posted on Dec, 23 2012 @ 10:19 PM
The question, what is a demon? Is a concept that is open to interpretation depending on how you wish to look at it. There are an abundance of
different religious beliefs of what a demon may be. Of course the most typical perceptions may derive from the three abrahamic religions: Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.
As there are many branches of Christianity, it would take quite a while to go through the minor differences of the relevant specifics. However,
generally demons are perceived as minions of the devil. As far as I know, a good thumb through the bible won't really give you any specific
information about the devil except for a few passages that are open to be dissected as referring to more than a handful of things. At this point you
really have to take a look at the cultural direction that the concept of demons were taken over the years. Apparitions of undesirable forms of evil,
representing mutations of humanoid animals that torture humans in the bowels of hell. Catholics tend to take it to the next level with the well known
concept of exorcism. Demons apparently have the ability to occupy the minds/souls of an individual that may have lost their spiritual way and
indulged in sin. They become the puppeteers to lead the human on a path of destruction for themselves and others.
Islam has quite an intricate story relating to demons. They are known as "The Jinn." The Jinn were an intelligent species that existed far before
the creation of mankind. They were gifted with abilities beyond the comprehension of current mankind. The Qur'an is unclear about the specifics of
this time period. What is most important is God's decision to create mankind. Once Adam was born into existence he was put on display before the
Angels (Who, created from light, had no free will but to bow to the will of God), and a representative of the race of Jinn, Iblis(Known as Satan,
Lucifer, etc... in Judeo-christanity). God commanded that the Angels and the Jinn bow before his new creation and its greatness.
Iblis refused to acknowledge Adam as his superior, let alone his equal, the jinn having been given the free will to do so. God was furious at his
insolence and almost immediately resolved to cast him into the pits of hell to suffer for eternity. It was then Iblis proposed an agreement with God.
He strongly believed that mankind was an imperfect creation, and he could quite easily lead them down the path away from God. Iblis would show this
to God, if God could wait until the end of days to cast him into damnation, so that he may pull the strings of humanity behind the scenes. God agreed
to this, being quite confident in mankind as his creation.
The Jinn lived alongside mankind from this day forth, but ultimately unseen and unknown by mankind. As if they exist on a different plane of
existence, having a plethora of abilities as moving at fast speeds, shapeshifting into various animals and humans to delude them into an unknown
agenda. This is where Catholics and Muslims have a lot in common with the concept of possession. The parallels are undeniable with the necessity of
the demons or jinn being expelled by priests or imams. One important thing to remember, however, is that the Jinn can be both good and evil. Many
Jinn converted to Islam, apparently, have hearing the message of the prophet Mohammed, and follow God.
My studies on the Jewish perception of demons isn't as extensive as Islam and Christianity, but I will continue on it if anybody's still
interested. I'm no expert, but it's definitely an interest of mine.