Religious society - demonic possession.
Secular society - alien possession.
It's essentially the same faith and certainly the same idea. As long as the faithful remain powerless, it isn't dangerous. If they do get power, it's very dangerous. Abuse, torture and murder is inevitable if the True Believers have enough power. It's necessary to protect people, you see. It's good for the victim, too, because it drives out the possession. Everyone wins, oh yes they do.
Secular society - alien possession.
It's essentially the same faith and certainly the same idea. As long as the faithful remain powerless, it isn't dangerous. If they do get power, it's very dangerous. Abuse, torture and murder is inevitable if the True Believers have enough power. It's necessary to protect people, you see. It's good for the victim, too, because it drives out the possession. Everyone wins, oh yes they do.