy ===
The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] has a rich and complex tradition of exorcism.<ref name="Milosevic">{{Cite web|last=Milosevic|first=Sasa|date=2011-08-17|title=The Secrets Of Orthodox Exorcists|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/secrets-of-orthodox-exorcists_b_925883|access-date=2021-09-19|website=[[HuffPost]]|language=en}}</ref> The practice is traced to biblical accounts of Jesus expelling demons and exhorting his apostles to "cast out devils".<ref>Matt.10:8; Luke 10:17–20.</ref> The church views demonic possession as the devil's primary means of enslaving humanity and rebelling against God. Orthodox Christians believe objects, as well as individuals, can be possessed.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Papademetriou|first=George C.|title=Exorcism in the Orthodox Church – Theology – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|url=https://www.goarch.org/-/exorcism-in-the-orthodox-church|access-date=2021-09-19|website=[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

As in other Christian churches, Orthodox exorcists expel demons by invoking God through the name of Jesus Christ.<ref>Library of the Greek Fathers and Church Writers, Athens: Apostolike Diakonia 1955, Vol. 3, pp. 288–289)</ref> Unlike the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]], all priests of the Orthodox Church are trained and equipped to perform exorcisms, particularly for the sacrament of [[Baptism#Eastern Orthodoxy|baptism]]. Like their Catholic counterparts, Orthodox priests learn to distinguish demonic possession from mental illness, namely by observing whether the subject reacts negatively to holy relics or places.<ref name=":2" /> All Orthodox liturgical books include prayers of exorcism, namely by [[Saint Basil]] and [[John Chrysostom|Saint John Chrysostom]].

[[Eastern Orthodox theology|Orthodox theology]] takes a uniquely expansive view of exorcism, believing every Christian undertakes exorcism through their struggle against sin and evil: {{blockquote|The whole Church, past, present and future, has the task of an exorcist to banish sin, evil, injustice, spiritual death, the devil from the life of humanity ... Both healing and exorcising are ministered through prayers, which spring from faith in God and from love for man ...  All the prayers of healing and exorcism, composed by the Fathers of the Church and in use since the third century, begin with the solemn declaration: In Thy Name, O Lord.<ref>Archbishop Iakovos, Exorcism and Exorcists in the Greek Orthodox Tradition, Sage Chapel, Cornell University, March 10, 1974.</ref>}}Additionally, many Orthodox Christians subscribe to the superstition of [[Evil eye|''Vaskania'']], or the "evil eye", in which those harboring intense jealousy and envy towards others can bring harm to them (akin to a curse) and are, in effect, demonically possessed by these [[Negative emotion|negative emotions]].<ref name="Milosevic" /> This belief is most likely rooted in pre-Christian paganism, and although the church rejects the notion that the evil eye can have such power, it does recognize the phenomenon as morally and spiritually undesirable and thus a target for exorcism.<ref name=":2" />

=== Lutheran Churches ===
From the 16th century onward, [[Lutheran]] pastoral handbooks describe the primary symptoms of demonic possession to be knowledge of secret things, knowledge of languages one has never learned, and supernatural strength.<ref name="Mayes">{{cite web|url=https://www.angelfire.com/ny4/djw/lutherantheology.demonpossession.html|title=Quotes from Lutheran Pastoral Handbooks on the Topic of Demon Possession|last=Mayes|first=Benjamin|language=en|access-date=22 April 2018|archive-date=27 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827205734/http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/djw/lutherantheology.demonpossession.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Before conducting a major exorcism, Lutheran liturgical texts state that a physician be consulted in order to rule out any medical or psychiatric illness.<ref name="Mayes" /> The rite of exorcism centers chiefly around driving out demons "with prayers and contempt" and includes the [[Apostles' Creed]] and the [[Lord's Prayer]].<ref name="Mayes" />

[[Baptism|Baptismal]] liturgies in Lutheran Churches include a [[minor exorcism]].<ref name="Wagner2012">{{cite book|last=Wagner|first=C. Peter|title=Supernatural Forces in Spiritual Warfare|date=16 October 2012|publisher=Destiny Image, Incorporated|language=en|isbn=9780768487916|page=106|quote=A brief exorcism found its way into early Lutheran baptismal services and an exorcism prayer formula is recorded in the ''First Prayer Book'' of Edward VI (1549).}}</ref><ref name="KolbTrueman2017">{{cite book|last1=Kolb|first1=Robert|last2=Trueman|first2=Carl R.|title=Between Wittenberg and Geneva: Lutheran and Reformed Theology in Conversation|date=17 October 2017|publisher=Baker Publishing Group|language=en|isbn=9781493411450|page=162|quote=This liturgy retained the minor exorcism (a formal renunciation of the devil's works and ways), which later in the sixteenth century became an issue dividing Lutherans and Calvinists.}}</ref>

=== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ===
While a very rare practice in the Church, there are two methods for performing an exorcism. The first is by [[anointing]] with consecrated oil and [[laying on of hands]] followed by a blessing on a specific person and commanding the spirit to leave.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Taysom|first=Stephen|date=18 June 2018|title='Satan Mourns Naked upon the Earth': Locating Mormon Possession and Exorcism Rituals in the American Religious Landscape, 1830–1977|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/religion-and-american-culture/article/abs/satan-mourns-naked-upon-the-earth-locating-mormon-possession-and-exorcism-rituals-in-the-american-religious-landscape-18301977/F6239202C070D319B6B97E5C01D8943D|journal=Religion and American Culture|language=en|volume=27|issue=1|pages=57–94|doi=10.1525/rac.2017.27.1.57|s2cid=151502698|issn=1052-1151|via=Cambridge University Press|access-date=4 July 2021|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221045/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/religion-and-american-culture/article/abs/satan-mourns-naked-upon-the-earth-locating-mormon-possession-and-exorcism-rituals-in-the-american-religious-landscape-18301977/F6239202C070D319B6B97E5C01D8943D|url-status=live}}</ref> The second and most common method is done by "raising the hand to the square" and then "commanding the spirit away in the name of Jesus Christ and with the power or authority of the Melchizedek priesthood".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2017-10-27|title=Mormon exorcism lore, with Stephen Taysom [MIPodcast #71]|url=https://mi.byu.edu/mip-71-taysom/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship|publisher=Brigham Young University|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120141936/https://mi.byu.edu/mip-71-taysom/|url-status=live}}</ref> Exorcisms can only be performed by someone holding the [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek priesthood]], the higher of the two priesthoods of the Church,<ref name=":0" /> and can be performed by anyone holding that priesthood, however they are generally performed by [[Bishop (Latter Day Saints)|bishops]], [[Missionary (LDS Church)|missionaries]], [[Mission president|mission presidents]], or [[Stake presidencies|stake presidents]].<ref name=":0" /> Exorcisms are not recorded by the Church and therefore the number of exorcisms performed in the religion are unknown.

