DOCSLIB.ORG

Exorcism-Seekers

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Exorcism-Seekers EXORCISM-SEEKERS: CLINICAL AND PERSONALITY CORRELATES by M. WESLEY BUCH B.A., The University of British Columbia, 1976 M.A., The University of British Columbia, 1988 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES Interdisciplinary Studies We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA May 1994 © M. WESLEY BUCH __________________________ In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives, It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. (Signature) Department of The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada Date 3c2 DE-6 (2188) Abstract This study was a case control field investigation of a special population. The psychodiagnostic and personality correlates of 40 Christian Charismatic exorcism-seekers were compared to the correlates of 40 matched c2ntrols and 48 randomly selected controls. The study was guided by a central research question: how do exorcism-seekers differ from similar individuals who do not seek exorcism? Two theoretiäal approaches to demonic possession and exorcism anticipated different answers. A mental illness approach anticipated the report of certain forms of clinical distress among exorcism-seekers. A social role approach anticipated the report of certain personality traits that would facilitate the effective enactment of the demoniac role. Results supported the mental illness approach to demonic possession inasmuch as numerous between-group diagnostic differences achieved statistical significance, especially mood disturbance. The exorcism-seeker’s group produced a modal dependent-avoidant personality disorder profile, although schizoid features best distinguished between exorcism-seekers and control subjects. However, half of the sample did not report significant psychological distress. A cognitive-behavioral model of demonic possession of relevance to both distressed and non-distressed exorcism-seekers was therefore proposed. Treatment implications included a discussion of special treatment problems and collaboration between members of the clergy and the health care professions. 11 Table of Contents Page Abstract ii List of Tables vii List of Figures xi Acknowledgments xii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 The Central Research Question 2 The Need for the Study 3 Definition of Key Terms 3 Summary of Method 4 An Interdisciplinary Research Context 4 Appropriateness of Research Topic for Scientific Study 5 Organization of Chapters 6 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 8 The Charismatic Movement, Exorcism and Demonic Possession 8 Psychological Factors Regarding Charismatic Christians 26 Psychological Approaches to Demonic Possession and Exorcism 37 111 Discussion of the Present State of Knowledge 86 Objectives 88 Hypotheses 89 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 94 Research Design 94 Subjects 94 Instrumentation 97 Procedures 122 Validity Issues 123 Statistical Plan 125 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS 127 Sample 128 Multivariate Analysis of Questionnaire Variables 142 Univariate F-Test Results of Basic Personality Descriptors 151 Univariate F-Test Results of Psychosocial Vulnerability Factors 152 Univariate F-Test Results of Psychopathology Indicators 165 Univariate F-Test Results of Social Role Variables 188 Univariate F-Test Results of Religious Factors 189 Statistical Results of Exorcism Readiness Factors 194 Discriminant Analysis 196 iv CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION .209 Sample Information 209 Questionnaire Information 211 Direction of Causality: An Interpretive Conundrum 229 A Convergent Exorcism-Seeker Profile 230 CHAPTER 6 IMPLICATIONS 232 Implications for Theory Building 232 Treatment Implications Regarding Exorcism-Seeker Distress 236 Treatment Implications Regarding Religious Beliefs 242 Treatment Implications for Pastoral Care 246 Limitations of Study 252 Future Directions 253 Epilogue 257 Bibliography 259 Appendix A A Case Report of Co-existing Demonic Possession and Psychopathology 289 Appendix B Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for DSM-III-R Possession/Trance Disorder 291 Appendix C The Diagnostic Criteria for Transient Dissociative Disturbance 292 Appendix D Diagnostic Criteria for Possession Disorder 293 V TA JiBUUoflsnO dfl-MoJjo%!