Saturday, May 1, 2010

Modern versions eschew mention of devils or demons

Another interesting example of how the modern versions can mislead. In a discussion about whether demons are real my opponent insisted I was making it all up because the Bible doesn't even talk about demons as I do.
Nowhere in the bible does it say that demons were worshiped as gods. All it says is that it is idolatrous, is a sin, and you shouldn't therefore do it. You would think that if what you say is true, all the writers of the bible referencing pagan idolatry would expose the true source [demons], but they don't.
So I produced the following list of scriptures in support of my contention:
De 32:17
They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

2Ch 11:15
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

Ps 106:37
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

Eze 16:36
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

1Co 10:20
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Re 9:20
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils ...

1Ch 16:26
For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Ps 96:5
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
He doesn't say which Bible he has but he answered:
Every verse you cited in my bible is listed as god (lowercase) or idols, as in false gods, which are synonymous with idolatry. What translation are you using that uses the word "devils?"
Now, one COULD answer him, and I did, that the context could still tell you that the "gods" and "idols" are in fact spiritual entities, but I can see how if you have the modern prejudice against such beings you could avoid the idea.

So, once again Ye Olde King James gives clarity where the modern versions obscure. I wonder why the new versions might not want people believing in devils or demons?