Do other gods exist in Christianity?

[jgh7]

God commands to worship no other gods besides Him. Is this because no other gods exist? Or is it because those other gods do exist and are evil?

As far as I'm aware, besides God and the angels there's just fallen angels and demons and the devil (and I'm not sure if fallen angels are the same as demons). But do gods like Baal and Ashtoreth exist or are they completely made up? If they do exist, are they actually just particular demons or maybe Satan impersonating these gods?

[ttruscott]

Completely made up ... by demons.

That's an interesting claim. Who then made up the demons?

They are self made by their free will decison to reject YHWH's divinity by putting their faith in HIM being a false god himself and the first (therefore the worst) liar.

At creation every person made in HIS image with a free will had an equal ability and opportunity to become perfectly good or perfectly evil.

[Tcg]

Completely made up ... by demons.

That's an interesting claim. Who then made up the demons?

They are self made by their free will decison to reject YHWH's divinity by putting their faith in HIM being a false god himself and the first (therefore the worst) liar.

At creation every person made in HIS image with a free will had an equal ability and opportunity to become perfectly good or perfectly evil.

I see. The demons are self-existent just like the big guy himself. The answer then is that no one made up the demons. Is that really what you are going with?

[brianbbs67]

[Replying to post 5 by Tcg]

Perhaps the pagan gods and goddesses were labeled by the Hebraic and Christian writers as demons.

If by the Hebraic writers, are you referring to those who wrote the Old Testament? If so, is there any mention of demons in the OT? It seems to be a purely New Testament concept.

Deut. 32:17 They sacrificed to demons, no-gods, Gods they had never known, new ones who came but lately, Who stirred not your fathers' fears.

Thanks for pointing this out. Of course some versions I've referenced refer to "false gods" not "demons". The NT teaches that demons are fallen angels. I wonder if the Hebrew here matches that idea. Is the idea of fallen angels taught in the OT?

.

My quote came from the JPS Tanakh/Torah. So, yes the Hebrews acknowledged it. Most of their teaching on this are in Talmud writings.

[brianbbs67]

Here is an interesting read on this topic. I don't agree with all of it but, very interesting.

http://www.crivoice.org/demonsot.html

[William]

[Replying to post 2 by JehovahsWitness]

The whole point is to make people believe that spiritism is harmless and/or there are "white witches" and "good spirits" and that their religious supernatural experiences are valid encounters with the Creator.

Demons must fall over laughing at how vulnerable humans are.

Most people who practice and otherwise experience such things are aware that the above is a lie perpetrated by an organised religion which does't like the competition and which has a history of murderous abuse on humans those religions have demonized.

What this lie does is prevent those who believe it from having any interest in finding out for themselves what is the truth of the matter. Fortunately it is also known that those perpetuating the lie will eventually - unavoidably - find out just how deceived and deceptive they were with their own beliefs against others. There will be no laughing about it either. It will be a very sorrowful event, especially for those who thought they were believing that GOD didn't want anyone exploring the next phase and finding out for themselves.

Doing so would have avoided a lot of that. It certainly is one thing to be cautious in relation to the unknown and specifically another to demonize it completely and repeat lies about it.

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 5 by Tcg]

Perhaps the pagan gods and goddesses were labeled by the Hebraic and Christian writers as demons.

If by the Hebraic writers, are you referring to those who wrote the Old Testament? If so, is there any mention of demons in the OT? It seems to be a purely New Testament concept.

Deut. 32:17 They sacrificed to demons, no-gods, Gods they had never known, new ones who came but lately, Who stirred not your fathers' fears.

Thanks for pointing this out. Of course some versions I've referenced refer to "false gods" not "demons". The NT teaches that demons are fallen angels. I wonder if the Hebrew here matches that idea. Is the idea of fallen angels taught in the OT?

.

My quote came from the JPS Tanakh/Torah. So, yes the Hebrews acknowledged it. Most of their teaching on this are in Talmud writings.

My concern about this is whether the Hebrew in this passage supports the translation "demons". The source you quote from is a translation as are the other sources I checked. The question remains as to whether of not it is an accurate translation.

Additionally, my question referred specifically to the Old Testament, the Talmudic writings would not address my question.

[brianbbs67]

I guess a better question would be, how were demons defined by the OT? Our modern thinking on them is little different from the Hebraic, it seems. In my understanding, they could be anything from a false god to a cohort of the adversary. Which ever is used to define, they exist and are no good. And something not to be given an invite into our lives. "resist the devil and he will flee from you"

[Tcg]

I guess a better question would be, how were demons defined by the OT?

Your question assumes that they were defined in the OT. I'm still wondering if there is anything from the OT itself that speaks of the concept of demons.

Reading NT concepts into the OT isn't helpful in answering this question.

[brianbbs67]

I guess a better question would be, how were demons defined by the OT?

Your question assumes that they were defined in the OT. I'm still wondering if there is anything from the OT itself that speaks of the concept of demons.

Reading NT concepts into the OT isn't helpful in answering this question.

Do you know that the JPS is the Jewish Publication Society? Orthodox, conservative and reformed Rabbis all come together to translate and they must all agree for it to be published. If a majority agree, it is published but foot noted. When know one knows for sure, its footnoted too. I wish the Bible was as thoroughly marked as the Hebrews do.