The Church Sinister

What is it about?

The Church of England had clergy who both believed in the Devil and wanted to exorcise him, and those who did not want exorcisms conducted and who may not have believed in the devil. Arguments between clergy became public, moving onto television screens. This paper explores the circumstances surrounding academic theological arguments becoming part of popular culture including on television talk shows and in drama. Exorcisms should demonstrate the spiritual authority of the clergy, but this paper discusses exorcisms as major sites of uncertainty, doubt and instability for the Church, including concerns about traditional belief and the rise of the charismatic movement and considers the way private theological doubt entered the public domain.

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