Attention: All those who have undeniable proof of demon possession, you are going to be rich.James Randi has a prize of $1 million awaiting anyone who can prove any supernatural or paranormal event. The ironic part of the challenge? The prize, in various monetary amounts, has been waiting since 1964 without a winner. Many have tried — none have succeeded.So why can’t those with “concrete evidence” of demon possession — including levitations, speaking unknown languages and other paranormal hoopla — claim the prize? Watch the YouTube videos of other various swindlers with supernatural “gifts” try, and you’ll see exactly why. Some just fail the challenge. Others — like Uri Geller and Peter Popoff — get exposed as bigger frauds than Bernie Madoff.Am I saying people who claim to have witnessed demon possession firsthand are intentional liars? No — not entirely. But what I might concede is that they have fallen prey to that most powerful human trait: delusion.We want to believe metaphysical entities are responsible for evil. Some of us have even been conditioned to label all supposed paranormal activity as “demonic.” But what many fail to recognize in this hurricane of spinning heads and puking green slime is the power of the human mind.Best example: pseudocyesis. Commonly known as “false pregnancy,” this mental condition occurs when a person — male or female — either becomes convinced he or she is pregnant or is severely frightened at having a bun in the oven. Symptoms can include morning sickness, period loss, lactation, expanding midsection and even going into labor.Are pseudocyesis and demon possession related? Sort of — each epitomizes the power of perception. When one becomes convinced of something, the mind can take over and manifest the repercussions to a seemingly “real” state.But why harp on a “phenomenon” that is clearly mentioned in sacred texts?First-century Palestine was certainly aware of demon possession — it seemed as common as killing an animal to atone for wrongdoing. There are plenty of instances of demon possession and exorcism in the ancient world, but medical science was not so prevalent.The ancients sent in a clergyman when someone fell blind, deaf, mute or exhibited any other “strange” behavior because     surely the ill-fated sinner had done something terrible. We know now that sickness has a biological explanation — they didn’t.Aside from the more severe cases of possession, there are also more common and lesser inflicted “victims” of demonic torment. These are the sort who view all hardships in life as a result of evil influence. Can’t sleep or having nightmares? You’re tormented by a demon, an incubus or succubus most likely. Questioning God? It’s the devil and his minions proactively trying to pillage your lost soul. Can’t control your outbursts? You guessed it — it’s Beelzebub’s loosening of your heathen tongue.  Forget all that rubbish about the brain’s functions during sleep. Never mind the human gift of inquiry. Tourette’s syndrome, or just a lack of self control — that’s all just silly talk.It’s easier to blame an external evil force for our misfortunes, but how honest and dignified is it? How can humanity learn, grow or progress if our iniquities are the fault of a malevolent and invisible tormentor?Perhaps it’s time to take responsibility for our own problems. Mental illness and physical hardships are very real. Demon possession — not so much.Where astrology ends, astronomy begins. Where alchemy ends, chemistry begins. And, alas, where demon possession and demonic torment ends, medical science and responsibility for our own iniquities begin.Andrew Robertson is a 23-year-old religious studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_arobertson.—–Contact Andrew Robertson at [email protected]