LDS Demonology?

[_Morley]

Obviously, I'm an unbeliever in demons (or a demonic unbeliever, if you'd prefer). With that caveat, what I've never understood is:

What would a demon have to gain through the so-called possession of a human?

(And, by the way, how would a right arm 'to the square' scare a demon away?)

[_The Nehor]

Much like schizophrenia is only correctly diagnosed in areas where people believe in schizophrenia.

So you're equating demon possession with mental illness? That's a great step forward!

Nope, my use of that analogy does not mean that. Nice try at a brainless derail though.

Of course, in the real world we don't try to treat mental illness with magic spells, like raising your arm to the square and chanting.

That's it. You show that strawman who is the better man. I think you can take him. Put your whole body's strength behind your fist. There you go.

How many demon possession cases do you suppose the Unitarians encounter?

Probably not many. But most people don't encounter any. They are rare.

[_zeezrom]

What would a demon have to gain through the so-called possession of a human?

God pays him under the table.

[_stemelbow]

Well, everything you wrote about can happen in those states and are commonly associated with them. That is, except for the convulsions.

Well, you're the expert or at least it seems you are claiming to be. So with this phenomena are people able to sense or predict when they are going to come on? Are people's bodies warn out, unable to move? I don't think I've read that as aprt of this phenomena. Additionally, no it wasn't pressure on my chest. There was pressure involved though. It was more on my mind, it seems. It took a great deal of effort on my part, in my mind, to withstand and then come to the release. If I didn't focus, if I didn't exert much mental effort, it woudln't stop. It would just keep going. Helpful for me was calling upon God by the name of Jesus Christ. It took considerable effort, but as soon as I was able to do that, it would stop immediately. That's not to say it wouldn't come back shortly thereafter though.

[_Buffalo]

Obviously, I'm an unbeliever in demons (or a demonic unbeliever, if you'd prefer). With that caveat, what I've never understood is:

What would a demon have to gain through the so-called possession of a human?

(And, by the way, how would a right arm 'to the square' scare a demon away?)

Demons are mortally afraid of right angles. All structures in demon land are based on things triangles and octagons. We read in Revelations that the celestial city is actually a giant cube (not unlike the Borg ship), so maybe right angles remind demons of God's heavenly Rubik's Cube.

[_Buffalo]

Nope, my use of that analogy does not mean that. Nice try at a brainless derail though.

That's it. You show that strawman who is the better man. I think you can take him. Put your whole body's strength behind your fist. There you go.

Probably not many. But most people don't encounter any. They are rare.

How is the right arm to the square plus associated incantation NOT a magic spell?

Those of us who served missions in poor and superstitious areas know that demon possession (and demons afflicting houses) is pretty common. Why is that? You don't hear of that among the wealthy and educated.

[_The Nehor]

Obviously, I'm an unbeliever in demons (or a demonic unbeliever, if you'd prefer). With that caveat, what I've never understood is:

What would a demon have to gain through the so-called possession of a human?

I'm not absolutely sure but there are the obvious hypotheses:

Influence over the human
Experiencing having/sharing body
Physical and emotional sensations not available to the unembodied

(And, by the way, how would a right arm 'to the square' scare a demon away?)

No idea if it does or not. I'm guessing it's tied to Priesthood and faith if it does work. Most likely it is like kneeling in prayer. It's not strictly necessary but is helpful to get the person in the right state of mind for doing what they are doing.

[_The Nehor]

Nope, my use of that analogy does not mean that. Nice try at a brainless derail though.

That's it. You show that strawman who is the better man. I think you can take him. Put your whole body's strength behind your fist. There you go.

Probably not many. But most people don't encounter any. They are rare.

How is the right arm to the square plus associated incantation NOT a magic spell?

What 'associated incantation'? My understanding of sorcery is that wording must be precise.

Those of us who served missions in poor and superstitious areas know that demon possession (and demons afflicting houses) is pretty common. Why is that? You don't hear of that among the wealthy and educated.

Because they don't believe in it so they ascribe genuine cases to other causes. Are you this ignorant of anthropology?

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

http://www.wimp.com/repelscoyote/

[_Buffalo]

What 'associated incantation'? My understanding of sorcery is that wording must be precise.

Those of us who served missions in poor and superstitious areas know that demon possession (and demons afflicting houses) is pretty common. Why is that? You don't hear of that among the wealthy and educated.

Because they don't believe in it so they ascribe genuine cases to other causes. Are you this ignorant of anthropology?

You know, "in the name of Jesus Christ." You could probably add the generic "by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood." If you think some looseness disqualifies it as an incantation, what does that say about the sacrament and baptismal prayers?

What's the difference between a "genuine case" and something else, like hysteria, mental illness, sleep paralysis, etc? How can anyone tell them apart?

by the way, someone who believes in evil spirits probably shouldn't call anyone ignorant.