Demonization

Weychin SG

I have put a few links to this topic:-
Hopefully, practising Buddhist here do not fall into this rut.
May the Dharma Protectors protect what is holy and enlightened.

An Eternal Now SG

"For example, some strains of Hinduism consider the Buddha an incarnation of Vishnu sent to deceive people"

only one word:

lol

Weychin SG

Also see:- Main Entry: zealot Part of Speech: noun Definition: enthusiast Synonyms: activist, diehard, extremist, fanatic, fiend, maniac, militant, nut, radical, ultra*, young Turk Antonyms: moderate * = informal/non-formal usage
Main Entry: bigot
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: intolerant, prejudiced person
Synonyms: chauvinist, diehard, doctrinaire, dogmatist, enthusiast, extremist, fanatic, fiend, maniac, monomaniac, opinionated person, partisan, persecutor, puritan, racist, sectarian, segregationist, sexist, stickler, superpatriot, zealot
Antonyms: humanitarian, liberal, tolerator

Weychin SG

"For example, some strains of Hinduism consider the Buddha an incarnation of Vishnu sent to deceive people"

only one word:

lol

The interpretation was because many yogis performed austerities which granted them boons that made them more powerful that the Devas, which alarmed them. So Vishnu reincarnated as Buddha to made the yogis stopped their austerities, thus no longer a threat to the Devas

Amitayus48 SG

Apparently, from 中峰国师 on demonization.

中峰国师三时系念佛事

诸苦尽从贪欲起　　不知贪欲起于何
因忘自性弥陀佛　　异念纷驰总是魔

May the Dharma Protectors protect what is holy and enlightened.

Namo Buddha Amitabha

Zenist69 SG

不要说什么恶魔化或自以为是。就某些宗派不要再扯佛教的后腿，不要教那些对佛教开始感兴趣的人们以外书为佛教入门与基础，那就谢天谢地，阿弥陀佛了。

Wiser SG

Demonization is the reinterpretation of polytheistic deities as evil, lying demons by other religions, generally monotheistic and henotheistic ones. The term has since been expanded to refer to any characterization of individuals, groups, or political bodies as evil.

In addition to the religious viewpoint, demonization has several potential purposes from a secular standpoint. Most simply, demonization can be used to denigrate an opposed individual or group, making adherents to your own religion or viewpoint less inclined to do business with them (and possibly convert) and more inclined to fight against them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonization