Leading Psychiatrist: Demonic Possession Is Real and Possibly on the Rise

Leading Psychiatrist: Demonic Possession is Real and Possibly on the Rise [Excerpts]

A leading psychiatrist has said that after working in the field for over two decades, he believes demon possession is real. Dr. Richard Gallagher, a professor of clinical psychiatry at New York Medical College, says his opinion differs from most other professionals in the field. 

Gallagher has seen over one hundred people who appeared to have paranormal abilities. He deemed that most of these individuals suffered from mental illness. Still, he claims to have also seen the real thing. 

"For the past two-and-a-half decades and over several hundred consultations, I've helped clergy from multiple denominations and faiths to filter episodes of mental illness - which represent the overwhelming majority of cases - from, literally, the devil's work," Gallagher said. 

According to Gallagher, demonic possessions could even be on the rise. 

"The Vatican does not track global or countrywide exorcism, but in my experience and according to the priests I meet, the demand is rising," he said. 

"The United States is home to about 50 'stable' exorcists - those who have been designated by bishops to combat demonic activity on a semi-regular basis - up from just 12 a decade ago.” 

As a doctor, Gallagher said he believes it would be wrong to reject the possibility that demonic attacks were real. 

"As a psychoanalyst, a blanket rejection of the possibility of demonic attacks seems less logical, and often wishful in nature, than a careful appraisal of the facts,” he said. 

(Carrie Dedrick, "Leading Psychiatrist: Demonic Possession is Real and Possibly on the Rise," ChristianHeadlines Online, July 06, 2016)

[TBC: Scripture documents a number of cases of demonic possession in the gospels as well as the book of Acts. It also records the deliverance of some who were captive.

It is true that one of the blessings of the gospel is a lessening of occult manifestations in the general populace. But John’s epistles contain the specific admonition to “try the spirits whether they are of God...” (1 John:4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
See All...). Considering the diminishing influence of the church upon our nation, it should be no surprise to see a growing interest in things of the occult as well as a rising number of reports from various quarters about demon possession.]