Demons abound: A brief history of possession
By Adam Parker
More than two-thirds of Americans believe angels and demons are active in the world, according to an extensive new survey on religious beliefs and practices in the U.S. issued by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
For most Americans, then, the supernatural is real. So it should come as no surprise that, every once in a while, someone becomes possessed, requiring spiritual intervention.
That's apparently what happened to "J. Doe," a plaintiff in a pending case against the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Diagnosed as possessed, Doe sought help from Monsignor Anthony La Femina, the diocese's local exorcist.
His problem was not unique. Possession by demons, spirits or gods is a universal human experience shared by members of nearly every culture and faith. Sometimes such possessions of body or soul are good, sometimes bad. Sometimes they're invited, sometimes they're unwanted. In many cases, a ritual or rite is involved. Sometimes, possession occurs through prayer or meditation or dreaming.
Read more in Sunday's Post and Courier.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Notice about comments:Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- UPDATE: Missing woman's fiance seen leaving scene of burned SUV, carrying a shovel
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Magnolia Gardens offering free dream wedding to contest winner
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found near handgun
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- Ex-Boeing worker claims racism, retaliation in firing
- Black women today: Strong. Resilient. Ambitious.
- MCDERMOTT COLUMN: Golf business has risks, rewards
