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Does anyone here believe in demons and demon possession?
| Philosophy 101 |
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Does anyone here believe in demons and demon possession? |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL 
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The question has been stated, and I am looking for some honest answers. I'll check this in a few days since Sunday will be a slow day here. Good day to you. ------------------ Don't gain my affections and cover my eyes. In blindness I will only swing harder. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Not particularly. I suppose you could say it's possible but I'm not that worried about it. Unless, of course, you mean the demons that possess us all in a metaphorical way? What would those demons be? |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
I believe in demons but not the kind of which you speak. I believe in the kind that people wrestle with daily, fears, hurts etc. Goodness...look at me. This is all I have to say on this issue...LOL. |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
DEMONS, people! Biblical demons as in the Christian belief. I don't want discussion of religion either. (just a warning there) Just an answer of whether or not you believe will suffice. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Well then I think the two of us have answered your question, more or less. Do you believe in demons? And if you don't want to talk about religion, why do you believe in them? Brad |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
Yes, I believe in them, but we don't have to get into a religious discussion to discuss whether or not we believe in them do we? In one of the answers it seemed to me that I didn't clarify the type of demons, so I did so with my response to it. |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
In your answer to the responses...IMHO...you seemed to want just a yes or no answer. When you put limits on where the discussion goes, you limited someones thought process. To adiquately discuss this question, how can you avoid the religous aspect? |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
Okay, I think I've gotten on everyone's nerves so far. Answer the question any way you see fit. I realize after careful thought that my tone was forceful and rude at the time of both the first post and the answers to the two other people who responded. I apologize, and hope that everyone who reads this knows this is not my normal way. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Temptress, I don't think you've been rude. I just wonder what you want to talk about. Were you thinking of a kind of survey question? Right now, it just seems sort of a tease (your name is Temptress, isn't it?). When you have time, can you try to get more specific? You've made me very curious, Brad |
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JP Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343Loomis, CA |
Hmmmm... Demons and demon possession? That would be a hoot wouldn't it? Can I say I believe? Well, it is not that I don't believethey exist in as much as it is that I don't know if they exist. Belief in demons would necessarily entail some sort of Judeo-Christian belief, or some other established religious belief which places Good and Evil at odds with each other as sentient entities. I don't know if I have it in me to put such faith in beings who are intentionally trying to cause us harm or good. ------------------ Yesterday is ash, tomorrow is smoke; only today does the fire burn. JP |
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Kelly Member
since 1999-07-03
Posts 145 |
Yes, I believe in demons but I don't have any fear or interest in them. |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
Brad, Its not really a survey question. It is just something I am curious about. Specifically, do you believe in Demons or Demonic possessions as taught by the Christian belief? Discuss the point further as wish to. *smiles* At least my thoughts have gotten someone's curiousity around here. : ) |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
My parents didn't till after I was born... |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
I do. I think. I think I do. I do I think. Stupid demons have possessed my writing, that's all I can say about it. And it's true. I think it's true, at least. I'm pretty darned sure I believe in demonic posession, although I don't know if I spelled it right. AND I don't believe it works like that movie in the '70's... the Exorcist... I don't think that was at all realistic. I don't think. But I do think I believe it happens. Not sure, but my gut feeling is that it does. Frankly, I think there's some demon possessed nuts here posting poems about being institutionalized... claiming to be artists and cartoons and stuff... I'm just messin' with ya, Temptress.... bottom line is, I do believe in demons... i think  doreen |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Yea, right....easy for Doreen to say...she knows me?.... |
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broker6 Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 132Bellevue, NE, Sarpy |
You open all kinds of doors, you know, even if that wasn't/isn't your intent. Demons and possession. Could this be a little like when my mom would tell me to clean my plate because there were children starving in India, or some other place. The joke is, you ask her to name one, which, of course, she can't. So, does anyone know of this happening? We read about it, see movies about, but has/does it really happen. I wonder, sometimes, if it happens to those who believe in it, and it doesn't for those who don't. Demons and spooky things address believers in spooky-ism, just as religious faith, in all its forms, addresses believers in that area. |
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Lolita Junior Member
since 1999-11-09
Posts 44Buffalo, NY, America |
I was born into a very catholic community, into a very tight parish, of the church of Saint Annes. The road in which I lived all my life was so heavily religious it was called by all who didn't live there "Little Jerusalem". Because of this severs dedication to the faith I went to many retreats. One annual one was at a place called Thirsk, it didn't actually have a name and everyone I don't think because we only ever said " I'm going to Thirsk" or "Thirsk was such a laugh this year". It was good fun because out of sessions we gt into loads of mischeif and broadened our sexual liberations. However, the sessions were extreme and much of the stuff was crazy as hell. Now children under fifteen do not go to the mass sessions because they look so scary. These sessions involved stuff like praying over people where people often started talking in the voices of others. Also there were these praying things when it was kind o meditation but everyone who did it shook really violently and wailed and tears streamed down their cheeks, then after all was finished they didn't knowthey had been shaking, they just felt "really warm inside, and happy and full of love" That was said to me by my friends moter, Mary Brett who also went to Mejagorie and saw the sun dipping randomly in the sky with about two hundred other people. So yes I do beleive in demons, I would go as far as to say I know demons exist, but there are some GOOD demons who posses people, and those are the ones I have seen with my own eyes. [This message has been edited by Ron (01-14-2010 09:51 AM).] |
