Do demons exist?

Scenes from spine-curling horror films come to mind when many people think of demons.

Many believe, however, that demonic power and influence goes beyond Hollywood fiction; they believe demons are a real danger for mankind.

A recent admission by a 60-year-old West Odessa man has many talking about the subject of dark, supernatural beings.

On Feb. 1, Jan David Clark was arrested in connection with his wife's death - 59-year-old Susan K. Clark.

According to reports, Clark told investigators that he held his wife's face to the floor of their bathroom in order to remove a demon possessing her. He said the demon then entered his body and caused him to kill her. Eleven days later, Clark told an OA reporter that he was sharing a cell at the Ector County Detention Center with 10 demons and that "the vice president of the 10" was haunting him.

DO DEMONS EXIST?

The topic of demons isn't a comfortable one for some people to discuss - like the Rev. Terry Pugh, pastor of First United Pentecostal Church.

"It's pretty difficult to discuss it in a way that's logical, but it's a spiritual event," he said.

The Rev. Michael Pfeifer, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, said he's gotten several recent phone calls about the diabolical influence - something he definitely believes in.

"The devil is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour," he said, quoting from 1 Peter 5:8. "Satan does exist, and it's been a constant teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

"Even Jesus himself was tempted by the devil," he said.

Demons - like Satan, Pfeifer said, are supernatural figures (angels) who were created by God, rebelled and were cast out of heaven.

"The devil and his followers, the demons, are fallen angels," he said. "They are still creatures and under control of God." Pfeifer said that Jesus Christ conquered "the evil one" with his death on the cross, but the devil is still powerful - stronger and more intelligent than any human being.

Satan may not be seen, but he does have influence on humans, the bishop said.

"He takes what are good things and tries to get us to use natural attractions and abuse them," he said. "The purpose is usually to try and destroy that person and influence people around that person."

DO POSSESSION OCCUR?

While they're rare, Pfeifer said there are cases of demonic possession where a person's body and personality is overtaken by an evil spirit.

Signs of possession include changed behavior, a fierce reaction to sacred objects and the name of Jesus, rage at being sprinkled with holy water or coming in contact with the Eucharist. Even while demons may possess the body, a person still has a free will and can call upon the power of Christ, Pfeifer said.

"Saying 'The devil made me do it,' is a cop out," he said. "Sometimes people freely call upon the devil or turn their lifves over to the devil, but the devil can never take over our will or our intelligence."

Citing a more active influence of evil in the world, Pfeifer said exorcisms - the Catholic ritual of casting out a demon - are increasing.

Only a bishop can empower someone to perform an exorcism, which is very often a struggle that lasts days and even weeks. Pfeifer said he has only performed one or two exorcisms himself and none of the local Catholic priests have asked for his authorization to do one.

"An individual should never take this on their own," he said.

Sister Whitefeather, an Odessa palm- and tarot-card-reading spiritualist, agreed that average individuals should not undertake any type of demon removal alone.

WHAT ABOUT FREE WILL?

In the case of Clark's confession, Whitefeather raised questions about his declared method and if demons had anything to do with it.

"I think if he was such a strong Christian follower, the first thing he should have done was go to the Church and seek help," Whitefeather said. "God is stronger than any evil, and you can fight off anything with faith."

Believing in good and evil forces at work, the spiritualist adviser said a strong faith in Jesus will ward off any inhabitation of a diabolic nature. And personal control is something relinquished, she said.

"I've never seen someone possessed by the devil, but I'm sure it can happen," Whitefeather said. "I also believe that you have a conscious choice."

Pfeifer said there's often difficulty determining if actions are spiritually inspired or the result of a medical condition. Doctors and psychiatrists should determine if a person's behavior has a physical cause.

The Catholic Church, the bishop said, believes baptism - providing the life, power and presence of God - is the greatest protection from Satan's influence.

The Catholic Church gives infant baptism. Prayer and obedient Christian living are also key elements to remaining free from the root of evil, Pfeifer said.

"Even holy people are touched by the devil, not necessarily possessed," he said. "The closer to God you become, the more active the devil becomes against you.

"We should try to live a good life following what Christ has told us to do," he said.