demons...

This was my presentation, with the exception of being late, i think we did an ok job. Although I do wish I could have found some scientific evidence either way. But it is more of a circular argument that can't be dealt with. You are mentally ill...... well the demon possession is what caused the illness..... and it can go the other way as well. You are possessed, which is what is causing the illnesses. Something cannot be both a cause and effect.

Some of our references are:

Skeptical Inquirer, Jan 2001 v25 i1 p20
Exorcism! Driving Out the Nonsense. JOE NICKELL.

Vatican updates its rules on exorcism of demons. 1999. The Arizona Daily Star, January 27.

Renaissance Quarterly, Winter 1996 v49 n4 p738(22)
Possessed by the devil? A very public dispute in Utrecht. Benjamin J. Kaplan.

The Journal of Parapsychology, March 1995 v59 n1 p69(8)
Possession and exorcism: an essay review. Ian Stevenson

Journal of Religion and Health, April 2005 v44 i1 p13(18)
The Growing Evidence for Demonic Possession: What Should Psychiatry's Response be? Betty Stafford

The Devil, Demonology, and Witchcraft; The Development of Christian beliefs in Evil Spirits by Henry Ansgar Kelly

The Mind Possessed; A Physiology of Possession, Mysticism and Faith Healing by William Sargant