{ H xjpudd 86 aireuUOnSnO 3UB..IATjOQ qL 0 xjpuddy 96 STJ3JDq3 uosssso uomcj xipuddy t’6 Jp.IOsJQ St3 ATSSSSOd JOJ BUT13 DflSOUTcJ xjpuddy List of Tables Table Page Table 1. Signs of Demonic Behavioral Displays 20 Table 2. Item #24 and #490 Endorsement of MMPI & MMPI-2 24 Table 3. Review of Demonic Possession Diagnostic Studies 58 Table 4. Categories of Possession Syndrome (Yap, 1960) 64 Table 5. List of Primary Hypotheses 90 Table 6. List of Dependent Measures 98 Table 7. Table of Theoretical Constructs Underlying MCMI-II Personality Disorder Scales 108 Table 8. Table of MCMI-II Scales 109 Table 9. Table of Response Set Group Means and Significance of Independent t Tests 124 Table 10. Contingency Table of Demographic Variables with Chi Square Significance 130 Table 11. Table of Exorcism-Seeker Occupations According to the Hollingshead Occupational Scale 135 vii Table 12. Table of Medical Information, Substance Abuse and Childhood Abuse 140 Table 13. Table of Past or Present Psychological Diagnosis 141 Table 14. Maximum and Median Correlations Between Demographic and Questionnaire Variables 143 Table 15. Table of Control Group and Exorcism-Seeker Skewness (Skew), Kurtosis (Kurt), Kolmogorov-Smirnov Goodness of Fit Values (K-S z) and Bartlett-Box Significance 145 Table 16. Table of Questionnaire Group Means and Results of MANOVA 153 Table 17. Table of Openness to Experience (NEO-PI) Group Means and Significance of Independent t Tests 157 Table 18. Table of Life-Event Stress and Social Support Group Means and Significance of Independent t Tests 160 Table 19. Intercorrelational Matrix of Dysphoria, Neuroticism, Life Event Stress, Self-Efficacy, Social Isolation and Social Support Variables 163 Table 20. ANOVA Table for Psychosocial Vulnerability Multiple Regression 164 viii Table 21. Table of Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R) Subscale Group Means and Significance of Independent tTests 166 Table 22. Table of Critical Item Scales Group Means and Significance of Independent t Tests 170 Table 23. Table of Leyton Obsessional Inventory (Modified) Group Means and Significance of Independent t Tests 171 Table 24. Comparison of QED Exorcism-Seeker and Other Clinical Group Univariate Statistics 173 Table 25. Factor Loadings on MCMI-II Personality Scales 175 Table 26. Table of MCMI-II Personality Factor Means and Significance of Univariate F Tests 177 Table 27. Table of Frequency and Proportion of Highest MCMI-II Scale Elevations among Exorcism-Seekers 180 Table 28. Table of Basic Personality Scale (Scales 1-8B) High-Point Configural Combinations among Exorcism-Seekers 184 Table 29. Number and Proportion of Exorcism-Seeker Scores Within and Above the Average Range of Control Group Scores 187 Table 30. Intercorrelational Matrix of Diabolical Experiences, Neuroticism, Dysphoria and Somatoform Variables 190 ix Table 31. ANOVA Table for Multiple Regression of Diabolical Experiences 192 Table 32. Intercorrelational Matrix of Religious Orientation Scale (ROS) and Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R) Dysphoria Scales 193 Table 33. Table of Attitudes Toward Exorcism and Exorcism Credibility Means and Significance of Independent t Tests 195 Table 34. Wilks’ Lambda and Univariate F Results of Questionnaire Variables for Exorcism-seekers and Matched Control Subjects.... 199 Table 35. Summary of Steps in Discriminant Analysis 203 Table 36. Canonical Discriminant Functions 205 Table 37. Discriminant Function Coefficients 207 Table 38. Classification Summary 208 Table 39. Support for Primary Hypotheses 212 x List of Figures Figure Page Figure 1. Detail from “Procession of the Possessed of Molenbeek” (Veith, 1965) xiii Figure 2. NEO-Five Factor Inventory T-Score Mean Profile of Male and Female Exorcism-Seeker and Control Groups 158 Figure 3. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Mean Profile 161 Figure 4. Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised Mean T-Score Profile of Male and Female Exorcism-Seeker and Control Groups 168 Figure 5. MCMI-II Median Base Rate Profile of Exorcism-Seekers, Patients Diagnosed With Dependent Personality Disorder, and the MCMI-II Normative Psychiatric Sample 179 xi Acknowledgments I wish to thank my interdisciplinary committee for their guidance and helpful suggestions during the preparation of this manuscript: Dr. John Friesen (Supervisor), Dr. Stanley Coren (Methodologist), Dr. Charles Anderson, Dr. Ehor Boyanowsky and Dr. Jonathan Fleming. I also wish to acknowledge the helpfulness of Dr. Ernest Runions who served on the committee before his death. I am indebted to my parents, Rev. Mark and Hilda Buch, my sister, Ingrid Buch-Wagler, my Irish family, Robert, Martha and Lynn Gibson, my friends, Anne, Barbie, Cam, Jamie, Mike, Patty, Paul, and Ruth, and my work friends in the Back Evaluation and Education Program and Psychology Department of the Worker’s Compensation Board for all their encouragement and support. In
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Exorcism and the Law: Are the Ghosts of the Reformation Haunting Contemporary Debates on Safeguarding Versus Autonomy?
