| Demons, or
unearthly evil spirits, are found in almost every belief system throughout
the world. The world originates from the Greek diamon, meaning
a defied spirit with supernatural qualities. As early as 270b.c., the
Septuagint, the first Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, began
using the term, referring exclusively to wicked specters. It has since
become synonymous with evil.
Belief in the existence of demons is
global. In African countries, these fiends are thought to be the souls
of dead ancestors who become hostile if not honored with adequate sacrifice
or homage. ASURAS, Hindu spirits, are associated with drought, death,
and disaster. In Islamic belief, djinni are monstrous demons fathered
by IBLIS, the equivalent of the Christian SATAN.
Judeo-Christian tradition identifies many
demons: BELIAL, BEELZEBUB, SATAN, TARTARUCHUS, LUCIFER, (the DEVIL),
INCUBUS, AND SUCCUBUS. According to religious doctrines, the demons'
mission is to tempt humankind into sin, facilitate damnation, then punish
souls in hell. Some demons, such as Belial and Tartaruchus, have
specific roles in hell's hierarchy. Others, such as the incubus and
succubus, are nameless generic fiends who terrorize the living and assist in
the expansion of the infernal kingdom.
In the mid-tenth century, philosopher
Michael Psellos defined six separate and distinct types of demons, each
occupying a different space in the metaphysical universe. The lowest
of these, the misophaes (haters of light), dwell in the deepest pit of hell.
Psellos's theories were eventually dismissed by critics who found them
absurd and baseless, but fascination with the nature of demons persists.
Today, demons are found in countless
films, plays, operas, songs, poems, works of CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, novels,
and other creative endeavors. They are a favorite image for TATTOOS
and have been embraced by BIKERS and HEAVY METAL MUSIC enthusiasts. In
popular culture, the underworld spirits adorn GIFT NOVELTIES, T-SHIRTS, and
even FOOD NOVELTIES. And they remain a fixture in many religious
cautionary rites. (o)
Resource List - entry taken verbatim from the
original source:
(o) "The Encyclopedia of Hell."
Miriam Van Scott. St. Martin's Press. ©1998
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