A Scientific Approach to Demonology

[Anguspure]

I was sent this interesting article today:
Contra Dr. Novella, who swallows materialist dogma by the gulp, there is no scientific basis for categorically denying the existence of demons. Such denial is merely ideological prejudice, not reason or science or "skepticism" of any respectable sort.
https://evolutionnews.org/2017/08/demons-and-multiverses/
Is the existence of demons intellectually credible?

 

[dysert]

I'm not a scientist, but I'd guess that a scientist would say it's not credible because there is no evidence of demons' existence. Otoh, most of the universe (about 96%) has not been detected by anything the scientists have tried, so there's room in there for the unseen/spiritual things (see my sig).

 

[Strathos]

Well to scientifically examine demons there would need to be some kind of way to record them and come up with repeatable, consistent results. But conducting an experiment with demons would probably be very dangerous.

 

[timewerx]

Is the existence of demons intellectually credible?

Many people of science (scientists, professionals, etc) knows it is real and scientific/tangible data can be obtained....

However they are all VERY AFRAID of jeopardizing their careers to conduct such investigations.

As my own proof of their apparent physical nature, if unpleasant paranormal activity is being experienced, application of disinfecting/antibacterial chemicals may reduce the activity or even drive it away.

However, cleansing chemical agents will only drive away evil entities. If a supernatural activity is being manifested by a good angel, nothing can be done to stop it.

Most of the materials used in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and the Ark of Covenant are made of metals with anti-bacterial properties such as gold, silver, and copper. Cleansing pots are also made of copper. The Israelites mentioned "sanctification" or "consecration" but the activity literally can kill harmful bacteria!

I'm not saying that harmful bacteria are evil spirits, however, evil spirits can dwell in harmful bacteria and they often do with anything that causes corruption and disease, evil spirits love to dwell in them.

 

[Anguspure]

I'm not a scientist, but I'd guess that a scientist would say it's not credible because there is no evidence of demons' existence. Otoh, most of the universe (about 96%) has not been detected by anything the scientists have tried, so there's room in there for the unseen/spiritual things (see my sig).

The article is well worth a read if you've got the time.

 

[Anguspure]

Well to scientifically examine demons there would need to be some kind of way to record them and come up with repeatable, consistent results. But conducting an experiment with demons would probably be very dangerous.

The article discusses other ways of knowing commonly used in Science and other human endeavours that do not involve the empirical method and also discusses why empiricism may not be an adequate method for this sort of investigation (i.e. malelovent sentient beings will generally work to subvert any attempt to uncover them and their work).

 

[Dave-W]

Here is another article about Dr Gallagher:

A man of science confronts demonic possession - CNN

 

[Dave-W]

malevolent sentient beings will generally work to subvert any attempt to uncover them and their work

Absolutely. We see in in the physical with terrorist organizations and "sleeper cells."

Having the beings vaporeal spirits only compounds that difficulty.

 

[Sanoy]

Does this uber skeptic expect a demon to perform for her in a lab, thus validating the very religious belief a demon is opposed to? Maybe we should examine the qualifications to give skeptical remarks instead. Perhaps skepticism itself should finally join in on it's own interrogation.

 

[SkyWriting]

I was sent this interesting article today:
Contra Dr. Novella, who swallows materialist dogma by the gulp, there is no scientific basis for categorically denying the existence of demons. Such denial is merely ideological prejudice, not reason or science or "skepticism" of any respectable sort.
https://evolutionnews.org/2017/08/demons-and-multiverses/
Is the existence of demons intellectually credible?

They would be Spirits, and so not subject to scientific examination.
The popular exception is Ghost Busters.

 

[Steve Petersen]

A scientific approach to things that by definition are immaterial spirits? Yeah, right.

 

[timewerx]

(i.e. malelovent sentient beings will generally work to subvert any attempt to uncover them and their work).

They didn't have to.... Our own system and academia is already rigged to stop and discredit any work related to the matter even if some of the knows its real.

