[Quix]

Actually, even 40 years ago the scientific psychological and sociological RESEARCH documented that your assumptions on that score are generally speaking 99% or so of the time

WHOLESALE WRONG.

Experienced pastors, deacons, elders and even laymen and women did quite well at discerning the difference between demon possession/oppression and mental illness. And, they could generally detect when both were a factor.

If I had my dissertation handy, I’d give you the references. I’ve misplaced it in the chaos somehow.

[OpusatFR]

“Experienced pastors, deacons, elders and even laymen and women did quite well at discerning the difference between demon possession/oppression and mental illness”

Really.

Makes one wonder what a five year FP/IM Psych residency is good for nowadays.

[stfassisi]

Experienced pastors, deacons, elders and even laymen and women did quite well at discerning the difference between demon possession/oppression and mental illness. And, they could generally detect when both were a factor.

Prove it ! Plenty of this is quackery with people claiming they exorcised a demon and taking advantage of the mentally ill for self gain and fame.It could be them who are demoniacally influenced and being mislead by thinking God is leading them