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== History and Goals ==
== History and Goals ==
In [[Christianity]] Satan's goal is to lead people away from the love of God, by tempting or tricking them. The only sources of supernatural power in the world are from either God (good) or Satan (evil). In the book of [[Genesis]], Satan takes the form of a snake and tempts Eve with fruit from a tree. This causes sin to come into the world. Satan, in the Book of Job, listens to God speak highly of Job and accuses Job to God before the host of angels that Job praises God only because he is blessed and would curse God if he was forced to suffer. God allows satan to do what he will except to spare his life, and Satan causes Job to suffer immensely. (Job remained true to God through his hardships; Satan accused him further and punished him further, but could not get Job to break).
In many denominations of [[Christianity]] Satan's goal is to lead people away from the love of God, by tempting or tricking them. The only sources of supernatural power in the world are from either God (good) or Satan (evil). In the book of [[Genesis]], Satan takes the form of a snake and tempts Eve with fruit from a tree. This causes sin to come into the world.
[[Jesus]] makes references to demonic possession on multiple occasions that He then casts out. Some believe that Satan is able to possess and control living humans on Earth even today. The Catholic church believes that priests (and sometimes only bishops) are able to [[exorcise]] this possession through Jesus.
In the Book of Job, Satan listens to God speak highly of Job and claims before God the host of angels that Job praises God only because he is blessed and would curse God if he was forced to suffer. God challenges Satan to cause Job to suffer to test his faith. Satan inflicts various punishments on Job including poverty, painful illness and the death of his family. When Job remains faithful to God throughout the trials, God restores his health and financial success - though not the dead family.
[[Jesus]] makes references to demonic possession on multiple occasions that He then casts out. Some believe that Satan is able to possess and control living humans on Earth even today. The Catholic church officially believes that priests (and sometimes only bishops) are able to [[exorcise]] this possession through Jesus, but exorcism is no longer practiced by the church.
In the [[New Testament]], Satan tries to tempt [[Jesus]] in the desert, and fails. Jesus warns extensively to beware of Satan as does [[Paul]].
In the [[New Testament]], Satan tries to tempt [[Jesus]] in the desert, and fails. Jesus warns extensively to beware of Satan as does [[Paul]].
Satan, is also called by several different names (the Devil, deceiver, Bealzebub, Beelzebul, Lucifer, Asmodeus, Abaddon, "Old Scratch," the Crooked One, etc).
Satan, is also called by several different names (the Devil, deceiver, Bealzebub, Beelzebul, Lucifer, Asmodeus, Abaddon, "Old Scratch," the Crooked One, etc).
Satan is often portrayed as a 'head demon' commanding minions, or as the ruler of [[Hell]], though some denominations dispute Satan's current status and believe either he never existed, or is now trapped in Hell undergoing eternal punishment.
In particular, evangelical churches are more likely to see Satan as an active force, meddling directly in the world to cause harm and particually to lead Christians away from God and into sin. Most denominations, including the the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, give Satan only a very minor role in their teaching - rarely even mentioning him.
== Lucifer ==
== Lucifer ==