A Case of Demonic Possession (Full Version)

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Marcus. -> A Case of Demonic Possession (3/14/2008 1:01:54 PM)

By Richard E. Gallagher

February 2008

Richard E. Gallagher, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice in Hawthorne, New York, and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at New York Medical College. He is also on the faculties of the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Institute and a Roman Catholic seminary. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Princeton University, magna cum laude in Classics, and trained in Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Gallagher is the only American psychiatrist to have been a consistent U.S. delegate to the International Association of Exorcists, and has addressed its plenary session.

"Julia" is a middle-aged, self-supporting Caucasian woman who lives in the U.S. She first approached her local clergy on her own, and was soon referred to an official priest-exorcist (who collaborated on this article) to explore getting help. She herself was quite convinced from the start that she was being "attacked" in some way by a demon or Satan. During the course of her lengthy and thorough evaluation, she was eventually seen by this writer, a board-certified academic psychiatrist, who was asked to provide a medical and psychiatric opinion.

Julia revealed a long, disturbing history of involvement with explicitly Satanic groups (an obvious, historical antecedent to her then-present condition and to her accompanying "psychic" abilities, as they might be characterized). Though raised a Catholic, she no longer practiced the Faith. But, with considerable ambivalence, she stated she might need the Catholic Rite of Exorcism.

New Oxford Review



DaveW -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/17/2008 7:01:17 AM)

So what? This kind of thing has been happening for millenia.

I doubt it is as rare as the article says. They should have read the logs of the late evangelist Lester Sumrall of LeSEA Ministries in South Bend IN.

Why is this a morality issue?



cow451 -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/17/2008 5:09:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Marcus.

By Richard E. Gallagher

February 2008

Richard E. Gallagher, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice in Hawthorne, New York, and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at New York Medical College. He is also on the faculties of the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Institute and a Roman Catholic seminary. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Princeton University, magna cum laude in Classics, and trained in Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Gallagher is the only American psychiatrist to have been a consistent U.S. delegate to the International Association of Exorcists, and has addressed its plenary session.

"Julia" is a middle-aged, self-supporting Caucasian woman who lives in the U.S. She first approached her local clergy on her own, and was soon referred to an official priest-exorcist (who collaborated on this article) to explore getting help. She herself was quite convinced from the start that she was being "attacked" in some way by a demon or Satan. During the course of her lengthy and thorough evaluation, she was eventually seen by this writer, a board-certified academic psychiatrist, who was asked to provide a medical and psychiatric opinion.

Julia revealed a long, disturbing history of involvement with explicitly Satanic groups (an obvious, historical antecedent to her then-present condition and to her accompanying "psychic" abilities, as they might be characterized). Though raised a Catholic, she no longer practiced the Faith. But, with considerable ambivalence, she stated she might need the Catholic Rite of Exorcism.

New Oxford Review


I didn't care to pay for the article. Without reading it, I cannot be pursuaded in it's validity.



Kath -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/18/2008 2:00:33 AM)

quote:

Why is this a morality issue?


Because I couldn't think of another place to put it. It came from Health/Fitness. It didn't go there either.



DaveW -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/19/2008 11:24:54 AM)

Demonization is actually quite common even here in our secular western "scientific" world. One of the deceptions the devil likes to pass off on us is that he and his minions do not exist, or at least not around here.

Perhaps in the Doctrine forum?



Kath -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/19/2008 10:00:50 PM)

quote:

I didn't care to pay for the article. Without reading it, I cannot be pursuaded in it's validity.


That surprised me! A few days ago I was able to read the entire thing, it was really quite long. [&:]

quote:

Perhaps in the Doctrine forum?


That is a good idea. But now that we can't read the entire thing I may just move it out of the viewing area.



Marcus. -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/19/2008 11:16:52 PM)

I wasn't sure where it went. It seemed to cover health issues a bit along with the obvious. The brief descriptions in Theology for each section made it seem like none of them really fit either. I knew someone would move it where they thought best if it didn't fit.

