Devil

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In some religions, a devil is a bad spirit that tries to create problems for people. Some people also use the words "the Devil" or "Satan" for the most powerful devil.

In the Old Testament, there is the serpent and the shaitan, two different characters. "Shaitan" in Hebrew means "adversary" - not an enemy but an opponent. He is clearly directed by God, as in the Book of Job, when he torments Job with God's help. He seems to be used by God, and not fighting with God.

Elaine Pagels in her book The Origin of Satan reports that the idea of "the Devil" as an enemy not cooperating with God at all came later. She says the Gospels' writers emphasized unfair treatment of Jesus Christ. This was later turned into the idea that "the Devil" or "Satan" motivated the Pharisee and Roman judges. However, if the crucifixion was part of God's plan, then they too were serving God's will, and not really enemies.

Buddhist thinkers sometimes ask Christians if they really believe another, evil, god, has the power to defy the "real" God. If they say yes, the Buddhists ask, "are there not then two gods?"

It is a very good question. No one has yet been able to answer it in a way that satisfies everyone.

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