Purging the Devil
83
Purging the Devil
Grafton Tanner's "Purging the Devil" arrives with a bold thesis: the modern surge in exorcism isn't solely about faith, but a complex cultural and political phenomenon. Tanner compellingly argues that exorcism has become a marketable service and a tool for social control, particularly from the 1950s onward. He effectively charts how this ritual transformed from an ecclesiastical embarrassment into a popular, albeit controversial, offering within a burgeoning therapeutic landscape. The strength of the book lies in its broad scope, linking theological practices to late-stage capitalism and political dissent. However, the sheer volume of socio-political analysis occasionally overshadows the spiritual and psychological dimensions of possession itself, leaving some reader experiences of the afflicted feeling somewhat abstracted. A particularly illuminating section details how exorcism was used in the 1980s to target youth subcultures perceived as threats to traditional values. Ultimately, "Purging the Devil" provides a vital, albeit unsettling, lens through which to view persistent religious practices in a secularizing world.
📝 Description
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Grafton Tanner's 2023 book examines exorcism's rise from the mid-20th century onwards.
Grafton Tanner's "Purging the Devil" analyzes the resurgence of exorcism and possession practices beginning in the mid-20th century. The book moves beyond a simple historical survey, placing these phenomena within shifting cultural, political, and therapeutic frameworks. Tanner questions whether afflictions attributed to demonic influence might be better understood through the lens of mental health or as manifestations of societal anxieties and power dynamics.
The work scrutinizes how the demand for exorcism has transformed it into a commodity within the therapeutic marketplace. It also investigates its use as a tool against dissenting groups. "Purging the Devil" is for readers interested in the connections between religion, culture, psychology, and political history. It will appeal to academics studying the sociology of religion, the history of psychiatry, and post-war American culture. Those curious about the persistence of spiritual beliefs in secular societies, the commodification of ritual, and the use of symbolic language in social control will find this book particularly relevant. It speaks to critical thinkers seeking to understand the complex motivations behind the increasing popularity of exorcism in contemporary times.
While "Purging the Devil" focuses on historical and sociological aspects, it engages with traditions where belief in demonic possession and spiritual warfare is central. The book examines how these beliefs, often considered esoteric or fringe by secular society, persist and transform. It situates the practice of exorcism not only within religious doctrine but as a cultural phenomenon that responds to and shapes societal anxieties. The work implicitly touches upon how ritualistic practices can be reinterpreted and commodified, even as they retain links to older spiritual frameworks concerned with purification and the expulsion of malevolent forces.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain a critical understanding of how exorcism evolved from a fringe practice to a commodity, particularly after the 1950s, by examining its integration into the therapeutic marketplace. • Learn to analyze possession not just as a supernatural event but as a potential indicator of psychological distress or a form of symbolic protest against state and corporate powers. • Discover how Tanner connects the resurgence of exorcism to specific socio-political anxieties and its deployment as a tool against groups resisting established authorities since the mid-twentieth century.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the demand for exorcism begin to increase significantly?
The book "Purging the Devil" by Grafton Tanner indicates a noticeable increase in demands for exorcism starting from the mid-twentieth century, challenging the notion that it was solely an outdated practice.
How does "Purging the Devil" relate exorcism to mental health?
Tanner's work directly addresses whether individuals seeking exorcism might be experiencing mental health issues, questioning the diagnostic frameworks applied to such spiritual crises.
Is exorcism presented as a tool for political control in the book?
Yes, "Purging the Devil" explores how exorcism has been utilized as a weapon against groups that resist state, corporate, and ecclesiastical powers, particularly in the post-1950s era.
What is the 'therapeutic marketplace' as discussed in "Purging the Devil"?
The book describes the 'therapeutic marketplace' as the environment where demand for exorcism has grown, positioning it as a popular service akin to other healing or counseling offerings.
What historical period does Grafton Tanner focus on?