    The University of Manchester Research Exorcism and the Law: Are the Ghosts of the Reformation Haunting Contemporary Debates on Safeguarding versus Autonomy? Document Version Accepted author manuscript Link to publication record in Manchester Research Explorer Citation for published version (APA): Garcia Oliva, J., & Hall, H. (2018). Exorcism and the Law: Are the Ghosts of the Reformation Haunting Contemporary Debates on Safeguarding versus Autonomy? Law & Justice, 180, 51-81. http://www.lawandjustice.org.uk/LJarticles.htm Published in: Law & Justice Citing this paper Please note that where the full-text provided on Manchester Research Explorer is the Author Accepted Manuscript or Proof version this may differ from the final Published version. If citing, it is advised that you check and use the publisher's definitive version. General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the Research Explorer are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Takedown policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please refer to the University of Manchester’s Takedown Procedures [http://man.ac.uk/04Y6Bo] or contact [email protected] providing relevant details, so we can investigate your claim. Download date:03. Oct. 2021 Exorcism and the Law: Is the ghost of the Reformation haunting contemporary debates on safeguarding versus autonomy? Javier García Oliva and Helen Hall* Abstract This article explores how secular and Canon Law on exorcism have evolved in tandem in England, each subject to the influence of the other, as well as wider cultural changes.
    [Show full text]
  • A Psychology of Possession
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of Wales Trinity Saint David A PSYCHOLOGY OF POSSESSION DR PETER CONNOLLY Introduction : The Nature of Trance Although widespread, the phenomenon of possession does not appear in all cultures. This suggests that possession is a cultural artefact, either in the strong sense of being nothing more than a cultural creation or in the weaker one of culture moulding and shaping universal psychological processes in socially relevant ways. My own approach to understanding possession lies very much within the framework of the weaker version. The hypothesis I will seek to develop is essentially that the phenomena of possession are best understood in terms of the psychological processes associated with the term ‘trance’. I use this term deliberately and in full awareness of the reservations about its usefulness expressed by some psychologists. Among hypnosis researchers there are three broad approaches to explaining the nature of trance. The first is that which emphasises socio-cognitive factors such as role play and imaginative involvement in suggested experiences. In short, this approach explains away any feature of trance which provides it with a distinctive character. This view would be compatible with what I have called the strong version of cultural artifactualism. Another approach emphasizes that trance is a genuine altered state of consciousness which differs from ordinary consciousness in a variety of ways, most notably in that reflexive, executive or ego consciousness – what many hypnotists call ‘the conscious mind’ – is dissociated from unconscious processes. The third approach is more diffuse, combining the first two explanations and, depending on the writer, perhaps adding a few other elements to produce a kind of multi-variable theory.
    [Show full text]
  • Takiwasi: Addiction Treatment in the "Singing House"
    ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: O’Shaughnessy, David Michael (2017) Takiwasi: Addiction Treatment in the “Singing House”. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51692/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51692/ TAKIWASI: ADDICTION TREATMENT IN THE “SINGING HOUSE” by David M. O’Shaughnessy BSc(SoftEng) ECowan, GDipPsych Adelaide, BHlthSc(Hons) Adelaide A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY College of Medicine and Dentistry August 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The work that has been condensed into this thesis could not have been realized without the assistance of numerous organizations and individuals. To begin with, the entire fieldwork and data collection process would have been impossible without the financial support that I received from the Australian Government. In this regard I also owe thanks to James Cook University and the College of Medicine and Dentistry, and especially to Professor Frances Quirk who generously provided financial assistance in order to bring the project to fruition. Over the course of my doctoral candidature, I have had the good fortune of working with a wonderfully diverse supervisory team: Spanning neuroscience to psychology and anthropology, Professor Zoltán Sarnyai, Professor Frances Quirk, and Doctor Robin Rodd have allowed me the freedom to pursue a unique path whilst still providing guidance and support according to their areas of expertise.
