An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

pray for them. In the words of several respondents who do not view depression as anillness but recognized that there is an imbalance (depression) which could be regarded asdemonic or cultural. There was no immediate „casting out of demonic spirits‟ but medicaltreatment of mental imbalance gave the person a sense of balance.Respondent 11 from COGIC noted:‗I went to the doctor because I could not sleep and my hair was falling out. My husbandtold me to go and see the doctor because something is wrong. The doctor told me I wasdepressed because of the diagnosis that my child was severely autistic and gave me somepills‘ It took two years before I began to feel better.‗Depression does not happen to black folks, only white folks‘.Kaufman, (1996) suggests that when our dignity pride and self worth are undermined, thecauses are often attributed to an unacceptable force that is outside of the control of theperson. At the same time, that person is expected to be able to regain a balance with orwithout help, and with the assistance of strong willpower. The person who suffers anunbalanced state for any period of time is labelled a „lunatic‟ or „possessed with demons‟and shunned by their family and the community.Amongst COGIC church members, when one comes to Christ, he or she is healed of anymental or emotional frailty which can be regarded as demonic spirits. When they arehealed they leave this aspect of their past lives and these demons behind. They are nowrenewed to wholeness through the healing power of Christ. They are healed of any pastsinful activities such as cussing, stealing, lying and adultery, alcoholism and smoking.212