Demons abound: A brief history of possession

More than two-thirds of Americans believe angels and demons are active in the world, according to an extensive new survey on religious beliefs and practices in the U.S. issued by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

For most Americans, then, the supernatural is real. So it should come as no surprise that, every once in a while, someone becomes possessed, requiring spiritual intervention.

That's apparently what happened to "J. Doe," a plaintiff in a pending case against the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Diagnosed as possessed, Doe sought help from Monsignor Anthony La Femina, the diocese's local exorcist.

His problem was not unique. Possession by demons, spirits or gods is a universal human experience shared by members of nearly every culture and faith. Sometimes such possessions of body or soul are good, sometimes bad. Sometimes they're invited, sometimes they're unwanted. In many cases, a ritual or rite is involved. Sometimes, possession occurs through prayer or meditation or dreaming.

Read more in Sunday's Post and Courier.