In regards to the article I was able to pull it up for free. Maybe it has been moved into the paper's archive. Sometimes that is a fee service.



Kath -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/19/2008 11:19:59 PM)

quote:

In regards to the article I was able to pull it up for free. Maybe it has been moved into the paper's archive. Sometimes that is a fee service.


I think it was. They said it cost like a buck fifty now to read it



DaveW -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/20/2008 9:50:17 AM)

I was looking thru some old text files on this computer and came across this statement from a mod:

I have removed a post from this thred as a violation of TOS 17, which reads: Do not make statements either by posts or posting URLs to other Websites which advocate activities, beliefs or teachings contrary to those of Christianity as articulated by the historic creeds, as understood by Evangelicalism, and as interpreted by ChristianBBS.com/Christianity.com its sole discretion. ....... By supporting the idea that Christians can be possed by demons you are in violation of this TOS.

Is this still the stance of this board?



Marcus. -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (3/20/2008 10:36:16 AM)

Looks like 17 was changed.

quote:

17. Please do not use community areas to air your grievances against other fellow members. If you have observed a violation of the Terms of Service please use the Offender Report Form instead. (This includes violations or allegations of inappropriate actions by the volunteer staff and administration.)

-We want this Community to be a fun place to learn and interact with others from a Christian world view. If you have a problem with someone either take it up with them privately or report the violation. If the grievance is with a volunteer or other staff member please report it using the Offender Report Form in community areas.



TOS 15 is closer to what you posted.
quote:

15. You will not promote by repeated statements, by provision of URLs to other Web sites, by recommendation to engage in non-community activities such as watching programs, reading books, or attending events, or by any other means, beliefs or teachings contrary to those of Christianity as articulated by the historic creeds, as understood by Evangelicalism, and as interpreted by Salem Web Network in its sole discretion.

- Refrain from making statements or URLs which promote the acceptability of the homosexual lifestyle, adult entertainment, sexual immorality or pagan and false religions. No repeated posting of URLs to sites which have content that would violate the Terms of Service, the Nicene Creed or other majorly accepted scopes of Christian beliefs as interpreted by Salem Web Network at their sole discretion. If you are unsure about a site or content please direct your question to community@salemwebnetwork.com. This rule also applies to any material whether it be on the web, in print, on video, or on audio. (No telling everyone to go check out Anton Lavey's latest published audio speech.)


BTW the woman in the article was a worshipper of Satan at the time she was possessed.



brothertodd -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/19/2008 2:31:10 AM)

not familiar with the account but Possessed is a good read, it gives the actual account of the boy they based the exorcist movie on. And also the roman ritual, which Cath. preists use for exorcisims



SonInMe1 -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/20/2008 11:21:00 AM)

Everytime I read the title of this thread I think of starting my own thread...

A Case of Denomic Possession



StephK -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/20/2008 8:05:37 PM)

The full article is available again. I worked with a girl who was diagnosed with MPD and one night while driving home from vacation she went off and jumped out of the van while it was going full speed. Then she ran through a barbed wire fence and was totally out of control. I was facing her when she opened the door the look in her eye was not human. As soon as my two coworkers and I started earnestly praying she immediately calmed down and was herself. I had seen her other personalities but that one incident convinced me there was more than a major mental illness going on.



Sartrian -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/21/2008 2:27:12 AM)

She's not much of a "Satanist" if she turns to a Christian church when she suffers mental issues. Also, considering her childhood foundation in Christianity, I'm thinking that her perceptions of her health issues were being colored and biased by the stories and sermons she absorbed as a child. And bearing in mind that the man who wrote the article and diagnosed her was not only Catholic, but worked at a seminary, I'm less likely to belive that an invisible creature attacked her, and more likely to belive she was suffering from some mental condition such as clinical depression, schizophrenia, or maybe even delusional disorder.



rnershigh -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/21/2008 4:38:11 PM)

Thanks for the article Marcus. That was some scary stuff, reading about all the things that happened to this woman. Although I've never observed someone possessed, like StephK, I wouldn't doubt it happens. I've had my scary experiences with "something" (yah, hoo-boy, scary and I prayed like you wouldn't believe) not benign...and so yes, demons are out there, satan is real, and these things do happen.