Demonic possession is rarely talked about in the church. Demonic possession has been talked about twice by [[Joseph Smith]], the founder of the faith. The first time refers to his experience during the [[First Vision]]<ref name=":0" /> and he recorded the following in his "1831 account of the First Vision": {{blockquote|I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God, I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me and had such astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak.

Thick darkness gathered around me and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction, not to an imaginary ruin but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world who had such a marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being, just at this moment of great alarm I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thirdhour.org/blog/faith/joseph-smith/joseph-smith-encounters-satan/|title=3 Times Joseph Smith and Satan Went Head to Head|last=Snell|first=David|date=2017-09-02|website=Third Hour|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-06|archive-date=2019-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006172729/https://thirdhour.org/blog/faith/joseph-smith/joseph-smith-encounters-satan/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

His second experience comes from a journal entry in which he talks about the time he performed an exorcism on a friend.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1989/01/the-knight-family-ever-faithful-to-the-prophet?lang=eng|title=The Knight Family: Ever Faithful to the Prophet|website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=2019-10-06|archive-date=2020-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805155138/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1989/01/the-knight-family-ever-faithful-to-the-prophet?lang=eng|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== Buddhism ==
{{Main|Paritta|Āṭānāṭiya Sutta}} The practice of reciting or listening to the [[Paritta]] began very early in the history of [[Buddhism]]. It is a Buddhist practice of reciting certain verses and scriptures from [[Pali Canon]] in order to ward off misfortune or danger. The belief in the effective spiritual power to heal, or protect, of the ''[[Sacca-kiriyā]]'', or asseveration of something quite true is an aspect of the work ascribed to the ''paritta''.<ref>[[C.A.F. Rhys Davids]], ''Dialogues of the Buddha'', part 3, p. 186.</ref> Several scriptures in the Paritta like [[Metta Sutta]], Dhajagga Sutta, or [[Ratana Sutta]] can be recited for exorcism purposes, and [[Āṭānāṭiya Sutta]] is regarded as particularly effective.<ref>{{cite book|last=Aggacitta|first=Āyasmā|title=Discourse on Atanatiya Protection|url=https://sasanarakkha.org/2003/03/16/discourse-on-atanatiya-protection/|year=2003|publisher=Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary|pages=3–9|access-date=2021-06-16|archive-date=2021-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703040432/https://sasanarakkha.org/2003/03/16/discourse-on-atanatiya-protection/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Tibetan Buddhism ===
{{main|Ghosts in Tibetan culture}} The ritual of the Exorcising-Ghost day is part of Tibetan tradition. The Tibetan religious ceremony 'Gutor' ༼དགུ་གཏོར་༽, literally offering of the 29th, is held on the 29th of the 12th Tibetan month, with its focus on driving out all negativity, including evil spirits and misfortunes of the past year, and starting the new year in a peaceful and auspicious way.

The temples and monasteries throughout Tibet hold grand religious dance ceremonies, with the largest at [[Potala Palace]] in [[Lhasa]]. Families clean their houses on this day, decorate the rooms and eat a special noodle soup called '[[Guthuk]]'. ༼དགུ་ཐུག་༽ In the evening, the people carry torches, calling out the words of exorcism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://straightforwardguidance.com/supernatural-traditionals-days-around-the-world/|title=Supernatural Traditional Days Around The World|publisher=Straight Forward Guidance|access-date=May 10, 2022}}</ref>

== Hinduism ==
{{Main|Exorcism in Hinduism}}
[[File:Kashtbhanjan.jpg|thumb|The image of Lord [[Hanuman]] at the [[Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur|Hanuman temple in Sarangpur]] is said to be so powerful that its gaze drives evil spirits out of victims.<ref name="isbn0391024809">{{cite book|author=Rajaram Narayan Saletore|title=Indian witchcraft|publisher=Abhinav Publications|year=1981|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ETz3_bv8t0cC&q=hanuman+sarangpur&pg=PA40|access-date=14 May 2009|page=40|isbn=9780391024809|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628001210/https://books.google.com/books?id=ETz3_bv8t0cC&q=hanuman+sarangpur&pg=PA40|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
In many Hindu traditions, people can be possessed by bhootas, pretas or pisachas'','' restless and often malignant beings roughly analogous to ghosts,<ref>{{Cite web|title=bhut {{!}} Hinduism {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/bhut|access-date=2021-12-12|website=www.britannica.com|language=en}}</ref> and to a lesser extent, demons.<ref name="Iwanek">{{Cite web|last=Iwanek|first=Krzysztof|title=Gods Against Ghosts: The Exorcisms of India's Mehandipur Balaji|url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/06/gods-against-ghosts-the-exorcisms-of-indias-mehandipur-balaji/|access-date=2021-12-12|website=thediplomat.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

Of four ''[[Vedas]]'', or holy books, of Hinduism, the [[Atharva Veda]] is most focused on knowledge such as exorcism,<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Medicines (3 Volume Set)|pages=5–6|author=Usha Srivastava|year=2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8A-knAJQEwYC|publisher=Pinnacle Technology|isbn=9781618202772}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> magic, and alchemy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Monier-Williams|first=Monier|author-link=Monier Monier-Williams|title=Brahmanism and Hinduism: Or, Religious Thought and Life in India, as Based on the Veda and Other Sacred Books of the Hindus|publisher=Adamant Media Corporation|year=1974|isbn=978-1-4212-6531-5|series=Elibron Classics|pages=25-41}}</ref> The basic means of exorcism are the ''[[mantra]]'' (a sacred utterance of certain [[Phoneme|phonemes]] or phrases that is often connected to a particular deity) and the ''[[yajna]]'' (a sacrifice, offering, or ritual done before a sacred fire). These are performed in accordance with Vedic traditions as well as the [[Tantra]], the later esoteric teachings and practices within Hinduism.

