From: bivalve (bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com)
Date: Wed Oct 16 2002 - 21:14:35 EDT
> I would suggest that if anyone wants to reflect on this topic
>it would be best - for several reasons - to bracket off the question
>of _evil_ angels, at least to begin with.<
As far as speculations on their scientific aspects go, the available
information does not seem to me to be too different, given the
difference in goals. The topic does have certain potential for
tangents, though.
Both good and evil spirual entities are identified in the Bible as
capable of influencing human or animal behavior and health. They can
also produce audible sounds. At least good angels can appear in
visible form. Offhand, all the appearances of demons, Satan, etc.
that I can think of are in visions, leaving their ability to visibly
manifest themselves moot.
As experimenting with good angels is hard to do without putting God
to the test (cf. Jesus' temptation) and experimenting with demons is
generally spiritually highly inadvisable, I am not coming up with
many ideas on theoretical scientific studies.
I can think of a few examples that might fit this thread, though. A
retired psychologist, speaking to the graduate InterVarsity chapter
at UNC-CH, told of a medical missions trip on which he encountered an
unusual case. Although the symptoms were suggestive of
schizophrenia, there were peculiarities as well, giving him the idea
of possession. This was tested by determining that the patient was
unable to say the phrase "Jesus is Lord", and exorcism seemed to cure
the problem. Involvement in satanic cults seems to frequently have
negative moral effects, in keeping with the hypothesis that evil
spirits can influence people though not incompatible with the
hypothesis that individuals more inclined to obvious negative moral
actions are also more likely to profess satanism.
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept. Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted
Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at
Droitgate Spa
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