Kath -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/21/2008 5:02:15 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

Everytime I read the title of this thread I think of starting my own thread...

A Case of Denomic Possession


Ha!



lightshineon -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/21/2008 7:03:57 PM)

I have had very, very, strange things happen to me, it was terrifying at the time. I see demons, also, that does not scare me though for some reason.



DaveW -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/22/2008 10:56:19 AM)

Years ago I heard Lester Sumrall (of blessed memory) speak of this incident (an my mom recalls hearing it on the radio when it happened:

Are people demon possessed in the world today? I believe there is evidence that there are people possessed by demons today. In his book entitled Demons The Answer Book, Lester Sumrall discusses demonic possession in the world today. In the first chapter of his book, Bitten by Demons, Mr. Sumrall writes of an account of demon possession which we now share in part:

On May 12, 1953, the Daily Mirror in Manila carried a highly unusual story [A story was also run in Life magazine here in the States] . . .

A city jail inmate puzzled police and medical examiners with her tale about two devils biting her . . . the girl claimed she was bitten twenty times and she shouted every time she was hurt.

In the jail . . . she talked and answered questions weakly, but sensibly, before a crowd of observers. Suddenly her facial expressions would change to anguish and horror as if she were confronted with ‘The Thing.’ She would look wildly and then scream and struggle and hit her arms and shoulders . . . Then her strenuous resistance would cease and she would collapse into the arms of those holding her, weak and half-conscious.

After regaining her senses, she said that one of the devils was big and dark with curly hair on his head, chest and arms. He had large, sharp eyes and two fangs. His voice was a deep-echoing sound. He was shrouded in black.

She was bitten for the last time on the right knee. That was the first bite on the lower part of her anatomy. Other bite marks appear on her neck, arms and shoulders [in places it would have been impossible for bites to have been self-inflicted]. Observers insist that they are within sight all the time.

The following day the Manila Chronicle reported further news of the young woman, Clarita Villanueva:

At least twenty-five competent persons, including Manila’s chief of police, Col. Cesar Lucero, say that it is a very realistic example of a horrified woman being bitten to insanity by ‘invisible persons.’ She displayed several bite marks all over her body, inflicted by nobody as far as the twenty-five witnesses could see. . . .

Villanueva was perfectly normal between fits. After talking for a while, she would shout, have convulsions and hysterics, all the time screaming, and her eyes flashing with fire. Then she would point to a part of her body being attacked, and then fall almost senseless into the hands of investigators. Teeth marks, wet with saliva, marked the spots she pointed at. . .

Entire article starts about 1/4 way down the page: http://www3.calvarychapel.com/hope/library/stauffer-claude/studies-books/41-MAR/files_htm/41-MAR-005-001.html



rcjames -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/22/2008 1:17:29 PM)

Is there demonic possession? If there is no such thing, then Christ wasted a lot of time casting out non-existent demons out of non-possessed folks.

Thanks
RC



Sartrian -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/23/2008 2:15:06 AM)

I always thought the story of Jesus' exorcism of the Gadarene demoniac's demons was a particularly cruel one. I mean, that poor pig-herder had all of his pigs ruthlessly driven into the water, and with them, his livelihood. So one guy gets healed, and another becomes a beggar.



DaveW -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/23/2008 7:56:51 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sartrian

I always thought the story of Jesus' exorcism of the Gadarene demoniac's demons was a particularly cruel one. I mean, that poor pig-herder had all of his pigs ruthlessly driven into the water, and with them, his livelihood. So one guy gets healed, and another becomes a beggar.
So would you get too upset if the porn shop or crack house down the street burned down? Knowing the Jewish opinion of hogs (esp at that time) it would be looked at similarly.

