True or False Possession?: How to Distinguish the Demonic from the Demented

by Jean Lhermitte

Unhinged or unholy? Fiend or fraud? That's the first question exorcists must answer the question addressed in these pages by the world-famous French neuropsychiatrist Jean Lhermitte.

Genres: Psychology, Catholic, Religion

129 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Hal Johnson]

This book spends more time than you might expect examining whether Jean-Paul Sartre is possessed by the devil.

The answer, incidentally, is no.

[J.]

As a practicing Catholic, going into Psychology, who has had his own experiences with the Occult, a topic like this intrigues me. I feel however that the author could have done a better job distinguishing the demonic from the demented, or bringing in Theological authority to help highlight that difference. The author - a practicing Catholic himself, however does make the point to show many cases which historically were thought to be demonic, turned out upon deeper reflection to be demented. This is important, the author seems to be of the impression that a genuine possession will only be noticeable after well-known cases are re-assessed as demented: Reducing these Demented Case to, Schizoid, Manic, and Hysterical in Nature

The author does make distinguishing remarks between the Occultist and the Possessed, as well as other dichotomies too, however the biggest argument he makes for the lack for authentic possession in our day, is largely the planet wide scale of demonic infestation enabled through the socio-cultural and even political mediums present in his day. This book was written back in the 50s, and a lot of things have amplified since his time to ours, so the reader can only imagine how deep in the mire of the demonic we find ourselves today.

[Andy]

This book has some good information, but it's not written in a way that makes the ideas applicable to our modern understanding of the issues he brings up. If some language were changed or ideas were explained differently, I think it would have been a more accessible, applicable read.

[Big H]

Complex reading, but an excellent compilation of cases showing examples of true possessions in comparison to cases showing medical issues as a cause of possession symptoms.