In a sense, it does not matter whether the majority of people still believe in demonic possession. The symptoms of possession may or may not be wholly attributable to mental illness combined with psychokinesis or other paranormal abilities. The fact remains that exorcism still takes place, and that some sufferers achieve a measure of relief from the ritual.
One of the most interesting aspects of possession concerns the necessary acquiescence of the possessed individual to the perceived influence of a preternatural evil spirit. This assent is present in all such cases, and may be analogous to the controversial psychological theory that the patient sometimes initially (though certainly not always consciously) chooses his own symptoms.
Demonic Possession Is A Choice
The steps of possession by evil spirits are described as follows: infestation, oppression, and invasion or physical occupation. At each step, there must be a freely-made decision by the victim to allow the entry of the evil spirit into her life.
After physical possession, free will continues to be present. Certain characteristics are exhibited: poor judgment and gradual loss of control. Eventually, complete yielding to the spirit can result; if the case progresses to that advanced point. Again, each progression involves voluntary consent, a “yes” to evil that allows the perverted phenomenon to continue.
Threats, promises, physical or mental anguish, hallucinations, or intense feelings of power and pleasure are some of the ruses used by the invading spirit to gain the willing submission of its host. Predisposing factors include the type of mind and will that has been described as an “aspiring vacuum,” a deliberate void that is desperate for anything to give it the illusion of wholeness. Thus “occult influences” like Ouija boards and séances, so often blamed in possession cases, are not the root cause of the condition; but mere symptoms of that cause.
Perfect Possession: Total Acceptance of A Demonic Spirit
Perfect possession is the final, perhaps inexorable stage. Exorcists claim it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to reverse the process once this level of possession has been accomplished. The perfectly possessed do not recoil at the sight of religious objects and exhibit few discernable symptoms.
A strange “automaton-like” quality has been noted in such cases. The individual functions fairly well, but exhibits no quality of humanness. Even the sociopath’s occasional thin veneer of charm is utterly lacking. Although “normal” cases of possession are said not to affect the sufferer’s soul, it is not known whether the soul is infiltrated in perfect possession.
During exorcisms, when asked about a separate individual suspected of being perfectly possessed, the evil spirit will answer that the individual already belongs to “the Kingdom” and “is ours.” At the mention of Christ or the Church, it coldly answers, “That Church and that Person have no authority over [the perfectly possessed individual].”
The perfectly possessed do not seek help. Even if they did, some exorcists speculate that they are beyond help; just as some psychiatrists and therapists categorically refuse to treat those with antisocial personality disorder. Although the mental health profession tries to eschew moral judgments, many counselors baldly state or strongly imply that sociopaths are simply pure evil.
Choice and Free Will in the Development of Psychopathology
In the absence of organic brain damage, there may be at least an initial element of choice in the development of personality disorders and perhaps some other mental problems as well, according to Dr. William Glasser. He is not alone in noticing this seemingly strange decision to allow certain symptoms to “invade” and “possess” the will.
Journalists Michaud and Aynesworth spent over 150 hours interviewing notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. They concluded that in the development of his psychopathology there were clearly “elements of will, conscious will, taking part in the creation of this entity, as if Ted had wanted to become a killer.” Bundy himself described his life as completely directionless, an obvious “aspiring vacuum” of an existence.
It is easy to scoff at the idea of modern demonic possession. Arguments based solely on emotional response or subjective religious belief have a tendency to inspire ridicule. However, the hypothesis that the personality disordered or mentally ill human may choose his own symptoms at first, thereby granting the disease some form of power, is shockingly similar to the theories about possession. Parapsychology, religion, and a controversial psychological idea appear to be pretty much on the same page.
Possibly both the development of some types of emotional disorder and the process of possession require a certain level of voluntary participation. This perhaps leads to the hopeful conclusion that, if arrested early enough, both processes might be much simpler to reverse than conventional wisdom has previously indicated. Possession may turn out to be less an ancient superstition or terrifying reality than a lesson in true empowerment for the spiritually and emotionally bereft.
Sources
Aynesworth, Hugh and Michaud, Stephen G., The Only Living Witness, Penguin Books, 1989; and Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer, Penguin Books, 1989.
Martin, Malachi, Hostage to the Devil, HarperCollins, 1992.
Olver, Kim, “Mental Illness: Disease or Choice,” April, 2009.
“Prevailing Against Evil: The Little-Known Rite of Exorcism Lives On in the Catholic Church,” U.S. News & World Report, Secrets of Christianity edition, 2010, pp. 80-81.
Stout, Dr. Martha, The Sociopath Next Door, Broadway Books, 2005.
Reference to “aspiring vacuum” from Martin, p. xxi of Preface.
Quotations of alleged evil spirit from Martin, p. 313.
Michaud and Aynesworth’s quote about Bundy from The Only Living Witness, p. 13.
Amy Sillup - I have a B.S. in Chemistry from Delaware Valley College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. I have worked as a ...
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