Is exorcism practised by Catholics, a form of superstitious cult-practice?

Question

Just can't believe it! Religious people from a Catholic church in modern Singapore engaging in a ritual that originated in AD200 ... devils, demons, etc.

I don't see any difference between this so-called exorcism (that attempts to "cure" a sick person by getting rid of the "devil" in her body) to the many other forms of supersttious rituals practise by various other cults or beliefs viz black magic, voodooism, etc.

You have this person (Mdm Valli) who obviously needed medical attention by a qualified medical practitioner. Instead she was (according to the report in Straits Times, 31 Aug2006) subjected to more than two hours of exorcism whereby she was pinned down, throttled and verbally abused" ! Unbelievable! How very sad.. because, according to her husband, she became "a hysterical person who breaks down often". Her doctor says Mdm Valli's symptoms "are a direct result of the traumatic incident that she experienced at the church" !

Answer 1

Catholics have been casting out demons ever since Jesus and the Apostles did it.

Modern psychology says that most of the people who had demons cast out of them were probably miraculously cured from schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. But their cures were still miracles.

The Catholic Church believes that real demonic possessions are rare but possible, so they keep a few exorcists around just in case.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I am not saying that the Rite of Exorcism has not been abused at some time in the Catholic Church. But, the Rite of Exorcism is taken very serious in the Catholic Church and is not entered in to lightly. In a Diocese there is generally only one Priest that has the authority to perform the act of Exorcism and can only do so with the approval of the Bishop. I know of no recent case where the Bishop has allowed an Exorcism Rite without requiring a medical certificate from a licensed medical doctor. It is also amusing to me that the Catholic Church is labeled as the Church of the Exorcism when it is a common practice in most Pentecostal Protestant and Non-Denominational Churches such as The Assemblies of God, What use to be called the "Holinist" or "Holy Roller" Churches are known for demon possession and ending services with an invitation for people to come forward and have demons exorcised from them. Even the lay people in these churches are thought to have the power to exorcise demons from people I guess the stigma for the Catholic Church comes from the horror movies on Exorcisms and I suppose it appears more holy or more dramatic if a man in a black suit and white collar holding a crucifix and holy water performs it.

Answer 3

yes they are
some people believe in demons and the catholic church does.
theres even exorcists in the vatican.

Answer 4

Yes, burn em at the stake !!!!!!!!!