# Why is Demonic Posession So Rare? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 14, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100 "2009-09-14T22:46:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kitemaker\_chuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a88e4f/32.png) [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/21 "2009-09-15T02:59:08Z")
Don’t forget to pay your exorcist bills, or you’ll be repossessed! ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/22 "2009-09-15T03:04:13Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Well, not until after puberty (find the links yourselves, perverts). She was 13 or 14 at the time of The Exorcist, so… 🙂 But I think even the most determined pervert would be put off by her vomiting pea soup… oh… Rule #34… nevermind. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/23 "2009-09-15T03:12:59Z")
My guess is, because it’s not nearly as much fun for the demons as it’s cracked up to be. ---
**Author:** ![AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/24 "2009-09-15T03:36:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Plus, who’s to say that what we now diagnose as schizophrenia etc. isn’t demons? Yes. he schiezophernia or other mental illness which doesn’t respond well to medication or other interventions. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/25 "2009-09-15T03:47:25Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > – Ooooh, looks like somebody had a run-in with an exorcist! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HorseloverFat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@HorseloverFat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorseloverFat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/26 "2009-09-15T04:36:11Z")
> [@](#): > > Plus, who’s to say that what we now diagnose as schizophrenia etc. isn’t demons? Sure, we know what schizophrenia is, but to know that schizophrenia isn’t a demon, we’d also have to know what demons are. Maybe chemical imbalances in the brain are just one way that demons can manifest themselves in the world. In short: [occam’s razor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor). Okay you added demons to the brain. So I add elves to your demons. I say they control the demons so its really an elven possession. Now you add fairies to my elves. Okay, so I add orgres to those faeries. At a certain point you need to check your assumptions if you want to be rational. For instance, if you get a cold, we know its a viral infection. We dont say your humours are also out of whack or that you were cursed by a gypsy. The one explanation works just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/27 "2009-09-15T04:40:30Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Demons do not exist, therefore they are unable to possess people. Hey, thanks for not addressing anything. Good job. I think **kanicbird** actually has a good point. It’s probably that tons of people are possessed, but we don’t acknowledge it. People that are depressed or have anger issues or whatnot, that’s a demon. We just don’t recognize it as such. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/28 "2009-09-15T04:48:00Z")
> [@MeDrewNotYou](#): > > I hesitate to post this link ('cuz man is it crazy), but [here’s a ‘deliverance’ ministry.](http://www.demonbuster.com/) (The site has a really annoying MIDI file playing on every page, so mind your speakers.) > > The general thrust is that damn near everyone is possessed, but any ‘bad’ trait or habit is caused by a demon. Are you gay? That’s a demon. Into kinky sex? Another demon. A woman who disobeys her husband? Enjoy Tolkien’s works? I think you get it, but if not, there’s probably a demon preventing you from understanding. > > Of course things like schizophrenia are demonic in origin too, but if you cast a wide enough net, you can call _anything_ a demon. > > ([Boyce and Boice, the electronic demons](http://www.demonbuster.com/boyce.html) are my favorites. Anything that goes wrong with your devices is because of them, not because you didn’t read the manual or downloaded a virus.) > **[Comedy Central The Daily Show Fan Page](https://www.cc.com/fan-hub/the-daily-show)** > > The source for The Daily Show fans, with episodes hosted by Jon Stewart, Ronny Chieng, Jordan Klepper, Dulcé Sloan and more, plus interviews, highlights and The Weekly Show podcast. Watch out for that demon of handwriting analysis… it’s a doozy. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/29 "2009-09-15T04:50:01Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > If getting mortals to sin is the infernal goal (cf. _The Screwtape Letters_) then possession doesn’t seem a winning strategy. The demons would be better engaged tempting individuals into sin; the more forward looking ones (like Crowley in _Good Omens_) finding ways to mass produce anger, etc by causing cell phone networks to cut out, or forums to eat posts, etc. Ladies and gents, your [demon](http://www.securitypronews.com/insiderreports/insider/spn-49-20080219JapanNailsMassiveSpammer.html). ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/30 "2009-09-15T05:12:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Plus, who’s to say that what we now diagnose as schizophrenia etc. isn’t demons? Sure, we know what schizophrenia is, but to know that schizophrenia isn’t a demon, we’d also have to know what demons are. Maybe chemical imbalances in the brain are just one way that demons can manifest themselves in the world. That makes me think that we have advanced from being in fear from the prince of darkness, to being in fear of [the prince of insufficient light](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil,_the_Prince_of_Insufficient_Light). 🙂 Really, when demons can be defeated with a pill or other treatments, one should question if they are demons at all. But the harm of denying that progress comes more often from old time religion: [http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/10/16/clergy-often-downplay-mental-illness/3147.html](http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/10/16/clergy-often-downplay-mental-illness/3147.html) > [@](#): > > Clergy Often Downplay Mental Illness > > When people experience psychological distress the first source of help is often the clergy. Unfortunately, a new study finds that ordained leaders often deny or dismiss the existence of mental illness. > > The study is believed to be the first to look at the experience those with mental illness have when approaching their local church for assistance with their mental illness. > > In a recent Baylor study of 293 Christians who approached their local church for assistance in response to a personal or family member’s diagnosed mental illness, Baylor researchers found that more than 32 percent of these church members were told by their church pastor that they or their loved one did not really have a mental illness. > > The study found these church members were told the cause of their problem was solely spiritual in nature, such as a personal sin, lack of faith or demonic involvement. Baylor researchers also found that women were more likely than men to have their mental disorders dismissed by the church. > > In a subsequent survey, Baylor researchers found the dismissal or denial of the existence of mental illness happened more in conservative churches, rather than more liberal ones. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/31 "2009-09-15T05:15:29Z")
