Exorcism
Exorcism,
practice of expelling demons
or evil spirits from people or places that are possessed,
or are in danger of possession, by them.
Exorcism
usually is performed by a person with special religious
authority, such as a priest or shaman.
The practice was common in ancient societies and was based
on the practice of magic.
Ancient
Babylonian civilization,
in what is now Iraq, had special priests who would destroy
a clay or wax image of a demon in a ritual meant to destroy
the actual demon.
The
ancient Egyptians and Greeks had similar rites. Many
religions in various parts of the world continue the practice
of exorcism.
The
Bible includes a number of references to demons and exorcism.
The New Testament describes occasions when Jesus
Christ expelled evil spirits by prayer and the power
of his command.
In
the Roman Catholic church, exorcism is an order that priests
may practice with special permission. It is mainly used
as a preparation for the sacrament of baptism.
see
also:
The
Roman Catholic Exorcism & Exorcising
Devils and Demons
"Exorcism,"
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com
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