Grafton Tanner's "Purging the Devil" primarily covers the period from the 1950s to the present day, examining the cultural and political history of exorcism within this timeframe.
Does the book explore the cultural history of possession?
Absolutely. "Purging the Devil" provides a radical cultural and political history of both exorcism and possession, tracing their evolving meanings and applications.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Exorcism as Commodity
The book meticulously details how exorcism, once a religiously charged rite, transformed into a marketable service. Tanner analyzes its integration into the 'therapeutic marketplace' since the mid-20th century, where demand has surged. This transformation raises critical questions about spiritual practices being packaged and sold, often appealing to anxieties about well-being and control in a complex modern world. The work explores how this commodification intersects with psychological and societal needs, making exorcism accessible, and indeed popular, in ways previously unimagined.
Possession as Political Symbolism
"Purging the Devil" posits that 'possession' can serve as a symbolic language for resistance. The work explores how individuals or groups facing oppressive state, corporate, or ecclesiastical powers might manifest or articulate their struggles through the discourse of demonic affliction. This perspective reframes possession not merely as an internal psychological or supernatural event, but as a potent cultural expression of dissent and a means of challenging dominant narratives. It highlights how spiritual phenomena can become intertwined with political and social unrest.
Cultural Shifts and Spiritual Resurgence
Tanner examines the cultural and political climate from the 1950s onward that facilitated the resurgence of exorcism. The book interrogates how societal changes, including evolving views on mental health and the rise of therapeutic culture, created fertile ground for spiritual practices like exorcism to gain traction. It questions the binary often imposed between mental illness and demonic possession, suggesting that the increasing demand for exorcism reflects deeper societal anxieties and a search for meaning or control in a rapidly changing world.
Power, Control, and Marginalization
A central theme is the use of exorcism as a tool for social control and marginalization. "Purging the Devil" investigates how the practice has been wielded against groups that resist established authorities. By pathologizing dissent as demonic influence, exorcism can serve to delegitimize and silence opposition. The work scrutinizes the power dynamics at play, illustrating how religious rituals can be co-opted or employed to reinforce existing social hierarchies and police behaviors deemed unacceptable by state, corporate, or religious institutions.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The 'possessed' are suffering from mental health problems or is the world falling victim to the devil and demons?”
— This interrogative framing challenges the reader to consider dual interpretations of perceived possession – as psychological distress or supernatural affliction – setting up the book's nuanced exploration of the phenomenon.
“Exorcism has become a weapon against groups that resist state, corporate, and ecclesiastical powers.”
— This statement underscores the political dimension of exorcism, suggesting it can be used to marginalize and control dissenting individuals or communities by framing their resistance as demonic or pathological.
“Once considered an outdated embarrassment, demands for exorcism have increased...”
— This emphasizes the dramatic shift in perception and practice regarding exorcism, moving it from historical curiosity to a contemporary concern with significant cultural and social implications.
“A radical cultural and political history of exorcism and possession from the 1950s to the present day.”
— This concise summary defines the book's scope and methodology, promising an interdisciplinary approach that examines spiritual phenomena through the lenses of cultural change and political power dynamics.
💡 Key Ideas
Editorial paraphrase of the work's core concepts — not direct quotes.
Demands for exorcism have increased since the mid-twentieth century, becoming a popular product in our therapeutic marketplace.
This quote highlights a core argument: exorcism isn't just religious practice; it's a service integrated into a commercialized system of healing and well-being, reflecting its growing cultural acceptance and demand.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While "Purging the Devil" is primarily a socio-cultural and political history, its exploration of possession and expulsion rituals touches upon themes common in Western esoteric traditions, particularly those concerned with spiritual warfare and the purification of the self and environment. It engages with the historical framework of demonology and spiritual hierarchy, albeit from a critical, secularizing perspective. The work departs from typical esoteric literature by analyzing these phenomena through the lens of modern psychology and political science rather than solely within established occult frameworks, offering a unique, almost 'exoteric' critique of esoteric-adjacent practices.
