Is it acceptable for a Catholic to deny the existence of demons?

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AlphaEtOmega

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There was a catholic priest in my country known as Fr. Oscar Quevedo who did a great job as a skeptic exposing fake healing cults and fake paranormal activities. He also debated with satanists, but during the debates, he held the position that demons don’t even exist. In some interviews he also said that Satan is not a demon and it was a mistranslation. I think he holds a view of Satan similar to the Jewish view.

Is this view compatible with catholicism?
 
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Since you posted this in the Sacred Scripture forum, I’ll say that the Bible tells of demons in biblical times, and we may as well accept that.

In my life, I have seen no convincing evidence of demons. That doesn’t mean they are not there.

In this age, I suspect the demons are taking an extended cigarette break and looking on, quite pleased, as so much of their work is being accomplished by television, movies, popular music, social media, pornography, high finance, and politics – not to mention regular sinners like you and me.
 
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I had a priest who is Polish and lived in Germany at one point ( I am a paraphrasing, and his grandpa fought in World War II for the Polish against the Nazis) say “if you doubt possession, look at Hitler”. He truly did believe Hitler was Possessed. He also said that his grandfather would dream about being in Hell and the demons would speak to him in German. But, since I find the New Testament a reliable witness on these things, let’s consider the fact the Bible (both New and Old Testaments) mention demons eighty-four times.https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=demon&qs_version=RSVCE
 
AlphaEtOmega said:
he held the position that demons don’t even exist.
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The Bible and the Church have affirmed their existence. 1/3 of the Angels followed Lucifer into Hell and they are now known as demons.
AlphaEtOmega said:
In some interviews he also said that Satan is not a demon
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Technically he’s a Fallen Angel likely a Seraphim. He’s usually referred to as a Dragon or Serpent whereas his minions are called demons.
AlphaEtOmega said:
Is this view compatible with catholicism?
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No.
 
Beryllos said:
In my life, I have seen no convincing evidence of demons
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Pray that you never do.
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Have you ever seen a ghost? Spirituality
Decades ago, before I was born, My family’s house experienced several years of demonic activity. It started with the birth of my parents second child, my eldest brother, and it escalated over the course of five years. First it was a voice talking over the baby monitor then temperature changes and frost on the furniture. Howling and the rattling of chains also occurred. A part of the wall got hot to the touch even though nothing was inside or near it. Finally, it revealed itself as a misty figur…
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The existince of demons would have to be infallible dogma.
 
AlphaEtOmega said:
There was a catholic priest in my country known as Fr. Oscar Quevedo who did a great job as a skeptic exposing fake healing cults and fake paranormal activities. He also debated with satanists, but during the debates, he held the position that demons don’t even exist. In some interviews he also said that Satan is not a demon and it was a mistranslation. I think he holds a view of Satan similar to the Jewish view.

Is this view compatible with catholicism?
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You say that he is dealing with the phenomenon of paranormal activity and healing cults. It may be that he is defusing a false conception of demons and possession rather than denying them? Many years ago when I began the spiritual exercises, my director said not to focus on the devil too much as I contemplate. A thing the devil wants is to promote an unholy fear of him in people, especially those who are open to the Spirit.
 
If demons do not exist, why is he doing their work? Oh yes, they are very real. Ask any Priest. Ask any lay person who has suffered demonic oppression. Ask any exorcist.

If he also denies hell, or its permanence, here is real news to combat the “fake news” going around…
 
AlphaEtOmega said:
Is this view compatible with catholicism?
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No, it’s not. Fr. Skeptic went a little too far.

As others posted above, there is scriptural support for the existence of demons right in the New Testament, and Jesus personally interacts with them.

I agree with the person who said that this priest likely has the goal of defusing the overreliance on the concept of demons (“the devil made me do it” mentality) and too many people having fear of demons. These are worthy goals; demons aren’t involved in every little thing. If I stub my toe, it could be I just stubbed my toe, not that a demon made me do it. But demons do exist.
 
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AlphaEtOmega said:
I think he holds a view of Satan similar to the Jewish view.
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The Jewish meaning of the word satan is adversary. The Jewish people were quite aware of supernatural adversaries of God.

It is unacceptable for a Catholic or a Christian to deny the existence of demons and satan.
 
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Beryllos said:
In this age, I suspect the demons are taking an extended cigarette break and looking on
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I think that in this age demons are particularly active in our world. I think they are all around us, in large numbers.
 
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My wife and I are survivors of a demonic attack. If this priest does not believe, it is because he has never experienced the pure hell of being face to face with such evil. Obviously he has never been taunted, hearing it whistle and say your name over and over night after night. He has not had objects moved in his house or his electronic devices doing unexplained things He doesn’t know what it is like to be muted or to have your prayers scrambled and incompleted because the evil is trying to stop your prayers. He does not know the what it is like to be held down and be helpless as you try to breathe. He does not know the darkness and the feeling of complete vacuum when it passes through you. He hasn’t seen the size of a demon or how it changes shape and can go up your walls and ceiling. He does not know what true anger is, or the paralyzing fear of being face to face with something so dangerous. Yeah buddy, come on over to my house Father Skeptic, come interview my wife and i. Come see the pictures and hear the recordings and tell me demons are not real. Tell me how when I got my you know what back to Mass as I still trembled in fear that the reading that morning was about Jesus casting out demons into the swine. Tell me why as i sat towards the back in fear that the Priest walked straight at me to begin his homily by saying this as he looked me straight in the eye “YOU BETTER BELIEVE DEMONS ARE REAL!” How did he know to single me out!

If demons were not real I would not have gotten back into Church after a 25+ year secular vacation. If demons were not real my wife who was raised never having gone to church would not have become Catholic and live as a saint now. We are living proof demons are real and we even have documented proof, both of the evil and of the good, the sweet miracles that God has showered us with since that night in hell. Yes, demons are VERY real.
 
No it’s not compatible at all.
Demons exist and are very active in the world and in all our lives, who do you think tempts us? It is not fluffy bunnies. Just as most people (sadly) do not think of their angels (family, guardian, dioceses, parish etc) on a daily basis, most people don’t think of demons either. But both exist, most of creation is unseen. Demons are simply fallen angels and they exist as do angels. The church recognises both and various doctors of the church Thomas Acquinas being the most noted but Gregory the great as well wrote much on angels. Most diocese of the church will have or share with another diocese an exorcist who is experienced in things of a diabolical nature.
 
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Right?! I’m convinced I’ve seen their work here on Earth…horrible, horrible stuff.
 
I have not, it’s been nine years now. The Priest that was at the parish, now retired, knew and guided us in the right direction, he knew it was real. Family and friends have seen pictures and heard the recordings before the all out attack. It is traumatizing and that fear keeps me from pulling that stuff out to reminisce too much. I would show the Bishop if he wanted to see but have not really thought much about him in this matter since my wife and I know how real it was. I get upset when I hear people down play the severity of demons, especially clergy. They just don’t get it.
 
Bluebright said:
Most diocese of the church will have or share with another diocese an exorcist who is experienced in things of a diabolical nature
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Is that actually true? That’s not just a movie plot but there are actual exocists out there?
 
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