Within the dominant Hindu sect of [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]], which reveres [[Vishnu]] as the supreme being, exorcisms are performed by reciting the names of [[Narasimha]], a fierce avatar of Vishnu that seeks to destroy evil and restore [[Dharma]], or by reading the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]],'' a highly revered text that tells the story of good vanquishing evil. Another resource for exorcisms is the [[Garuda Purana]], a vast corpus of literature mostly centered on Vishnu, deals heavily with topics related to death, disease, good versus evil, and spiritual health.<ref>{{cite book|author=Holly A. Hunt|title=Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide|publisher=ABC-CLIO|page=6}}</ref>

The devotional hymn known as [[Hanuman Chalisa]] advises conducting exorcisms by praying to Lord [[Hanuman]], the most devoted follower of [[Rama]], a major Hindu deity as according to a chaupai (couplet) (भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै। महावीर जब नाम सुनावै॥) of this hymn, merely uttering [[Hanuman|Hanuman's]] name terrifies evil spirits into leaving the possessed. Some Hindu temples, most notably the [[Mehandipur Balaji Temple]] in Rajasthan, host exorcism rituals that invoke incarnations of Hanuman.<ref name="Iwanek" />

== Islam ==
{{Main|Exorcism in Islam}}

Terms for exorcism practices include ''ṭard'' (or ''dafʿ'') ''al-shayṭān/al-jinn'' (expulsion of the demon/the spirit), ''ʿilāj'' (treatment), and ''ibrāʾ al-maṣrūʿ'' (curing the possessed), but also ''ruḳya'' (enchantment or cleansing)<ref>{{cite book|doi=10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_6333|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/*-SIM_6333|isbn=9789004161214|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221120/https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/*-SIM_6333|archive-date=4 July 2021|title=RUKYA|date=24 April 2012}}</ref> is used to exorcise various spirits.<ref name="fleet">{{cite journal|date=October 2014|title=Exorcism|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/*-COM_26268|journal=[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|doi=10.1163/1573-3912_ei3_COM_26268|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221046/https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/*-COM_26268|archive-date=4 July 2021}}</ref>

The Islamic prophet Muhammad taught his followers to read the last three ''[[Sura|suras]]'' from the [[Quran]], [[Surat al-Ikhlas]] (The Fidelity), [[Surat al-Falaq]] (The Dawn) and [[Surat an-Nas]] (Mankind). The permissibility of exorcism, as well as models for its practice, can be traced to [[Hadith|Hadiths]] reporting Muhammad and [[Jesus in Islam|Jesus]] performing exorcism rites.<ref name="fleet" />

Islamic exorcisms might consist of the treated person lying down, while a [[sheikh]] places a hand on a patient's head and recites verses from the Quran, but this is not mandatory.<ref name="AlArabiya">{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/14/214122.html|title=Belgium court charges six people in deadly exorcism of Muslim woman|author=<!--Not stated-->|work=[[Al Arabiya]]|date=14 May 2012|access-date=7 September 2012|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224211414/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/14/214122.html%0A%20%20|url-status=live}}</ref> The drinking or sprinkling of [[holy water]] (water from the [[Zamzam Well]]) may also take place along with applying of clean, non-alcohol-based perfumes, called ''[[attar]]''.<ref name="AlArabiya" /> Specific verses from the Quran are recited that glorify God (e.g., [[Al-Baqara 255|The Throne Verse]] ({{Langx|ar|آية الكرسي|translit=Ayatul Kursi}})) and invoke God's help. In some cases, the ''[[adhan]]'' (call for daily prayers) is also read, as this has the effect of repelling non-angelic unseen beings or the ''[[jinn]]''.<ref>{{Citation|last=MacDonald|first=D. B.|title=Ḏj̲inn|work=Encyclopaedia of Islam New Edition Online (EI-2 English)|url=https://referenceworks.brill.com/display/entries/EIEO/COM-0191.xml|access-date=2025-04-05|publisher=Brill|language=en|doi=10.1163/1573-3912_islam_com_0191|last2=Massé|first2=H.|last3=Boratav|first3=P. N.|last4=Nizami|first4=K. A.|last5=Voorhoeve|first5=P.|quote=All their (jinn) activities take place at night and come to an end with the first cock-crow or the first call to morning prayer.}}</ref>

According to a study by Alean Al-Krenawi and John Graham, the process of Quranic healing in order to exorcise spirits can be divided into three stages:

# Removing any ([[haram]]) distractions, such as music instruments, amulets (tabiz) and golden jewelry. All pictures in the room that (it is believed) would allow [[Angels in Islam|angels]] to enter are removed. The healer then tells the client and the family that everything happens by God's will and that he is merely a mediator, also mentioning that other forms of healing, such as by sorcery, are not acceptable to Islam.
# The healer determines if the client is possessed or not and tries to enter a dialogue with the spirit. The healer might ask the spirit about type (''[[Zār|Zar]]'' ("red wind"), ''Arwah'' (ghosts), ''jinn'' (genii), ''shayatin'' (devils), ''div'' (demons)), religion, sex or reason for possession. He also asks the client, not the spirit, about dreams and feelings involved in the dream. After that, the healer cleans himself, the room, and asks the people in the room to do the same.
# The actual exorcism begins by reciting Quranic verses such as [[Al-Fatiha]], [[Al-Baqara]], [[Al-Baqara 255]], [[Al-Jinn]] and three Qul ([[Al-Ikhlas]], [[An-Nas]] and [[Al-Falaq]]), depending on the type of spirit. Other treatments include using honey and water, as a purification ritual to clean the soul and body from sins.<ref name="SWaKMH">{{cite journal|author1=Alean Al-Krenawi|author2=John Graham|title=Social work and Koranic mental health healers|journal=International Social Work|volume=42|issue=1|pages=53–65|date=1999|doi=10.1177/002087289904200106|s2cid=71504194|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/002087289904200106}}</ref>