    [Show full text]
  • Demonic Possession and Exorcism
    Demonic possession and exorcism A comparative study of two books that deal with the Klingenberg case Geoffrey Fagge Umeå universitet Vt16 Institutionen för idé och samhällsstudier Religionsvetenskap III, Kandidatuppsats 15 hp Handledare: Olle Sundström ABSTRACT This study examines how two writers deal with demonic possession and exorcism in their written works that both have a common theme, the same alleged case of possession and exorcism. By comparing these written works I explore if the authors share any common or varying theories on possession and exorcism and investigate if the common theme of the two books has contributed to the authors writing similar books. My results show that the two authors deal with demonic possession and exorcism differently, one has theological views of the phenomena but is sceptical of their role in the alleged case, whilst the other believes that demonic possession and exorcism can be explained using scientific theories and that they are phenomena that played a part in the alleged case. The two books are quite different. I conclude that both writers’ theories of the phenomena are dependent on the existence of the phenomenon of religion. Keywords, authors, writers, demonic possession, exorcism, the alleged case, theological views, scientific theories and religion. Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 TWO PHENOMENA: DEMONIC POSSESSION AND EXORCISM .....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Inner Visions: Sacred Plants, Art and Spirituality
    AM 9:31 2 12/10/14 2 224926_Covers_DEC10.indd INNER VISIONS: SACRED PLANTS, ART AND SPIRITUALITY Brauer Museum of Art • Valparaiso University Vision 12: Three Types of Sorcerers Gouache on paper, 12 x 16 inches. 1989 Pablo Amaringo 224926_Covers_DEC10.indd 3 12/10/14 9:31 AM 3 224926_Text_Dec12.indd 3 12/12/14 11:42 AM Inner Visions: Sacred Plants, Art and Spirituality • An Exhibition of Art Presented by the Brauer Museum • Curated by Luis Eduardo Luna 4 224926_Text.indd 4 12/9/14 10:00 PM Contents 6 From the Director Gregg Hertzlieb 9 Introduction Robert Sirko 13 Inner Visions: Sacred Plants, Art and Spirituality Luis Eduardo Luna 29 Encountering Other Worlds, Amazonian and Biblical Richard E. DeMaris 35 The Artist and the Shaman: Seen and Unseen Worlds Robert Sirko 73 Exhibition Listing 5 224926_Text.indd 5 12/9/14 10:00 PM From the Director In this Brauer Museum of Art exhibition and accompanying other than earthly existence. Additionally, while some objects publication, expertly curated by the noted scholar Luis Eduardo may be culture specific in their references and nature, they are Luna, we explore the complex and enigmatic topic of the also broadly influential on many levels to, say, contemporary ritual use of sacred plants to achieve visionary states of mind. American and European subcultures, as well as to contemporary Working as a team, Luna, Valparaiso University Associate artistic practices in general. Professor of Art Robert Sirko, Valparaiso University Professor We at the Brauer Museum of Art wish to thank the Richard E. DeMaris and the Brauer Museum staff present following individuals and agencies for making this exhibition our efforts of examining visual products arising from the possible: the Brauer Museum of Art’s Brauer Endowment, ingestion of these sacred plants and brews such as ayahuasca.
    [Show full text]
  • Suicidal Ideation in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit: Predictive Risk Markers and Their Application to Clinical Tool Development
    Suicidal Ideation in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit: Predictive Risk Markers and their Application to Clinical Tool Development By Julie Jamilia Mirzabekov A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Health and Medical Sciences in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in Charge: John Balmes, Chair Melanie Thomas Vikram Rao Stephan Lammel Spring 2016 i Acknowledgements This work was made possible with financial support from the Joint Medical Program Thesis Grant and the Helen Schoeneman Fellowship. This work was a small part of a much bigger effort. I would like to thank Edward Chang and Vikaas Sohal for their leadership and support. I would like to thank Vikram Rao for his large contributions to data collection, and for helpful and motivating discussions on the psychosocial and neurological aspects of caring for patients with epilepsy. Thank you to Posit Science (especially Mor Nahum, Jose Gallegos, and Tom Van Vleet), who developed the moodtracking application used for data collection. I would also like to thank the rest of my committee at UC Berkeley and the UCB-UCSF Joint Medical Program (John Balmes, Melanie Thomas, and Stephan Lammel) and Kris Madsen for each offering their unique expertise and providing a supportive network for academic development. I would especially like to thank Melanie Thomas, who played a duel mentorship role as my thesis advisor and program faculty advisor. A special thank you to Dodd Gray for his ongoing encouragement. This thesis is dedicated to my biggest supporters and lifelong teachers, my parents.
