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Demonization is the reinterpretation of polytheistic deities as demons by other religions, generally monotheistic ones. Rather than denying the existence of the other religion's pantheon entirely, the proselytizer says instead that they are not truly gods but demons trying to deceive their followers. Demonization is most closely associated with Christian missionaries to pagans during the spread of Christianity, though Judaism, Islam, and other religions have had similar practices; for instance, some strains of Hinduism considered the Buddha an incarnation of Vishnu sent to deceive people.

The term has since been expanded to refer to general characterization of individuals, groups, or political bodies as evil.

Background

The purpose of demonization is to facilitate oppressive actions against the demonized individual or group, ranging from ostracism to genocide. A common practice in early Judaism, founded on religious texts,[1][2] was the demonization of rival deities.[3] This would later transfer to Christianity and result in the persecution and suppression of pagan religions.[3] Classic examples of this kind of religious demonization include Baphomet (thought by some to be a corruption of Mohammad) and Beelzebub. The allegation that the Knights Templar worshipped Baphomet may have been used because of the likeness of this horned deity with the Christian images of Satan[4] and its supposed association with the founder of Islam[5]. The language of demonization was invoked during the Spanish inquisition leading to the expulsion of Jews from Spain.[6]

Demonizing an individual, group or culture generally involves a suspension of the normal considerations of humane behaviour and respect. Given that the subjects of demonization are portrayed as evil and/or subhuman beyond any dispute, then any means of self-defense is considered legitimate, in proportion to the threat represented.

One purpose of the demonization of individuals - as opposed to groups - is to divert attention from their arguments, and discredit them personally by ad hominem attacks. Alleging that they are fascists, communists, racists, religious fanatics or some other despised category of individuals is particularly effective not only in undermining individuals with controversial views, but in isolating them from public support.

Demonizing religion

Many religions, including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have been demonized, both by elements within their religions and outside. At the extreme, demonizing religion has led to religious violence and wars.

Many pagans and gnostics, as well as indigenous people around the world identify demonization as the historical basis for the oppression of their spiritual beliefs, as well. Whereas the original Hebrew scriptures taught that "the Gods of the gentiles are nothing", the Greek Septuagint translation of that same passage, used by the early Christian Church, asserted that "all the Gods of the heathens are devils".[3]

See also

Notes and References

1. ^ "Ye shall destroy their altars, and break in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their groves, and the graven images of their gods ye shall burn with fire." Exodus 34:13
2. ^ "And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword." Joshua 6:21
3. ^ "Demons in the Old Testament", Dennis Bratcher, 2006, retrieved 06 May 207.[1]
4. ^ " Pentacles and Pentagrams", Religious Tolerance, retrieved 06 May 2007[2]
5. ^ "Baphomet", Enyclopedia Britannica, 1911 Edition, retrieved 06 May 2007.[3]
6. ^ "Edict of the Expulsion of the Jews", 1492, Translated from the Castilian by Edward Peters, retrieved 06 May 2007.[4]
7. ^ "The Greek Septuagint translated into English", psalm 95:5, translated by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton, 1851. Jerome would follow the Greek text rather than the Hebrew when he translated the Latin Vulgate edition of the bible. The "devils" epithet would still appear in bibles up until the end of the 20th century when the consensus reverted back to the original Hebrew text for modern translations
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demon (or daemon, dæmon, daimon from Greek: δαίμων [ğaïmon]) is a supernatural being that has generally been described as a malevolent spirit, and in Christian terms it is generally understood as a Fallen angel, formerly of
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buddha   (help info ) (Sanskrit: Awakened) is any being who has become fully awakened (enlightened), and has experienced Nirvana.
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Translation: In order to delude the demons, he (Lord Buddha) was present in the form of a child on the way while the foolish Jina (a demon), imagined him to be his son.
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Ostracism (Greek ὀστρακισμός ostrakismos) was a procedure under the Athenian democracy in which a prominent citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years.
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Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of an ethnic, religious or national group. While precise definition varies among genocide scholars, the legal definition is found in the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
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Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people, based on principles and ethics embodied in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the Talmud. According to Jewish tradition, the history of Judaism begins with the Covenant between God and Abraham (ca.
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Baphomet is a name of mixed provenance. It first appeared in trial transcripts during the Inquisition of the Knights Templar in the 1300s. Most modern scholars agree that the name was an Old French corruption and misspelling of the name Mahomet (Muhammad).
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Islamic prophet Muhammad
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Ba‘al Zebûb or Ba‘al Zəvûv (Hebrew בעל זבוב, with numerous variants)[1] appears as the name of a deity worshipped in the Philistine city of Ekron.
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Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Latin: Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Solomonici), commonly known as the Knights Templar or the Order of the Temple (French: Ordre du Temple or Templiers
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Spanish Inquisition was an institution that had precedents in other Inquisitions. The reconquest of Spain from the Moors resulted in a relatively peaceful multi-religious society, but violent antisemitic and anti-Islamic persecution ensued and many Jews and Muslims converted to the
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An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin: "argument to the person", "argument against the man") consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim,
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Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the interests of the state.
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Racism has many definitions, the most common and widely accepted being the belief that members of one race are intrinsically superior or inferior to members of other races.
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religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious law. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience.
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fan, aficionado, or supporter is someone who has an intense, occasionally overwhelming liking of a sporting club, person, group of persons, company, product, work of art, idea, or trend. Fans of a particular thing constitute its fanbase or fandom.
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persecution of Jews has been a constant feature in Jewish history.

Persecution by Christians

Main article: Christianity and antisemitism

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persecution of Christians is religious persecution that Christians sometimes undergo as a consequence of professing their faith, both historically and in the current era. Christians are by far the most persecuted religious group in human history.
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For other uses of the term, see Holy War.


A religious war is a war justified by religious differences. It can be the legitimate forces of one state that has an established religion against those of another state with either a quite different
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