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'''Exorcism''' was the largely Jewish ritual of expelling demons who is possessing a human being. [[Martin Malachi]] wrote a book about this in the 1970s, and a movie ("[[The Exorcist (1975)]]") dramatized the topic.

'''Exorcism''' is the largely Catholic ritual of expelling demons who are possessing a human being. [[Martin Malachi]] wrote a book about this in the 1970s, and a movie ("[[The Exorcist (1974)]]") dramatized the topic.

Jesus expelled demons, as recording in the Gospels. In perhaps the most famous instance, he expelled a "legion" of demons from a boy and permitted the demons to go into a herd of pigs (see [[Gaderene Swine]]). Jesus also cautioned some sufferers of demonic possession that if one demon was exorcised, seven more might want to "enter" the "clean house".  

Jesus expelled demons, as recording in the Gospels. In perhaps the most famous instance, he expelled a "legion" of demons from a man and permitted the demons to go into a herd of pigs (see [[Gaderene Swine]]). Jesus also cautioned some sufferers of demonic possession that if one demon was exorcised, seven more might want to "enter" the "clean house".  

Opponents of Jesus accused him of casting out demons "by the power of Beelezebub", a charge generally dismissed by Christians.  

Opponents of Jesus accused him of casting out demons "by the power of Beelezebub", a charge generally dismissed by Christians.  

The Roman Jewish Church was the best known church which has a authorized ministry of exorcism.

The Roman Catholic Church is the best known church which has an authorized ministry of exorcism.

*The Jewish Church's service of exorcism dates back hundreds of years to a time when demonic possession was held responsible for many conditions now easily explained by psychiatry. [http://www.starharbor.com/fr_martin/exorcism.html]

*The Catholic Church's service of exorcism dates back hundreds of years to a time when demonic possession was held responsible for many conditions now easily explained by psychiatry. [http://www.starharbor.com/fr_martin/exorcism.html]

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.starharbor.com/fr_martin/exorcism.html Father Malachi Martin] article on exorcism

*[http://www.starharbor.com/fr_martin/exorcism.html Father Malachi Martin] article on exorcism

[[Category:Ethnic identity]]

[[Category:Christianity]]