The Influence of Demons on Societal Norms and Moral Decay

1. Introduction

An important set of questions lies in the issue of what is considered to be 'demonic', whether there are different areas of the globe where this varies and what kind of behaviors would be classified as demonic within these contexts. This then leads to questioning the influence demonic behavior may possess in changing societal norms, in that the norms will change to accommodate the demonic behavior. Would the change of these norms then be an indicator of demoniac influence? These questions highlight the complexity of the relationship between societal norms and demoniac influence. This topic holds significance in its breadth of relevance; it is a mistake to think that demonic forces only target specific areas of society, and this is an issue of great importance as change in societal norms invariably affects members of the society.

The system of moral and social principles, also known as societal norms, is complex and highly influential in nature. Social psychology has unraveled some of the ways in which societal norms are established and maintained. In exploring the constructs of societal norms, social psychology has utilized the concepts of injunctive norms and descriptive norms. Injunctive norms involve perceptions of which behaviors are approved of or frowned upon by others, while descriptive norms involve perceptions of how people commonly behave in a given situation. Another concept vital to the understanding of societal norms is the paradigm of norm focus, which involves the extent to which a given behavior is seen as a norm. These concepts give a general idea of the complexity of societal norms. This paper will explore the depth of this complexity, questioning the extent to which societal norms are influenced by demons and how normative changes can be indicators of demoniac influence.

2. Historical Perspective

In Buddhism, there is the story of the Buddha's enlightenment, where he is tested by the demon king Mara. Mara sends his three daughters who represent passion, and he tries to disrupt the Buddha's meditation and tempt him away from the path to enlightenment. He then has to persuade the Buddha's followers to give up and go away. The demons are, in the end, unsuccessful, and the Buddha manages to overcome them and their attempts to deceive him. This story is an allegory for the focus and dedication that is needed to reach the inner peace and state of Nirvana that is sought after in Buddhism. In this story, the demons are representative of the distractions and temptations that people face, and the Buddha is a role model showing how to resist these temptations.

In the Quran, the Shaytan are beings made of smokeless fire, unlike humans who were made of clay. These beings were created with free will, and the leader of the Shaytan, Iblis, made an error by not bowing to Adam at his creation and was punished by being cast out of heaven. Iblis asked if he could live until the Day of Judgment, and God allowed this. Iblis then declared he would use his time to lead people astray from the right path and to make them disbelievers in the religion. He is the Islamic equivalent of Satan in Christianity and fulfills a similar role.

Ancient Babylonians have seven different types of evil demons, including ones that can infect people and cause them to feel intense anger, and a demon that is responsible for miscarriages.

Demons have been a common theme throughout history and appear in many different types of texts. They are most often portrayed as evil beings that want to cause harm to humankind in one way or another.

3. Demonology in Various Cultures

Also, there are more corporeal demons such as the adze, a witch who can transform into a firefly and suck some of a person's blood causing anemia and illness, or a shape-shifting leopard-like creature known as the were-leopard. Such creatures can often be family members or neighbors with various signs to spot them while in animal form. The Ju were attributed to Ju'hoansi people and said to have been a nationality of very small people that would poison the tribesmen's food to slowly eliminate them. A method that the Ju people themselves claimed had been learned from Ju'hoansi spirits.

African belief and folklore lends itself to an abundance of malevolent spectral entities. These may be under the control of a witch doctor who, should he suspect any being wronged by a person, can send his minions to cause destruction of property, livestock or crops and even to cause illness or death. Some tribes are believed to be followed by evil spirits or to have a hereditary evil spirit that causes them to perform detrimental acts during trance states. Punitive spirits can be sent to cause misfortune or illness to wrongdoers and their families.

4. Manifestations of Demonic Influence

This can be done through placing a persistent thought in one's mind that there is no hope for them and they should give up the spiritual quest. This can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed by one's sins and the state of their soul, to the point of excessive sorrow. The demon can also create a sense of isolation from God and loved ones, along with having the person dwell on past faults, which is not in line with God's forgiving nature.

