Satan

Satan (from the Hebrew "ha-satan", "accuser") was a member of the divine council of God referenced in the Old Testament in Job. In the Christian tradition he rebelled against God and was cast from Heaven. He leads a host of fallen angels (or demons) who know there days are numbered before they will be cast in the lake of fire and they seek to take as many humans as possible with them. Those who worship Satan are called Satanists.

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), Satan (evil). In the book of Genesis, Satan takes the form of a snake and tempts Eve with fruit from a tree. Satan, in the Book of Job, is used by God to test the faith of Job (who remained true to God through hardships). Some believe that Satan is able to possess and control living humans on Earth, although Catholic priests (and sometimes only bishops) are able to exorcise his influence. Satan, is also called by several different names (the Devil, deceiver, Bealzebub, Beelzebul, Lucifer, Asmodeus, Abaddon, "Old Scratch," the Crooked One, etc). The notion of Satan, or an evil force, is noted in many if not all of the major world religions. In the New Testament, Satan tries to tempt Jesus in the desert, and fails.

Jewish Views

In the Jewish tradition Satan faithfully serves God as a tester of the piety of men.Template:Fact-religion

He serves God as the one who accuses men of wickedness and impiety. At the direction of God Satan may be permitted to test these accusations, such as in Job. In this view, Satan's goal is not to lead men away from their faithfulness to God, but merely to revealing the true depths of their devotion.