Symbolism
The book implicitly engages with symbols of purity and corruption, light and darkness, often central to esoteric discourse. The 'devil' and 'demons' function as potent symbols of externalized evil, fear, and societal anxieties. Conversely, the act of 'purging' symbolizes a cleansing ritual, a reclaiming of order and control. Tanner's analysis explores how these archetypal symbols are reinterpreted and deployed in contemporary contexts, often to pathologize or marginalize those who deviate from normative social or political structures, transforming symbolic struggles into tangible social control mechanisms.
Modern Relevance
The work's examination of exorcism as a response to societal anxieties and as a tool for asserting control remains highly relevant. Contemporary thinkers and practitioners exploring the commodification of spirituality, the psychology of belief, and the use of religious rhetoric in political discourse can draw on Tanner's analysis. Schools of thought focusing on critical theory, the sociology of religion, and the intersection of mental health with cultural phenomena find "Purging the Devil" a valuable resource for understanding the enduring appeal and varied applications of exorcism in the 21st century.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Students of religious studies and cultural history: gain a critical perspective on the evolution of exorcism and its social functions beyond theological explanations. • Critical theorists and sociologists: understand how spiritual practices can be co-opted as tools of social control and how 'possession' can serve as a metaphor for dissent. • Individuals interested in the history of psychology and therapy: explore the complex relationship between mental health discourse and the resurgence of spiritual healing practices since the mid-20th century.
📜 Historical Context
Grafton Tanner's "Purging the Devil" emerged in a landscape where post-war American society grappled with evolving notions of psychology, spirituality, and social control. The mid-20th century, particularly from the 1950s onward, saw a notable shift. While Freudian psychoanalysis gained prominence, a counter-current of interest in the supernatural and religious fervor also persisted and, in some cases, intensified. Tanner situates the resurgence of exorcism within this complex milieu, challenging the purely theological explanations. He examines how this practice became entangled with the rise of the therapeutic state and the burgeoning consumer culture, transforming into a 'product' available in the spiritual marketplace. Contemporaries like Michel Foucault were analyzing institutions of power and control, and Tanner's work can be seen as extending such critiques into the field of religious practice. The book's analysis of exorcism as a tool against resistant groups directly engages with anxieties surrounding social movements and dissent during the Cold War and subsequent decades, positioning it as a significant intervention in understanding how spiritual language serves political ends.
📔 Journal Prompts
The concept of the 'therapeutic marketplace' and its implications for spiritual practices.
The symbolic weight of 'possession' as a response to societal pressures.
How exorcism functions as a 'weapon' against groups resisting authority.
The transformation of exorcism from 'outdated embarrassment' to popular demand.
Analyzing the interplay between mental health discourse and spiritual affliction.
🗂️ Glossary
Therapeutic Marketplace
A concept describing the environment where demand for exorcism has grown, positioning it as a service within a broader system of healing, counseling, and well-being services available for purchase.
Possession (as symbolic language)
In Tanner's framework, possession is explored not solely as a supernatural event but as a cultural and psychological expression, potentially symbolizing dissent, societal anxieties, or individual distress.
Weaponized Exorcism
The use of exorcism or the discourse of demonic influence as a tool to marginalize, control, or delegitimize individuals or groups who challenge established state, corporate, or ecclesiastical powers.
Mid-twentieth Century Resurgence
Refers to the documented increase in demand for exorcism starting around the 1950s, marking a significant shift from its perceived decline as an outdated practice.
Secularizing Societies
Societies where religious influence and adherence are declining, yet spiritual or quasi-religious practices like exorcism can paradoxically gain or maintain traction through different cultural lenses.
Ecclesiastical Powers
The authority and influence held by religious institutions, particularly churches and their governing bodies, as discussed in relation to how exorcism has been managed or utilized.
Corporate Powers
The influence and authority exerted by large businesses and financial institutions, examined in the context of how exorcism might be used to control or pacify populations affected by their actions.
