American Exorcism

Amanda, I haven't seen The Exorcism of Emily Rose, but I have read a very interesting recent book, American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty by Michael W. Cuneo. Cuneo is a sociologist who looks at the exorcism phenomenon from a secular perspective. Much of the book is about the increasing popularity of exorcism among Protestants, especially among Pentecostal or charismatic non-denominational congregrations. Some churches meet weekly for group exorcisms in which believers froth, writhe, curse, even fondle themselves in the Linda Blair manner, while their fellow believers pray over them until the demons leave those people and enter someone else, whereupon the congregation begins to pray over her, and so forth. At the evening's end, everyone is sweaty and exhilarated, just like after a good revival meeting.