Most Protestants do not believe in demonic possession as such.
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.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.
“Most Protestants do not believe in demonic possession as such.”
If you lump Evangelicals with Protestants (and many do), you need to get out more. We absolutely believe in demonic possession! I have (Baptist) friends on the foreign mission field who have dealt with their share of demons. And some here in the states.
I recall when I was little and our family was camping out with other ministers’ families, at night in our tents we overheard discussions with a missionary friend from Liberia. The subject came up and it scared the crap out of us for years.
At Seminary, we’re sure there were artifacts in the Missions Professor’s office, on the floor below our dorm, that were possessed. Thumping, bumping, moving, etc., went on quite often. He had brought them home when he retired from being a missionary. Once he got rid of some them, all was quiet.