American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty

by Michael W. Cuneo

Book Overview

A guided tour through the burgeoning business of exorcism and the darker side of American life. There is no other religious ritual more fascinating, or more disturbing, than exorcism. This is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385501765
• ISBN13: 9780385501767
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

In You or Your Television: Demons in America

Cuneo?s text, American Exorcism. Demonology itself is not a field he wishes to research; however, the fact that some Americans believe both in demons and their alleged power is. Cuneo extensively interviewed people who perform exorcisms and those who believe that they are the victims of demonic affliction. These people come from all walks of life, from the mid-west housewife to the urban priest-socialite. From the text, it appears that Cuneo has covered most of the ground involved here, including such books and movies as Peck?s The Road Less Traveled and the film Kung Fu Exorcist.As for the topic of demonology, Cuneo concludes that demonic presence is non-falsifiable. However, to continue wasting words on this subject is asinine; it is unimportant to the text. Demons do not matter; it is all in how people react to their alleged presence. Quite simply, people want these demons out of their hair and out of their spheres of influence.Cuneo argues convincingly that popular culture has wielded its influence in Americans? spiritual lives. It is no coincidence that the belief in demons and demonic possession rose immediately following the two theater runs of William Peter Blatty?s The Exorcist. Further, people watched a 2020 episode in which a Roman Catholic priest performed an exorcism and walked away believing that they, too, were the victims of diabolical possession. This displays a disconcerting readiness to identify with what we see on television and in other media. However, something else must make these people susceptible to the belief that they have had their bodies taken over by some malevolent supernatural force. Could there somehow be a benefit to believing yourself possessed?Americans want the same things from every commodity they consume, so why should spirituality be any different? Americans want immediate satisfaction. Americans want moral exculpation. Americans want brand variety. Exorcism is attractive because it offers all of these things. A few prayers and maybe some fireworks, and the demons are gone from your body. Plus, you weren?t to blame for any bad things you did; the demons were! Finally, exorcism comes in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Really the only question someone need ask when looking for an exorcism is whether he or she wants the demon to come out clean or in a puss-filled puddle of vomit. This is what Cuneo argues. This is why exorcism is so attractive and why so many Americans believe that they have fallen under some diabolical spell.Finally, what are the real results of exorcism? Cuneo says that they have a non-falsifiable therapeutic value when performed correctly. Whether this value is placebic or real is a question along the lines of whether demons exist. However, the problem remains with the exorcist, as exorcism can cause irreparable harm. People have died when overzealous exorcists push the envelope determining that demon has irreversibly infested some poor person. The line b

Demons in America?

Whether demons exist and whether they can possess a person is not the central question of Michael Cuneo's text, American Exorcism. Demonology is not a field he wishes to research; however, the fact that some Americans believe both in demons and their alleged power is. Cuneo extensively interviewed people who perform exorcisms and those who believe that they are the victims of demonic affliction. These people come from all walks of life: the mid-west housewife to the urban priest-socialite. From the text, it appears that Cuneo has covered most of the ground involved here, including such books and movies as Peck's The Road Less Traveled and the film Kung Fu Exorcist.As for the topic of demonology, Cuneo concludes that demonic presence is non-falsifiable. However, to continue wasting words on this subject is asinine; it is unimportant to the text. Demons do not matter; it is all in how people react to their alleged presence. The other question is the effect these demons might or might not have on these people. Quite simply, people want these demons out of their hair and out of their spheres of influence. The second question is more important.Cuneo argues convincingly that popular culture has wielded its influence in Americans' spiritual lives. It is no coincidence that the belief in demons and demonic possession rose immediately following the two theater runs of William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist. People watched a 2020 episode in which a Roman Catholic priest performed an exorcism. These people walked away from have watched the show believing that they, too, were the victims of diabolical possession. This displays a disconcerting readiness to identify with what we see on television and in other media. However, something else must make these people susceptible to the belief that they have had their bodies taken over by some malevolent supernatural force. Could there somehow be a benefit to believing yourself possessed?Americans want the same thing from every commodity they consume, so why should spirituality be any different? Americans want immediate satisfaction. Americans want moral exculpation. Americans want brand variety. Exorcism is attractive because it offers all of these things. A few prayers and maybe some fireworks, and the demons are gone from your body. Plus, you weren't to blame for any bad things you did; the demons were! Finally, exorcism comes in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Really the only question someone need ask when looking for an exorcism is whether they want the demon to come out clean or in a puss-filled puddle of vomit. This is what Cuneo argues. This is why exorcism is so attractive and why so many Americans believe that they have fallen under some diabolical spell.Finally, what are the real results of exorcism? Cuneo says that they have a non-falsifiable therapeutic value when performed correctly. Whether this value is placebic or real is a question along the lines of whether demons e

A fantastic book.

Wonderfully written, unbelievably researched, the book is a sheer joy. The case studies will amuse you, will horrify you, will leave you wanting more. What can I say, it's the best book I've read this year.

An intelligent look at this subject (Finally!)

Cuneo's book is not written for superstitious minds but rather for thinking people who are fascinated at how obsessed Americans still are with demons. How long has it been since the Salem Witch trials? You won't think of it as being that far back when you see what's going on in our country today. I recommend this book to readers of serious but quirky non-fiction about American life, such as FAST FOOD NATION or even SEABISCUIT.

Excellent and Provocative!

I loved this book and couldn't disagree with the [other] review ... more! I thought Michael Cuneo's research was meticulously documented and all his bases were, so to speak, covered. I also found him sympathetic and nonjudgmental about the people who felt they needed exorcisms--I started reading this book thinking the whole thing was just for kooks, but my opinion definitely changed. Also, I loved Cuneo's writing style and thought he was very witty, which is unusual in books like these. All in all, I really felt that this was an even-handed book, not at all lazy or lurid.