== Judaism ==
{{see also|Dybbuk}} [[Josephus]] reports exorcisms performed by administering poisonous root extracts and others by making sacrifices.<ref>[http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/josephus/war7.html Josephus, "B. J." vii. 6, § 3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023222506/http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/josephus/war7.html|date=2019-10-23}}; Sanh. 65b.</ref>

In more recent times, Rabbi Yehuda Fetaya (1859–1942) authored the book ''Minchat Yahuda'', which deals extensively with exorcism, his experience with possessed people, and other subjects of Jewish thought. The book is written in Hebrew and was translated into English.

The Jewish exorcism ritual is performed by a [[rabbi]] who has mastered [[Kabbalah]]. Also present is a [[minyan]] (a group of ten adult males), who gather in a circle around the possessed person. The group recites [[Psalm 91]] three times, and then the rabbi blows a [[shofar]] (a ram's horn).<ref name="ghostvillage.com">{{cite web|last1=Belanger|first1=Jeff|title=Dybbuk – Spiritual Possession and Jewish Folklore|url=http://www.ghostvillage.com/legends/2003/legends32_11292003.shtml|website=Ghostvillage.com|access-date=12 December 2014|date=29 November 2003|archive-date=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909130733/http://www.ghostvillage.com/legends/2003/legends32_11292003.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

The shofar is blown in a certain way, with various notes and tones, in effect to "shatter the body" so that the possessing force will be shaken loose. After it has been shaken loose, the rabbi begins to communicate with it and ask it questions such as why it is possessing the body of the possessed. The minyan may pray for it and perform a ceremony for it in order to enable it to feel safe, and so that it can leave the person's body.<ref name="ghostvillage.com" />

== Sikhism ==
[[Sikh|Sikhs]] do not have a belief in [[demonic possession]]. Therefore, exorcism is considered a violation of Sikh Code of Conduct.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ZaWBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA189|title=Wanted Undead Or Alive|publisher=Citadel Press|last=Maberry|first=Jonathan|year=2010|pages=187–190|isbn=9780806534336}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RpnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT72|title=Religion, Belief and Social Work|publisher=Policy Press|last=Furness|first=Sheila|year=2009|pages=72|isbn=9781447324331}}</ref>

== Taoism and Chinese folk religion ==
 {{Main|History of Taoism|Chinese ritual mastery traditions|Fulu}}
In [[Taoism]], exorcisms are performed when an individual has been possessed by an evil spirit for one of two reasons: The victim has disturbed a ghost, regardless of intent, and the ghost now seeks revenge, or the victim has been targeted by someone using black magic to conjure a ghost to possess them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taoist Exorcism by Taoist Master|url=http://taoist-sorcery.blogspot.com/2012/08/taoist-exorcism-by-taoist-master.html|access-date=2020-09-23|website=TAOIST SORCERY|archive-date=2019-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909044006/http://taoist-sorcery.blogspot.com/2012/08/taoist-exorcism-by-taoist-master.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Fashi]], who are both Chinese ritual specialists and Taoist priests, are able to conduct particular rituals for exorcism. These rituals will vary between the many sects which are further influenced by the geographic region in which the specific Taoist is from. A Zheng Yi sect Taoist in Beijing may conduct a ritual completely different from a Taoist of the same sect in a southern area such as Hong Kong.

For example, the leaders of these exorcism rituals who are [[tangki]] that invited the divine powers from the [[Shen (Chinese religion)|Deities]] and conduct a dramatic performance to call out against the demons so the village can once again have peace. The leaders strike themselves with various sharp weapons to show their invincibility to ward off the demons and also to let out their blood. This form of blood is considered to be sacred and powerful, so after the rituals, the blood is blotted with talismans and placed on the door of houses as an act of spiritual protection against evil spirits.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taoism Ritual, Worship, Devotion, Symbolism, Taoism Rites and Ceremonies|url=https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/rites-and-ceremonies|access-date=2020-09-23|website=www.patheos.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001053703/https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/rites-and-ceremonies|url-status=live}}</ref> Such ritual using blood however is more common among folk sects such as LuShan, and does not take place in more orthodox sects such as QuanZhen or Zheng Yi who are more monastic in nature. However, it is possible that folk Taoists in rural areas descended from orthodox sects may be influenced by local folk religions, so it may be seen.

Historically, all Taoist exorcisms include usage of [[Fulu]], chanting, physical gesture like [[Mudra|mudras]], and praying as a way to drive away the spirit is common in all sects.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jumreornvong|first=Natty|date=16 July 2015|title=Exorcism and Mental Illness Across Different Cultures|url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/hopes_test/exorcism-and-mental-illness-across-different-cultures/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314023800/https://web.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/hopes_test/exorcism-and-mental-illness-across-different-cultures/|archive-date=2017-03-14|access-date=2017-03-23|website=Stanford University|publisher=[[Huntington's Disease Outreach Project for Education at Stanford]]}}</ref>