Swine were very important in the worship of zeus/jupiter and certainly were not eaten by Jews. This "poor guy" was making $$ from the idol industry, an abomination to Jesus and all Jews.



lightshineon -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/23/2008 12:55:05 PM)

Well human verses pigs, which would you choose? Do you understand that are Spiritual realties beyond you? God is always right, remember that.
quote:

ORIGINAL: Sartrian

I always thought the story of Jesus' exorcism of the Gadarene demoniac's demons was a particularly cruel one. I mean, that poor pig-herder had all of his pigs ruthlessly driven into the water, and with them, his livelihood. So one guy gets healed, and another becomes a beggar.



cow451 -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/23/2008 2:30:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rcjames

Is there demonic possession? If there is no such thing, then Christ wasted a lot of time casting out non-existent demons out of non-possessed folks.

Thanks
RC


In scripture, demons were driven out in rather straightforward manner. Now, it is either through elaborate rituals or some dramatic acts. I really don't see evidence of demonic possession in modern times comparable to that described in scripture. Either the nature of the spiritual warfare has changed or the incidents in the Bible were not all literal. I only recall specific desciptions of demons being cast out when Christ was involved, such as in Luke 8. The others were passing references to demons being cast out.



rcjames -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/23/2008 2:40:09 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451
In scripture, demons were driven out in rather straightforward manner. Now, it is either through elaborate rituals or some dramatic acts. I really don't see evidence of demonic possession in modern times comparable to that described in scripture. Either the nature of the spiritual warfare has changed or the incidents in the Bible were not all literal. I only recall specific desciptions of demons being cast out when Christ was involved, such as in Luke 8. The others were passing references to demons being cast out.


Let me say that I do not think much of thee RCC excorsism rutuals, and totally discount the ministry of some of the TV folk who go into a person's histor to heal problems betweem ancient humaa spirits that live in them; that is bunk made for TV.

But let's look at Scripture. Most folks think that Christ said go and the demons went; that is just not necessarily the case..

I won't pull the Scripture, but they should be familiar to all the readers.

The demoniac in the Garden was full of evil spirits (demons), and Scripture says they "Besought" Christ much. That means they argued a lot with Jesus aboutt leaving. Now how long does it take a legion of demons to argue much; I don't know, but it was not instantanius.

The Child that was throwing himself into the fire, Jesus said come out, be gone; and the demon did; After he tore the boy sore and left him as though dead.

A careful reading of the times Christ dealt with deamons ahould be done to see it was not so easy; even for Christ himself.

And don't forget the instructions that some will only go with fasting and prayer.

Gotta go.

Thsnks
RC



cow451 -> RE: A Case of Demonic Possession (4/23/2008 3:45:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rcjames

quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451
In scripture, demons were driven out in rather straightforward manner. Now, it is either through elaborate rituals or some dramatic acts. I really don't see evidence of demonic possession in modern times comparable to that described in scripture. Either the nature of the spiritual warfare has changed or the incidents in the Bible were not all literal. I only recall specific desciptions of demons being cast out when Christ was involved, such as in Luke 8. The others were passing references to demons being cast out.


Let me say that I do not think much of thee RCC excorsism rutuals, and totally discount the ministry of some of the TV folk who go into a person's histor to heal problems betweem ancient humaa spirits that live in them; that is bunk made for TV.

But let's look at Scripture. Most folks think that Christ said go and the demons went; that is just not necessarily the case..

I won't pull the Scripture, but they should be familiar to all the readers.

The demoniac in the Garden was full of evil spirits (demons), and Scripture says they "Besought" Christ much. That means they argued a lot with Jesus aboutt leaving. Now how long does it take a legion of demons to argue much; I don't know, but it was not instantanius.

The Child that was throwing himself into the fire, Jesus said come out, be gone; and the demon did; After he tore the boy sore and left him as though dead.

A careful reading of the times Christ dealt with deamons ahould be done to see it was not so easy; even for Christ himself.

And don't forget the instructions that some will only go with fasting and prayer.

Gotta go.

Thsnks
RC

Not really disagreeing with you, except to point out that this was Jesus, not anyone else. Jesus also healed miraculously, but few people believe in modern faith-healing as it is described in the Bible. I see these as being comparable phenomenon.



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