Demons (theology)

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Demons are very common antagonists in a number of theological stories, mythologies, folklore and fiction - they are considered either Fallen Angels, unclean spirits or degenerated lesser gods: although the word now has an attachment to malevolence it was originally a neutral term for any spirit lesser than a deity in status.

Demons have confronted a number of significant figures in religions from across the world such as the Hindu Gods, Buddah, Jesus and even God himself - normally it is believed that only faith can overcome these creatures and they are attributed with a number of evil powers.

Outwith religion Demons are seen as metaphores for natural disasters, affliction and cruelty - the most prominent of which are the "deadly sins" of Christian tradition: demons are also used to describe inner-fears and anxieties found in the minds of all people, which is where the common expression "face one's demons" comes from.

Demons are similiar to monsters in being frightening and against the natural order - unlike monsters however most demons are seen as a spiritual threat rather than a physical one and can possess humans, cause poltergeist activity, drive people insane and much more.

History

Biblical Tales

War In Heaven

(main article: War In Heaven)

The War In Heaven is regarded by many branches of Christianity as the beginning of demons, who were originally angels loyal to the rebel known as Lucifer - who fought against God and thus damned himself and his followers, becoming the chief spirit of evil in Christian theology - Satan.

Garden Of Eden

(main article: Fall Of Man)

According to most texts God created Adam and Eve, granting them access to the Garden Of Eden but forbidding them from eating the sacred fruit of knowledge - Satan (taking the form of a serpent) successfully tempted Eve into eating from the tree along with Adam, resulting in the supposed "Fall Of Man".

Some texts also speak of Lilith, who was supposedly Adam's first wife created prior to Eve but turned from God's plan and became a demon in her own right.

Temptation Of Christ

Jesus was said to be visited by Satan during his journey through a great desert and was offered the world itself by the evil spirit if he would bow before him - Jesus instead scolded Satan for his pride and upon seeing Jesus was unable to be corrupted Satan seemingly left.

Legion

Jesus was also reported to be a great and learned healer who travelled the world performing miracles, during his travels a story is told of how he came across a man troubled with madness and ordered the unclean spirits to reveal themselves - resulting in the now famous confrontation with Legion.

According to scripture Jesus ordered Legion to leave the man and they proceeded to possess a herd of pigs that ran into the sea and apparently drowned.

End Of Days

(main article: Armageddon)

Revelations - which deals with the supposed events of Armageddon and the Day Of Judgement - is full of demonic imagery and tells the story of how evil comes to rule supreme over the world with figures such as the Horsemen, the Beast, Antichrist and so forth roaming the world and causing havoc.

These turbulent times are seen as either a symbolic or literal battle between good and evil with a second War In Heaven occuring and an enraged Satan falling to earth "..his rage immeasurable, for he knew his time was short".

According to most texts Satan is captured and imprisoned for a thousand years - during which Jesus sets up an age of enlightenment and peace - however after a thousand years Satan is unleashed once more and begins a second apocalypse.

The second apocalypse is the final battle as God himself is often believed to intervene and begin his Day Of Judgement - at which point Satan and his followers are cast into the Pit Of Fire and the Kingdom Of Heaven is forevermore merged with Earth.

Japanese Mythology

Japanese Mythology is full of spirits, some of which are considered malevolent in regards to mortals, unlike Western mythology Japanese spirits are not really good or evil and are rather bizarre and often alien creatures whose methods and goals are often beyond the understanding of humans. Some of the more prominent demons in Japanese Mythology are the Onis and Tengus.

Celtic Mythology

The Fomor from Celtic Mythology are often envisioned as evil spirits, though they are technically titans, they share a lot in common with demons however in being ugly, malevolent and residing in the ocean (which is often considered the home of evil spirits).

Prominent Demons In Mythology / Theology

• Satan - chief spirit of evil in Christian texts
• Iblis - chief spirit of evil in Islam
• Belial - a crowned prince of hell
• Lilith - the original wife of Adam turned succubus
• Beelzebub - a high-ranking demon often confused with Satan
• Baphomet - goat-headed demon who is heavily associated with the occult
• Antichrist - the enemy of Jesus who is said to surface in the End Of Days
• The Beast - the "false prophet" and a vessel for Satan to enforce his will during the Apocalypse.
• King Of Terror - a figure described as arriving and starting wars
• Ravana - a powerful demon from Hindu mythology
• Surtur - a fiery demon from Norse mythology
• Mephistopheles - legendary devil from the tale of Faust
• Mammon - embodiment of wealth, often seen as a false idol

Creatures Considered Demons

• Hags - evil witch-like beings in folklore/mythology.
• Imps - mischievious little spirits often considered low-ranking demons.
• Fallen Angels - angels that have fallen from the grace of God (or similiar deity)
• Succubus - female spirits that seduce sleeping males.
• Incubus - male spirits that are accused of raping sleeping females.
• Poltergeist - "noisy spirit" - although a ghost, it can be seen as a demon by some.

Demons In Fiction

• Pazuzu - the main antagonist of the Exorcist series.
• Damien Thorn - the main antagonist of the Omen series.
• Freddy Krueger - the main antagonist of the Nightmare On Elm Street series.
• Rosemary's Baby - the unnamed antagonist of Rosemary's Baby.
• Pennywise - the main antagonist of "IT".
• Demonic Toys - the main antagonists of the "Demonic Toys" series.
• Ghoulies - the main antagonists of the "Ghoulies" series.
• Trigon - powerful demon from DC universe, enemy of the Titans.
• Mephisto - devil-like figure from Marvel comics.