Specific manifestations of demons occur when a demon has a specific goal in mind. This can happen at any time but especially around activities that further good spiritual development, such as a retreat or seminar. The demon is not trying to disrupt the event but rather create discouragement, and it will use a variety of tactics to do so.

In general, there is extraordinary behavior that is out of character for the person. It includes extremes of virtues like cowardice instead of courage, anger instead of sadness. It can also be a lack or excess of sleep and appetite, or extreme contrary behavior to others. These actions can be beyond what can be explained by natural factors and medical reasons.

Manifestation of a demon is a final step in demonic involvement. They indicate the demon's control and scheme of developing the final sin. There are two types of manifestations of demons: general and specific.

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5. Psychological Effects of Demonic Influence

Since the primary focus of a demon is to separate a person from God, his first objective is to lead the non-Christian or weak Christian into sin. His approach can be direct with temptation, but often he will try to make the sinful alternative seem more attractive. He and other demons will work to create an environment where it is easier to carry out a certain sin and harder to avoid it. An environment is the sum total of its cultures, traditions, institutions, and influential leaders. An example of this can be seen with the modern acceptance of abortion. Today, it is viewed as a solution to a problem and the only choice for a young unmarried couple who are expecting a child. It was not a particularly strong temptation for them, but the environment around them makes it more attractive than other alternatives. This is the work of demons who seek to kill and destroy, for they are the ones who put this idea into influential minds and created an environment where it can be a first choice for many.

Much of the time, demonic influence is very subtle and thus the effects are often overlooked, especially when the world is ignorant of the reality of the spirit realm. Society likes to view human nature as inherently good, stating that it is the environment and others that lead a person to fall into sin. The theory is that when man is in a better environment, he will improve in character and morality. Though it is true that environment does play an important role in character, this theory does not account for the sudden outbreaks of crime and immorality in good environments. Nor does it account for the many who have come out of bad environments to become stable, contributing citizens. If man were inherently good, one would expect to see constant progress and few, if any relapses. But this is not the case. The Bible states that man is inherently sinful, and despite his best efforts, he will always fall short of God's standard. This does not mean that man is always on the brink of murdering someone, but rather that there is no limit to the evils he will commit if he feels they are justified and that he can get away with it. When one understands the state of man and the nature of sin, the effects of demonic influence become clear.

6. Societal Norms and Moral Decay

Pierre's theories thus far completely explain the causes and effects of the witch hunts, according to the researchers of the seventeenth century. His explanation was thought to be so accurate that the witch hunts were actually bred of these theories, as an attempt to rid society of the moral decay caused by demons.

Summarizing, the theories described by Pierre de Lancre claim that women are the most likely to fall to influence and possession by demons. He believed the easily persuaded flightiness and hastiness of women led them into immoral behavior. This sort of behavior is said to be the cause of all forms of possession and influence, leading finally to a general moral degradation of society. This moral decay affected all types and ages of people, although specifically mentioning women and children.

In his first category, Pierre describes "dereglée," literally, "without rule or guidance" (13). He speaks of the woman's actions being without reason, and says she must be confined to the home by a guardian. Guards must also be used to keep the woman from committing sinful actions. Pierre describes dereglée as being flighty, or easily persuaded into immoral behavior. He says "flightiness and hastiness are so natural in woman…She is more yielding and pliant and takes with less resistance the imprint of the various species of vice…and then since moral duties have never been rightly imposed upon her, if it happens that a debate arises as to what seems useful, right, or best for her, she will always incline towards what she personally judges to be more to her advantage" (13). He argues that it is a woman's nature to behave in such a way, and there is no changing it. This unveils the stereotype of women seen during the witch hunts, appearing often as the cause of moral decay and influenced by demons.

7. The Role of Religion in Combating Demonic Influence

Finally, religion is a driving force in the spread of societal norms. It supplies a standard of acceptable behavior. In many cases, this law or moral standard is forced upon the people and has many detrimental effects on a culture. However, the Christian holy scripture remains a guideline and has always been most effective when taught by example. A society with Christian examples will have little need for a change in the scriptures.

