The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel

[Dash80]

Anneliese Michel, was a young Catholic woman from Bavaria, Germany. She has inspired not one but two movies. After 8 months of exorcisms (two or three sessions per week at times) Anneliese died in her sleep on July 1 1976.

Some details can be found here

I became fascinated with this tragic story when the movie Exorcism of Emily Rose was released. That movie is loosely based on Anneliese, who I share my first name with. I read the book that inspired the film, by Felitas D. Goodman.

The book is a tragic and thought provoking account of a young woman who suffered horribly, and provides possible explainations for her "possession."

Anneliese suffered Grand-Mal seizures and took epilepsy medication. As things got worse she no longer trusted the doctors and turned to preists. A bishop authorised exorcism in September 1975, these continued until her death, clearly from malnutrition and constant injury.

Her parents and the two exorcists were found guilty of neglectful homicide.





A number of audio tapes recorded during her exorcisms can be found online, mostly you tube, and bear a striking resemblance to the demon voice in The Exorcist.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[caniswalensis]

Just the obvious stuff, I guess. It is profoundly sad that People will let faith & superstition take them this far. We are all subject to the ‘hidden persuaders’ but to have such unshakeable devotion to tradition that you would beat, starve or otherwise harm another human being is a mystery to me.

 

[AdMan]

I'm not very familiar with the case (though I did see the Emily Rose movie).

I am glad that some of those responsible for her death were charged, but really it's the Church that's ultimately to blame. It's amazing that in this day and age (well, 35 years ago, but I believe the RCC is still authorizing exorcisms) this can still happen.

Are those actual pictures of Anneliese? Creepy, and sad.

 

[Dash80]

Just the obvious stuff, I guess. It is profoundly sad that People will let faith & superstition take them this far. We are all subject to the ‘hidden persuaders’ but to have such unshakeable devotion to tradition that you would beat, starve or otherwise harm another human being is a mystery to me.

It seems she caused the injuries to herself and refused to eat. However medical attention was not sought at any point during the exorcism period.

Her parents and priests got off lightly, they never actually went to jail. Neither was the bishop tried for allowing this to happen.

 

[caniswalensis]

I am reminded of witch burnings and other attrocities committed in the name of expunging witches, practices that are still going on to this day.

It is a terrible problem and I can't stand to think of the poor souls that are singled out to be tortured and murdered by their communities or outside instigators.

 

[Resume]

Oh, what's the harm?

 

[caniswalensis]

It seems she caused the injuries to herself and refused to eat. However medical attention was not sought at any point during the exorcism period.

Her parents and priests got off lightly, they never actually went to jail. Neither was the bishop tried for allowing this to happen.

There are other exorcism cases that do involve direct abuse against the victem, though. my comment was not meant to be just about this case.

Even in this case, I put the blame in this case squarely on the parents and priests. They were in direct contact with the girl and let her come to harm.

I am not sure the bishop should have been tried just for authorizing an exorcism. Depends on his actual involvement with the procedure, I think.

 

[cambion]

She licked her own urine off the floor. She ate flies, spiders, and coal. She bit off the head of a dead bird. In one instance, she crawled under a table and barked like a dog for two days. She could often be heard screaming through the walls for hours. Tearing off her clothes and urinating on the floor became a regular occurrence.

That's bizarre behavior, but it's nothing an extremely mentally ill person (or GG Allin) wouldn't be capable of. Did anyone involved claim that she did anything supernatural?

Anyway, her story is pretty infuriating. Even if she had been completely unresponsive to treatment, she could have been institutionalized to keep her from harming herself.

 

[Dash80]

Are those actual pictures of Anneliese? Creepy, and sad.

Yes they are.

From beautiful young woman:



To this:



Shocking.

 

[Dash80]

That's bizarre behavior, but it's nothing an extremely mentally ill person (or GG Allin) wouldn't be capable of. Did anyone involved claim that she did anything supernatural?

Anyway, her story is pretty infuriating. Even if she had been completely unresponsive to treatment, she could have been institutionalized to keep her from harming herself.

There are a few so-called supernatural claims but they came entirely from her devout family and priests... go figure.

It was claimed that she showed "supernatural" strength, and would be thrown by unseen forces plus a few other dubious things.

There's reports of her speaking flawless latin, which means nothing as she was a strict catholic and appears to have learned latin through religious teachings.

 

[Dash80]

There are other exorcism cases that do involve direct abuse against the victem, though. my comment was not meant to be just about this case.

Even in this case, I put the blame in this case squarely on the parents and priests. They were in direct contact with the girl and let her come to harm.

I am not sure the bishop should have been tried just for authorizing an exorcism. Depends on his actual involvement with the procedure, I think.

He was never directly involved with the exorcisms, but he was kept fully informed of the proceedings and her precarious physical condition in letters from the priests.

It appears that her case did not even meet the Church's "requirements" for determining possession. Such as speaking unknown languages, or medical diagnoses being ruled out. The church did not consult her medical history or any doctor/psychiatrist. Neither were these present during exorcism, although the church actually advises they be present.

Later the church pretty much came out and said she was not possessed and it should never have been authorised.

 

[caniswalensis]

Later the church pretty much came out and said she was not possessed and it should never have been authorised.

...to which the people of the town replied:

 

[John Albert]

Separated at birth?

 

[Dash80]

[qimg]http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/imagehosting/489344e960a32ca8e7.jpg[/qimg] [qimg]http://oi56.tinypic.com/2rhny1i.jpg[/qimg]

Separated at birth?

Is this supposed to be funny?

 

[John Albert]

Is this supposed to be funny?

Sorry, I couldn't find an appropriate picture of Klaus Kinski.

 

[Dash80]

Sorry, I couldn't find an appropriate picture of Klaus Kinski.

Still wouldn't be funny.

 

[Drewbot]

It was kind of funny. In a South Park kind of way.

 

[Dash80]

I really don't believe in possession as a spiritual/religious affliction. However, exorcisms HAVE worked in many cases. I figure it's a matter of suggestion, if a person is so convinced they are possessed and in need of exorcism... the ritual is the "cure" through suggestion. Of course it can go the other way and reinforce the behaviour.

Any thoughts?

 

[John Albert]

Are there any cases you can cite where exorcism has "worked"?

What are the sources of this information?

I'm inclined to believe it's all been misinterpretations of neurological or behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia, or histrionic pleas for special attention. Then again, I haven't really studied the matter in-depth so I don't feel qualified to say for certain.

 

[Drewbot]

However, exorcisms HAVE worked in many cases...

Any thoughts?

Links plz.