Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

[John Human]

When I lived in Bali, I couldn't help observing the pervasive evidence of belief in demons. And of course demons put in an appearance in the Bible, not to mention in the gargoyles of old cathedrals.

On the other hand, modern science would seem to categorically reject the existence of demons, without a clear reason why, unless it has to do with the axiomatic presuppositions of science's governing ideology of reductionist materialism.

Question: Do demons exist? What evidence is there, for or against?

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[Miles]

[Replying to 2ndpillar2 in post #158]

How can one test if demons exist in human form, as they just look like humans.

However, re the OPQ - one could try summoning a demon and see what happens.

Evocation


Apparently one can do this with angels too.

Demons, unclean spirits, do not have bodies. They reside in persons or animals such as swine.

Where does the Bible say demons reside in swine?

Of course in Matthew 8 Jesus is said to have put demons into swine, but that was a single incident involving only two demons and two pigs.




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[Purple Knight]

Question: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Yes it can be tested. Most things can be tested once one puts one's mind to actually testing them instead of dismissing them.

Mythbusters tested whether a plant can react to having harm wished on it.



Spiritual presences could be tested in a similar way. You could even use these plants. Get the best plants that have the most consistent reactions. Heck, breed them for it.

Now put hundreds of them in a room and measure them all at once.

[mgb]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=34395

Yes, science is limited in its ability to support theist claims.

But it is also limited in its ability to dismiss theist claims. That is my point. Science is of the intellect, religion is about consciousness. These are two ways of knowing the world.

Religion is about knowing the world? How does that work?


Tcg

The scientist knows primitive truths by way of the intellect (matter is the subject of science and matter is primitive). The world of being and life is known directly by consciousness.

[2ndpillar2]

[Replying to 2ndpillar2 in post #158]

How can one test if demons exist in human form, as they just look like humans.

However, re the OPQ - one could try summoning a demon and see what happens.

Evocation


Apparently one can do this with angels too.

Demons, unclean spirits, do not have bodies. They reside in persons or animals such as swine.

Where does the Bible say demons reside in swine?

Of course in Matthew 8 Jesus is said to have put demons into swine, but that was a single incident involving only two demons and two pigs.
.

You are arguing against yourself. Matthew 8:31 refers to a "herd of swine". Of course, the crowd became fearful, and asked Yeshua to depart from their region. They probably saw the fatal consequences of being possessed, especially if you were a swine. Right now, the world leaders are pretty much demon possessed, and are using fear tactics (global warming Armageddon, Covid Armageddon, and eventually Martians, such as UFO confirmation), to gain control of the populations. In the meantime, they seem to be doing everything possible to crash the existing norms, so as to build back better (the Great Reset). Their socialist/Marxist/Communist system doesn't work. China now has around an 80% water pollution problem, with Bejing having about 1/4 of the UN minimum amount of water per capita recommended, whereas they pump toxic waste into the ground, and keep pumping out ground water to the point of incursion of sea water and pollutants. Their energy regulations now have poor Chinese paying much more for a limited amount of fuel, whereas the northern Chinese are burning ear corn, and used clothes, instead of coal to keep warm, because it is cheaper, and truckers are allowed to buy just enough fuel to almost get to the next fuel station, and are waiting in huge lines to get that much. They have thousands of almost new electric vehicles abandoned, because their range is too short, and new batteries would cost more than the car is worth. Xi has told his people to stock pile food for bad times coming. Xi has regulated Tech industry out of 800 billion in valuation, and their nations wealth is mostly based on a 70 trillion-dollar real estate market, which is crashing quickly. That is a view into the future results of Progressive/Socialist policies. All demon induced craziness, much like the violent craziness of those two demon possessed guys of Matthew 8:24. Disease and craziness/dumbness (Matthew 9:32-35) is a symptom of possession. When dumbness and violence go away, then you are getting a handle on the demons.

[JoeyKnothead]

Demons, unclean spirits, do not have bodies. They reside in persons or animals such as swine. Demons, unclean spirits, are the spirits of the "men of renown" (Genesis). Angels, do not die, it is the spirits of their offspring with daughters of men, who die, that become unclean spirits. Supposedly "Beezelbub", lord of the flies, is a ruling demon. You could try and summon him. I think the best image of him was Barrak giving a news conference, with one fly giving him hell. I think you can find Barrak on Martha's Vinyard. Just go up to his door and try and summon him. If you offer donuts and coffee to the secret service, they may put your summons through. Hopefully, for your sake, his wife doesn't show up.

Only don't it beat all, you offer no means by which we might confirm you speak truth regarding these various outrageous claims.

But I'll give ya flies being demons lomfpoc

[JoeyKnothead]

The scientist knows primitive truths by way of the intellect (matter is the subject of science and matter is primitive). The world of being and life is known directly by consciousness.

Fair nuff I reckon, but consciousness can't be shown to show theistic claims are true.

[mgb]

The scientist knows primitive truths by way of the intellect (matter is the subject of science and matter is primitive). The world of being and life is known directly by consciousness.

Fair nuff I reckon, but consciousness can't be shown to show theistic claims are true.

Because consciousness cannot be easily shared in the way intellectual knowledge can. Each to his own...

[JoeyKnothead]

The scientist knows primitive truths by way of the intellect (matter is the subject of science and matter is primitive). The world of being and life is known directly by consciousness.

Fair nuff I reckon, but consciousness can't be shown to show theistic claims are true.

Because consciousness cannot be easily shared in the way intellectual knowledge can. Each to his own...

Sounds like a problem for those who make claims of gods existing and such.

[Miles]

[Replying to 2ndpillar2 in post #158]

How can one test if demons exist in human form, as they just look like humans.

However, re the OPQ - one could try summoning a demon and see what happens.

Evocation


Apparently one can do this with angels too.

Demons, unclean spirits, do not have bodies. They reside in persons or animals such as swine.

Where does the Bible say demons reside in swine?

Of course in Matthew 8 Jesus is said to have put demons into swine, but that was a single incident involving only two demons and two pigs.
.

You are arguing against yourself. Matthew 8:31 refers to a "herd of swine".

What difference does it make that the two swine were among a herd of swine? Except for the two unfortunate pigs here, the Bible still doesn't say, or even imply, that demons reside in swine; your contention.



.

[brunumb]

All demon induced craziness, much like the violent craziness of those two demon possessed guys of Matthew 8:24.

Is anyone immune to that? How can we be sure that all of what you posted was not in itself demon induced craziness?