A rise in demonic influence can be equated to warfare with an allied nation. The higher the success of the opposition nation, the more motivation for total victory. When faced with a concentrated attack, the Christian church has shown remarkable unity and selflessness in casting out demonic influence. A good example can be seen during the rise in spiritism in the late 19th and early 20th century. Culture was vastly different but the response is highly relevant today. During this time, spiritism did much to lower morality and respect for societal norms. The backlash was a well-orchestrated effort to inform and cast out the unclean spirits. Today, Christians facing the same tactics by impure spirits in an uncertain culture can seek history for the most effective ways in combating the influence. Often this may be the most effective unification of any age level or social class in the church community.

Whether it be Buddhism, Christianity, or Islam, religion has served as a coping mechanism for societies facing the inconceivable. Depending on the culture of the society in which the religion is based, the opposition to a rise in demonic influence varies. The root of religion stems from answers to unexplainable events or phenomena (i.e. disease, disaster, and the rise in malevolence). Religion can greatly ease the tension resulting from the lack of a rational explanation for a certain unwanted event. The less tension in society, the less likelihood of a moral decay. Regardless of the strength of a demonic force causing said event, the event will be accredited as a result of a demon's work. Religions such as Christianity tend to respond best to an open attack of demonic influence.

8. Exorcism and Spiritual Cleansing

The most common modern procedure for official exorcism is the prevailing Roman Ritual, which appears in an appendix of the Roman Catholic Rite. Set by the Catholic Church in 1614, the Ritual was revised in 1999 into a new edition, which is the only other complete exorcism rite (usually a book of prayers) in existence. It mentions that the apostolate of the exorcist is a true and effective way of imitating Christ and expanding His dominion over the kingdom of Satan in the world, by taking the authority of the Lord from the tempter and driving out the demonic. Its mission in this regard is to be praised. While not to limit the infinite strength of God, who through Christ has already overcome the prince of the world, it does banish the effects of diabolical influence from the afflicted, and it vigilantly opposes the devil, master of deception and enemy of man, so as to pose no further harm.

The deliverance prayer is used commonly in both cases and can be used for a person or a place. This is a special prayer of command given by Jesus to His disciples. It is used to drive out evil spirits and can be said in any normal tone of voice, whether the demoniac is present or not, but the afflicted person should be encouraged to pray it. If at all possible, the person should be encouraged to build a prayer life, as this is known to be useful in keeping demonic forces out and therefore preventing possession (direct action). Although methods may vary, the content of the deliverance is the same - commanding the demons to go in the name of Jesus Christ. Building a prayer life is also said to be beneficial to the resistant demons during spiritual cleansing.

The best way to rid an individual or a group of demonic influence is through spiritual cleansing. An exorcism is more often a cure for the individual, whereas spiritual cleansing is done in a home or a place to rid it of all things demonic. The danger with spiritual cleansing is that more often than not, the demons will put up a fight to stay in their chosen place.

9. Contemporary Cases of Demonic Influence

Demon. It is known that an adequate portrait of a demon doesn't exist, although it is believed that they take the shape of the individuals they inhabit. Modern belief holds that demons are spirits which were at one time angels (for more information, please see the demonology page). This belief is corroborated through many biblical references, especially an in-depth look at the fall of Lucifer and the subsequent transformation from angel to demon. Research into the influence of demons is scattered at best, with not a great deal of evidence being held on any one subject. However, when delving into the modern-day cases of alleged demonic influence, evidence can be found quite clearly. One of the most recent and well-known cases of alleged demonic influence is the Andrea Yates case.

Writer's review of cases: violent murders where perpetrator stated 'demon told to do it'

10. Media Portrayal of Demons

As stated above, the first serious consideration of the causes of deviant behavior in criminal activity was done by demonologists. They attributed all deviant behavior as stemming from some kind of pact with the devil or demonic influence. Over time, this theory was proven false, and by the mid-eighteenth century, it was generally held that much criminal behaviour was due to dispositional factors in individuals rather than possession or demonic influence. While that theory would change the way deviance was approached in the future, it did not prevent the continuously illogical and superstitious portrayal of possessed individuals throughout the modern media.

