Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

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John Human
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Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

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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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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #511

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William wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:54 pm [Replying to OneWay in post #506]
Is that really what you want to do?
Why did you suggest it could be done?
I don't think so. Not by you anyway.

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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #512

Post by brunumb »

OneWay wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:46 pm Really? How would you know one way or the other the truth about it?
You may be one of those unbelievers who blathers on endlessly but when push comes to shove
it turns out you know nothing. It's all just made up nonsense.
Maybe I now nothing about demons because they are not real. If you know anything why can't you share it?
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Voltaire: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #513

Post by OneWay »

brunumb wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 2:13 am
OneWay wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:46 pm Really? How would you know one way or the other the truth about it?
You may be one of those unbelievers who blathers on endlessly but when push comes to shove
it turns out you know nothing. It's all just made up nonsense.
Maybe I now nothing about demons because they are not real. If you know anything why can't you share it?
How would you know if what I share with you is real or not?

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Diagoras
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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #514

Post by Diagoras »

OneWay wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 3:51 pm
William wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 3:34 pm The point is Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?
Yes, they exist and they failed the test.
That is why they are demons.
What test are you talking about?

What evidence can you offer for demons’ existing that cannot also be evidence for hallucinations? We are over fifty pages into this thread, without an answer.

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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #515

Post by brunumb »

OneWay wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 11:42 am
brunumb wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 2:13 am
OneWay wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:46 pm Really? How would you know one way or the other the truth about it?
You may be one of those unbelievers who blathers on endlessly but when push comes to shove
it turns out you know nothing. It's all just made up nonsense.
Maybe I now nothing about demons because they are not real. If you know anything why can't you share it?
How would you know if what I share with you is real or not?
Is that why you won't share what you know, or is it that you really know nothing? As soon as believers are asked to front up it seems that we get nothing but dodges instead. What's the point?
George Orwell:: “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.”
Voltaire: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Gender ideology is anti-science, anti truth.

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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #516

Post by OneWay »

brunumb wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 4:30 pm
OneWay wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 11:42 am
brunumb wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 2:13 am
OneWay wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:46 pm Really? How would you know one way or the other the truth about it?
You may be one of those unbelievers who blathers on endlessly but when push comes to shove
it turns out you know nothing. It's all just made up nonsense.
Maybe I now nothing about demons because they are not real. If you know anything why can't you share it?
How would you know if what I share with you is real or not?
Is that why you won't share what you know, or is it that you really know nothing? As soon as believers are asked to front up it seems that we get nothing but dodges instead. What's the point?
The question is not
do I know anything about them.
The question is
why would or should I teach you anything about them?

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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #517

Post by OneWay »

Diagoras wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 4:03 pm
OneWay wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 3:51 pm
William wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 3:34 pm The point is Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?
Yes, they exist and they failed the test.
That is why they are demons.
What test are you talking about?

What evidence can you offer for demons’ existing that cannot also be evidence for hallucinations? We are over fifty pages into this thread, without an answer.
What is a demon? You answer this, and we can proceed to the next step.

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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #518

Post by Diagoras »

OneWay wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:31 pmWhat is a demon? You answer this, and we can proceed to the next step.
It’s an explanation given by some for phenomena that modern medicine more usually ascribes to a range of neurological conditions.

Perhaps re-read post #4 of this thread.

If ‘the next step’ involves you answering any of the various questions so far about ‘demons’, then progress will have been made.

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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #519

Post by OneWay »

Diagoras wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 7:40 pm
OneWay wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:31 pmWhat is a demon? You answer this, and we can proceed to the next step.
It’s an explanation given by some for phenomena that modern medicine more usually ascribes to a range of neurological conditions.

Perhaps re-read post #4 of this thread.

If ‘the next step’ involves you answering any of the various questions so far about ‘demons’, then progress will have been made.
No, first we must establish the definition of a demon between the both of us.
If not then what would be the point of any more conversation concerning it?
It would just be a clown show.

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Re: Do demons exist? Can that be tested?

Post #520

Post by Diagoras »

OneWay wrote: Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:31 pmWhat is a demon? You answer this, and we can proceed to the next step.
Answered:
I wrote:It’s an explanation given by some for phenomena that modern medicine more usually ascribes to a range of neurological conditions.
You then wrote:No, first we must establish the definition of a demon between the both of us.
Apologies - I mistakenly thought ‘the next step’ would be somehow forwards.

I suggest that to establish an agreed definition of a demon, you will need to post what you think is a suitable definition as well. Given some of your previous pronouncements on the subject, you surely have an idea of what they are?

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