Demonology and Exorcisms in the Catholic Church
12/8/2012
AP European History
J. Blackwell
Demonology and Exorcisms in the Catholic Church Demonology - the systematic study of demons or beliefs about demons; a branch of theology relating to supernatural beings who are not gods. Demonology "Is taught by the demons, it teaches about the demons, and it leads to the demons," as said by St. Albertus Magnus. According to some societies, all the affairs of life are supposed to be under the control of spirits - each ruling a certain "element" or even on object in some cases, and themselves in subjection to a greater spirit. In ancient Babylon, demonology had an influence on even the most mundane elements of life, from petty annoyances to emotions such as love and hatred. The numerous demonic spirits were given charge over various parts of the human body, one for the head, one for the neck, and so on and so forth. Many important figures in society -the Greek philosophers, such as Porphyry and the Fathers of the Christian Church- upheld the belief that spirits were spread throughout and present in the world. They also helped to advance the belief that demons received worship that was directed at pagan gods. While there are said to be demons among us that are malevolent and wish to do harm and possess us, there are also ways to expel them once they have a host under possession. Exorcism - the expulsion, or attempted expulsion, of devils and demons from their human vessels and host i.e. the possessed. Some may wonder 'how do you know if you are possessed?' or 'what are the signs that an exorcism is needed'? The signs for this are sometimes subtle and sometimes they can be alarmingly noticeable. Since a demon, once in possession of someone, can use the body they are in possession of that means that the host or vessel may act out of the ordinary if they truly are possessed and an exorcism is needed. Signs that one is needed are as followed;
• Lack of appetite.
• Cutting, scratching, and/ or biting of skin.
• A cold
AP European History
J. Blackwell
Demonology and Exorcisms in the Catholic Church Demonology - the systematic study of demons or beliefs about demons; a branch of theology relating to supernatural beings who are not gods. Demonology "Is taught by the demons, it teaches about the demons, and it leads to the demons," as said by St. Albertus Magnus. According to some societies, all the affairs of life are supposed to be under the control of spirits - each ruling a certain "element" or even on object in some cases, and themselves in subjection to a greater spirit. In ancient Babylon, demonology had an influence on even the most mundane elements of life, from petty annoyances to emotions such as love and hatred. The numerous demonic spirits were given charge over various parts of the human body, one for the head, one for the neck, and so on and so forth. Many important figures in society -the Greek philosophers, such as Porphyry and the Fathers of the Christian Church- upheld the belief that spirits were spread throughout and present in the world. They also helped to advance the belief that demons received worship that was directed at pagan gods. While there are said to be demons among us that are malevolent and wish to do harm and possess us, there are also ways to expel them once they have a host under possession. Exorcism - the expulsion, or attempted expulsion, of devils and demons from their human vessels and host i.e. the possessed. Some may wonder 'how do you know if you are possessed?' or 'what are the signs that an exorcism is needed'? The signs for this are sometimes subtle and sometimes they can be alarmingly noticeable. Since a demon, once in possession of someone, can use the body they are in possession of that means that the host or vessel may act out of the ordinary if they truly are possessed and an exorcism is needed. Signs that one is needed are as followed;
• Lack of appetite.
• Cutting, scratching, and/ or biting of skin.
• A cold