Sociology of exorcism in late modernity /
Giordan, Giuseppe,author.
Possamai, Adam,author.
This book provides a sociological understanding of the phenomenon of exorcism and an analysis of the reasons for its contemporary re-emergence and impact on various communities. It argues that exorcism has become a religious commodity with the potential to strengthen a religion's attraction to adherents, whilst also ensuring its hold. It shows that due to intense competition between religious groups in our multi-faith societies, religious groups are now competing for authority over the supernatural by 'branding' their particular type of exorcism ritual in order to validate the strength of their own belief system. Sociology of Exorcism in Late Modernity features a detailed case-study of a Catholic exorcist in the south of Europe who dealt with more than 1,000 cases during a decade of work, and includes observations made by the authors of this book during their attendance at an exorcist ritual.
Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.
1. Introduction  -- 2. The Sociology of Exorcism  -- 3. Case Study of Catholic Exorcism: Visiting an Exorcist  -- 4. Case Study of Catholic Exorcism: Undergoing Exorcism  -- 5. Religious Competition over Exorcism  -- 6. The Over-policing, and Decriminalizing, of the Devil .
This book provides a sociological understanding of the phenomenon of exorcism and an analysis of the reasons for its contemporary re-emergence and impact on various communities. It argues that exorcism has become a religious commodity with the potential to strengthen a religion's attraction to adherents, whilst also ensuring its hold. It shows that due to intense competition between religious groups in our multi-faith societies, religious groups are now competing for authority over the supernatural by 'branding' their particular type of exorcism ritual in order to validate the strength of their own belief system. Sociology of Exorcism in Late Modernity features a detailed case-study of a Catholic exorcist in the south of Europe who dealt with more than 1,000 cases during a decade of work, and includes observations made by the authors of this book during their attendance at an exorcist ritual.
Religion and sociology.
Catholic Church.
Psychology and religion.