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Demonic possession is held by many belief systems to be the spirit possession of an individual by a malevolent preternatural being, commonly known as a demon. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include erased memories or personalities, convulsions (i.e. epileptic seizures or “fits”) and fainting as if one were dying. Other descriptions include access to hidden knowledge (gnosis) and foreign languages (xenoglossy), drastic changes in vocal intonation and facial structure, the sudden appearance of injuries (scratches, bite marks) or lesions, and superhuman strength. Unlike in channeling, the subject has no control over the possessing entity and so it will persist until forced to leave the victim, usually through a form of exorcism. Many cultures and religions contain some concept of demonic possession, but the details vary considerably. The oldest references to demonic possession are from the Sumerians, who believed that all diseases of the body and mind were caused by "sickness demons" called ''gidim'' or ''gid-dim''.〔(Sumerian "gidim" )〕 The priests who practised exorcisms in these nations were called ''ashipu'' (sorcerer) as opposed to an ''asu'' (physician) who applied bandages and salves.〔(Indiana Univ: ''MEDICINE IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA'' )〕 Many cuneiform clay tablets contain prayers to certain gods asking for protection from demons, while others ask the gods to expel the demons that have invaded their bodies. Shamanic cultures also believe in demon possession and shamans perform exorcisms. In these cultures, diseases are often attributed to the presence of a vengeful spirit (or loosely termed ''demon'') in the body of the patient. These spirits are more often the spectres of animals or people wronged by the bearer, the exorcism rites usually consisting of respectful offerings or sacrificial offerings. Christianity holds that possession derives from the Devil, i.e. Satan, or one of his lesser demons. In many Christian belief systems, Satan and his demons are actually fallen angels.〔"An Exorcist Tells his Story" by Fr. Gabriele Amorth translated by Nicoletta V. MacKenzie, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1999.〕 ==Bible accounts== According to the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'': :"In the Old Testament, we have only one instance, and even that is not very certain. We are told that "an evil spirit from the Lord troubled" Saul (). The Hebrew (rûah ) need not imply a personal influence, though, if we may judge from Josephus (Ant. Jud., VI, viii, 2; ii, 2), the Jews were inclined to give the word that meaning in this very case. In New Testament times, however, the phenomenon had become very common." However, the Old Testament does contain numerous references to evil spirits, often interacting in malevolent ways with people.〔Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, "Old Testament demonology." ''Ministry: International Journal for Pastors'' 1998 (7:6), pp. 5-7. https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1998/06/old-testament-demonology〕 The New Testament mentions several episodes in which Jesus drove out demons from persons: * : Demon-possessed persons are healed by Jesus (also ). * : Many will drive out demons in Jesus' name (also ; ; ; ). * : Jesus healed many demon-possessed (also ; ). * : Jesus sent a herd of demons from two men into a herd of pigs ("about two thousand" pigs, according to the account at ; both Mark's account and , mention only the one man). * : Jesus made a demon-possessed mute man speak, the Pharisees said it was by the power of Beelzebub (also ). * : The Twelve Apostles given the authority to drive out evil spirits (also ; ; ; ; ). * : "this generation" said that John the Baptist was possessed by a demon (also ). * : Jesus healed a demon-possessed blind and dumb man (also ; ). * : Jesus told an allegory of nasty spirits coming back home, that is, to the human body where they have lived before (also ). * : Jesus expelled a demon from the body of the daughter of a Canaanite woman (also ). * : Jesus healed a boy by driving out a demon from him (also ; ). * : Jesus expelled an unclean spirit from a man (also ). * : A non-Christian is seen driving out demons in Jesus' name (also ). * : Jesus had driven seven demons out of Mary Magdalene (also ). * : Many people are cleansed from evil spirits by Jesus. * : Jesus expelled a spirit of disease from the body of a woman on the Sabbath. * : Jesus continued to cast out demons even though Herod Antipas wanted to kill him. * : Satan entered into Judas Iscariot (also ). * : A "crowd of Jews" that wanted to kill Jesus said he was demon-possessed. * : "The Jews" said Jesus was a Samaritan and demon-possessed. * : Many Jews said Jesus was raving mad and demon-possessed, others said he was not. * : Satan filled the heart of Ananias. * : The Apostles healed those tormented by evil spirits. * : At the teaching of Philip the Evangelist in Samaria, evil spirits came out of many. * : Simon Magus offered to buy the power of Laying on of hands. * : St. Peter said Jesus healed all who were under the power of the Devil. * : Paul and Silas were imprisoned for driving a future-telling spirit out of a slave girl. * : Handkerchiefs and aprons touched by Paul cured illness and drove out evil spirits. * : Seven sons of Sceva attempted to drive out evil spirits by saying: "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." But because they did not have faith in Jesus, they were unsuccessful and were actually driven from that house by the possessed. * : The Whore of Babylon is a home for demons, evil spirits and unclean birds. Acts of the Apostles also contains a number of references to people coming under the influence of the Holy Spirit (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ) which is believed to be a good thing (see Baptism with the Holy Spirit) in contrast to demonic influence. The 1902 work ''Demonic possession in the New Testament'' by Rev. William Menzies Alexander attempted to explain accounts of possession in the Synoptic Gospels, outlining their historical, medical and theological aspects. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Demonic possession」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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