What is a Demon?

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  A demon is a evil spirit or devil, especially one thought to possess a person or act as a tormentor in hell, pure evil deity or being. Capable, of violence, inducing fear, causing harm to individuals, or possessing persons amongst other abilities. Documented factual cases of demons are extremely rare and should be taken seriously.  

 A Possession is believed to be when a spirit, demon, or entity, consumes either entirely or partially a persons being to control them and/or their actions. Symptoms of possessions can include missing time, memory, or space; distortions of reality and perceived truths, and loss of control of ones self. There are many other possible symptoms that very by case.  

   There are three main phases to a demonic haunting:

Infestation phase

Manifestation phase

Possession phase. 

 In 1409 The Lanterne of Light provided a classification system of demons that were based on the seven deadly sins. Belief that individuals would potentially commit or be tempted to commit one of those sins lead to the list of seven "Princes of Hell." 

1. Lucifer: Pride

2. Beelzebub (Belzebub): gluttony (glotouns)-

3. Satan (Sathanas): Wrath (wraþþe)

4. Leviathan (Leviathan): Envy (envous)-

5. Mammon: Greed (Auarouse)

6. Belphegor: sloth (slow) -

7. Asmodeus: Lust (leccherouse) 

 A Demonologist is someone who studies, investigates, or learns about demons, hell, or demonic beliefs.   

 Edward and Lorraine Rita Warren  were pioneers in the American Demonology and Paranormal Investigator community. During the 1900's and into the early 2000's Ed and Lorraine would establish a professional approach and educational background in the study of paranormal.

 Ed a self-taught Demonologist and author and Lorraine a clairvoyant and medium worked many high profile cases that today have been associated with books and film to include the Amityville and Snedeker cases. In their career they would work over 10,000 cases. In 1952, the Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), the oldest ghost hunting group in New England to date. The Warrens were among the first investigators in the so-called Amityville case, Snedeker case, and over their careers would work with physicians, clergy members, and law enforcement agencies. 

Some who have studied the works of Ed and Lorraine have questioned their experiences with scrutiny and skepticism. Questions over the years as to whether the events in some of their high profile cases actually ever happened have left some to discredit them but others believe they are truly pioneers in the paranormal community.  

 Christianity

 Christian demonology is the study of demons from a Christian faith based belief and view. It is primarily based on the Bible (Old and New Testaments) Christianity denotes a hell and a heaven, indicating a hell where sinners are sent and a place of eternal damnation. Belief that entities can travel from hell to earth and posses the individual, influence behavior, and actions.

BuddHism

Generally, Buddhism notes the existence of "hells'  peopled by demons who torment sinners and tempt mortals to commit sin. Additionally, tempting those who seek to thwart their "enlightenment." Mara A demon named Mara is thee chief tempter, "prince of darkness," or "Evil One" in Sanskrit sources.

ISLAM

 Islam has no doctrinal hierarchy of demonology within its existence.  Some Muslim scholars have tried to classify jinn and demons. However,  there is no established classification and terms for jinn may overlap or be used interchangeably. Naming the jinn also depends on cultural influences. 

Judaism

Judaism does not have a demonology or any set of doctrines about demons. Use of the name "Lucifer" stems from  Isaiah 14:3-20.

"On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:

How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended! The Lord has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers, which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression. All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing. Even the junipers and the cedars of Lebanon gloat over you and say, “Now that you have been laid low, no one comes to cut us down.” 

The realm of the dead below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you— all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones— all those who were kings over the nations. They will all respond, they will say to you,

 “You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us.” All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! you have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?” All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb. But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot, you will not join them in burial, for you have destroyed your land and killed your people. Let the offspring of the wicked never be mentioned again."