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Athas Junior Member
since 1999-12-04
Posts 24Edinburgh, Scotland |
Em demons and a simple answer not involving religion. Well yes I think that it is probable that demons exist but as for actually believing in them as in actually believing in any specific one. That seems to tempt fate a little. I believe that people can become posessed which is something that society seems to have stoped beliving in. Does that answer your question? |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
I would have to say that I am very skeptical of the notion of their existence as they are popularly portrayed (a la "Xena: Warrior Princess" or Frank Perretti novels). I have never "seen" one nor have I been exposed to credible evidence of demonic possession. I have seen a great deal of "crap" and abuse out there, however. I cannot say that they do not exist (universal negative fallacy, you understand) but I have to say that I am skeptical of, at the very least, how many people popularly describe demons and demonic possession. Jim "If I rest, I rust." -Martin Luther |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I believe it when the word is used like this: I am possessed by a demon (a virus) I am possessed by a demon (a vice) I am possessed by a demon (a negative emotion) etc. But not when it is used like this: I am possessed by a demon (a demon). |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
yes, literally. |
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Bob K Member Elite
since 2007-11-03
Posts 4208 |
Interesting thought. I can't answer the question theologically; it's speculative. In terms of psychological reality, yeah, I think so. People's awareness only covers a limited part of their actual personhood at any one time. Jung used to talk about consciousness (of any single person, in this case) being like islands poking above the ocean. The consciousness shows up here and there, and is different in each place. Some places you'd recognize easily, others not so easily, though they're all still part of the same person. And that's without talking about the ocean or the parts underwater. Some folks, according to Harry Stack Sullivan, undergo a "malevolent transformation" and identify with actual evil. One doesn't meet these folks too often outside of psychiatric hospitals or prisons, but they're out there. They will sometimes identify with the demonic, which is an Archetype in the Platonic sense. One can certainly be possessed by Archetypes, such as The Old Wise Man or The Crone or The Great Mother or Venus. The Demonic is one of those, and it can very easily possess people and do not very nice things with them. Alastair Crowley, if I have his name spelled correctly, was one of them. Charles Manson would likely have been another. When you get a lot of Archetypal stuff going on, reports of what happens in those places seem to become unreliable. Whether that reflects an actual weirdness in reality or in people's reports about reality in those situations, I don't know. I think that it's much simpler to dismiss reports of the demonic, of course, if you've never actually seen or experienced something directed personally at you with what amounts to a soul destroying intention. If you don't believe in soul, and many fine people do not, please feel free to substitute a word that you feel has a parallel and equivalent if non-theological meaning. I would suggest happy thoughts and joyful pastimes are a much more fruitful way of dealing with life. And for goodness' sake, why are you so curious about demons and possession when you could be just as interested in passionate fascinations and thrilling accomplishments? They're actually probably more fun to achieve and considerably more meaningful in the long run. In my opinion. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist" Roger "Verbal" Kint - "The Usual Suspects" |
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Chalmette Guy Senior Member
since 2009-03-11
Posts 1257Louisiana |
Yes. How's that Temptress? |
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Falling rain
since 2008-01-31
Posts 2178Small town, Illinois |
Demons? Like bat wings and fire? Well no. Just plain ridiculous. Although I agree with Essorant's thoughts. -Zach |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
Yes and yes, but it should be rare, because Jesus expelled them to hell. The only way a person can be possessed is if they invite or allow the "devil" in. This may also happen if a parent curses their child. One may speculate that this may be the reason why many churches like the roman catholic bans the use of wigi boards and pendulums and devices that speaking with the dead. [because whats around to talk with are mostly not good] So pretty much since this not the end of times and unless you are a devil worshiper don't worry. (: -Juju |
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Grinch Member Elite
since 2005-12-31
Posts 2929Whoville |
No. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Juju, I think that's spelled Ouija. |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
I don't believe in demons or demons possession, but then...I think demons are 'invented' by religions in order to scare people off enough so they would behave well within the restricted order. But that's another discussion. I don't mind what people believe, as long as they don't force their belief onto others. Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
I didn't care enough to check (: -Juju |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Seems to me obvious that belief in gods and demons preexisted organized religion. Organized religion (in various ways) merely explained them. Could such a doctrine be used to manipulate people? sure. But that has little bearing on whether or not its true, since all kinds of things (true or false) can be used for that. And Juju, that's okay. Spelling's not required for good philosophay though its preferible I must say  Stephen |
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Suncleaver Member
since 2009-01-18
Posts 481Stafford England |
Being a magickal practitioner (not the satan-worshipping, baby-eating kind), it is not a matter of belief for me, but of experience. Yes. 'Wailing voices on the wind, urging me to turn. Distant tortured screams. Cold blue fires burn'. |
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