== Scientific view ==
[[Demonic possession]] is not a [[Psychiatry|psychiatric]] or medical diagnosis recognized by either the [[DSM-5]] or the [[International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems|ICD-10]]. Those who profess a belief in demonic possession have sometimes ascribed to possession the symptoms associated with physical or [[Mental disorder|mental illnesses]], such as [[hysteria]], [[mania]], [[psychosis]], [[Tourette's syndrome]], [[epilepsy]], [[schizophrenia]] or [[dissociative identity disorder]].<ref>Henderson, J. (1981). ''Exorcism and Possession in Psychotherapy Practice''. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 27: 129–34.</ref><ref>Maniam, T. (1987). ''Exorcism and Psychiatric Illness: Two Case Reports''. Medical Journal of Malaysia. 42: 317–19.</ref><ref>Pfeifer, S. (1994). ''Belief in demons and exorcism in psychiatric patients in Switzerland''. British Journal of Medical Psychology 4 247–58.</ref><ref>[[Barry Beyerstein|Beyerstein, Barry L]]. (1995). ''Dissociative States: Possession and Exorcism''. In [[Gordon Stein]] (ed.). ''The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal''. Prometheus Books. pp. 544–52. {{ISBN|1-57392-021-5}}</ref><ref>Ross, C. A., Schroeder, B. A. & Ness, L. (2013). ''Dissociation and symptoms of culture-bound syndromes in North America: A preliminary study''. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation 14: 224–35.</ref>

Additionally, there is a form of [[monomania]] called demonomania or demonopathy in which the patient believes that they are possessed by one or more demons.<ref>[[Richard Noll|Noll, Richard]]. (2006). ''The Encyclopedia of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders''. Facts On File Inc. p. 129. {{ISBN|0-8160-6405-9}}</ref> According to psychological literature, exorcism may work on people experiencing symptoms of possession by way of [[placebo]] effect and the power of [[suggestion]].<ref>[[Brian P. Levack|Levack, Brian P]]. (1992). ''Possession and Exorcism''. Routledge. p. 5. {{ISBN|0-8153-1031-5}}</ref><ref>[[Benjamin Radford|Radford, Benjamin]]. (2005). [http://www.livescience.com/9321-voice-reason-exorcisms-fictional-fatal.html "Voice of Reason: Exorcisms, Fictional and Fatal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218094025/http://www.livescience.com/9321-voice-reason-exorcisms-fictional-fatal.html|date=2014-12-18}}. [[LiveScience]]. "To the extent that exorcisms "work," it is primarily due to the power of suggestion and the placebo effect."</ref> Some cases suggest that supposedly possessed persons are actually narcissists or have low self-esteem and act demonically possessed in order to gain attention.<ref>[[Brian P. Levack|Levack, Brian P]]. (1992). ''Possession and Exorcism''. Routledge. p. 277. {{ISBN|0-8153-1031-5}}</ref>

Within the scientific community, the work of psychiatrist [[M. Scott Peck]], a believer in exorcism, generated significant debate and derision. Much was made of his association with (and admiration for) the controversial [[Malachi Martin]], a [[Roman Catholic]] exorcist, despite the fact that Peck consistently called Martin a liar and a manipulator.<ref name="Woods">[http://www.natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005b/042905/042905m.htm The devil you know] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227225812/http://www.natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005b/042905/042905m.htm|date=2016-12-27}}, ''National Catholic Reporter, 29 April 2005, a commentary on'' Glimpses of the Devil ''by Richard Woods''</ref><ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/story/159/story_15928.html The Patient Is the Exorcist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005151954/http://www.beliefnet.com/story/159/story_15928.html|date=2008-10-05}}, an interview with M. Scott Peck by Laura Sheahen</ref> Other criticisms leveled against Peck included claims that he had transgressed the boundaries of [[professional ethics]] by attempting to persuade his patients to accept Christianity.<ref name="Woods" />

=== Exorcism and mental illness ===
One scholar has described [[psychosurgery]] as "Neurosurgical Exorcisms", with [[trepanation]] having been widely used to release demons from the brain.<ref name="silverman">Silverman, W A. "Neurosurgical Exorcism." Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 15.2 (2001): 98–99.</ref> Meanwhile, another scholar has equated [[psychotherapy]] with exorcism.<ref>Gettis, Alan. "Psychotherapy as exorcism." Journal of Religion and Health 15.3 (1976): 188–90.</ref>

==== United Kingdom ====
In the UK, the numbers of exorcisms performed were increasing {{as of|2017|lc=yes}}. A [[Church of England]] think tank, [[Theos (think tank)|Theos]], stated that the exorcisms mostly took place in charismatic and Pentecostal churches, and also among communities of West African origin. Frequently, the people exorcised were people with [[mental health]] problems, who often stopped taking their medications in response to the exorcism. The report described the exorcism as a "well-meaning initiative with the potential for serious harm" with the risk of constituting "psychological abuse".<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/05/christian-thinktank-warns-of-rise-in-exorcisms-mental-health 'Spiritual abuse': Christian thinktank warns of sharp rise in UK exorcisms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711105036/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/05/christian-thinktank-warns-of-rise-in-exorcisms-mental-health|date=2019-07-11}} ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref>

== Anthropological view ==
Religious figures would have been presented with an individual and base their diagnosis of possession upon their own knowledge, which would be based on religious understandings. The occurrence of a possession, has similar characteristics of someone who is experiencing a mental illness.<ref name="doi.apa.org">{{Cite journal|last1=Exline|first1=Julie J.|last2=Pargament|first2=Kenneth I.|last3=Wilt|first3=Joshua A.|last4=Harriott|first4=Valencia A.|date=2021|title=Mental illness, normal psychological processes, or attacks by the devil? Three lenses to frame demonic struggles in therapy.|url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/scp0000268|journal=Spirituality in Clinical Practice|language=en|volume=8|issue=3|pages=215–228|doi=10.1037/scp0000268|s2cid=237853652|issn=2326-4519|via=APA}}</ref>  Characteristics such as an abrupt change in behaviour and demeanor, loss of faith, thoughts of being chosen by a demonic power, experiences in seeing and hearing evil entities, and persistent fear in demonic forces.<ref name="doi.apa.org" /> These are deemed as unfavorable within religious influence, therefore are treated and diagnosed within religious collectives, as illness.

