Demonic possession in children

[byzgirl]

I wan’t sure where to post this question.

Recently, I saw a television commercial for ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’. Of course, we all remember the original movie, “The Exorcist”. Actually, I’ve never been able to watch the movie the entire way through.

I’ve always wondered this: why is it possible for children to become demonically possessed? What are the circumstances surrounding such a terrible occurence. Wouldn’t they be too innocent and not in a state of grave sin, to have such a thing occur? What is the reasoning behind such rare, but frightening events (in children).

I also wonder how it is possible for the polar opposite to occur…the ‘sainthood’ of very young children (almost a predestination)…before a child can really sin or make any decisions.

What is the mystery behind these happenings? I’m most curious about the first (the demonic)…which seems so odd for young children.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I wan’t sure where to post this question.

Recently, I saw a television commercial for ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’. Of course, we all remember the original movie, “The Exorcist”. Actually, I’ve never been able to watch the movie the entire way through.

I’ve always wondered this: why is it possible for children to become demonically possessed? What are the circumstances surrounding such a terrible occurence. Wouldn’t they be too innocent and not in a state of grave sin, to have such a thing occur? What is the reasoning behind such rare, but frightening events (in children).

I also wonder how it is possible for the polar opposite to occur…the ‘sainthood’ of very young children (almost a predestination)…before a child can really sin or make any decisions.

What is the mystery behind these happenings? I’m most curious about the first (the demonic)…which seems so odd for young children.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

According to what I have read, The Exorcist was based upon the account of an exorcism performed upon a possessed boy who was 13 years old and had been heavily influenced by his aunt, who was a medium and who taught him the use of the Ouija board. If this account is true, and I don’t know for sure, this involves an older child, a teenager, not a very young one, and also dabbling in the occult, which could open the way for demon possession. A 13 year old is certainly capable of making some decisions and sinning, in most cases, although they are probably not as fully culpable as an adult would be. But who knows how mature this particular boy was,or if he realized that dabbling in occult things was sinful and dangerous.

 

[promethius]

I wan’t sure where to post this question.

Recently, I saw a television commercial for ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’. Of course, we all remember the original movie, “The Exorcist”. Actually, I’ve never been able to watch the movie the entire way through.

I’ve always wondered this: why is it possible for children to become demonically possessed? What are the circumstances surrounding such a terrible occurence. Wouldn’t they be too innocent and not in a state of grave sin, to have such a thing occur? What is the reasoning behind such rare, but frightening events (in children).

I also wonder how it is possible for the polar opposite to occur…the ‘sainthood’ of very young children (almost a predestination)…before a child can really sin or make any decisions.

What is the mystery behind these happenings? I’m most curious about the first (the demonic)…which seems so odd for young children.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Emily Rose was a college student. The boy in the exorcist (the real life case was not a girl) was a young teenager, not a little girl.

Further, the church has declared that the Emily Rose was NOT actually possessed but rather suffered from multiple psychological disorders. This is consistant with several doctors’ prognoses. The priest in the movie acted in rogue manner, violating the strictures of the church and the instruction of practiced medical professionals. in other words, the priest was in the wrong to proceed with the exorcism.

However, it has to be said that no one is safe from demonic influence if they are wandering from the path of God. Even a young child can be brought up to be weak and open to evil. As the child reaches the age of culpability (generally considered to be seven years of age) they have formed enough conscience to determine right from wrong. Beyond that point they are fully open to accepting demonic influence just as easily as adults.