A simple test is to observe the patient's reaction to a crucifix or holy water.
I'm particularly interested in schizophrenia, where people hear voices, etc. Such cases certainly sound like demonic oppression or possession. It's also my understanding that medication simply "zombifies" the patient, rather than curing the problem.
I watched a secular program regarding exorcism which showed Fundamentalist Christians exorcising demons from a person who had been diagnosed as schizophrenic. The evidence seemed to indicate possession since the spirits attacked several of the people performing the exorcism. The video showed several of the exorcists at various points in the exorcism being overcome by what they claimed to be an outside force.
True, but as Fr. Amorth says sometimes the signs are very subtle at first. The devil tries to hide his presence and may not fully appear right away.
I'm particularly interested in schizophrenia, where people hear voices, etc. Such cases certainly sound like demonic oppression or possession. It's also my understanding that medication simply "zombifies" the patient, rather than curing the problem.
Absolutely. The stories I could tell!
The evidence seemed to indicate possession since the spirits attacked several of the people performing the exorcism. The video showed several of the exorcists at various points in the exorcism being overcome by what they claimed to be an outside force.
Exorcism is a serious business. While every baptized Christian is technically able to drive out demons, only specifically trained people should attempt it. In Catholicism, it used to be a very, very, very holy priest was chosen and trained for the task. Anyone else is playing with fire.