Disharmonious spirits only existed after Caligastic rebellion. [1]
The Jewish traditions of heaven and hell and the doctrine of devils were principally derived from the Zoroastrians during the times when the Jews were under the political and cultural dominance of the Persians. [2]
In olden times anything abnormal was ascribed to spirit possession, any striking mental or physical abnormality constituted qualification for being a medicine man. [3]
There was a time in which the belief that physical sickness and mental derangement could be caused by the dwelling of a so-called unclean spirit in the mind or body of the afflicted person was well-nigh universal. [4]
Caligastia has absolutely no power to enter the minds of men, neither can he draw near to their souls to tempt or corrupt them unless they really desire to be cursed with his wicked presence. [5]
When the seventy related how “even the devils were subject” to them, they referred to the wonderful cures they had wrought in the cases of victims of nervous disorders. Nevertheless, there had been a few cases of real spirit possession relieved by these ministers. [6] Jesus really cast out demons in Capernaum. [7] Amos, the Kheresa lunatic, was not possessed, he just had a nervous disorder, and no spirits supposedly entered the swine. [8] James of Safed’s son was afflicted with epilepsy and at the same time was possessed by a real mischievous midwayer. [9] Norana the Syrian woman believed her daughter was possessed but she only was afflicted by a grievous nervous disorder. [10]
There has never been any possesion after arrival of Spirit of Truth. [11]
The supposed casting out of devils since the arrival of the Spirit of Truth has been a matter of confounding a belief in demoniacal possession with hysteria, insanity, and feeble-mindedness. [12]
Even prior to Pentecost no rebel spirit could dominate a normal human mind, and since that day even the weak minds of inferior mortals are free from such possibilities. [13]
Long after the day of Pentecost the Apostle John, who was the last to write of Jesus’ doings, avoided all reference to these so-called acts of “casting out devils,” and this he did in view of the fact that such cases of demon possession never occurred after Pentecost. [14]
In general, when weak and dissolute mortals are supposed to be under the influence of devils and demons, they are merely being dominated by their own inherent and debased tendencies, being led away by their own natural propensities. [15] Rebel midwayers are now interned, held prisoner. [16]
See also: UB 138:4.3.