    [Show full text]
  • The Exorcist Julia Baumgart Sacred Heart University, [email protected]
    Sacred Heart University DigitalCommons@SHU Communication & Media Undergraduate Communication and Media Arts (SCMA) Publications 5-2013 The Exorcist Julia Baumgart Sacred Heart University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/media_sp Part of the American Film Studies Commons Recommended Citation Baumgart, Julia, "The Exorcist" (2013). Communication & Media Undergraduate Publications. Paper 1. http://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/media_sp/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Communication and Media Arts (SCMA) at DigitalCommons@SHU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Communication & Media Undergraduate Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@SHU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Baumgart 1 Julie Baumgart Senior Seminar CM 301B Professor Edwards May 2, 2013 The Exorcist The Exorcist is known as one of the scariest movies of all time. It is a Warner Brothers film that was released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin. It was produced and written by William Peter Blatty. The Exorcist stars Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil (an actress and single mother), Jason Miller as Father Karras and Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil (the possessed little girl). The voice of possessed Regan was played by Mercedes McCambridge, who acted frequently on the radio (The Exorcist 1973). The Exorcist was nominated for Best Cinematography, but won Best Picture, and Best Director. The movie also won Best Sound, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, and much more. This classic horror film is rated R because not only is it extremely scary, but it is filled with swearing, sexual talk, sexual images and actions, violence and much more (Movies: The Exorcist 1973).
    [Show full text]
  • What If Schizophrenics Really Are Possessed by Demons, After All?
    What if schizophrenics really are possessed by demons, after all? Published June 3, 2014 | By Rebecca Roache By Rebecca Roache Follow Rebecca on Twitter here Is there anything wrong with seriously entertaining this possibility? Not according to the author of a research article published this month in Journal of Religion and Health. In ‘Schizophrenia or possession?’,1 M. Kemal Irmak notes that schizophrenia is a devastating chronic mental condition often characterised by auditory hallucinations. Since it is difficult to make sense of these hallucinations, Irmak invites us ‘to consider the possibility of a demonic world’ (p. 775). Demons, he tells us, are ‘intelligent and unseen creatures that occupy a parallel world to that of mankind’ (p. 775). They have an ‘ability to possess and take over the minds and bodies of humans’ (p. 775), in which case ‘[d]emonic possession can manifest with a range of bizarre behaviors which could be interpreted as a number of different psychotic disorders’ (p. 775). The lessons for schizophrenia that Irmak draws from these observations are worth quoting in full: As seen above, there exist similarities between the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia and demonic possession. Common symptoms in schizophrenia and demonic possession such as hallucinations and delusions may be a result of the fact that demons in the vicinity of the brain may form the symptoms of schizophrenia. Delusions of schizophrenia such as “My feelings and movements are controlled by others in a certain way” and “They put thoughts in my head that are not mine” may be thoughts that stem from the effects of demons on the brain.
    [Show full text]
  • A Simple Exorcism. a Prayer Against Satan
    A Simple Exorcism. A Prayer Against Satan. for Priests or Laity. Prayer Against Satan and the Rebellious Angels. Published by Order of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII. but adjusted to conform with "Inde Ab Aliquot Annis" of 29 September 1985. The following is a simple exorcism prayer that can be said by priests or laity. The term “exorcism” does NOT always denote a solemn exorcism involving a person possessed by the devil. In general, the term denotes prayers to “curb the power of the devil and prevent him from doing harm.” As Saint Peter had written in Holy Scripture, “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Saint Peter 5:8) The Holy Father exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as possible, as a simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil and prevent him from doing harm. The faithful also may say it in their own name, for the same purpose, as any approved prayer. Its use is recommended whenever action of the devil is suspected, causing malice in men, violent temptations and even storms and various calamities. It could be used as a solemn exorcism (an official and public ceremony, in Latin), to expel the devil. It would then be said by a priest, in the name of the Church and only with a Bishop's permission. Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in “our battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places” (Ephesians, 6:12).
