Demonolatry

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of honoring supernatural entities often regarded as malevolent reflects a distinct form of religious practice separate from mainstream faith systems
2. This devotion to demonic figures exemplifies a spiritual path that contrasts with traditional religious beliefs and practices
3. The worship of demonic beings illustrates a unique spiritual tradition that diverges from conventional religious practices and ideologies

Etymology: Demonolatry is a compound built from two Greek elements. The first, "daimōn" (the source of "demon"), meant a divine power or spirit in ancient Greek, not an evil being; the malevolent sense developed later, largely through Jewish and Christian usage. The second element, "-latry," comes from Greek "latreia," meaning service or worship, and is the same ending found in "idolatry." The word came into English through Latin "daemonolatria," which was formed from the same Greek parts. Its formation is transparent: "demono-" combined with "-latry" gives "worship of demons," which is exactly the meaning it carries today. The English word follows that Latin model closely, so there is little drift from its original construction.