Spirit possession

Spirit possession is the belief in paranormal , supernatural , psychological and/or superstitious spirits , gods , demons / daemons ( demonic possession ), animas , extraterrestrials , or other disincarnate or extraterrestrial entities taking control of a human body , resulting in noticeable changes in health and behavior . The concept of spiritual possession exists in many religions, including Islam , Christianity , Buddhism, and Haitian Vodou and African traditions. Those who profess a belief in demonic possession have sometimes ascribed similar symptoms to those associated with mental illnesses such as psychosis , hysteria , mania , Tourette's syndrome , epilepsy , schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder to possession. A constant feature of possession is involuntary, uncensored behavior, and an extra-human, extra-social aspect to the individual's actions. He is dehumanized, bereft of normal powers of recognition and reaction, and his speech and movements are distant from the societal norm. In the cases of animal possession, the individuals deportment suggests that of an animal. Attias "Historical and folk techniques of exorcism: applications to the treatment of dissociative disorders" Journal of Personality Assessment (abstract) Strickmann, Michel.

Spirit possession is a term for the belief that animas , demons , extraterrestrials , gods , or spirits can take control of a human body . The concept of spirit possession exists in many religions, including Christianity , Buddhism , Haitian Vodou , Wicca , Hinduism, Islam and Southeast Asian and African traditions. Depending on the cultural context in which it is found, possession may be considered voluntary or involuntary and may be considered to have beneficial or detrimental effects to host. Within possession cults, the belief that one is possessed by spirits is more common among women than men.

The concept of spirit possession exists in many religions, including Christianity , Buddhism , Haitian Vodou , Wicca , Hinduism , Islam and Southeast Asian and African traditions. In a 1969 study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, spirit possession beliefs were found to exist in 74 percent of a sample of 488 societies in all parts of the world. Depending on the cultural context in which it is found, possession may be considered voluntary or involuntary and may be considered to have beneficial or detrimental effects on the host. Within possession cults, the belief that one is possessed by spirits is more common among women than men. Cross-Cultural Study of Dissociational States .

Purported control of a human body by spirits, ghosts, demons, or gods Not to be confused with Obsession (Spiritism) or Mediumship . Spirit possession is an unusual or an altered state of consciousness and associated behaviors which are purportedly caused by the control of a human body by spirits , ghosts , demons , or gods . The concept of spirit possession exists in many cultures and religions, including Buddhism , Christianity , Haitian Vodou , Dominican Vodou , Hinduism , Islam , Wicca , and Southeast Asian , African , and Native American traditions. Depending on the cultural context in which it is found, possession may be considered voluntary or involuntary and may be considered to have beneficial or detrimental effects on the host. In a 1969 study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health , spirit possession beliefs were found to exist in 74% of a sample of 488 societies in all parts of the world, with the highest numbers of believing societies in Pacific cultures and the lowest incidence among Native Americans of both North and South America . As Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian churches move into both African and Oceanic areas, a merger of belief can take place, with demons becoming representative of the "old" indigenous religions, which the Christian ministers attempt to exorcise . HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory . 11 (2).

Purported control of a human body by spirits, ghosts, demons, or gods Not to be confused with Obsession (Spiritism) or Mediumship . Spirit possession is an altered state of consciousness and associated behaviors which are purportedly caused by the control of a human body and its functions by spirits , ghosts , demons , angels , or gods . The concept of spirit possession exists in many cultures and religions, including Buddhism , Hinduism , Islam , Christianity , Judaism , Wicca , Haitian Vodou , Dominican Vudú , and Southeast Asian , African , and Native American traditions. Depending on the cultural context in which it is found, possession may be thought of as voluntary or involuntary and may be considered to have beneficial or detrimental effects on the host. The experience of spirit possession sometimes serves as evidence in support of belief in the existence of spirits, deities or demons. In a 1969 study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health , spirit-possession beliefs were found to exist in 74% of a sample of 488 societies in all parts of the world, with the highest numbers of believing societies in Pacific cultures and the lowest incidence among Native Americans of both North and South America . As Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian churches move into both African and Oceanic areas, a merger of belief can take place, with demons becoming representative of the "old" indigenous religions, which Christian ministers attempt to exorcise . HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory . 11 (2). The Epistemology of Spirit Beliefs . Regarding an experience as a possession-experience can serve a psychological need and be veridical at the same time. [...] [...] possession-experiences [...] can [...] provide prima facie justification for a set of beliefs regarding spirits and their natures.] Bourguignon & Ucko (1969) .