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Let's talk about Demons.

Thor 2

Philosopher
Thor 2
Joined
May 25, 2016
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Tiny town west of Brisbane.
I some recent threads there has been much said, about how a lot of the Bible should be interpreted allegorically. This is primarily centered on the OT in relation to creation and such.

Now I wonder if this allegorical approach, is considered by some modern day Christians as a way to look at some NT material as well. One thing that jumps out at me is the talk about Demons.

Demons get a few mentions in the OT but many more, from my reading, in the NT. Jesus was very adept at casting these nasty guys out of people and many preachers, (of the fundie variety), get on with this task with a gusto.

I wonder it we have some of the more progressive Christians here who would give us their angle on this.
 
I'm no christian, but there are a couple of relevant facts:

The RCC - considered by some to be progressive, has a huge number of ordained exorcists.

The Episcopalian/Anglican Church, easily the most progressive christian church, has exorcists and conducts exorcisms, so I think the answer is that all churches believe in demons as much as they do the sky-daddy.

Definitely not treated as allegory.
 
The Atheist said:
I'm no christian, but there are a couple of relevant facts:

The RCC - considered by some to be progressive, has a huge number of ordained exorcists.

The Episcopalian/Anglican Church, easily the most progressive christian church, has exorcists and conducts exorcisms, so I think the answer is that all churches believe in demons as much as they do the sky-daddy.

Definitely not treated as allegory.
Click to expand...


Yes well I could have guessed posting with the name "The Atheist" you would not be a Christian. :D

I am surprised these churches do still perform exorcisms however, being progressive and all.
 
When my son was born (Damon), we got flowers and a card from a friend which said "Congratulations on the birth of Demon."
My wife freaked out a bit.

As it happens he has grown up to be a decent sensible guy. So he's probably not an actual, real demon.
 
theprestige said:
Define "a huge number". Cite RCC documents supporting this number.
Click to expand...

According to the RCC (by far the largest Christian sect, with claims of a membership of 1.2 billion) anyone with faith can perform an exorcism, but there is also a form of exorcism that can only be carried out by an ordained RC priest, that's called a solemn exorcism.

That would mean there are - in the RCC's view - 1.2 billion people who can perform an exorcism and it's around (if my recollection is correct) 400,000 priests that could perform a solemn exorcism. I think 1.2 billion is a "huge number" of people.
 
I know that there are a number of Protestant sects that quite firmly believe in demons... One group made quite a splash the last election cycle when they were seen as closely associated with Rick Perry.... They run around the country "exorcising" entire cities.

Also, to judge from the numbers of questions that pop up on Quora, there must be a fair number of Christian sects that still hold to the idea.
I'm under the impression that Islam does as well.
 
fagin said:
When my son was born (Damon), we got flowers and a card from a friend which said "Congratulations on the birth of Demon."
My wife freaked out a bit.

As it happens he has grown up to be a decent sensible guy. So he's probably not an actual, real demon.
Click to expand...

That reminds me of a story my mum told me. Apparently my pa watched The Omen the day before I was born, then found out my name was Damien.:)
 
Addressing the question in the OP, some view demons as the personification (demonification?) of desire or obsession to do evil. They're allegorical, like the creation story. Jesus (the Word) and his followers (speaking the Word) would drive out the desire to do evil out of the 'possessed'.
 
I grew up in the more liberal New England Congregational fold, among Christians who were, for the most part, rather intelligent, and never came even close to the idea that demons were anything but allegorical. Of course that was long ago, and I fear that Christianity has moved well to the right of where my little enclave of relative sanity once was, but despite my atheism I remain "Christian friendly" because, however one sees faith, the people I grew up amongst were charitable, generous, and thoughtful, and taught that you think first and believe second.
 
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