However, not all possessions were deemed as negative, possessions occurring among the higher classes typically went untreated as they were said to be undertaken by benevolent spirits upholding social order; whereas possessions experienced by the powerless were considered as expressing [[Hegemony|anti-hegemonic]] sentiment and needed to be treated immediately.<ref name="Sharabi 182–195">{{Cite journal|last=Sharabi|first=Asaf|date=2021-02-17|title=The Politics of Madness and Spirit Possession in Northern India|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01459740.2020.1807540|journal=Medical Anthropology|language=en|volume=40|issue=2|pages=182–195|doi=10.1080/01459740.2020.1807540|pmid=32866040|s2cid=221404656|issn=0145-9740}}</ref>

This reflects a style of dichotomy that establishes spiritual possession as an illness which is socially mediated, and reflective of the social climate in which it is produced. Exorcisms are performed in response to spiritual possessions which cause distress or are found to be challenging the status quo and/or hegemonic values within the individual; otherwise, possessions are treated as holy communication from deities.<ref name="Sharabi 182–195" /> These illnesses/possessions are culturally constructed as either psychological or spiritual.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Halliburton|first=Murphy|date=2005|title="Just Some Spirits": The Erosion of Spirit Possession and the Rise of "Tension" in South India|url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01459740590933849|journal=Medical Anthropology|language=en|volume=24|issue=2|pages=111–144|doi=10.1080/01459740590933849|pmid=16019568|s2cid=40861711|issn=0145-9740|via=Taylor & Francis}}</ref> Spiritual possession and exorcism come as a pair, representative of social expectations of 'normal' functioning, and can often be engaged as a tool to challenge or maintain religious collective values.

The Catholic Church, for example, enters a relationship with the victims of spiritual possession akin to the Shamanistic Complex.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Levi-Strauss|first=Claude|title=Structural Anthropology|publisher=Basic Books|year=1963|isbn=0786724439|location=New York|pages=193–211|language=En}}</ref> The victim also represents what [[Nancy Scheper-Hughes|Nancy Scheper Hughes]] would call the 'individual body', that is, the victims' personal belief system as a Christian would assist in the healing process. In the sense that their belief that there is a demon within their body and that through the power of Christ the demon can be removed, creates a diagnosis and cure for this illness. A non-Christian may respond differently to this healing process. A non-Christian most likely would not even seek out religious intervention based on their symptoms, they would believe them to from a different illness, and would not find an exorcism an effective treatment.

The Shamanistic Complex gives a possible explanation as to what makes an exorcism effective or can increase the effectiveness. Exorcism exists within a realm of cultural healing practices, social processes that are informed by social norms.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Joralemon|first=Donald|url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315470610/exploring-medical-anthropology-donald-joralemon|title=Exploring Medical Anthropology|date=2017|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-315-47061-0|edition=4th|location=London|doi=10.4324/9781315470610}}</ref> This much is true of most other healing practices, inclusive of those focussed on spiritual, psychological, and physical health. As such the systems set out by religious communities, like the Catholic Church, to diagnose and combat spiritual possession as a disease, as only effective as the psychological belief within these aspects.

== Notable exorcisms and exorcists in history ==
{{Esotericism}} {{See also|Louviers possessions|Aix-en-Provence possessions|Loudun possessions}}

