And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no
clothes, nor did he live in a house but in tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said,
"What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" For He had commanded the unclean spirit
to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with the bonds and was driven by the demon
into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying,"What is your name?" And he said,"Legion," because many demons had entered him. And they
begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So
they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the
swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. - (Luke 8:27-33 NKJB)
Exorcism is the casting out of non-physical entities; demons, spirits and so on that are said to have invaded their victims. The rites
of the exorcism depend upon the belief system of those involved; the priest/sorcerer, the victim, the friends and the family.
Exorcism are performed around the world wherever there is a belief in possession. The exorcist is normally a priest, shaman or
sorcerer using rituals that date back to the beginnings of religion. Exorcism is usually a 'last resort'. Using the exorcism rites
where it is unncessary can make a situation considerably worse and fatal; it can lead to suicide or to murder where the subject
feels that the demons have not be removed.
Many spiritual mediums use deliverance ('sending to the light') and 'rescue' rather than exorcism, which is a form of banishment.
This would seem to depend on belief about precisely what is being exorcised. Some mediums believe in a world beyond death occupied
by former living humans who can be 'rescued' and 'lower level' entities that need to be banished. Before exorcism is performed, the
exorcist must be certain that a possession is being dealt with. The signs looked for including claims and demonstration of psychic
abilities, levitation, a revulsion towards holy objects and water, speaking in strange language, and unusual strength.
Some religious beliefs about exorcism need consideration because of the dangers to both the exorcist and the subject. Injuries and/or
death can be a result of exorcism to either the exorcist or the subject. Perhaps for that reason exorcism is not taken lightly within
the Christian churches; exorcists are warned to take care and not to approach the problem alone. The exorcist and the possessing
entity engage in battle for the possessed's soul. The entity will blaspheme, lie, and mock in order to distract the exorcist and
force him to give up the struggle; therefore the exorcist must be devout and confident in his faith.
Some researchers of poltergeists have suggested that the approach to take towards 'casting out' is non-religious and based on
stress management. They identified that most poltergeist activity occurs in a family where significant stress situations are
apparent, even before the poltergeist manifests. They believe that by reducing the stress, the poltergeist often diminishes in
strength and dissipates. Another suggests that part of the reason might be the areas of the brain that are at work, particularly
if the poltergeist activity is linked to PK or other paranormal abilities. Poltergeist activity, and more importantly possession,
may reflect conditions of the mind. There is some debate as to what part is played by multiple personality syndrome in cases of
possession and exorcism.
And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no
clothes, nor did he live in a house but in tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said,
"What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" For He had commanded the unclean spirit
to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with the bonds and was driven by the demon
into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying,"What is your name?" And he said,"Legion," because many demons had entered him. And they
begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So
they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the
swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. - (Luke 8:27-33 NKJB)