Is there any religious ground for a demon to give up its name?

Is there any religious ground for a demon to give up its name? - Asian man helping friend to get up from ground

In the movie The Conjuring 2, the nun-demon is vanquished by being called out its name, Valak.

Mrs. Warren managed to write down this demon's name during her encounter in a dream. I vaguely remembered Mrs. Warren said something like "the demon told me its name".

I am wondering a demon surely know giving up its name will surely make it vulnerable. So, logically, why would a demon tell anyone its own name? Is there any religious ground or Valak is trying to be playful?



Best Answer

This is a hard question to answer simply because opinions will vary depending on religious philosophy but I'll attempt to explain the philosophy behind it without getting too specific although I may do some guess work from what I do know about Catholicism since that is the religion that is portrayed in the film.

The idea behind being able to cast out a demon comes from having authority over it. God created all the spirits including those which were cast out and became evil spirits serving Satan. These demons try to trick men by telling lies, temptations, and they also can gain power over them at times by possessing their bodies. Not everyone is susceptible to possession but I won't get into that. The key thing to understand is that because they are creations of God, ultimately these evil spirits must answer to the authority of God.

If someone with the authority of God asks a demon its name using that authority, the demon must give it. That authority is also what gives a person the ability to cast the demon out. From the best of my understanding, the Catholic Church teaches that this authority comes chiefly through Faith and Study of the Scriptures.

In the movie, both the Warren's live by these principles of authority and that is why they could be sure that the name given was the true name of the demon which they could then use to cast it out.

For a reference, here is an interview with a Catholic priest about exorcisms. In this snippet he points out that they always start by asking for the demon's name and that the demon answers.

"Demons are wary of talking and must be forced to speak. When demons are voluntarily chatty it's a trick to distract the exorcist. We must never ask useless questions out of curiosity. We but must interrogate with care. We always begin by asking for the demon's name."

"And does he answer?" I ask. Father Amorth nods. "Yes, through the patient, but in a strange, unnatural voice. If it is the Devil himself, he says 'I am Satan, or Lucifer, or Beelzebub. We ask if he is alone or if there are others with him. Usually there are two or five, 20 or 30. We must quantify the number. We ask when and how they entered that particular body. We find out whether their presence is due to a spell and the specifics of that spell.




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What is the origin of the name demon?

The term demon is derived from the Greek word daim\u014dn, which means a \u201csupernatural being\u201d or \u201cspirit.\u201d Though it has commonly been associated with an evil or malevolent spirit, the term originally meant a spiritual being that influenced a person's character.

What is the word for casting out demons?

In Christianity, exorcism involves the practice of casting out one or more demons from a person whom they are believed to have possessed. The person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is often a member of the Christian Church, or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills.

How do you overcome a demon?

Here Are 7 Ways You Can Battle Your Inner Demons And Welcome Positivity Back In To Your Life
  • Acknowledge them. ...
  • Concentrate on good memories. ...
  • Cut yourself some slack. ...
  • Don't settle, keep fighting. ...
  • Go for an intensive workout. ...
  • Remember the movie 'Inside Out', let the positive emotions take control. ...
  • Tame the dragon or kill it.


  • What does the word demons mean?

    Definition of demon 1a : an evil spirit angels and demons. b : a source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin the demons of drug and alcohol addiction confronting the demons of his childhood. 2 usually daemon : an attendant (see attendant entry 2 sense 1) power or spirit : genius.



    Tenacious D - Classico




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