Devil

Devil (from the Greek diabolos, "slanderer" or "accuser"), the generic term for the spirit or power of evil. Though sometimes used for minor demonic spirits, the term devil is generally regarded as the prince of evil spirits and as such is known by various names in the religions of the world.

In the Western religions (Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam), which are monotheistic, the devil is viewed as a fallen angel who in pride has tried to usurp the position of the one and only God, especially in attempts to thwart man's beneficial relationships to a deity. As Ahriman, the Destructive Spirit and Fiend of Zoroastrianism (a religion founded by the 6th-century BC Persian prophet Zoroaster), the devil - with his hordes of other demons - defiled all of creation "with darkness", the exception to victory over Ahura Mazda, the Good Lord, or Ormazd (as he was later called), being man, "isolated and alone". Man is thus caught in a continuous battle between good and evil.

In Judaism, and later Christianity, the devil was known as Satan. In the old Testament Satan is viewed as the prosecutor of Yahweh's (God's) court, as in Job, chapters 1 and 2, but he is not regarded as an adversary of God.

In postbiblical Judaism and Christianity, however, Satan became known as the "prince of devil's" (Matt. 25:41) and assumed various names: Beelzebub (the Lord of Flies) in Matt. 12:24-27, sometimes corrupted to Beelzebub (Lord of Dung), and Lucifer (the fallen angel of Light) in the interpretations of the early Church Fathers of the words of Jesus in Luke 10:18, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven", as a reference to the fall of the Day Star (or "shining one") from heaven in Isa. 14:12-17.

Rabbi Akiva, Jewish teacher of the 1st-2nd century AD, stated that he had been tempted by Satan in the form of a woman, an experience later to be repeated many times among early Christian monks in the Egyptian and Syrian deserts. In his role as tempter, the devil is best known for his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). Other appellations given to the devil in the New Testament are: the great dragon and ancient serpent (rev. 12:9); the evil one (Matt. 13:19); the prince of this world (John 12:31); and others.

In Christian theology the devil's main task is that of tempting man to reject the way of life and redemtion and to accept the way of death and destruction. The leader of the angels who have fallen from heaven becuse of pride, Satan has as his main adversary in Christian thought, legend and iconography the archangel Michael, leader of God's heavenly hosts.

Islamic theology is rich in references to Iblis, the personal name of the devil, who also is known as ash-Shaytan (the Demon) and 'aduw Allah (Enemy of God). In the Qur'an, Iblis first appears in the story of creation of the world. He alone of the angels refuses God's order to bow before Adam, the first man. He is then cursed by God; his punishment is to come on the Day of Judgement, but until then he is empowered to tempt the unfaithful (but not true believers). Iblis next appears as the tempter of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In Islamic theology, Iblis is described as an angel, a jinn (spiritual creature capable of good or evil), or an angel who was the leader of the jinn. The questions of his sins or pride and disobedience are especially important in the Sufu traditions, in which he is sometimes presented as a true monotheist who would bow only to God.

The Devil was alone an important figure in certain syncretistic religions - for example Gnosticism, a religious dualistic-belief system in which matter was viewed as evil, the spirit as good, and salvation as being attainable through esoteric knowledge, or gnosis; and Manichaeism, a dualistic religion founded by the 3rd-century AD Persian prophet Mani. In Gnosticism the devil was often called the Demiurge (the Creator) and in Manichaeism the Prince of Darkness, as well as other names.

The Devil as the great power of evil, has been much depicted in religious and secular literature and art. At various intervals in history, devil worship becomes significant for certain individuals dissatisfied with existing religions institutions, and exorcism (the casting out of demons) is often consequently reinstated by those institutions.