Devil

In some religions and mythology, the Devil (also called the God of Darkness or Dark God) is an evil spirit, deity, demon, or other supernatural being that tries to create problems for people and distance them from God. In some cultures, the Devil is seen as the embodiment of evil. He is often depicted with red skin, horns, and a tail.

Some people also use the word "Satan" for the most powerful devil.

Etymology

The word "devil" comes from the Greek word "diabolos", which means "someone who tells lies to hurt you". ("Diabolos" is translated to the English word "slanderer.") The New Testament uses "diabolos" as a title for Satan, so "the Devil" became another name for Satan in English.

The Old Testament talks about the Serpent and Satan the Evil One, who may be two different characters. "Satan" in Hebrew means "adversary", which is a word for an enemy or opponent. Shaitan is also a word used for the Devil in the Koran, who often appears as an animal and tries to get people to do the wrong thing.[1]

Appearances in religions

Christianity

According to the Christian Bible, the Devil wanted to be a deity who was independent from God.[2] Therefore, a war in heaven started and the angels battled. The Devil lost the battle and was thrown out of heaven. Then he started doing bad things on Earth, and wanted people to worship him instead of God. Sometimes he tries to trick people by giving them false promises.[2][3]

The other angels who were thrown out of heaven became evil spirits called demons. They obey the Devil and help him do evil things.[2]

The Book of Revelation says that God will someday punish the Devil and his demons by throwing them into a Lake of Fire that burns in Hell.

Some Christians understand the Devil as the embodiment of chaos and death. They think that the Devil is the farthest someone can get away from God. God, as the opposite of the Devil, stands for life and the Devil for death. The closer someone gets to the Devil the closer people come to death and will not be resurrected.

Islam

In Islam there are several devils, who support Satan. The devils are invisible and tempt humans and djinns into sin. Humans and djinns who obey the devil are called devils too.

Other cultures and religions

Not all religions believe in the Devil. For example, some forms of Buddhism do not believe in the Devil. Satan exists inJudaism, but Jews believe Satan is just an angel, not the Devil.

Wicca rejects the concept of the Devil and demons, because in Wiccan tradition, the creative energy is neither positive nor negative. According to Wiccans: "We are the ones who use this energy for good or evil. Therefore, the consequence of this action is our entire responsibility, not of an evil supernatural being."

The god Cernunnos in Wicca has been confused with the Christian Devil because it has horns. In antiquity, because the horns were phallic, they were associated with virility (fertility). Soon they were symbols of ancient European religions. He was already worshipped by pagan religions before Christianity arrived in Europe and the British Isles.

Many satanists believe in the Devil or Satan only as a metaphor, not an actual being or person.[4][5]

In the Bahá'í Faith, the Devil as a malevolent, supernatural entity is not believed to exist.[6] These terms do, however, appear in the Bahá'í writings, where they are instead used as metaphors for the lower nature of man.

Arts

Artists draw pictures of the Devil that show him as ugly and evil. However, in the Bible, no description of Satan is ever given.

Believers in the Devil say he is usually a spirit that nobody can see, though he can make himself look like a human in order to trick people. Many modern depictions of the Devil portray him as a red human-like being with horns and a pointed tail, carrying a red pitchfork or trident.

References

  1. ↑ "shaitan". The Free Dictionary. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Holy Bible: King James Version. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-0718097905.
  3. ↑ "The Devil". Gospel Mysteries. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "The Satanic Temple: Think you know about Satanists? Maybe you don't". 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  5. ↑ "FAQ". The Satanic Temple. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  6. ↑ Cobb, Judy. "Do You Know Who the Devil Is?". Bahá'í Teachings.
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