* (1578) [[Martha Brossier]] was a young woman who was made infamous around the year of 1578 for her feigned demonic possession discovered through exorcism proceedings.<ref name="Calmet2021">{{cite book|last1=Calmet|first1=Augustin|author-link=Augustin Calmet|title=Treatise on the Apparitions of Spirits and on Vampires or Revenants: of Hungary, Moravia, et al.|isbn=978-1-952658-03-7|year=2021|publisher=Esoterica Press}}</ref>{{rp|page=132}}
* (1619) [[Traité sur les apparitions des esprits et sur les vampires ou les revenans de Hongrie, de Moravie, &c.#Demonic possession|Mademoiselle Elizabeth de Ranfaing]], who having become a widow in 1617 was later sought in marriage by a physician (afterwards burned under judicial sentence for being a practicing [[Ceremonial magic|magician]]). After being rejected, he gave her [[Potion|potions]] to make her love him which occasioned strange developments in her health and proceeded to continuously give her some other forms of medicament. The maladies which she had were incurable by the various physicians that attended her and eventually led to a recourse of exorcisms as prescribed by several physicians that examined her case. They began to exorcise her in September, 1619. During the exorcisms, the demon that possessed her purportedly made detailed and fluid responses in varying languages including French, Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Italian and was able to know and recite the thoughts and sins of various individuals who examined her. She was further also purported to describe in detail with the use of various languages the rites and secrets of the church to experts in the languages she spoke. There was even a mention of how the demon interrupted an exorcist, who after making a mistake in his recital of an exorcism rite in Latin, corrected his speech and mocked him.<ref name="Calmet2021" />{{rp|pages=138–143}}
* (1778) [[George Lukins]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Harris|first=Tessa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3gxQAgAAQBAJ&q=George+Lukins+exorcism+1778&pg=PA349|title=The Devil's Breath|date=2013-12-24|publisher=[[Kensington Books]]|isbn=9780758267009|page=349|access-date=2020-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703040516/https://books.google.com/books?id=3gxQAgAAQBAJ&q=George+Lukins+exorcism+1778&pg=PA349|archive-date=2021-07-03|url-status=live}}</ref>
* (1842–1844) [[Johann Blumhardt]] performed the exorcism of Gottliebin Dittus over a two-year period in Möttlingen, Germany, from 1842 to 1844. Pastor Blumhardt's parish subsequently experienced growth marked by confession and healing, which he attributed to the successful exorcism.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blumhardt's Battle: A Conflict With Satan|url=http://davidkeames.googlepages.com/blumhardt%27sbattle|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826042128/http://davidkeames.googlepages.com/blumhardt'sbattle|archive-date=26 August 2009|access-date=23 September 2009|publisher=Thomas E. Lowe, LTD}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Zuendel|first=Friedrich|url=http://www.plough.com/ebooks/pdfs/Awakening.pdf|title=The Awakening: One Man's Battle With Darkness|publisher=The Plough|access-date=23 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010145407/http://www.plough.com/ebooks/pdfs/Awakening.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
* (1906) [[Clara Germana Cele]] was a South African school girl who claimed to be possessed.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology|page=12|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NHosWhaeWDQC&q=Clara+Germana+Cele+exorcism+1906&pg=PA12|publisher=Infobase Publishing|author=Rosemary Guiley|isbn=9781438131917|year=2009|access-date=2020-10-17|archive-date=2021-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702234544/https://books.google.com/books?id=NHosWhaeWDQC&q=Clara+Germana+Cele+exorcism+1906&pg=PA12|url-status=live}}</ref>
* (1947) Art expert Armando Ginesi claims [[Salvador Dalí]] received an exorcism from Italian [[friar]] Gabriele Maria Berardi while he was in France. Dalí would have created a sculpture of Christ on the cross that he would have given to the friar in thanks.<ref>[http://www.cathnews.com/news/510/72.php Dali's gift to exorcist uncovered] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011193554/http://cathnews.com/news/510/72.php|date=11 October 2007}} Catholic News 14 October 2005.</ref>
* (1949) A boy identified as [[Exorcism of Roland Doe|Robbie Mannheim]]<ref name="John Spencer, Anne Spencer">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9x_o_go-nM8C&q=Luther+Miles+Schulze|title=Powers of the mind|quote=The Reverend Luther Miles Schulze, was called in to help and took Mannheim to his home where he could study the phenomenon at close range;|publisher=TV Books|access-date=31 December 2007|isbn=978-1-57500-028-2|date=May 1999|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221046/https://books.google.com/books?id=9x_o_go-nM8C&q=Luther+Miles+Schulze|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dr. Mehra Shrikhande">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SpeXY898fkYC&q=Luther+Miles+Schulze&pg=PA129|title=Paranormal Experiences|quote=A thirteen-year-old American boy named, Robert Mannheim, started using an...The Reverend Luther Miles Schulze, who was called to look into the matter,...|publisher=Unicorn Books|access-date=31 December 2007|isbn=978-81-7806-166-5|date=8 June 2009|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221053/https://books.google.com/books?id=SpeXY898fkYC&q=Luther+Miles+Schulze&pg=PA129|url-status=live}}</ref> was the subject of an exorcism in 1949, which became the chief inspiration for ''[[The Exorcist (novel)|The Exorcist]]'', a horror novel and film written by [[William Peter Blatty]], who heard about the case while he was a student in the class of 1950 at [[Georgetown University]]. Robbie was taken into the care of [[Luther Miles Schulze|Rev. Luther Miles Schulze]], the boy's [[Lutheran]] pastor, after [[Psychiatrist|psychiatric]] and [[Medical doctor|medical doctors]] were unable to explain the disturbing events associated with the teen; the minister then referred the boy to [[Edward Hughes (exorcist)|Rev. Edward Hughes]], who performed the first exorcism on the teen.<ref name="Emissary">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q469xc7mbksC&q=Walter+Halloran+exorcism+ouija&pg=PA69|title=A Faraway Ancient Country|publisher=[[Lulu (company)|Lulu]]|access-date=27 March 2010|isbn=978-0-615-15801-3|year=2007|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221047/https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Faraway_Ancient_Country/q469xc7mbksC?gbpv=1&bsq=Walter+Halloran+exorcism+ouija&pg=PA69&printsec=frontcover|url-status=live}}</ref> The subsequent exorcism was partially performed in both [[Cottage City, Maryland]], and [[Bel-Nor, Missouri]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/hell-of-a-house/Content?oid=2491650|title=Hell of a House|first=Chad|last=Garrison|access-date=2016-07-18|archive-date=2021-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221048/https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/hell-of-a-house/Content?oid=2491650|url-status=live}}</ref> by Father [[William S. Bowdern]], S.J., Father Raymond Bishop S.J. and a then [[Jesuit]] scholastic Fr. [[Walter Halloran]], S.J.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.strangemag.com/exorcistpage1.html|title=Part I – The Haunted Boy: the Inspiration for the Exorcist|access-date=2008-01-10|archive-date=2018-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003052203/http://www.strangemag.com/exorcistpage1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* (1974) [[Michael Taylor (demoniac)|Michael Taylor]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions, and the Media|author=Bill Ellis|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|page=97|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oLcqlypMCe8C&q=Michael+Taylor+1974+exorcism&pg=PA97|isbn=978-0813126821|access-date=2020-10-17|archive-date=2021-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221048/https://books.google.com/books?id=oLcqlypMCe8C&q=Michael+Taylor+1974+exorcism&pg=PA97|url-status=live}}</ref>
* (1975) [[Anneliese Michel]] was a Catholic woman from Germany who was said to be possessed by six or more demons and subsequently underwent a secret, ten-month-long voluntary exorcism. Two motion pictures, ''[[The Exorcism of Emily Rose]]'' and ''[[Requiem (2006 film)|Requiem]]'', are loosely based on Anneliese's story. The documentary movie ''Exorcism of Anneliese Michel''<ref>{{YouTube|y0AAll their (jinn) activities take place at night and come to an end with the first cock-crow or the first call to morning prayer.k-3wS7cQ}}</ref> (in Polish, with English subtitles) features the original audio tapes from the exorcism. The two priests and her parents were convicted of negligent manslaughter for failing to call a medical doctor to address her [[eating disorder]] as she died weighing only {{convert|68|lbs}}.<ref name="Press courier">{{cite news|title=Bizarre exorcism draws suspended prison terms|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AcJdAAAAIBAJ&pg=5443%2C5231320|publisher=The Press-Courier|access-date=26 June 2013|date=22 April 1978|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221049/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AcJdAAAAIBAJ&pg=5443%2C5231320|url-status=live}}</ref> The case has been labelled a misidentification of mental illness, negligence, abuse, and religious hysteria.<ref>Duffey, John M. (2011). ''Lessons Learned: The Anneliese Michel Exorcism''. {{ISBN|978-1-60899-664-3}}</ref>
* [[Bobby Jindal]], former governor of Louisiana, wrote an essay in 1994 about his personal experience of performing an exorcism on an intimate friend named "Susan" while in college.<ref name="Bobby Jindal's Exorcism problem">{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Tim|date=May 17, 2012|title=FLASHBACK: Bobby Jindal's Exorcism Problem|url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/05/bobby-jindal-exorcised-his-college-girlfriend|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704221049/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/05/bobby-jindal-exorcised-his-college-girlfriend/|archive-date=2021-07-04|access-date=2018-07-09|website=[[Mother Jones]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-02-24|title=Bobby Jindal's Story about Demons and Spiritual Warfare|url=https://www1.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2009/02/24/bobby-jindals-story-about-demons-and-spiritual-warfare|access-date=2020-09-23|website=CBN News|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001213004/https://www1.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2009/02/24/bobby-jindals-story-about-demons-and-spiritual-warfare|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Mother Teresa]] allegedly underwent an exorcism late in life under the direction of the Archbishop of Calcutta, Henry D'Souza, after he noticed she seemed to be extremely agitated in her sleep and feared she "might be under the attack of the evil one."<ref name="CNNMotherTeresa">{{cite web|last1=Bindra|first1=Satinder|title=Archbishop: Mother Teresa underwent exorcism|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/south/09/04/mother.theresa.exorcism/|website=[[CNN]]|access-date=12 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050917210156/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/south/09/04/mother.theresa.exorcism/|archive-date=17 September 2005|date=7 September 2001}}</ref>
* (2005) [[Tanacu exorcism]] is a case in which a mentally ill Romanian nun was killed during an exorcism by priest Daniel Petre Corogeanu. The case inspired motion pictures ''[[Beyond the Hills]]'' and ''[[The Crucifixion (film)|The Crucifixion]].''
* The [[Wainuiomata mākutu lifting|October 2007 mākutu lifting]] (ceremonial lifting of a sorcery or witchcraft curse) in the [[Wellington]], New Zealand, suburb of [[Wainuiomata]] led to a death by drowning of a woman and the hospitalization of a teen. Five family members were convicted and sentenced to non-custodial sentences.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_2497284">{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/wellington/2497284/Deadly-curse-verdict-five-found-guilty|title=Deadly curse verdict: five found guilty|date=13 June 2009|work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|access-date=30 September 2011|archive-date=4 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204134804/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/wellington/2497284/Deadly-curse-verdict-five-found-guilty|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Columns-list|* [[Banishing]]
* [[Deal with the Devil]]
* [[Demonology]]
* [[Demon hunter]]
* [[Gay exorcism]]
* [[International Association of Exorcists]]
* [[Kecak]]
* [[List of exorcists]]
* ''[[Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications]]''
* [[Obsession (Spiritism)]]
* [[Phurba]]
* [[Sak Yant]]
* [[Spiritual warfare]]
* [[True name]]
* [[Yaktovil]]
* [[Yoruba religion]]|colwidth=30em}}

