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One of the most well-documented cases of alleged demonic possession is that of Anneliese Michel, a young German woman who believed she was possessed by at least 6 demons. Complicating this situation is the fact that Anneliese was undergoing medical and mental health treatment at the time of her alleged possession. And, the conflict between religion and science led to heartbreaking tragedy. Let's explore the case of Anneliese Michel in The Possession Files season 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Possession Files is a Red Treehouse exclusive series, where we go in-depth on the most harrowing--and often tragic--stories of alleged demonic possession. In season 1, we're going to explore one of the most well-known cases: Anneliese Michel. So often, the story of Anneliese Michel begins at the end of her life and tracks backwards; and the heartbreaking pictures and bone-chilling audio clips of her alleged possession and subsequent exorcisms often take center stage. Yet, this feels wrong. Because Anneliese was a young woman with hopes, dreams, and plans for the future--even amidst the agony and suffering she experienced. And as we grapple with what happened to her, it’s important to ask, “who was Anneliese Michel?” The answers will give invaluable insight into every aspect of her story; and rather than fill in the blanks with conjecture, sensationalism, and assumption, we should let Anneliese speak for herself. In this episode of The Possession Files, we’re going to paint a portrait of Anneliese Michel—her childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood—and hopefully gain a better understanding of who she was, so that we can better grasp what happened to her. I’m your host, Will. Together, let’s explore The Possession Files: The Trials of Anneliese Michel. Follow The Red Treehouse: TikTok/Instagram/YouTube/X/Threads/Facebook: @redtreehousepod Email: [email protected] Music: Into the Dark by Shakibhasansayed Sad Rap Beat by Defekt Maschine SOURCES: 1. The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel -- Written by Felicitas Goodman 2. Anneliese Michel: A True Story of a Case of Demonic Possession -- Written by Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea and Lawrence E.U. LeBlanc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Possession Files is a Red Treehouse exclusive series, where we go in-depth on the most harrowing--and often tragic--stories of alleged demonic possession. In season 1, we're going to explore one of the most well-known cases: Anneliese Michel. As Anneliese’s story progresses, the tension between religion and science, or maybe more specifically, faith and reason, will become more complex. We can already sense the tension as Anneliese’s family tries desperately to find solutions for her struggles. But with her doctors unable to find a cause for her blackouts and paralysis episodes, Anneliese becomes more convinced that her afflictions are more spiritual than medical. As the medical symptoms—and questions—pile up, Anneliese begins showing signs that something much darker may be occurring. And it leaves us to wrestle with a series of difficult questions: Should faith and reason be arch enemies, or is there a way for them to coexist? Does religious conviction require a person to cast aside rational thought? And perhaps one of the most interesting questions of all, and I’ll say up front that it’s a sensitive one—is it possible that what was once understood as demonic possession is actually a form of mental illness? In this episode of The Possession Files, we’re going to explore the symptoms and signs of Anneliese’s struggles and hopefully gain a better grasp of the medical symptoms—and because Anneliese was convinced her troubles were spiritual—the signs of demonic possession. I’m your host, Will. Together, let’s explore The Possession Files: The Trials of Anneliese Michel. Follow The Red Treehouse: TikTok/Instagram/YouTube/X/Threads/Facebook: @redtreehousepod Email: [email protected] Music: Into the Dark by Shakibhasansayed Sad Rap Beat by Defekt Maschine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Possession Files is a Red Treehouse exclusive series, where we go in-depth on the most harrowing--and often tragic--stories of alleged demonic possession. In season 1, we're going to explore one of the most well-known cases: Anneliese Michel. To this point, the Michel’s have proven themselves diligent to seek medical and mental health care for Anneliese—primary care physicians, neurologists, specialists, medication, hospital stays; all of which have proven largely ineffective. All of this raises two equally important questions—one that is central to our understanding of Anneliese’s story: what is demonic possession? And is demonic possession real? In this episode of The Possession Files, we’re going to explore and explain demonic possession—from a historical and modern perspective. And, along the way, we will grapple with the possibility that Anneliese may have been possessed by demonic forces. I’m your host, Will; and together, let’s explore The Possession Files: The Trials of Anneliese Michel. Follow The Red Treehouse: TikTok/Instagram/YouTube/X/Threads/Facebook: @redtreehousepod Email: [email protected] Music: Into the Dark by Shakibhasansayed Sad Rap Beat by Defekt Maschine SOURCES: 1. The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel -- Written by Felicitas Goodman 2. Anneliese Michel: A True Story of a Case of Demonic Possession -- Written by Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea and Lawrence E.U. LeBlanc Kaptchuk, T.J., Kerr, C.E., & Zagner, A. (2010). Placebo controls, exorcisms, and the Devil. Lancet, 374(9697). Pathol, J.C. (2002). Lamashtu, “she who erases”, touched her stomach seven times to kill the child. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 55(7). https://tandirection.com/enemies-of-salvation/levels-of-demonic-activity/ https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/signs-of-possession/ https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism The Rituale Romanum. https://www.scribd.com/document/297741331/Rituale-Romanum-Exorcism-Rite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Possession Files is a Red Treehouse exclusive series, where we go in-depth on the most harrowing--and often tragic--stories of alleged demonic possession. In season 1, we're going to explore one of the most well-known cases: Anneliese Michel. In this episode of The Possession Files, we’re going to explore whether Anneliese’s afflictions were medical and mental health-related; or if they were spiritual. And as her story progresses, we’re going to see that Anneliese, her family, treatment providers, and religious leaders all had their own beliefs.   I’m your host, Will; and together, let’s explore The Possession Files: The Trials of Anneliese Michel. Follow The Red Treehouse: TikTok/Instagram/YouTube/X/Threads/Facebook: @redtreehousepod Email: [email protected] Music: Into the Dark by Shakibhasansayed Sad Rap Beat by Defekt Maschine SOURCES: 1. The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel -- Written by Felicitas Goodman 2. Anneliese Michel: A True Story of a Case of Demonic Possession -- Written by Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea and Lawrence E.U. LeBlanc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices