Page 86 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - Late January 2019

86 Exorcism! Driving Out the Nonsense

Exorcism! Driving Out the

Nonsense

Joe Nickell

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER

Belief in demonic possession is getting a
new propaganda boost. Not only has
the 1973 horror movie The Exorcist
been re-released, but the “true story”
that inspired it is chronicled in a
reissued book and a made-for-TV
movie, both titled Possessed (Allen
2000). However, a year-long
investigation by a Maryland writer
(Opsasnik 2000), together with my own
analysis of events chronicled in the
exorcising priest’s diary, belie the claim
that a teenage boy was possessed by
Satan in 1949.
Paris to credulous thousands. There were a few claimed that, had she not been held down, she
Psychology Versus Possession skeptics, but Cardinal Richelieu rejected having would have been levitating! At that point a
Jeanne tested by having her hand enclosed in a group of magicians, psychologists, and other
Belief in spirit possession flourishes in times sealed glove. He felt that would amount to skeptics with whom I was watching the video
and places where there is ignorance about testing God (Nickell 1998, 230-231). gleefully encouraged, “Let her go! Let her go!”
mental states. Citing biblical examples, the Interestingly enough, while I was researching (Nickell 1995)
medieval Church taught that demons were able and writing this article I was called to southern
to take control of an individual, and by the Ontario on a case of dubious possession that also “True Story”
involved stigmata.
sixteenth century demonic behavior had become
Possession can be childishly simple to
relatively stereotypical. It manifested itself by Demonstrating prodigious strength, speaking in
fake. For example, an exorcism broadcast by
convulsions, prodigious strength, insensitivity to an unknown language, and exhibiting other
pain, temporary blindness or deafness, ABC’s 20/20 in 1991 featured a sixteen-year-old allegedly diabolical feats supposedly
clairvoyance, and other abnormal girl who, her family claimed, was possessed by characterize the “true story” behind The
characteristics. Some early notions of ten separate demonic entities. However, to Exorcist. The 1973 horror movie-starring Linda
possession may have been fomented by three skeptics her alleged possession seemed to be Blair as the devil-plagued victim-was based on
brain disorders: epilepsy, migraine, and indistinguishable from poor acting. She even the 1971 bestselling novel of that title by
Tourette’s syndrome (Beyerstein 1988). stole glances at the camera before affecting William Peter Blatty. The movie, reports one
convulsions and other "demonic” behavior
Psychiatric historians have long attributed writer, “somehow reached deep into the
(Nickell 1998).
demonic manifestations to such aberrant mental subconscious and stirred up nameless fears.”
Of course a person with a strong impulse
conditions as schizophrenia and hysteria, noting Some moviegoers vomited or fainted, while
that-as mental illness began to be recognized as to feign diabolic possession may indeed be others left trembling, and there were “so many
such after the seventeenth century-there was a mentally disturbed. Although the teenager in the outbreaks of hysteria that, at some theaters,
consequent decline in demonic superstitions 20/20 episode reportedly improved after the nurses and ambulances were on call.” Indeed,
(Baker 1992, 192). In 1999 the Vatican did exorcism, it was also pointed out that she “Many sought therapy to rid themselves of fears
update its 1614 guidelines for expelling demons, continued “on medication” ("Exorcism” 1991). they could not explain. Psychiatrists were
urging exorcists to avoid mistaking psychiatric To add to the complexity, the revised Vatican writing about cases of 'cinematic neurosis'”
guidelines also urge, appropriately, against
illness for possession ("Vatican” 1999). (Allen 2000, viii-ix).
believing a person is possessed who is merely
In many cases, however, supposed Blatty had heard about the exorcism
“the victim of one’s own imagination”
demonic possession can be a learned role that performed in 1949 and, almost two decades
fulfills certain important functions for those ("Vatican” 1999). later, had written to the exorcist to inquire about
claiming it. In his book Hidden Memories: With less modern enlightenment, it. However the priest, Father William S.
Voices and Visions from Within, psychologist however, the guidelines also reflect Pope John Bowdern, declined to assist Blatty because he
Robert A. Baker (1992) notes that possession Paul II’s efforts to convince doubters that the had been directed by the archbishop to keep it
was sometimes feigned by nuns to act out sexual devil actually exists. In various homilies John secret. He did tell Blatty-then a student at
frustrations, protest restrictions, escape Paul has denounced Satan as a “cosmic liar and Washington’s Georgetown University, a Jesuit
murderer.” A Vatican official who presented the
unpleasant duties, attract attention and institution-about the diary an assisting priest had
revised rite stated, “The existence of the devil
sympathy, and fulfill other useful functions. kept of the disturbing events (Allen 2000, ix-x).
isn't an opinion, something to take or leave as
Many devout claimants of stigmata, The diary-written by Father Raymond J.
inedia, and other powers, have also exhibited you wish. Anyone who says he doesn't exist Bishop-consisted of an original 26-page, single-
alleged demonic possession. For example, at wouldn't have the fullness of the Catholic faith” spaced typescript and three carbon copies, one
Loudon, France, a prioress, Sister Jeanne des ("Vatican” 1999). of which was eventually provided to Thomas B.
Anges (1602-1665), was part of a contagious Unchallenged by the new exorcism Allen, author of Possessed, and included as an
outbreak of writhing, convulsing nuns. Jeanne guidelines is the acceptance of such alleged appendix to the 2000 edition of the book. The
herself exhibited stigmatic designs and lettering signs of possession as demonstrating copy came from Father Walter Halloran, who
supernormal physical force and speaking in
on her skin. A bloody cross “appeared” on her had also assisted with the exorcism. Halloran
unknown tongues. In the case broadcast by
forehead, and the names of Jesus, Mary, and verified the authenticity of the diary and stated
20/20, the teenage girl did exhibit "tongues”
others were found on her hand-always clustered that it had been read and approved by Bowdern
on her left hand, just as expected if a right- (known as glossolalia [Nickell 1998, 103-109]), (Allen 2000, 243, 301).
handed person were marking them. She went on but it was unimpressive; she merely chanted:
tour as a “walking relic” and was exhibited in “Sanka dali. Booga, booga.” She did struggle (Continued on Page 87)
against the restraining clerics, one of whom