It's as bad as Political Correctness. We now live in a world where the Truth is now the wrong and the lies the right thing.

 

[Cuddles333]

There is not enough evidence of physical demonic possession. In the Bible it was never a very private affliction... but a more public demonstration. This occurrence passed, along with the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, at the close of the 1st century.
Since then, as well as before the 1st century, we have been plagued with negative 'beings' daily manipulating us psychologically. This is what truly perplexes scientists and philosophers. In the nutshell, 'something mimics the sound of the voice of our mind' to cause us negativity. They have been unable to isolate whatever this 'it' is.

 

[Shempster]

A scientific approach to things that by definition are immaterial spirits? Yeah, right.

Possibly.
If the going theory about particles and the Higgs field is correct, then it might. In this theory, there are numerous particles that do not interact with the Higgs "field". Therefore, particles (and possibly conscious beings) can be right next to us but since our particles differ, we cannot detect anything, so we call the particles DARK MATTER. To compound it, all matter has energy, so they had to add another item which we call DARK ENERGY.
I think all they are discovering is that there are things out there that we can't see...as in like what the bible said all along. The reality is that we will never know as humans in the flesh.
I am convinced that there are beings who can interact with our minds. I have first hand experience.

 

[Steve Petersen]

Possibly.
If the going theory about particles and the Higgs field is correct, then it might. In this theory, there are numerous particles that do not interact with the Higgs "field". Therefore, particles (and possibly conscious beings) can be right next to us but since our particles differ, we cannot detect anything, so we call the particles DARK MATTER. To compound it, all matter has energy, so they had to add another item which we call DARK ENERGY.
I think all they are discovering is that there are things out there that we can't see...as in like what the bible said all along. The reality is that we will never know as humans in the flesh.
I am convinced that there are beings who can interact with our minds. I have first hand experience.

Lots of 'ifs' and 'possiblys' in this post.

 

[Shempster]

Lots of 'ifs' and 'possiblys' in this post.

Of course. The whole topic is "ifs" and "possibilities".

 

[Dave-W]

There is not enough evidence of physical demonic possession. In the Bible it was never a very private affliction... but a more public demonstration.

Luke 4:33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,
34 “Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”​

How many years or decades had that demon been there covertly attached to the man? Until exposed by the Son of God, it was an entirely private affliction.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Here is another article about Dr Gallagher:

A man of science confronts demonic possession - CNN

Books flying across a room (horizontal motion) is vaguely qualitatively similar to the Assumptions of Enoch & Mary (vertical motion) -- Elijah was taken up in a fiery tornado like vortex, and Christ's Ascension was under His own active power, not being passively acted upon as with the others -- consistent with some sort of supra-natural similarity (demons are fallen angels) ???

 

[Erik Nelson]

Luke 4:33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,
34 “Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”​

How many years or decades had that demon been there covertly attached to the man? Until exposed by the Son of God, it was an entirely private affliction.

And for all that time, skeptical psychologists interviewing him would have noticed nothing, overlooking the supra-natural in the process

 

[Erik Nelson]

If demons cannot repent, then angels cannot sin? If demons cannot "un-fall", then angels cannot "fall" ?

Are demons "protesting on principle" ?? When they refused to acknowledge God's new creation of humankind on earth, they knew their rebellion would fail? They knew they were doomed and still chose to rebel? Demonic pride couldn't brook a higher angelic race being subordinated to "hairy terrestrial primates" (if you would), and even knowing they would be defeated, they rebelled against God "on principle" even if it was suicidal ???

The fall of the angels - The Catholic Leader
​

But why weren’t the devils given a second chance, or many chances, as we are?

The answer lies in the superior understanding of the angels’ mind. They understood perfectly from the outset the consequences of their choice, were they to reject God. They knew they had only one opportunity and that their choice was irrevocable.

The Catechism says, quoting St John Damascene: “It is the irrevocable character of their choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy, that makes the angels’ sin unforgivable. ‘There is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no repentance for men after death’” (De Fide orth. 2, 4; CCC 393).​

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