Demons, is there any evidence they even exist?

[SkepticThinker]

You’ll have to provide the example because I don’t see anything close and was that the diagnosis of the doctors as well?

It's the very first line in the article you provided.

 

[Trailblazer]

If god exists, and if said god exists as described, then said god would know exactly what evidence would convince each unbeliever of it's existence.

You are absolutely correct, but what reason do you have to think that God would want to convince unbelievers?
The fact that God has not done so even though an all-powerful God could do so is proof that God chooses not to do so.
The next question to ask is why God chooses not to do so.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

We were lucky in the sense that somehow, on some level deep deep down, my wife understood that something wasn't adding up.
So there was a very very small, but very real, realization that there was something wrong with her.

Such is hugely important for treatment and I managed to focus and zoom in on that and use it to make her seek help and take her meds.
If such a seed isn't present and the person indeed refuses any and all help... then I'm afraid that idd the only way to go is forced commitment into a psychiatric hospital.

She will curse you and say extremely nasty things. But you need to remember that will pass. After a month or two, she'll thank you and apologize.

Mentally and emotionally, the people around a psychotic person suffer greatly. In my experience it is extremely underestimated what kind of impact this has on loved ones. I also required quite some time after that episode to properly process it all and give it a place in my own mind.

She has never tried to poison us so far, but she has a vindictive streak and has lied about what is in food or drinks before . I would essentially have to get a restraining order against her and she could not come home.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

I’m not expecting you to believe anything, but you’re using the wrong terms, my testimony is not confirmation bias. What God did for me and still does is miraculous whether you believe it or not doesn’t change that.
On the other hand by you continuing to look only through your view and reject the supernatural isn’t that confirmation bias on your part?

No, because I reject it on the basis of it having no credible verifiable evidence.
You, on the other hand, accept it by default as literally part of your religious beliefs.

 

[Orbit]

There is evidence f mass hysteria. There is evidence of Folie à deux. Therefore every case must definitively be either. Is that your argument?
Would you prefer a doctor that examines you to determine your condition, or determines your condition based on diagnosis of other people?
You have a hypothesis. I have a hypothesis.

Except that my position has facts behind it and is grounded in reality. There are no such thing as demons, and you attributing mental illness or mass hysteria to demons is evidence of your medieval worldview. There is no objective evidence for demons. All you have is irrational belief that harms those with mental illnesses.

 

[Orbit]

Belief in the demonic opens the door.

Then stop believing in demons.

 

[dybmh]

Then stop believing in demons.

I don't beleive in demons.

 

[setarcos]

You've missed something vital in that exchange.
You should read through @Sgt. Pepper's posts on the matter.

Why would you think I hadn't read through Sgt. Pepper's posts before I commented on her posts?
What do you think I missed that is vital?

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Then again, when do we accept reality as reality?

Good question.

I accept what is claimed as being reality as reality when it provides means to make reliable predictions about the world around us.
When it can be independently demonstrated, confirmed, verified that it works the way it is claimed to work.

I won't accept it based on the claim / anecdote / testimony alone.

 

[setarcos]

I don't beleive in demons.

I don't believe you don't believe in demons.

 

[nPeace]

Except that my position has facts behind it and is grounded in reality.

You believe.

There are no such thing as demons, and you attributing mental illness or mass hysteria to demons is evidence of your medieval worldview.

Demons are real. At least spirit forces - spirit beings, are. They are referred to as demons.
They are not only evident in "mental illness". In fact, "mental illness" is not evidence for demonic activity, although it can be associated with demonic activity.
What a person may call a mental illness may not even be a mental illness.
What's your evidence that a person is mentally ill?

There is no objective evidence for demons. All you have is irrational belief that harms those with mental illnesses.

There is evidence for demons. I already posted that.
I think you have irrational beliefs that harm people - calling them mental cases without any evidence.

 

[ElishaElijah]

No, because I reject it on the basis of it having no credible verifiable evidence.
You, on the other hand, accept it by default as literally part of your religious beliefs.

That’s not true at all, I test the spirits to see, which you have admitted you and science have no way to do so reject it.
You’re on this thread so what is your definition of a demon and what is your test for that which you would accept as evidence?

 

[Orbit]

You believe.


Demons are real. At least spirit forces - spirit beings, are. They are referred to as demons.
They are not only evident in "mental illness". In fact, "mental illness" is not evidence for demonic activity, although it can be associated with demonic activity.
What a person may call a mental illness may not even be a mental illness.
What's your evidence that a person is mentally ill?


There is evidence for demons. I already posted that.
I think you have irrational beliefs that harm people - calling them mental cases without any evidence.

That is not evidence. But you don't know the difference between belief and demonstrable fact, so there's no point continuing.

 

[nPeace]

That is not evidence. But you don't know the difference between belief and demonstrable fact, so there's no point continuing.

Don't tell me I do not know the difference. You are not above me, or more intelligent.
You do not have evidence. Just mere claims. That's why you run away. Go ahead. Take off.

No known biological causes​

There are no known biological causes for any of the psychiatric disorders apart from dementia and some rare chromosomal disorders. Consequently, there are no biological tests such as blood tests or brain scans that can be used to provide independent objective data in support of any psychiatric diagnosis.

 

[Orbit]

Don't tell me I do not know the difference. You are not above me, or more intelligent.
You do not have evidence. Just mere claims. That's why you run away. Go ahead. Take off.

No known biological causes​

There are no known biological causes for any of the psychiatric disorders apart from dementia and some rare chromosomal disorders. Consequently, there are no biological tests such as blood tests or brain scans that can be used to provide independent objective data in support of any psychiatric diagnosis.

You too have claims, but no evidence.

 

[nPeace]

You too have claims, but no evidence.

I provided evidence - both for, and against.
That is different to claims, which is all you have.
So evidently, you are the one who does not know the difference between the two.

 

[Orbit]

I provided evidence - both for, and against.
That is different to claims, which is all you have.
So evidently, you are the one who does not know the difference between the two.

What you provided is not evidence.

 

[Kenny]

Good question.

I accept what is claimed as being reality as reality when it provides means to make reliable predictions about the world around us.
When it can be independently demonstrated, confirmed, verified that it works the way it is claimed to work.

I won't accept it based on the claim / anecdote / testimony alone.

Which is fine.

It isn't like we can just call someone and say "next if you think you have a demon". It usually is spontaneous so you can't say "wait a minute, let me get a camera and first sit down and let's study you to have it well documented for RF". Even when one has all the details like the Clarita case in the Philippines, no one believes it anyways and gives all the excuses as to why when a more simple statement of "I just don't believe" would have been more honest.

 

[ElishaElijah]

No known biological causes -

Which is fine.

It isn't like we can just call someone and say "next if you think you have a demon". It usually is spontaneous so you can't say "wait a minute, let me get a camera and first sit down and let's study you to have it well documented for RF". Even when one has all the details like the Clarita case in the Philippines, no one believes it anyways and gives all the excuses as to why when a more simple statement of "I just don't believe" would have been more honest.

There is plenty of video evidence of demons manifesting in people and being cast out. Unbelievers dismiss these and say they are “acting”. No amount of proof or evidence will do for these kind of people.
This is a common testimony and been going on at this Church for over 50 weeks straight:

 

[Kenny]

There is plenty of video evidence of demons manifesting in people and being cast out. Unbelievers dismiss these and say they are “acting”. No amount of proof or evidence will do for these kind of people.
This is a common testimony and been going on at this Church for over 50 weeks straight:

And those who are set free continue to add their agreement ... reminds me of what happened to a man that was blind:
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Basically they said, "Get out because all of this is anecdotal"