According to The Gun Violence Archive, there have been 314 mass shootings in America, since January 2022. The non-profit group defines a mass shooting as one in which at least four persons were killed. The profiles of the killers vary in age and background. Interestingly, there is a constant redefining of the profile of mass killers in America.
Many have commented on the possible causes and solutions to this growing scourge on America. Following the recent mass killing in Highland Park, Illinois, former Education Secretary Bill Bennett, stated that these young men accused of mass shootings reflect a deep spiritual void. He went on to suggest that some cases may require exorcism.
Despite the media cynicism to Dr Bennett’s opinion, we cannot ignore his thought-provoking contribution. Could we be mis-diagnosing demonic activity for mental illness? In attempting to answer this question, I found the writings of Catholic theologian John Bartunek to be helpful.
Dr Bartunek correctly contends that “not all psychological difficulties can be classified as mental illness. Some are linked to changeable patterns of behaviour or basic human maturity issues. These can be remedied by healthy living, sense of community, human and spiritual formation, the discovery of a mission in life, and other fruitful activities. For example, sometimes mild but persistent depression or problems with anger management are really rooted in patterns of sin that have torn apart a person’s interior balance.”
However, it must be said that mental illness is a reality. Mental illness goes deeper; it is a dysfunction or disorder rooted in the structure of one’s personality. Mental illness in these cases is not always caused by direct demonic activity. Many times, it is caused by traumatic physical or psychological experiences, or genetic/physiological imbalances, or a combination of any of these factors. In these cases, sometimes medication can help a person lead an almost normal life.
But we must also reiterate that demonic activity is also a reality. The Gospels often referred to persons who were delivered from satanic control. Satanic activity can be through “obsession,” by which a demon will bother a person from outside, causing chronic physical, physiological, or psychological pain. This can also be done through “possession,” by which a demon takes temporary control of a person’s physical and bodily capacities from within.
So then, the question arises, how can one tell if there is some demonic activity going on in the case of someone suffering some symptoms of mental illness? From my experience, I can concur with Dr Bartunek that usually there will be something in the person’s past that could provide clues – they or their family members used to play around with the occult practices or engage in destructive reflections. Sometimes the only clue is that a psychosomatic illness is persistent and is non-responsive to normal therapy.
That was the situation my wife and I encountered. A woman visited our home with a list of very distressing reflections. She copied these from the journal of a family member who was under her care. She feared that her relative could harm herself or others. She advised against confrontation and strongly encouraged us to join her in prayer.
Some time passed and we met the family member in a religious setting. Our intervention was sought when irrational and violent behaviour was displayed by this person. Nothing in her behaviour resembled the person we thought we knew. For more that three hours we battled with forces that controlled this young woman. Our only recourse was to call on the supernatural sources made available to Christians. She was delivered. Today, decades later, she continues to make meaningful contributions to her family and wider community.
I believe Dr William Bennett is on to something when he stated that “a deep spiritual void” must be considered when examining options to correcting evil. Interestingly, mass killers are not usually among persons who have filled the spiritual void in their lives. Jesus was correct, he came to offer a more meaningful alternative to purposeless living.
2 comments:
I commend Dr. Corbin for penning a thought-provoking article, relevant to, and potentially helpful in trying to understand, our troubled and troubling times.
My only comment is that I would end the article somewhat differently, something like this:
Jesus came to offer the only meaningful alternative to what is ultimately purposeless living; (for indeed, what shall it ultimately benefit a person if they achieve temporarily purposeful living ("gain the whole world") and eventually lose their own soul, and be cast away?)
A very thought provoking article.
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