The over-policing of the devil: A sociology of exorcism

Discussing the social construction of the phenomenon of exorcism, this article illustrates how it is located in contemporary culture and specifically in the religious field. Following the study done by Michel de Certeau on the mass possession of the Ursulines’ convent of Loudun (France) in the 17th...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Giordan, Giuseppe 1966- (Author) ; Possamai, Adam (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage [2016]
In: Social compass
Year: 2016, Volume: 63, Issue: 4, Pages: 444-460
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Certeau, Michel de 1925-1986, La possession de Loudun / Possession / Exorcism
IxTheo Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
CD Christianity and Culture
KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history
RG Pastoral care
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Summary:Discussing the social construction of the phenomenon of exorcism, this article illustrates how it is located in contemporary culture and specifically in the religious field. Following the study done by Michel de Certeau on the mass possession of the Ursulines’ convent of Loudun (France) in the 17th century, the authors differentiate between the ‘possessed’ and the ‘possessionists’, that is between those who are possessed by the devil and those who are convinced of the reality of possession., Although the authors cannot claim that there has been a growth of possessed people, they make the claim that there has been an increase of ‘possessionists’ through the over-policing of the devil: the more the over-policing of the devil is practiced, the more people are likely to become ‘possessionist’ and believe in the increase of the presence of the devil.
ISSN:1461-7404
Contains:Enthalten in: Social compass
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0037768616663982