Because the leprechauns are protecting us. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/32 "2009-09-15T05:37:17Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > What’s in it for the demon? Cookies! ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/33 "2009-09-15T06:41:01Z")
Probably because its not falsifiable. Theres a poster I have known on other boards who claims to be the habitation of demons and the mistress of satan. For real. I even met her, she seemed normal enough. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/34 "2009-09-15T07:06:51Z")
Hmm, perhaps it is because with all the emphasis on self expression and self esteem we no longer have room for the demons, as we are so full of ourselves? As I recall the demons need both a flaw to work on and a lack of vigilance or an open welcoming. Could it be the emphasis of secular humanist culture on narcissistic behavior has rendered modern man somewhat immune from demon possession. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/35 "2009-09-15T13:21:48Z")
> [@Tamara+](#): > > Probably because its not falsifiable. Theres a poster I have known on other boards who claims to be the habitation of demons and the mistress of satan. For real. I even met her, she seemed normal enough. Is it “Moriah- Conquering Wind?” I’ve run into her once on a Christian Universalism board. I love it when she types like Gollum speaks! ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/36 "2009-09-15T13:36:32Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Because the leprechauns are protecting us. That’s just demon propaganda, designed to lull you into a false sense of security. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/37 "2009-09-15T15:13:51Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Demons do not exist, therefore they are unable to possess people. > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Hey, thanks for not addressing anything. Good job. > > I think **kanicbird** actually has a good point. It’s probably that tons of people are possessed, but we don’t acknowledge it. People that are depressed or have anger issues or whatnot, that’s a demon. We just don’t recognize it as such. Yes, by all means, let’s leave reality out of the equation when addressing these issues. Let’s get back to talking about invisible demons that cause anger and depression. Reality? … harrumph. Demons (I’m assuming with little celestial lug wrenches going to town on ones neurons) – that’s where the rational points will be found. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/38 "2009-09-15T15:32:32Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > What’s in it for the demon? > > Going with the OP’s “what if?” then if demons were real what benefit would they gain from possession? Potentially they get a human-skin / puppet to wear around and do ill with, but does that work? Little Regan in \*The Exorcist \*isn’t exactly a high-functioning individual; she’s not going to be tempting a whole lot of people into sin. And a possessed body isn’t itself sinning if it has no free will is it? > > If getting mortals to sin is the infernal goal (cf. _The Screwtape Letters_) etc. If I recall aright, the senior priest in The Exorcist averred that the point of Regan’s possession wasn’t her damnation–she was obviously blameless–but to cause the persons around her–her mother, obviously, and maybe even the priests sent to help her–to commit the sin of despair. Regan was just the instrument; the demon could also have caused her to die horribly, but apparently found this more amusing. > [@Oakminster](#): > > Demons do not exist, therefore they are unable to possess people. Then how do you explain Nancy Grace? 😉 More seriously, I am choosing to consider this question in terms of the mythology. It’s not fundamentally different than my Isildur thread in CS. Another reason for the paucity of demon possessions is that the number of demons, though vast, is not infinite; likewise their resources, though staggering, are not endless. I believe the myth of the War in Heaven states that a third of the Angelic Host got tossed out by Michael & Co. Saying “one-third” implies a finite number of the original Host and thus of the Fallen; and the fact that a war was fought that took a measurable amount of time implies that neither side was of illimitable might or knowledge. If we imagine that the Fallen Host numbers, say, 100,000,000, opposed by a Heavenly Host of 300,000,000, it’s easy to see that they might have to pick their battles (even though the single mightiest angel is on the side fo the Fallen). They’d use different tactics in differnt contexts. For a high-value mortal target – say Martin Luther King, or George W. Bush – they might assign multiple demons to tempt, or perhaps to simply try to kill; other demons may be assigned multiple lower-value targets. Also, since possession does not affect the redemption/damnation status of the possessed person, and presumably prevents the demon from doing anything else, Fallen will only be assigned such a duty if it can be used to help damn a valuable target. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/39 "2009-09-15T15:35:46Z")
Why would Demons make it obvious that you’re being messed with? They’d have plenty of ways to fuck you up and ruin your life without you ever knowing what they’re doing. Assuming that they exist, which is the premise of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100/40 "2009-09-15T16:35:08Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Hey, thanks for not addressing anything. Good job. > . Actually, I answered the title question conclusively. There are no demons, devils, gods, spirits, fairies, pixies, sprites, or other supernatural entities. There never have been. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-demonic-posession-so-rare/510100.md?page=3)