The overall attitudes towards demons and demonic possession are not the only thing that has been substantially altered by time. The way that media has portrayed these things has changed as well. Where once it was believed that an individual was solely responsible for their own actions and carried the weight of their own sins, stories regarding demonic possession revealed that individuals would do virtually anything to avoid acknowledging themselves as a sinner. This concept opens the floodgates to excuse immoral or deviant behaviour. If a demon could be held accountable for an individual's actions, then the individual could escape liability from those actions. This laid down the foundation for allowing an external locus of responsibility for behavioral deviance.

11. The Influence of Demons on Youth

Step one of demonic influence on youth: diversions.

In fact, the Prophet Muhammad stated, "What stipulated is too late for an old person was for youth, and too late for youth is for children." In a general sense, the future of any nation is dependent on its youth. A corrupted youth will inevitably lead to a corrupted nation. Therefore, since the objective of demons is to cause as much corruption and evil as possible, the youth will be the prime target.

The previous sections helped to reveal the different kinds of misfortune that will always come to youth, providing they ignore or break away from their religion. It was also mentioned that demons are entrusted to close off the paths to righteousness. Once it has been established that there are evil forces employed to cause moral and religious corruption to a person, it is critical to highlight the much more powerful and dangerous effect demonic influence has on youth.

12. The Impact on Relationships and Family Dynamics

Low-income families and families with disabilities often feel the pressures more intensely. Materializing impulses are increased beyond necessity, with own and others' relative deprivation at every turn serving to lower self-esteem. A child's failure to understand his family's inadequate resources can lead to rebellion and weaker family bonds. This growing problem with children's behavior is an intentional target for lesser demons, seeking simply to make the child a reflection of the parent's failure.

Demonic influence is largely to blame for this strain. All demons seek to disrupt the natural order of society. The traditional roles of family members and communities have been greatly affected by the push for an increase in individuality and social mobility. The social and economic changes that cause a shift away from traditional cultures and communities often cause anomie for those individuals who are not quick to adapt. This modern way of life is most arguably a root cause of varied family problems. Whether high or low status, all families face increased pressures, stresses, and uncertainties. Energy and time needed for family unity and nurturing relationships often take a back seat to the demands of external forces. This can be seen most clearly in inner-city urban environments, where broken communities are plagued by poverty, crime, and single-parent families moving in and out of welfare dependence. Time and unity to escape from adverse surroundings are becoming a luxury for many families. Individual family units and communities are tending to isolate themselves from others, thus reducing available support networks in times of need.

Under pressure from other commitments, many career-oriented individuals and working parents feel the strain between advancing their careers and providing a stable home environment for their children. This conflict is difficult to resolve when it is so often the case that an advance in profession entails higher income and psychological satisfaction. Measures taken to improve a child's home life may be seen as deprivation to the child, considering he will lose the opportunity to interact with children of similar age from similar SES backgrounds. With less family time, parents and children become like ships that pass in the night. Studies have shown that adolescents left to their own devices in families of this variety are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior and generally end the family.

Relationships, however, often come under strain. The divorce rate in America has doubled since 1960, and approximately 1 in 2 marriages now end in divorce. There are also rising numbers of people cohabiting as unmarried couples or deciding to remain single. This may be due to individuals hedging their bets concerning the lesser of two rituals hypothesis. Settling indefinitely for a spouse or partner may now be seen as a mistake, considering marriage as a relationship.

Unhappy families, Richard Lovelace stated, are scattered to the demons. The relationships within the family unit are the building blocks of societal structure; without strong family relationships, we have a weak society. Regardless of cultural differences, the relationship between man and wife, parent and child is most often the first relationship the individual forms. This is amply demonstrated by the frequently repeated lesser of two ritual hypothesis. This hypothesis states that when someone has only one opportunity to form two relationships, he will pair off in preference to remaining alone. The most common form of this hypothesis is stated in terms of gender preference, and the strongest version is concerned with marriage. Tying the knot is considered more likely to happen before two people will both become demonologists.

13. Addressing Demonic Influence in Education

The primary way to prevent demonic sociological influence on behavior is to reintroduce a system of values and norms into the youth's mind. Schools have implemented goal-setting character education programs to motivate the student towards a more successful life, however figuring out what is meant by "successful" may be quite disturbing. According to the article on Good and Evil from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, the "Jews were to teach their children obedience to the Law, and to love and serve God, developing a help toward positive righteousness through deliverance from evil." This program would seek to reinstate biblical values into the lives of the youth, using imitation Christ-like behavior as a model for how a good person should behave.

Demonic influence in secular public education has reached a degree that is undeniable. Evidence of this is seen as even secular school teachers use biblical allusions with metaphoric understanding, and shock or make evil comparisons with biblical characters like calling someone a "Judas" or referring to a treacherous person as a "wolf in sheep's clothing". Teachers need to be educated about spiritual reality, in order to understand why children are displaying such evil behavior, and how to reestablish the biblical norms for correct behavior in the children's lives. The world came to understand how demonic influences reality through the work of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. Lewis claimed "I had never read anything that repulsed me so deeply...Satan would set about raising up children to be disturbing at bedroom doors." Hiring or training a specialist in spiritual discernment who uses the scriptures, and understands spiritual warfare to make assessments and go on prayer walks in education facilities would be quite beneficial.

14. Legal and Ethical Implications

There have been such occurrences where the law has been challenged by an act done supposedly under demonic influence. S. Terry Dubois gives a case in the 11th century where an English Bishop had committed homosexual acts. There were other reasons to suggest the bishop was not directly influenced by a demon, but it was said diseases of the mind or body were thought to be demonic work, and the bishop would also claim he was not himself at the time of the act.

As stated already, we have been concentrating on the consequences of demonology upon societal and ethical norms. We have explored the possibility that demons may only bring out the true nature of humanity, causing few behavioral changes, but only to strengthen and ratify current behavior. Personal morality and a society's shared cultural norms are said to be directly influenced, and a great deal of this influence can be negative. It is generally considered that anything which challenges morality is more likely to have a negative impact, for that which had a positive impact would not have challenged morality in the first place.

15. Overcoming Demonic Influence

To overcome demonic influence, one must first realize the source of negative, immoral ideas and attitudes. The reported increase in the instinctive whisperings trying to distort perceptions of proper and improper conduct, right and wrong, and good and bad, show the present intensity of the battle of the minds of men. Add to this the blunt temptations to commit sinful deeds, and it is easy to see why our society can and should be blamed for its discourteous behavior and decadent lifestyle. The influences exerted by the demons upon human society is a long-term influence, which has an adverse effect on every aspect of societal functioning and the quality of life of the members of society.

There are no single or simple solutions to this problem, and the awareness of the need for constant and protracted struggle is the first key to overcoming demonic influence. This struggle can be successful on both an individual and collective basis, although it requires a high level of motivation and sustained effort. High levels of motivation are encouraged by the realization of the effects of demonic influence, and comparatively the greater quality of life that can be attained by freeing oneself from the effects of demonic influence.

16. Conclusion

The Inferno is a story about a man's journey through hell to save his soul. In many ways, it is like a modern epic. The Inferno is an important piece of literature because it is a realistic portrayal of 12th-century life. Anyone who has a notion of Christianity in 12th-century Italy can understand the themes portrayed in Dante's Inferno. This epic teaches a number of things. It teaches that the consequences of our actions are hard to escape and that revenge is more damaging than beneficial. It also provides a cautionary lesson against excessive political involvement and teaches that one mustn't forsake human decency in the pursuit of happiness. Perhaps the most important lesson, it reminds us that life is short, death is certain, and life's decisions affect the eternal soul. The colorful, frightening imagery of the Inferno has provided us with many iconic and memorable figures and scenes. Dante's Inferno has achieved a status as a famous, timeless work in Western literature. Not only has it had widespread success in the 14th century, but it still continues to influence literature today. As mentioned before, it is the standard by which all discussion or representation of Hell must be compared. It has been revisited in modern press and comics and has even inspired a video game. Because it provides a definitive medieval Christian worldview, its testament to human morality has made it an attractive teaching tool for more modern Christianity classes. In conclusion, The Inferno remains a powerful piece of literature today because it deals with issues that are still relevant in the present.