To perform an exorcism, the Bible is usually appealed to.
The etymology of exorcism takes us to the late Latin exorcismus , which in turn derives from the Greek word exorkismos . The concept refers to the ritual that is carried out with the aim of warding off the demon .
Before continuing, it is important to keep in mind that exorcism is a practice linked to faith and spirituality . For its realization to be logical, one must believe in the existence of the devil or other evil forces capable of influencing the physical world and the lives of human beings .
Exorcism against possession
Those who believe that the devil, spirits and other similar entities exist, usually maintain that these entities can take possession of an animal, a person, an object or a place. What is possessed, in this way, begins to "function" under the control of the force in question.
Continuing with this belief, it is stated that exorcism is the spell that allows the demon to be expelled from the person who is possessed . Exorcism generally consists of a series of actions (such as the pronunciation of certain words or the imposition of a cross ) that, according to this perspective, achieve the removal of the devil, the spirit, etc.
"The Exorcist" is a film based on a novel whose plot revolves around the exorcism of a girl.
Religion vs. science
It is essential to consider from which perspective the question of exorcism is analyzed. While for the Catholic religion it is a procedure of great importance that was carried out even by Jesus Christ and whose formulas already appear collected in publications with more than a thousand years of history, science affirms that it is an act foreign to reason .
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church ( CIC ), the institution itself has the "power" and "office" to perform exorcisms. Once demonic possession has been confirmed, according to the precepts established by religion , a bishop (or a priest authorized by him) can proceed with the exorcization following the established formula.
From a scientific point of view, however, possessions do not exist, so it is not possible to carry out an exorcism. In other words: what is called exorcism is a practice that makes no sense since, if there is no demon, it cannot be "removed." Many of the cases presented as possessions are, for scientists, situations derived from psychiatric illnesses or psychological disorders .
Exorcism in literature and cinema
Beyond the different positions, the truth is that exorcisms usually generate fascination. That is why many novels and movies revolve around these rituals.
Possibly the most famous work of this group is "The Exorcist" ( "The Exorcist" , in its original language), born as a book written by William Peter Blatty that was published in 1971 and made into a film two years later. Its plot revolves around Regan MacNeil (played by Linda Blair in the film), a girl who suffers possession and is subjected to an exorcism.
"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" ("The Exorcism of Emily Rose") es otra cinta popular centrada en esta theme. Se inspira en la historia real de una joven alemana que, apoyada por sus padres, abandonó un tratamiento psiquiátrico para ser exorcizada, falleciendo finalmente por deshidratación y desnutrición y sin recibir atención médica. Sus progenitores y los dos sacerdotes que participaron del ritual fueron juzgados y condenados por haber cometido un negligent homicide.