An exorcism is a religious practice that is used to rid a person or place of a supernatural or malevolent being or force The act of exorcism can take many forms, and is usually performed with the intention of saving the person or place from the evil that has taken hold of them. An exorcism can be done in a variety of ways, from prayer and ritual to physical force, depending on the situation and the type of spirit or entity being forced out.
Exorcisms have been practiced throughout history, from ancient civilizations to modern times, though the specifics may have varied depending on the culture and time period. Today, many religions have their own set of rules and guidelines for performing an exorcism, as well as for determining what constitutes an acceptable cause for an exorcism to be performed. This often includes spiritual forces that are believed to be holding people or places back, such as possession by demons or evil spirits.
One of the most famous exorcisms in the world is the one depicted in the film The Exorcist, which follows the story of a young girl who is possessed by a demonic force. This seminal horror movie, which was released in 1973, has inspired numerous other works and remains one of the most popular examples of exorcism in pop culture today.
Below are five of the best examples of exorcism in film and literature:
1. The Exorcist (1973): The Exorcist is a horror film about a young girl who is possessed by a demon and the priest who is called in to exorcise it from her. The film is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time and has been the basis for numerous remakes and sequels.
2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005): This film is based on a true story and depicts the story of a young woman who is haunted by a demonic presence. Unlike The Exorcist, this film follows the story from the point of view of a lawyer who is hired to defend the priest who performed the exorcism.
3. The Possession (2012): This horror movie follows the story of a Jewish girl who has been possessed by a dybbuk, a malevolent spirit in Jewish mythology. The movie follows the family as they battle the dybbuk and try to save the girl’s soul.
4. The Amityville Horror (1979): This horror movie is based on the true story of a family who purchases a haunted house on Long Island. The family is terrorized by a variety of entities, including a pig-like demon, and must enlist the help of a priest to save them.
5. The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel (2005): This book is based on a true story and follows the heartbreaking tale of a German girl who was subjected to multiple exorcisms in an attempt to rid her of demonic possession. The book deals with themes of religion and mental illness and is a powerful read.
Exorcisms are a fascinating topic and can be explored in a variety of forms, from film and literature to television and music. Though the practice has often been seen as controversial, it is still alive and well in many parts of the world, and is believed to have life-saving potential for those who suffer from spiritual afflictions.