== References ==
{{incomplete citations|date=March 2024}} {{Reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book|first=Michael W.|last=Cuneo|title=[[American Exorcism|American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty]]|publisher=Doubleday|year=2001|isbn=0-385-50176-5}}
* {{cite magazine|url=http://images.dailykos.com/images/jindal.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213075345/http://images.dailykos.com/images/jindal.pdf|archive-date=2006-12-13|first=Bobby|last=Jindal|author-link=Bobby Jindal|title=Physical Dimensions of Spiritual Warfare|magazine=New Oxford Review|date=December 1994}}
* {{cite book|first1=David M.|last1=Kiely|author1-link=David M. Kiely|first2=Christina|last2=McKenna|author2-link=Christina McKenna|year=2007|title=The Dark Sacrament: True Stories of Modern-Day Demon Possession and Exorcism|publisher=HarperOne|isbn=978-0-06-123816-1}}
* {{cite book|first=Josephine|last=McCarthy|year=2010|title=The Exorcists Handbook|publisher=Golem Media Publishers|isbn=978-1-933993-91-1}}
* {{cite book|first1=Girolamo|last1=Menghi|first2=Gaetano|last2=Paxia|year=2002|title=The Devil's Scourge: Exorcism during the Italian Renaissance|publisher=Weiser Books}}{{missing ISBN}}
* {{cite web|last=Papademetriou|first=George C.|date=September 3, 1990|title=Exorcism in the Orthodox Church|publisher=Greek Orthodox Diocese in America|url=https://www.goarch.org/-/exorcism-in-the-orthodox-church|access-date=2024-03-05}}
* {{cite book|last=Peck|first=M. Scott|author-link=M. Scott Peck |year=2005|title=Glimpses of the Devil: A Psychiatrist's Personal Accounts of Possession, Exorcism, and Redemption|publisher=Free Press|isbn=978-0-7432-5467-0}}
* {{cite web|title=Exorcism: Facts and Fiction About Demonic Possession|first=Benjamin|last=Radford|author-link=Benjamin Radford|date=March 7, 2013|website=Livescience|url=http://www.livescience.com/27727-exorcism-facts-and-fiction.html|access-date=2024-03-05}}
* {{cite book|first=Frederick M.|last=Smith|author-link=Frederick M. Smith|year=2006|title=The Self Possessed: Deity and Spirit Possession in South Asian Literature and Civilization|place=New York|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=0-231-13748-6}}
* {{cite journal|last=Tajima-Pozo|first=Kazuhiro|display-authors=etal|year=2011|title=Practicing exorcism in schizophrenia|journal=BMJ Case Reports|volume=2011|pages=bcr1020092350|doi=10.1136/bcr.10.2009.2350|pmid=22707465|pmc=3062860}}
* {{cite journal|first=William|last=Trethowan|year=1976|title=Exorcism: A Psychiatric Viewpoint|journal=Journal of Medical Ethics|volume=2|issue=3|pages=127–37|pmid=966260|pmc=2495148}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070108032631/http://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/work_of_the_diocese/chaplaincy_deliverance.php Ministry of Deliverance] at [[Anglican Diocese of Worcester]]
* [https://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/latin/latin040.htm RITUS EXORCIZANDI OBSESSOS A DÆMONIO] – The Catholic Rite of Exorcism in Latin

{{Spirituality-related topics}} {{Authority control}}