Demon << DEE muhn >> is a supernatural being, often an evil one. Demons are said to be capable of possessing the unprotected or inflicting harm on them. The word demon comes from the Greek word daimon, meaning spirit or divine power. Most of the world’s religions feature demons. However, not all of these spirits are considered to be evil or unclean.
The New Testament of the Bible describes demons as evil spirits. They cause various afflictions and possess (take over) the minds and bodies of unfortunate people. The Gospel of Mark features several examples of Jesus and his disciples driving demons from the possessed. During the Middle Ages, from about the 400’s to the 1400’s, the Christian Church tended to view the gods and spirits of other religions as demons. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that demons once were angels. Together with Satan, they rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven in punishment.
Arab tradition before Islam includes demons called jinn. Jinn were gods or spirits both kindly and evil. Modern Islam recognizes jinn as spiritual beings that coexist (live together) with humans (see Jinni). The practice of Buddhism in Tibet has incorporated demons from a traditional religion called Bon that is native to the area. Tibetan Buddhism considers these demons to be protective spirits. People may concentrate on these spirits during meditation. Hindu tradition features several kinds of supernatural beings that have been mistranslated as demons. They include beings called Asuras, Bhutas, Devas, Pishachas, Rakshasas, and Vetalas. These Hindu spirits can be harmful or beneficial.
