Sorry, @Dewbob - just catching up on this thread. I stopped reading it at some point
I don’t think people need to be scared and terrified of Devas. While they are not human-like in morality as in good vs bad, help vs harm - where one can take a beating is when one cannot deal with the huge energy associated with entities of Divinity. A big mistake often made is to fit the Devas into categories of Angels etc. which is not always accurate. To group them all as “entities” is often the folly of a Western occultist (I learned from the same folly) - when human beings are so unique from one another, how then can one group all these “entities” as same or similar?
The nature of Devas is indicated in their very name - Divyante iti devah - those that shine with lustre of pure golden light. A class of minor devas can be nature spirits, but technically in Hinduism, these beings are not classified as Devas. Devas are thirty-three in number, who appeared primordially and have existed forever, and further appear through refractions of the Divine Light as other Devas and Devis (feminine). The primary purpose of Devas is to help consciousness ascend, as they are but macrocosmic aspects of Enlightened Mind, Enlightened Speech and Enlightened Soul (which though one and only one, perceives various ‘other’ things on account of duality consciousness). So, these are benevolent beings (not in the sense of “I call them they come and beat up my neighbor”, well sometimes that too) - and need not be feared. In fact in Eastern thought, there is respect for divinity, not fear as what is there to fear something which is nothing but a representation of one’s own perfect potential?
When I was a kid, I constantly recited the mantra of Goddess Kali (new moon) thousands of times in a day. One night, she appeared and told me, “Child, you have been calling out to me, and as your lineage is connected to me, I am here. But do realize, I rise as the fiery aspect of Kundalini - like a torrent, washing away everything, breaking barriers. I am like the Mother who will drag the child to the destination fast, even if it means dragging you through a keyhole! And when being dragged through a keyhole, it is NOT comfortable”. I did not really get all of that, or the seriousness of the issue, and I said, “What do you suggest?”. She said, ok, here is the mantra of Durga (full moon), this energy is gentler, you will be able to handle this better. I wll see you twenty-years later". I think you get my point? She was not terrifying, or evil, in fact the most loving Mother she is - but she shows tough love, and not everyone is ready for it. The Hindus have developed a wonderful framework involving service, devotion, humility to approach these divinities, while also constantly reminding that one is not dealing with some angry god somewhere that is on a power trip and demands subservience, but merely realizing the Divinity that one already is! Choosing the best aspects of old ways and new tools is the best recipe for success!