Isn't the concept of demonic posession in direct conflict with the guarantee of free will?

Question

If you believe your creator has given you the inalienable right to free will, how could you possibly square that with the belief that sinister and profane forces could remove that right? Aren't these two ideas mutually exclusive?

Daewen - I am intrigued by you explanation. Please expound upon what you mean. Also, I don't know why you used an ellipsis, and you should know that when used at the end of a sentence, it becomes four dots (as it is the ellipsis plus the period) rather than just three.

The rest of you - very good. There are a lot of differing opinions out there over this, and I am fascinated by the myriad of explanations. Thank you.

Answer 1

Yet another reason for my non belief.

Just another contradiction in the mountain of many.

Answer 2

Hi Sandra. The Catholic position on demonic possession is that it can and does occur. However Catholics are not of the mind that 'everything' is caused by demonic possession. In fact the Catholic position on demonic possession is very serious. One reason that Catholics insist on infant Baptism is to sign the child over to Christ thus putting him or her out of the reach of demonic possession. Catholics do not believe that alcoholism, drug addiction and other common ills of today's society are necessarily caused by demonic possession. At non-Catholic prayer meetings you often see the preacher doing impromptu exorcisms expelling, for example, the demon of alcoholism, drug addiction etc. This doesn't happen in the Catholic Church. No one can perform an exorcism except by order of the Diocesan Bishop and only after the case has been evaluated and it has been determined that it is a case of authentic demonic possession. Some signs of demonic possession? The possessed person will have knowledge not privy to the person otherwise. The possessed person will understand languages he has never learned. How does one become possessed? One, by not being Baptized. Two by willingly renouncing the vows of his/her Baptism and actively courting the 'dark side.' What makes then vulnerable? Failing to be Baptized. Gross indifference. And/or by deliberately walking on the dark side. Finally, when a Bishop does order an exorcism the Priest or Priests (trained in Exorcism) will have to prepare by prayer, penance, etc. They don't just do the exorcism like you see in the movies. This can take a week or two. Also, a community of Religious will be praying for the success of the exorcism so the exorcist Priest(s) will not be alone. I hope that helped. H

Answer 3

It is inaccurate to say the creator gave us an "inalienable right" to free will.

Christian tradition has generally regarded the will as a faculty, like vision, rather than a right.

The difference is that a faculty can be dulled or denied through improper use. The will is a faculty which must be properly maintained. I can dull or deny my own free will by building up bad habits or addictions. An alcoholic's will could not be said to be completely free with respect to alcohol.

Demonic possession fits into the space of slavery opened up by an improper use of freedom. Christianity tends to see demonic possession as something that is invited by sin - the righteousness of faith is usually shown to defend against demonic invasion (like in the Life of Saint Anthony, the earliest Christian biography other than the Gospels).

If free will were somehow inalienable, then neither demonic possession nor alcoholism would make any sense. But since free will is a faculty, like vision, it can be diminished through improper use.

Answer 4

Generally demon possession can only be brought about by someone seeking after arcane arts, prying where they ought not to be, and similar acts. Through their actions and/or words, they invite demons into their lives/bodies. This action is by their choice of free will. Having made that choice, the possession is an act of free will, like committing a crime is an act of free will, but regardless of later actions to atone, punishment must still be meted.
Whew! I'm not sure that's very understandable, but I think I know what I just said.

Answer 5

Not really.

Although most people are given free will and the responsibility that goes along with it, there is no real guarantee of free will.

A lot of things can deprive people temporarily or even permanently of free will:
+ Insanity
+ Mental Retardation
+ Stroke
+ Coma
+ Alzheimer's Disease

God takes all factors into account when we finally meet Him face to face.

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

Very true! In order to maintain freewill, the demon would have to leave if the person ever wished it to.

Even if the demon was initially invited, then the person should be able to un-invite it.

Edit:
Demon possession as a result of your ancestors' sin? That is even a stronger proof against free will.

Answer 7

It sure does.

So does the story of Adam and Eve.

Imagine a God that would allow people without a knowledge of Good or Evil to be tempted by the father of lies. There was not free will at play in that scenario, because neither of them were capable of discerning good from evil.

Demon possession if believed, denotes that God is willing to allow Satan to take away free will, to ensure eternal torture for some people, but is unwilling to step in and stop him from doing it. Kinda like letting Satan temp a person who doesn't know right from wrong, like Eve.

Answer 8

I can use my free will to remain free or I can yield it over to something else. That 'something else' may start being under my control but will slowly usurp authority and over rule my free will. I was made with a free will but IF I yield it over to demons, it is my actions not God's creation that is at fault. Even if I yield unknowingly (through channeling or some other occult practice).

Answer 9

Children are protected by believing parents till the age of accountability. The choice to believe or not to believe is the free-will choice. If one chooses not to believe, they leave their children, as well as themselves, unprotected from possession and the influence of satanic forces. The battle in the spiritual realm is very real and human souls are the prize. The only weapon Satan has to hurt God is stealing as many of our souls, away from God, as he can before the end. comes.

Answer 10

No. Having our right to free will removed is proof that we have a sinful nature.

You have a choice to continue to do the things that lead to your will being taken over by evil spirits.

In the same light, you have a choice to seek deliverance from evil spirits.

Answer 11

Excellent point - if, as numerous people claim, God gave you free will to see what you will do with it, then demonic possession would negate that purpose. Which leads us to either on of two inevitable conclusions:

1. God is not all powerful;
2. Our assumptions about free will or God are incorrect.