Do you believe demonic possession is possible?
Demonic possession is a phenomenon known all over the world. There are plenty of ppl who believe it is possible and plenty who don't. I would be grateful if you could tell me if you believe it is possible and also what faith you are of. It would be really cool if I got responses from ppl of all faiths including atheists. Only serious posts please. Thanks.
Do people still believe in demonic possession?
I met an exorcist - probably relevant detail : it was in France - a few years back. I'm atheist but against all odds it was a very pleasant meeting and I learned a few interesting things along the way.He told me people with very strong beliefs and literal views of the Bible within closed communities are the ones enclined to be in « need » of an exorcism and are the only reason the church keep priests like him on duty.They still provide the service in some areas but don't really believe in the practice anymore.He also insisted the « possessed » knew more about exorcism than he does more often than not and was only required because he was some kind of warranty. During all his years of service, 20-odd years, he never witnessed anything remotely supernatural but had plenty of weird behaviors to talk about.
Do you believe in demonic possession? Why or why not?
Definitely. Not only is it more common than you’d think, but the phenomena that accompanies demonic possession has been widely documented throughout the world and throughout history.Although there are those who try and debunk the possessions by claiming that there is trickery and deceit involved, these naysayers have no answers when it comes to the physical aberrations that are often associated with genuine demon possession. Some of these aberrations include:Speaking in languages that the person couldn’t possibly know.Superhuman strength that in not drug induced.Changing voices from male to female, and vice versa.Different personalities.Unable to control themselves, such as becoming mute.Supernatural knowledge.Suicidal tendencies.There have also been cases where people have walked up walls—backwards, in one case—and reports of levitation, although these are rare.It is important to note that there is only ONE way to be delivered from this affliction, and that is through the power and name of the Lord Jesus Christ.Holy water, crucifixes, and the like are totally useless, and can only make matters worse. It is by the power of God, and God alone, that will cast out these unclean spirits. The person who God will work through to deliver the demon-possessed person has to be a born-again Christian who has no unrepentant sin in his/her life. They must also believe that what they are dealing with is a supernatural reality, and they need to have the utmost faith that God is more than able to cast out the demon in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Otherwise, the demon(s) could turn on them (read Acts 19:11–20).Most importantly, after the demon has left, it is imperative that the person who has been delivered immediately receive Christ as his/her Savior, because if they don’t, they could possibly suffer an even worse attack (see Matthew 12:43–45)Demons are real, they are much stronger and smarter than us, and the only way to keep them from possessing you is to be born into the kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ.Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (Jesus Christ) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
What do Catholics believe about demonic posession?
I am Catholic, however I am not sure if I believe in demonic posession. Isn't it dangerous to believe someone is posessed even though they could just be mentally ill? I am just wondering what EXACTLY Catholics believe about this and what are some signs someone is demonicly posessed. Also, how does one become posessed? What makes them vulnerable?
I believe that all these serial killers, etc. are demon possessed. Do you?
I just think with all the purely sick and twisted things some people do. Like Jeffrey Dahmer, the woman that drowned her 5 children, the serial killers like Ted Bundy, etc. etc. It seems to me that those people have to be demon possessed. How else would such sick things even come to them. There is so much pure evil in this world. Satan has control of so many people.
Do atheists believe that everyone is lying about demonic possession and black magic?
When I was about nine years old someone from church gave my sister a stuffed Squirtle.Squirtle was evil and a gateway to allow demons into the house because he was a Pokemon. I put Squirtle under the bed hoping that would somehow confine the demons until we could burn him.While Squirtle was under the bed I had a horrible nightmare. It was terrible and vivid and felt so real. I woke up and screamed wildly. Then, completely unable to stop it I fell immediately back to sleep and dreamed more terrifying things. Nobody heard my screams and came to help.I thought this experience was because I had Squirtle under my bed. I told my mom about it and she immediately threw Squirtle in the trash. I was scared to sleep for a long time. Squirtle hadn't been burnt but I thought the demons weren't still under my bed.I thought that was that.Years later I learned of sleep paralysis. This phenomena was a better descriptor for what had happened to me. Squirtle had nothing to do with it. It was just mere chance that the Pokemon happened to be under my bed that night.So, no. I don't think that most religious people are lying when they talk about the experiences they've had that “prove" their religious beliefs. Undoubtedly, many experience something real. However, I do believe that they've mistakenly attributed their experience to a cause that doesn't exist.
Do Christians believe in demons and demon possession?
Yes, and the Bible says, “These signs will follow those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons” (Mark 16:17)Jesus Christ routinely cast demons out of people during his earthly ministry. (e.g. Matthew 4:23)“Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:23)Demons are practically everywhere on earth. Just about everyone needs God’s help to escape their influence.People who play around with occult powers can go crazy and be partially or fully possessed - in extreme cases. Most of the time the demons hide their presence pretty well.Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”There are plenty of Christians who don’t believe this verse, which is why it doesn’t work for them.The best thing, if you need help to escape demonic influence, is to cry out to Jesus Christ for help. Next best thing is to find a Christian deliverance minister, if you can find one who is available to help. God bless.
Why does demonic possession only happen to religious people?
Well that isn't 100% true as I have read about (take that with a grain of salt) confirmed atheists etc who have suffered from what they described as possession. However, I am inclined to think that ALMOST all of them are mental illness of some kind. If not an all out lie for attention. Again I am sitting on the fence waiting for someone somewhere to find something definite. in the mean time I look to the earthly first.
If demonic possession is not real, does this mean that people affected by it, as well as those who believe it is real, are mentally ill?
There is no reason to think that those who believe in demonic possession are anything other than misguided and, perhaps for pious reasons, willing to believe in the impossible. Those who appear to be affected by it may be mentally ill or perhaps epileptic, but not necessarily so — only a doctor should make that diagnosis.The most dangerous possibility is that religious extremists make a diagnosis of demonic possession because someone wishes to leave the faith or otherwise fails to conform to religious expectations. There is nothing wrong with the person supposedly possessed, but something very morally wrong with the person making the claim of demonic possession.