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Demonology is the science or doctrine
concerning demons and is more often than not associated with
theology—the science or doctrine about God. Along with this
topic flow many false and dangerous forms of study, fitly adapted
to the old words of Albertus Magnus: A daemonibus docetur, de
daemonibus docet, et ad daemones ducit ("It is taught by the
demons, it teaches about the demons, and it leads to the
demons").
The majority of the literature placed under demonology is tainted
with errors that may in fact owe their origin to ‘the father
of falsehood’, and furthermore (especially the more
practical portions—ascetical and mystical demonology) is
designed to lead men to give theirselves to the service of Satan.
The truest doctrine about demons and evil spirits is namely
Catholic theology which deals with the creation and fall of the
rebelled angels, and which deals with the various ways in which
these fallen spirits are permitted to tempt and afflict the
children of men. These pages deal with some generally more major
systems throughout the various lands and distant ages.
I hope that this will enable you to further appreciate the
important part played by these ideas in human history, and their
influence on religion, morals and social life. I have tried to
distinguish the figments of truth from this vast weave of
falsehood—truths of natural religion; recorded experience;
actual facts; and a little teaching which has remained and been
revealed from Jewish and Christian Scriptures or primitive
tradition.
Belief in evil spirits; attempts to propitiate them and avert
their wrath; securing their favour and assistance—these are
many accounts which readers identify with after beginning to
study Demonology.
It has started with all spirits being first conceived of as being
the souls of dead men, and from this aboriginal Animism it has
gradually developed into the various elaborate systems of
mythology, demonology, and angelology we have today.
Assyrian and Akkadian Demonology
Demons | Fallen Angels | Succubi