Muslims, do you believe in Djinns? Chrsitians, do you believe in Demons?

[Anonymous]

Do you believe that people can be possessed by Djinns/Demons?

[Anonymous]

I was raised Muslim, and always found the concept of jinns really bizarre and weird - sometimes scary, even though there were also supposedly "good" jinn. We were raised to believe in them, although it was less instilled at home, than in sunday school.

As an adult I've left Islam, religion, and any belief in any gods, due to all of it just not making any rational sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Uber liberal Muslim family. We don't believe in them.

Evangelical Christian friend at work surprised me the other day telling me she believes people can be possessed.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I believe one briefly posessed my child this morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I believe one briefly posessed my child this morning.

Ha! This happens from time to time with my 2 yo also

[Anonymous]

I am a Catholic and yes, I do believe it's possible that there are demons among us. Trying constantly to pull us away from the good, from making good decisions, as Christ would want us to do, etc. I believe the more and more people make the wrong decisions, the weaker their consciences become, and the more susceptible they are to evil influences/demons/whatever you may call it.

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist, but my family are all super strict, religious christians who believe in demon possession.

They are not unintelligent people by any means, and I just can't wrap my head around how they can believe in the things they do.

As the 1st PP (the one coming from a Muslim family) said, it just makes no rational sense to me. I just can't wrap my head around it, no matter how hard I try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist, but my family are all super strict, religious christians who believe in demon possession.

They are not unintelligent people by any means, and I just can't wrap my head around how they can believe in the things they do.

As the 1st PP (the one coming from a Muslim family) said, it just makes no rational sense to me. I just can't wrap my head around it, no matter how hard I try.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was raised Muslim, and always found the concept of jinns really bizarre and weird - sometimes scary, even though there were also supposedly "good" jinn. We were raised to believe in them, although it was less instilled at home, than in sunday school.

As an adult I've left Islam, religion, and any belief in any gods, due to all of it just not making any rational sense to me.

PP 13:36 here.

Did you come out to your family about leaving Islam? If so, how did they react?

I've basically been an Atheist for over 20 years now, but I've never told my Christian family (not sure, but I think they may suspect). I just go along with the prayers before eating, etc. when I'm visiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was raised Muslim, and always found the concept of jinns really bizarre and weird - sometimes scary, even though there were also supposedly "good" jinn. We were raised to believe in them, although it was less instilled at home, than in sunday school.

As an adult I've left Islam, religion, and any belief in any gods, due to all of it just not making any rational sense to me.

PP 13:36 here.

Did you come out to your family about leaving Islam? If so, how did they react?

I've basically been an Atheist for over 20 years now, but I've never told my Christian family (not sure, but I think they may suspect). I just go along with the prayers before eating, etc. when I'm visiting.

Yep, I came out to my family a number of years ago. Interestingly, it prompted some other "admissions" from other family members - that some didn't really believe in Islam, but still believed in a higher power (a generic kind of god, not of any particular religion). My parents were understanding, although we didn't see eye to an eye, the appreciated that my atheism was a personal logical trajectory, rather than a resentful one - I definitely do not resent my Islamic upbringing. I grew up practicing and faithful, though not conservative and fundamentalist. One of my siblings still considers themselves very Muslim, and can be snide and rude sometimes. But they're not someone I hold with respect or integrity anyway, so I can't take it personally. Most of my family have been supportive.

Without saying anything, I've kind of weaned myself off or religious things for other people like family friends and extended family - not going to religious occasions (Eid, iftar dinners, etc). Without being overt about it, I think they can take a hint. I make a point out of making sure I'm a strong, decent person on an interpersonal level with my Muslim family and friends, because I know a lot of people find it difficult to think that atheists have ethics. I know that I'm extremely giving, and that my word is always as good as gold. I have integrity, I'm kind, thoughtful, supportive of others, and it's important to me that others know I can be good and decent without religion (and usually more decent, and more good than many of my religious counterparts).

I wish you luck in your journey.

[Anonymous]

Do you believe in boogeymen? I do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Catholic and yes, I do believe it's possible that there are demons among us. Trying constantly to pull us away from the good, from making good decisions, as Christ would want us to do, etc. I believe the more and more people make the wrong decisions, the weaker their consciences become, and the more susceptible they are to evil influences/demons/whatever you may call it.

Excellent. Now that we've established they exist, can you stop electing them to public office. Kthxbai!

[Anonymous]

I do, in the same way that I believe in angels - kind of as forces of good and evil fighting behind the scenes.

[Anonymous]

I am muslim and yes I do believe in the existence of Jinns. I have known a few people who were possessed by them and I have seen them cured as well. This is not something you can just make up, i have witnessed it happening to one of my very best friends and it was scary to say the least.

[Anonymous]

Justice Scalia recently said in an interview that he believes the Devil "is a real person". Although the Devil doesn't "make pigs run off cliffs" as often as he used to do. Sigh, the good old days.

http://nymag.com/news/features/antonin-scalia-2013-10/