[Steve_Seattle]

Exorcism is commonly reported in the Gospels. What are you talking about? I suspect that your problem is that it is a Catholic priest who wrote the book.

[ifinnegan]

“Exorcism is commonly reported in the Gospels. What are you talking about? I suspect that your problem is that it is a Catholic priest who wrote the book.”

Nothing approximating the Hollywood dog and pony show of “ exorcists” is ever reported in the bible.

[higgmeister]

Steve, it's not the fact that a Priest wrote it.

Most Protestants do not believe in demonic possession as such.

A belief in demons is explicable sociologically and psychologically. It is undeniable that there are people who claim to believe in demons, but – since demons do not exist – it is their belief with which we should deal, not demons. In this case exorcism would be inappropriate, since what is to be dealt with is false belief. To pretend to accept a situation which is false is not a means of bringing people to the truth. Those who take this view stress that the normal ministry of word and sacraments, together with appropriate pastoral care, can deal with these situations. Fears and anxieties can be dealt with by the assurance of the presence and love of Christ. On this basis, the wholeness which God wills for all people can be discovered and the necessity of exorcism is excluded.

This holds that the only sound pastoral practice is based on reconciliation with the truth, which is that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is real whereas evil spirits are not.