The Devil in Modern Eden

Chapter 1

A Mystifying Character

Of all the supernatural beings that exist in the universe, Satan (the Devil) is the most mystifying character to mankind. In general, he is known to personify the very essence of evil and temptation, and has been, and continues to be man’s most formidable adversary on matters pertaining to well-being, and specifically moral issues. Yet, his origin, intent, and mannerisms remain unclear, much of which is revealed by our reaction to his name and personality.

Common Views of the Devil

Astonishingly, most people don’t believe that the Devil exists. According to a survey conducted by the Barna Group (2002), six in ten Americans (59 percent) refuse to believe that the Devil is real. Catholics more than Protestants—75 percent compared to 55 percent, respectively—are inclined to deny the presence of the Devil. Ironically, the same survey revealed a contradiction. The majority of the participants (54 percent) indicated that human beings can be under the influence of demons. The obvious question is how can we be influenced by something that doesn’t exist? Could it be that the same people who believe in demons have a separate classification or concept of the Devil? How is it possible for a person to believe in God and dismiss the existence of Satan? The thinking is irrational. For instance, if God is a loving and harmless character, as many people believe, he can’t be blamed for the human carnage that we experience around the world every day. Who then is responsible? Clearly, there seems to be some misconception about God, but more so about the Devil.

That said, the problem is far more pervasive than the containment of Catholics and Protestants. Various faiths, many of which are represented around the world, remain ambiguous about the nature of the Devil. Consider some of the following points:

● Theistic Satanism, also known as Traditional Satanism (Devil worshipers) purports that Satan is an actual deity worthy of reverence. He is the lord of malevolence who will rain vengeance on the earth at a predetermined time, and followers worship him for favors.

● In Islam, the Devil is known as Iblis whom God created from smokeless fire. He has no power, except the ability to suggest evil thoughts in the hearts of men and women. He is also known as Jinn, who exists in a parallel world to man’s, and by nature, he has the option to be good, evil, or neutral.

● The Baha’i Faith, which is a monotheistic religion, does not view Satan as an independent being. Instead, he is the sub-nature of humanity (the demanding ego) that keeps people from seeking God.

● Raelians Movement reasons that Satan is an Elohim, one of the extraterrestrial species who are responsible for creating life on earth. While most Elohim desire to see man grow and prosper, Satan sees man as a threat and wants to destroy him. According to the movement, Satan is also responsible for many of the major catastrophes cited in the Bible, one being the great flood

● Heaven's Gate, a UFO religion which is based on extraterrestrial (ET) concepts, sees Satan as a being who has gone through the mundane level of this life to something higher—a level envied by most believers. However, before gaining complete access to the kingdom of heaven, he and his demons re-embrace the material world and encourage people to do the same. As elevated aliens, they can occupy human bodies and provide guidance into the other world. As fascinating as these concepts may be, they pose a dilemma for people who seek to understand the real nature of Satan. Separately, they represent contradictory formulations about his true character that are confusing. What is also apparent is that with each new religion comes a different construct of the Devil’s image, pointing to a specific conclusion that is understood only by those who manufacture the ideas. Seen from these angles, the Devil appears as an appeasing creature, harmless in some ways, and ready to absolve the aberrant past of humanity for something new. Meanwhile, these characterizations do little to expose the real perpetrator of evil that the Holy Bible reveals. More disturbing is the fact that they explain how little we know about man’s greatest adversary.

The Real Satan

Much of what needs to be disclosed about the Devil will come later in this book. Until then, suffice it to say that apart from a religious context, the name Satan or the Devil is a catchword for many people, a trite characterization that represents human failings and nothing more. Neither the name nor the image carries any permanent consequence in relationship to our present or future existence—life after death. People who are aware that the Devil exists, on the other hand, understand something entirely different. To them, he is not only real, but also responsible for everything that’s wrong with human civilization. How else can we explain the various forms of murder around the world that are being perpetrated by human beings without the propagation of evil? What compels individuals to commit robbery, adultery, rape, and other heinous crimes other than demonic interventions? Though some of these crimes appear to be less wicked than actually killing someone, their impact is equally devastating to the families who experience them. These and other vile human behaviors can be traced to none other than the most diabolical character in the universe—Satan.