Paper Summary:

The paper looks at the tradition of spirit possession in a number of different religious traditions, including Brazilian Condomble and Umbanda, as well as several branches of Christianity, such as Catholicism and Pentecostals. The paper emphasizes the idea that these possession religions are egalitarian, and do not discriminate based on financial, social or gender status.

From the Paper:

"What is it to be possessed? The term is used in jest and in fear, but does it really exist? If so, where, when, why, and to whom does it happen? There are many answers to these questions, almost as many as there are cultures that have ever existed on the earth, for there is evidence that many cultures throughout the world have practiced forms of ritual magic and shamanism that often include elements of possession (Eliade 5). In addition to being cross-cultural, the phenomenon of spirit possession is not limited by any gender, social or economic status boundaries. By looking at a number of examples of magical and ritual experience that are or could be considered "possession," this will become abundantly clear. What is possession? Most people have some sort of mental association with this term, frequently images from horror films or occult texts..."

Visitors who viewed this Essay also liked these:

• Term Paper # 100857 : "Spirit Possession in Sudan"
• Research Paper # 119952 : "Spirit Possession Rituals"
• Term Paper # 129924 : "Conscious Hypnagogic Intermittent Paralysis"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: