w94 2/1 p 4-7
Add to all of this the widespread interest in magic and spiritism, and it is clear that belief in wicked spirits has a long and pervasive history. But is it reasonable to believe that such creatures exist? The Bible says that they do. However, if they do exist, why does God allow them to influence man to his injury?
THE Bible’s explanation of the role of demons in man’s affairs answers basic questions about evil that would otherwise be unanswerable. Consider, for example, this statement from the InternationalHeraldTribune concerning the ongoing war in the Balkans: "A European Community team of investigators has concluded that [soldiers] have raped up to 20,000 Muslim women and girls . . . as part of a systematic policy of terror designed to intimidate, demoralize and drive them from their homes."
An essay in Time magazine grappled with an explanation: "Sometimes, young men in war may commit rape in order to please their elders, their officers, and win a sort of father-to-son approval. The rape is proof of commitment to the unit’s fierceness. A young man willing to do hideous things has subordinated his individual conscience in order to fuse with the uncompromising purposes of the group. A man seals his allegiance in atrocity."
But why are the "uncompromising purposes of the group" more debased than the individual consciences of its members? As an individual, almost everyone desires to live at peace with his neighbor. So why, in times of war, do people rape, torture, and kill one another? A key reason is that demonic forces are at work.
Understanding the role of demons also provides a solution to what some term a "theologian’s problem." The problem is how to reconcile three propositions: (1) God is all powerful; (2) God is loving and good; and (3) terrible things happen. Some hold that it is possible to reconcile any two of these propositions, but all three can never be reconciled. God’s Word itself gives the answer, and that answer involves unseen spirits, agents of evil.
From here, the WT article goes into the allegory of Satan and his demons fall into disfavor with Jehovah. While I am sure this won't surprise anyone, the questions they raised were not answered.... The best they can do is in this quote, which is to say that armies that rape and pillage MUST be under demonic control.... OBVIOUSLY.
Here is the GB conclusions on demon influence from the same article
Enemies
ofMankind Satan and the demons have always been murderous and cruel. Satan, by various means, took away Job’s livestock and killed most of his servants. Next, he killed Job’s ten children by causing "a great wind" to demolish the house they were in. After that, Satan plagued Job with "a malignant boil from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head."—Job 1:7-19; 2:3, 7.
The demons show a similarly evil disposition. In Jesus’ day, they robbed people of their speech and sight. They caused a man to slash himself with stones. They dashed a boy to the ground and "violently convulsed him."—Luke 9:42; Matthew 9:32, 33; 12:22; Mark 5:5.
Reports from around the world show that Satan and the demons are as malicious as ever. Some people they strike with illness. Others they harass by robbing them of sleep or by giving them terrible dreams or by abusing them sexually. Still others they have driven to insanity, murder, or suicide.
Don't know what those methods are... As usual they don't explain, because they can't. I didn't know that such things as nightmares, insomnia and sexual urges in the middle of the night could be attributed to demons.... I must be seriously demonized... lol... Also something they can't answer: Why did demonic activity as explained in the bible stop after the bible was written, esp keeping in mind that according to JW theology, Satan and the demons have been cast down to earth having great anger knowing they have a short period of time. So they are less able to hurt people then before? Doesn't make sense... But do you know of any demons possesing people lately? (please if you are a fundie, don't answer, send me the video instead....)
Short answer is that the bible makes the claim of demon influence, it is sparse on details, and there is no evidence that the claims are true... Good night!
