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'''Exorcism''' is the [[Christian]] ritual of expelling [[demon]]s who are possessing a human being. They are rarely performed and the exact procedures vary, but, for example, Catholic rites are guarded closely by the [[Catholic|Church]]. [[Martin Malachi]] wrote a book about this in the 1970s, and a movie (''[[The Exorcist]]'' (1973)) dramatized the topic.

'''Exorcism''' is the [[Christian]] ritual of expelling [[demon]]s who are possessing a human being.  

==Exorcism in the Bible==

[[Jesus]] expelled demons, as recorded 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".  

[[Jesus]] expelled demons, as recorded 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 Beelzebub",<ref>And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."  [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 3:22 ([[NIV]])</ref> a charge generally dismissed by Christians.  

Opponents of Jesus accused him of casting out demons "by the power of Beelzebub",<ref>And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."  [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 3:22 ([[NIV]])</ref> a charge generally dismissed by Christians.