    [Show full text]
  • Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 2
    39. The Inner Prompting HE day is Vyasa Purnami, and it is also celebrated throughout India as Guru Purnima. The importance of the Tday has been explained now by the lawyer from Repalle in Telugu, by Vineetha Ramachandra Rao in Kan- nada, and by the Editor of Sanathana Sarathi in English. Well, I shall also speak now. Whatever My language, I speak not to inform but more to heal. I administer medicine for your minds, not food for your brains — or, rather, it is both. Like honey, it is both food and drug. There is nothing specially related to Sage Vyasa that makes this day attached to his name. He was not born on this day, nor did he ‘leave’ on this day; it is just dedicated to his memory and to the worship of all gurus. For Vyasa is the the first and the source of all spiritual teachers. He recognised and declared the Truth in a variety of ways and helped to open the inner eye of humanity. He described in beautiful, simple, clear terms the glory of the Lord and of the means of attaining Him. He saw that unless the mind is negated or destroyed, the Lord will not be manifest. He prescribed the paths by which this could be done. So he is the world teacher (lokaguru), the greatest teacher (paramaguru). He collected the hymns, collated them, and put them into the four Vedas; he assembled the later Vedic lit- erature and composed the Brahma Sutras (Aphorisms on Supreme Reality) to expound the philosophy that was inherent in it.
    [Show full text]
  • Ayahuasca's Religious Diaspora in the Wake of the Doctrine of Discovery
    University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 2020 Ayahuasca’s Religious Diaspora in the Wake of the Doctrine of Discovery Roger K. Green University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the Ethics in Religion Commons, History of Religions of Western Origin Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Latin American Studies Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, and the Other Religion Commons Recommended Citation Green, Roger K., "Ayahuasca’s Religious Diaspora in the Wake of the Doctrine of Discovery" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1765. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1765 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. Ayahuasca’s Religious Diaspora in the Wake of the Doctrine of Discovery __________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology Joint PhD Program University of Denver __________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy ___________ by Roger K. Green June 2020 Advisor: Carl Raschke ©Copyright by Roger K. Green 2020 All Rights Reserved Author: Roger K. Green Title: Ayahuasca’s Religious Diaspora in the Wake of the Doctrine of Discovery Advisor: Carl Raschke Degree Date: June 2020 Abstract ‘Ayahuasca’ is a plant mixture with a variety of recipes and localized names native to South America.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara the Game
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara The Game of Exorcism: A Spatial Analysis of Religious Practice A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Religious Studies by William Samuel Chavez Committee in charge: Professor Rudy Busto, Chair Professor Christine Thomas Professor David Gordon White June 2018 The thesis of William Samuel Chavez is approved. __________________________________________ Christine Thomas __________________________________________ David Gordon White __________________________________________ Rudy Busto, Committee Chair June 2018 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to several members of the UCSB Religious Studies Department for their wisdom and assistance with the research that produced this thesis, specifically David Gordon White, Richard Hecht, Christine Thomas, José Cabezón, Vesna Wallace, and Juan Campo. James Brousseau, Aaron Ullrey, and Greg Hillis have each developed my thinking for what became Section IV. My wife, Stefany Olague, also read numerous drafts, accompanied me at conferences, and always encouraged me to push forward in my career. She is my best friend and it is through her love and care that I was able to complete this adventure. The foundation of this thesis started during my final year at the University of Rochester. Thus, I am still indebted to Joshua Dubler and Nora Rubel. Finally, my current advisor has been nothing but supportive of this project. I am a better scholar because of his guidance. I cannot remember his name right now but it will come to me. iii ABSTRACT The Game of Exorcism: A Spatial Analysis of Religious Practice by William Samuel Chavez The academic study of exorcism is theoretically weak and limited because the scholarship is largely disjointed, partitioned into sets of case studies described, analyzed, and theorized according to specific cultures and histories.
    [Show full text]