Me too Ozentity. I've had the unfortunate experience of glimpsing (just a tiny tiny tiny glimpse) of what happens on the other side. Screw that.
For a long time I always made a point to state 'personal opinion' when I posted, but as I became more comfortable with my surroundings I let that statement lapse as 'implied'... forgetting that people come in and out of this House who don't know me or my nature. Pretty much everything I have posted in these kind of threads will be from my view or opinion because I am going to come at the thing from a purely Spiritual standpoint...
Because I did not say 'opinion', I will be respectful enough to reply to your post here.
In my world this question would be debated theologically or philosophically - Like Lynne, I believe the answer lies in Intent and accountability. So the true answer to your question would be, I don't know.
This forum has many individuals who are far more capable of answering your question from a paranormal viewpoint. Debi and her Moderator's have been dealing with the specifics of the Paranormal for a long time - and one or more of them can guide you on this question in the real-time... and through the experience of having sifted through hundred's , maybe even thousands, of paranormal experiences and situations and they have definitely done their homework in these matters.
The one thing MOST of us will agree on though, Spiritually or Paranormally, is this. No matter how sure you are of what you are doing, no matter how sure you are that you have 'it' under control and you are in charge, no matter how sure you are that you know or recognize the entity you are dealing with Light or dark ~ You Absolutely Are Not In Charge... and you know exactly Jack Squat about what you are dealing with... That is why it is named Paranormal.
darkness is not an Entity. darkness is an Energy. Like electricity or microwaves or gamma rays... Energy is invisible to the human eye, except through mathematical equations, which are theoretical, and computer simulations stemming from those theories. It IS proven that energy can transfer from one Path to another any time there is a conduit open and will do exactly that... always seeking the path of least resistance. You would no more see it coming then you would see the energy that forms into a lightening bolt that hits you... before you are fried. This forum has come up with some very good guidelines to keep you from getting hit.
The rest is Choice.