Demonic Possession...?

[Ora_et_Labora_1]

Dear Atrandomdutch,

A person can be harassed by demons but not be possessed. Actual possession is rare, but other levels of demonization, such as oppression, is more common.

Is demonic possession opposed to the concept of free will (the way I understand it, and I could be wrong, is that the demon has control over your body)? Or does it only happen if you have given accent to it (by living in sin, etc.)?

Also, what category do mediums that channel spirits (I’m thinking of Spiritists here, because of my family’s envolvement with them) fall under?

 

[beckycmarie]

Is demonic possession opposed to the concept of free will (the way I understand it, and I could be wrong, is that the demon has control over your body)? Or does it only happen if you have given accent to it (by living in sin, etc.)?

Also, what category do mediums that channel spirits (I’m thinking of Spiritists here, because of my family’s envolvement with them) fall under?

Generally for a possession to happen, a person has to invite the demon(s) in, either through the occult or living in serious sin. A demon can control the body but not the soul. The person still has free will.

As far as mediums who channel spirits - the only spirits they are channeling are demons, and what they are doing is a dangerous direct invitation for a possession. People who go to mediums for advice also put themselves in danger, and in grave sin by violating the first commandment.

 

[Ora_et_Labora_1]

Generally for a possession to happen, a person has to invite the demon(s) in, either through the occult or living in serious sin. A demon can control the body but not the soul. The person still has free will.

As far as mediums who channel spirits - the only spirits they are channeling are demons, and what they are doing is a dangerous direct invitation for a possession. People who go to mediums for advice also put themselves in danger, and in grave sin by violating the first commandment.

Thanks for the reply. These Spiritist meetings my relatives (and many other people) go to seem, at first glance, to be harmless enough: spirits are channeled who tell us that we must evolve if we are to be spirits of light, and that to evolve we must do good deeds. One minor detail though: they say that Christ was just a man (though a very evolved spirit) and that he did not resurrect; he reincarnated. Though they are very relativistic (saying that one need not follow any religion), they are very steeped in Catholic/Christian concepts and whatnot, which makes them even more vicious than if they were just “simple” mediums; i.e., they take Christian concepts and twist their meaning. Obviously they have “no need” for the Sacraments and for the Church (which they only identify as the group constituted by the clergy, which as perverted Christ’s “message”; the Church as mystical body of Christ is disregarded by them). They constantly teach falsities about the Catholic Church; interestingly enough, they claim that they sometimes channel Catholic saints and have psycographies made by them.

I bet you can imagine what living in a house where these views prevail is like to one’s faith.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Thanks for the reply. These Spiritist meetings my relatives (and many other people) go to seem, at first glance, to be harmless enough: spirits are channeled who tell us that we must evolve if we are to be spirits of light, and that to evolve we must do good deeds. One minor detail though: they say that Christ was just a man (though a very evolved spirit) and that he did not resurrect; he reincarnated. Though they are very relativistic (saying that one need not follow any religion), they are very steeped in Catholic/Christian concepts and whatnot, which makes them even more vicious than if they were just “simple” mediums; i.e., they take Christian concepts and twist their meaning. Obviously they have “no need” for the Sacraments and for the Church (which they only identify as the group constituted by the clergy, which as perverted Christ’s “message”; the Church as mystical body of Christ is disregarded by them). They constantly teach falsities about the Catholic Church; interestingly enough, they claim that they sometimes channel Catholic saints and have psycographies made by them.

I bet you can imagine what living in a house where these views prevail is like to one’s faith.

If I had to live in a house where these views prevail and where people were involved in the occult, I’d be saying the prayer to St. Michael a lot, and sprinkling holy water all over the place. I’d have a shrine in my bedroom and my room would be off limits to anyone who practices the occult. I admire your ability to live with this.

 

[Ceil-1]

Well… there are spirits of depression, anger, scrupulosity, and all negative attitudes. (Fallen angels). These spirits influence a person, not necessarily possess a person. Demonic possession is hardly necessary for the devil to do damage. If one is in a state of sin, he is particularly vulnerable to these influences.

Partake of the Sacraments, including confession as soon as you are able. Make use of sacramentals such as holy water and the rosary, the devil hates that. You can use those before you enter the Church.

Most importantly, pray. A lot. If available, visit the Blessed Sacrament and pour your heart out to the Lord. Remember that this scrupulosity is also an influence of malevolant spirits, but they can’t hurt you unless you pay attention, so, ignore it. When tempted to feel bad, think about God, angels, the Blessed Mother, the saints, heavenly things. You’ll be fine.

 

[napoli426]

I would suggest everyone read Father Gabriele Amorth. In recent times, we have been lead to believe by some of our church leaders that the devil does not exist. That is plain stupid. I would suggest anyone who thinks this read the Catechism. In fact, Pope John Paul II said “not believing in the devil is not believing in the Gospel”. That might be a slight paraphrase…but you get my point.

Lastly, I believe many Bishops have done a disservice by abandoning the position of exorcist in there diocese or removing it altogether. Satan is alive and well…we should never forget that. But…we should never lose hope…we have Jesus!!!

 

[garysibio]

The Apostle said we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of a sound mind.

This being so, why do so many Pentecostals (and I’ve met gobs) live in bondage, believing that they see a demon or two behind every coffee pot?

One Pentecostal lady of my acquaintance blames everything that doesn’t go her way (including a failed marriage that not even the groom was in favor of, or jobs she’s been fired from) as being “the devil coming against her.” She’s not one bit interested in hearing about how her own bad choices might have something to do with it.

Your past involvement with the occult might be a good reason for you to be received at least by conditional baptism, so the pre-baptismal exorcisms can be read over you and you can make a formal, public confession of faith.

That should take care of any lingering occult willies.

To be fair, not all Pentecostals are that demon-happy. I once heard a tape by a Pentecostal preacher by the name of Bob Mumford. He said that a woman he knew once came up to him and was complaining about Satan and his demons attacking her and Mumford told her that he knew her well enough to know that Satan would not bother wasting a used demon on her.

Gary

 

[garysibio]

I would suggest everyone read Father Gabriele Amorth. In recent times, we have been lead to believe by some of our church leaders that the devil does not exist. That is plain stupid. I would suggest anyone who thinks this read the Catechism. In fact, Pope John Paul II said “not believing in the devil is not believing in the Gospel”. That might be a slight paraphrase…but you get my point.

Lastly, I believe many Bishops have done a disservice by abandoning the position of exorcist in there diocese or removing it altogether. Satan is alive and well…we should never forget that. But…we should never lose hope…we have Jesus!!!

That’s a great line from the pope. Do you have any idea where I might find it?

Gary

 

[garysibio]

That’s a great line from the pope. Do you have any idea where I might find it?

Gary

Never mind, I found it. It was from a conversation with Fr. Amaroth.

Gary