why is it that catholics are the only religion that have a ritual for possession?

Answer 1

Because the Church has been in existence for centuries. This is something they set up as God's will long ago.

Protestant churches A) have not been around that long and B) (except for Episcopalians) generally do not have sacraments and rites per se.

Answer 2

Possession of what? Like Excorcism?

These rituals you speak of; I think you mean like the special liturgies for particular occasions. This talk of possession I am assuming you mean the Excorcism, which sounds a whole lot worse than it is. They perform this in the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism... It is merely symbolic, the whole thought of dedicating the life of the infant to the goodness of God, thus, all bad has to be "extinguished."

Someone had said that Catholics were the only ones with rituals. Not true. Catholics are the only ones with rituals that are written down and proclaimed. If a protestant would go to their pastor and ask them if they have a certain procedure for marrying a couple, the pastor would say yes. That would be his/her ritual for marriage.

The Catholic Rites and Rituals are written down and proclaimed so that every Catholic can experience them. Most people forget that the Church is worldwide. Every Catholic Church in the world has the same Liturgy, the same provedure for worship. This is one of the great things about Catholicism, the universality of the faith. Knowing that a person in rural Ohio, shares the same faith as a person in the middle of Tokyo, and the person that lives in a hut in Ethiopia. That's why we have rituals.

I don't know if this answers your question, but whatever... I was just frustrated at the simple narrowmindedness.

Answer 3

i am not catholic... i am apostolic & i have seen demons cast out of people during church service ... it's not a pretty sight.
it is not a "ritual" at all.
demons are cast out by the powerful name of Jesus.

i used to be protestant for most of my life, then catholic for 10 years. i never saw anything of the sort at any time during those services. as a matter of fact, nothing spiritual ever happened in these churches.
it is my opinion that the reason is b/c they don't believe in the Holy Spirit w/ the evidence of speaking in other tongues like the apostles did (acts 2:4). if you are not filled w/ the Holy Spirit, you don't have the power of discerning of spirits. those who are demon possessed don't feel any threat there b/c the Holy Spirit is not in operation there ... therefore the demons don't manifest.

Answer 4

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.

The Church has guidelines in place to take great care to exhaust psychological options before calling in an exorcist.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1673: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt4.htm#1673

Anglicanism, several Protestant denominations, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Judaism, Hinduism, Scientology, and Islam also practice some kind of exorcism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

Catholics aren't actually the ONLY ones with a "ritual" for casting out demons. I'm Pentecostal, and we believe in casting them out through speaking to them with the authority of Gods word (The Holy Bible) and his name (Jesus). For a more objective look, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_warfare#Pentecostal_and_charismatic_perspectives.

Answer 6

There are also rituals for exorcism in Islaam. God willing, I can try to provide more information on the subject if yuo'd like.

Answer 7

Catholics are the only ones who have these "ritual" things at all.

Protestants believe you should just speak from your heart.

Catholics are the only ones who believe you need a manual and step-by-step instructions.

Answer 8

You don't know much about religion I take it.

Answer 9

if you mean exorcism no they aren't the only ones.
Orthodox priests do that also.

Answer 10

their not.



Bones