At the recent Haunted America conference, I got to have a good discussion with Nathan Schoonover about the beliefs of people whose homes we investigate. Nathan is co host of the Ghostman and Demon Hunter show, and one of few people in the world truly qualified to be a demonologist. He has put the study and field work in for the last 13 years. But he refuses to take the title.

We both agree that the more we can all learn about different belief systems the better. For us, as investigators, it will help us better understand the people we are working with. Knowing what and how they believe makes it easier to help them, as well as understand what they are going through. A Catholic is going to perceive a haunting differently than a Buddhist. There are people who do not believe in demons, others who do not believe human spirits roam the Earth, but have moved on. So if you are going to get into investigations, the more you can learn about religions/belief systems, the better. Fortunately ADN is a great place to learn about all the different paths out there.

I can see why he doesn't want to take the title when dealing with some people. Here's what went through my mind. If you are going to a home to investigate and it's a situation where a demonologist would be helpful and the client was already scared out of their mind, and an investigator says to them, We're going to call in a demonologist to help you" I could see where people would be absolutely terrified. Where instead, an investigator says something like, "We're going to bring in a specialist, who is familiar with this type of case to help you and family to move on." That would elevate some of the fear and already put them to ease. A lot of times, the word demonologist can in some situations be quite terrifying if the individuals believe in that sort of thing.