April 19, 2002

'Spiritual Power' on Demand

To the Editor:

I read with interest the article on exorcism ("A Sociologist Possessed by Pop Culture Explores Links to Exorcism," March 15). While deliverance (the term preferred by charismatic insiders) has a long history, the contemporary practice (mass meeting: start on time, sing, teach, act out, meeting over) has its roots in just a few people who taught and ministered in the late '60s and early '70s. Deliverance services were taking place prior to The Exorcist. ...

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