Goat Demons?

[Mark Noo]

This came up after a freedom of religion conversation I had some time ago. Perhaps I should not be so joyful about our First Amendment. I have some legal training and a rabid Republican for a brother. So this stuff comes up somewhat frequently. But I had never thought about the goat demon part of freedom of religion until I heard a series of sermons entitled Israelology (or Jewish History).
(does Ecclesiology encompass Jewish history, or just Gentile/Christian history?)

Leviticus 17:7
They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the [a]goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations.”’

Corinthians 1:10
No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.

Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will [a]fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

Exodus 20:5
You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, . . .

1. Does this mean non Christian places, like Buddhist temples, Mosques, or basically anything that is not of/for our God, are places of demonic typre worship, even if it is being done unwittingly through lack of knowledge?
2. Do real demons actually attach themselves to or "hang around" non-Christian spiritual places to receive this worship? (for instance, do you think when the Druids worship at Stone Henge that something demonic comes to try and get the worship)
   
3. I don't think demons can hurt the elect but would they have an effect on the neighborhood? (like a more powerful effect than just a neighborhood full of non-Christians would normally produce)

Thank you for considering this question

 

[sdowney717]

Demons are the Nephilim, not fallen angels, who were the giants back in the ancient days before the flood.
When the Nephilim were killed they were allowed to wander as powers of the air, and have Satan as their prince.

Does this mean non Christian places, like Buddhist temples, Mosques, or basically anything that is not of/for our God, are places of demonic type worship, even if it is being done unwittingly through lack of knowledge?

YES

Do real demons actually attach themselves to or "hang around" non-Christian spiritual places to receive this worship? (for instance, do you think when the Druids worship at Stonehenge that something demonic comes to try and get the worship)

YES, most certainly they would come around. I don't know whether their purpose it to receive worship, Satan's certainly is. Jesus said a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

1 Corinthians 10:20
Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God,
and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.


I don't think demons can hurt the elect but would they have an effect on the neighborhood? (like a more powerful effect than just a neighborhood full of non-Christians would normally produce)

YES, can't be good for any area where people are under demonic influences.
The more there are, the worse it will be. We are to pray for all those in authority over us that we might lead peaceful lives in Christ.
1 Timothy 4:1
[ The Great Apostasy ] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

Once at university, I was watching a TV scene from Fantasy Island, an occult show, which had an episode involving evil worship of demon statues and other evil things. An evil spirit appeared near to the TV. I sensed it as an evil presence yet it was powerless regarding me. It sort of flew into the room and was there but not really visible to the eye. After the show ended it fled away.
My understanding is demons seek cultural influence to promote evil doctrines. They actually do work according to their purpose, have spiritual working power whether you can sense them or not.

An evil doctrine would be anything antichrist. Such as seeking to turn people away from the Christian faith.

Acts 19:19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare?
Bible Gateway passage: Acts 13:6-11 - New King James Version