Post by Brad-LaSpirits on May 14, 2007 15:26:37 GMT -5
An introduction to the field of Demonology
Demonology:
The Study or Doctrine of Demons.
The History of Demonology is one that is quite unclear before 1160 B.C. , however writings from Wolfram von Eschenbach (1170B.C.-1220B.C.) state that Magic was first concieved in a city called Persida and that a Nomad named Klingsor traveled there and brought back with him the art of Magically effecting whatever he wished. When Klingsor found the strength of his true powers he began to brag about how sly and cunning he was to get women into bed, but that served him no justice after he got caught sleeping with the kings wife (The Queen). Klingsor was castrated and turned into a Eunuch and never again looked favorabley upon man nor woman again, he enjoyed seeing other people suffer and that was the only thing that gave him great joy. This was one of the first recorded examples of the weak becoming empowered by sacrificing themselves to the Devils and Demons in exchange for sweet revenge. We find the word Magic used above simply because any time you entered into the world of conjuring or summoning evil or dark forces that is what it was called, later threw the centuries magic took on many forms like Elemental, White, Dark, Black,Etc and then Demonology was given it's own Category.
During Jesus Christ's Life he had many confrontations with Demons. He cast out many Demons and Devils and there are numerous accounts in the Bible of this. One of the most memorable would be the casting out of demons in the desert. This is when Jesus cast out the Demons that were in the Desert into the bodies of Pigs as they scattered away. This is one of the reasons why most of the Islamic Faith does not eat Pork. Another example would be one of the most recognized phrases in the history of Demonology " My name is Legion! ". In MARK 5:2-5:9 Jesus entered the land of Gadarenes and encountered a man who was posessed. When Jesus spoke to the Demon and said " COME OUT OF THE MAN, THOU UNCLEAN SPIRIT, WHAT IS THOU NAME? The Demon answered "MY NAME IS LEGION : FOR WE ARE MANY! "
After Jesus Christs died on the cross and the Catholic Church was founded , there were many accounts and happenings that were blamed on by Demons. Seizures were one of them, tho medical, the Catholic church looked at Seizures as the workings of Demons trying to overtake a persons body as well as his soul. It was not until the early days of medicine that these Seizures were found to be caused by the body responding to a disease in which there was no cure for at the time. This example is one of the most important reasons why Demonologists kind of Died off for hundreds of years, Skepticism. I am not saying that Demonologists were not common, they were, in fact there is more proof of Demonology between when Jesus died and the Middle Ages than any other time span in history.
From about the Middle Ages up unto the early 1800's the greatest years of Demonology (The Golden Era)was that of the European Witch Craze. Even though thousands of people died a horrible death, it inspired many Demonologists to continue there work but trying hard not to get caught,however the Art of Demonology Died Off after the end of that era and was only carried on by a hand full of Theologians.
About the word, "Demon"
The term "demon" was not always understood to have the absolutely negative connotation that it does today. Homer used the terms "demons" and "gods" more or less interchangeably. Another opinion was that demons were intermediaries between men and gods, and that demons had once been men. Plutarch speaks of "human souls as commencing, first heroes, then demons, and afterward as advancing to a more sublime degree." Philo of Byblus seems to draw on this same tradition when he states that, "The most ancient of the barbarians, especially the Phoenicians and Egyptians, from whom other people derived this custom, accounted those the greatest gods who had found out things most necessary and useful in life -- and had been benefactors to mankind."
Our current use of the term "demon" is to denote a malignant spirit, and comes to us primarily form New Testament writers. However, there is still uncertainty as to whether or not demons are considered to be distinct and separate from the Devil and his fallen angels.
Demoniacal Possession
Demon possession - that is, a human who has become inhabited or "taken over" by a demon and who cannot, consequently, exercise his own will - is noted in the New Testament, specifically in Mark, Chapter 5, ver. 12. Josephus also mentions a method of exorcism prescribed by Solomon, which had "prevailed or succeeded greatly among them down to the present time." Unfortunately, Josephus does not describe the method used.
There is little doubt that most of what was described in older times as "demon possession" would today be diagnosed as some sort of mental illness, and treated accordingly. Nevertheless, a few cases of possession do seem to crop up from time to time, and the Roman Catholic Church does continue (sparingly) to perform exorcisms.
Periods of Increased Demon Activity
Some historians of times past believed that there were cycles during which demonic activity increased, and used this theory to explain various occurrences, much in the same way as today's economic historians might explain historical events in terms of trade, productivity and other factors. These older historians saw a rise in demonic activity accompanying such occurrences as the destruction of Jerusalem, the fall of Rome and the French Revolution, and would in all likelihood also have viewed the demonic theory at work in relation to the rise of Nazism and World War II. In this day and age Demons are more active than most people realize. Alot of their strength and power comes from the fact that many people today do not even acknowledge their exsistance.
THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH describes demons thus:
(CCC 391)The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God: "The devil and other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing." The Catechism also, (CCC 392) "Scripture speaks of a sin of the angels. This "fall" consists in the free choice of these created spirits, who radically and IRREVOCABLY rejected God and his Reign."
Basic Ghostbusting Terminology for paranormal phenomenon.
Different Types of "Ghost" phenomena
Residual Huanting (Most common):
These are the ghost trains and ships, the maiden that is seen walking the halls of an old mansion at 00:01 every night, but doesn't seem to bother anyone. They replay over and over again, it's the same as watching a tape or movie that is replaying past events. They wear the same clothing and look the same as they did when they died and they go about with the mundane routine they had when they were alive. Basically it's as if one particular action is captured in time, only to be played over and over again.
Intelligent/Interactive Haunting:
These types of ghosts are thought to have a purpose when they haunt places or people. These ghosts may give off smells and 'cold spots' and can appear in full form when they want to.
Ghosts of the Living (Highly Controversial):
This type of ghost is where the ghost is actually a living, breathing human being. This type of ghost is thought (by some) to be an apparition of a person who is currently having an OBE (Out of Body Experience).
Orbs/Spheres, Vortex, and Mist: This type of phenomena you will find more regularly on film, so make sure you double, triple, and quadripple check your data before making any conclusions. The theory behind genuine activity of this nature is thus: Since we believe paranormal activity to be made up of energy, they need some type of electromagnetic disturbance in order to fully manifest themselves then this is what you usually get right before they do infact manifest. Movies are the ones that have blown this way out of proportion. There idea of a ghost is when they are a full apparition. This type of phenomena, when genuine is usually harmless at most, but still be cautious about dealing with it.
Orbs/Spheres:
These are perfectly round in shape, clear milky in color and they just kind of float, you cannot see them with the naked eye, but on camera, watch out you will sure notice them. (SOMETHING TO NOTE!) Most "Orb" activity can be caused by numerous natural factors so, be sure to follow the proper proceedures.
Ectoplasm:
This type of energy looks like a thin white layer of clouds right in front of the cameras view, you can catch these easily on a camcorder and sometimes they swirl around and fly by at a high rate of speed, so be prepared!
POLTERGEIST:
The word Poltergeist derived from the German word that means "noisy ghost." These so called nasty things are known to make objects move, slam doors, open doors and can be down right annoying! This phenomenon you really have to investigate, because, in most cases this activity will be brought on due to an emotional child or a child going through puberty. In studying this type of activity it appears that this can be a form of psychokinetic energy from an individual that does not know that they are consciously doing this. Psychokenisis or telekenisis is the ability to move objects with the mind. Most investigators will call it RSPK, which is an acronym for, "Recurring Spontaneous Psychokenisis." Make sure you ask the person that owns the property if there are any children or even adults for that matter that are currently going through any emotional problems.