Editing Evil spirits in Christianity


Many Christians throughout history have believed in, and still believe in, the existence of evil spirits. This doctrine occurs across [[Orthodox Christianity]], [[Catholism]] and [[Protestantism]]. They are mentioned many times in the [[Bible]]. Evil spirits are thought to enter a person and cause certain negative behaviors or diseases. In other cases, evil spirits can persecute or oppress a person. Certain holy people are believed to be able to remove evil spirits from a person; this process is sometimes referred to as [[exorcism]].

==Bible==
{{sab|http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/devils.html|Who can cast out devils in the name of Jesus?}}
{{sab|http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/devils_go.html|Where did the devils ask not to go?}}
{{sab|http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/possessed.html|How many men were possessed with devils?}}
[[Image:Codex-Gigas-Devil-enhanced.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Satan as depicted in a 13th century Bible, although is said to take many forms.]]
Evil spirits are mentioned though out the Old and New Testaments. <ref name="mall">Shari and David Holt Boshart, Jr. [http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/evil-spirits.htm Evil Spirits]</ref> Evil spirits can cause dumbness {{Bible|Mark 9:17-29}}, hunched back {{Bible|Luke 13:11-13}}, self harm {{Bible|Mark 5:2-13}}, convulsions {{Bible|Mark 1:26}}, seizures {{Bible|Matthew 17:15}} and blindness {{Bible|Matthew 12:22}}.

[[Mark]] describes a man that was possessed by a [[demon]] called Legion and he could not be restrained because Legion gave him strength to break chains. Day and night, he would cry out and cut himself with stones. Jesus cast out Legion into a nearby heard of [[Gadarene swine|swine]]. {{Bible|Mark 5:2-13}}

==Historical views==

{{quote-source|The faithful angels are a greater multitude than the fallen angels. For sin is contrary to the natural order. Now, what is opposed to the natural order occurs less frequently, or in fewer instances, than what accords with the natural order.|[[Thomas Aquinas]]}}

==Belief in modern Christianity==

In 2008 a study, using data from the 2005 Baylor Religion Survey, revealed that 47.7% of Americans believed in [[demons]] in absolute terms; 57.8% of the population said the same of [[Satan]] and 55.6% of [[Hell]]. In comparison only 11.5% decidedly denied the existence of demons. The number of absolute disbelief is even lower for [[Satan]] (9.5%) as well as for Hell (9.2%).

There is some debate as to if a [[No true Scotsman|true]] Christian can be inhabited by an evil spirit.

===Origins===

The origin of evil spirits is not explicitely discussed in the Bible. Some Christians believe they are fallen angels <ref>[http://angels.about.com/od/AngelBasics/f/Who-Are-Fallen-Angels.htm]</ref>, or disembodied spirits from the descendent of angels and human women {{Bible|Genesis 6:1-2}} <ref name="mall"/>.

Why God created such things, or allows their continued existence, has not been clearly explained. Some Christians believe God granted angels [[free will]], so some act improperly. <ref>[http://www.whyangels.com/devil_demons.html]</ref> <ref>[http://www.orthodoxcanada.org/poffiles/pof6.html]</ref>

===Evil spirits are less common than in Biblical times===

[http://www.net-burst.net/demons/demonic.htm]

==Evil spirits do not exist==

There is no evidence that evil spirits exist. Since they cause behaviour changes and disease, they should be relatively easy to observe. However, no such phenomena have been reported by reliable witnesses. Modern medicine operates well without making reference to evil spirits. Many of the behaviours and illnesses thought to be caused by evil spirits have been found to be caused by illnesses or biological causes.

The apparent non-existence of evil spirits is an argument against a [[Biblical literalism|literal reading of the Bible]].

==References==

<references/>

==See also==

*[[Exorcism]]
*[[Halloween]]

[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Christianity]]