Why is Satan Evil?

[MemnonOfRhodes]

What i've understood was that Lucifer was an Arch-angel that was jealous and tried to take God's power with some other angels.But why does that make him evil like they say he is?
An Arch-Angel that becomes jealous is considered to be the most evil thing ever?

[Gromovnik]

Because he dates Saddam.

[MemnonOfRhodes]

As much as i like South Park
I would like to see a reasonable answer

[Zubiou]

Well, technically, I've understood that "Lucifer" is just a mistake in the translation of the Bible, and that Satan wasn't initially suppose to be personalized (satan was just a word to mean evil, if I'm not mistaking)

But after this, I guess that the association with good and evil has come after these biblical events : god is good by definition, therefore Lucifer&co , as being opposed to it, are also the opposite of good, which is evil. In my opinion, it must all be a problem of initial definition, it's like a postulate, an axiom, I guess.



Edit : I don't think I'm actually the most qualified to answer this question, so it would be probably better to wait for some other replies.

[Gromovnik]

Hey, I bet he's hiding Saddam's WMD's for all these years...

[MaximiIian]

What i've understood was that Lucifer was an Arch-angel that was jealous and tried to take God's power with some other angels.But why does that make him evil like they say he is?
An Arch-Angel that becomes jealous is considered to be the most evil thing ever?

From my personal perspective: I don't believe that Satan exists, so it's irrelevant to me.

From the perspective of Christian theology: Satan committed direct and knowing betrayal of his Lord and Master in an act of pure jealousy and spite. Unless you think betrayal, jealousy, and spite are good things, then he's pretty much evil incarnate. It's made worse by his position as the arch-angel, God's closest companion. It's the same reason Horus' rebellion against the Emperor of Mankind in Warhammer 40K is seen as a bad thing.

From the perspective of traditional Jewish theology: Satan isn't evil, and the idea of him rebelling from God is a nonsensical myth, as God is supreme and the angels lack free will. From this perspective, Satan is seen as a prosecuting attorney, testing the faith of humans in order to weed out the impious from the flock of the faithful.

[MemnonOfRhodes]

I think my question has been answered ,Thanks for the posts

[gambit]

Because he didnt cater to God's every rule and actually used free will

[Alkarin]

Because he didnt cater to God's every rule and actually used free will

kill the heretic

[Ummon]

Satan is not evil.

When you want to learn chess, and your opponent regularly beats you, is he evil? You may be a bad player instead.

[Daeger]

Satan is not evil.

When you want to learn chess, and your opponent regularly beats you, is he evil? You may be a bad player instead.

It's more like: You're playing a drinking game, your opponent beats you regularly and you have to drink every time you lose if you win, you get nothing.

[MaximiIian]

When you want to learn chess, and your opponent regularly beats you, is he evil?

Of course he is. I don't like to lose at chess.
Hence why I don't play chess.

[Ummon]

Satan is there to make so that you can win. For it to be possible, you have to be in the condition to lose as well.

No evil is involved: Satan is a tool of God. Although you (the player) may become evil under certain circumstances.

[My Favorite Martian]

Taking up what Ummon says.

Job 1,1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was whole-hearted and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil.

Job should never be too certain regarding of what he considers himself because of the dialectic that holds him. It is a Greek problem in words of Hebrew or a Hebrew problem that can be expressed in greek words. It is in other words a problem that concerns all of us. Job means you and me and someone else.

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2701.htm

[Ellsid]

How else are you suppose to scare ignorant people into following your god? Religion needs a boogieman to create a war of conflict between good and bad...Scapegoat all human conditions that may not be good.

[Exarch]

and why is satan pictures with goat's legs and a pitchfork?
why is he made to look like the pagan god 'pan'?

[Ummon]

Taking up what Ummon says.

Job 1,1

Job should never be too certain regarding of what he considers himself because of the dialectic that holds him. It is a Greek problem in words of Hebrew or a Hebrew problem that can be expressed in greek words. It is in other words a problem that concerns all of us. Job means you and me and someone else.

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2701.htm

To which I would add from a completely different outlook (on the same process):

55. Fêng / Abundance [Fullness]

above CHêN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
below LI THE CLINGING, FIRE

Chên is movement; Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within,
movement without-this produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram
pictures a period of advanced civilization. However, the fact that
development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition of
abundance cannot be maintained permanently.

THE JUDGMENT

ABUNDANCE has success.
The king attains abundance.
Be not sad.
Be like the sun at midday.

It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness
and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is
directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore
a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. But such
sadness foes not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and
care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday,
illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.

THE IMAGE

Both thunder and lightning come:
The image of ABUNDANCE.
Thus the superior man decides lawsuits
And carries out punishments.

This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH
(21), in which thunder and lightning similarly appear together, but in the
reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid down; here they are
applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the
facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying
out of punishments.

THE LINES

Nine at the beginning means:
When a man meets his destined ruler,
They can be together ten days,
And it is not a mistake.
Going meets with recognition.

To bring about a time of abundance, a union of clarity with energetic
movement is needed. Two individuals possessed of these two attributes are
suited to each other, and even if they spend an entire cycle of time together
during the period of abundance, it will not be too long, nor is it a mistake.
Therefore one may go forth, in order to make one's influence felt; it will meet
with recognition.

Six in the second place means:
The curtain is of such fullness
That the polestars can be seen at noon.
Through going one meets with mistrust and hate.
If one rouses him through truth,
Good fortune comes.

It often happens that plots and party intrigues, which have the darkening
effect of an eclipse of the sun, come between a ruler intent on great
achievement and the man who could effect great undertakings. Then,
instead of the sun, we see the northern stars in the sky. The ruler is
overshadowed by a party that has usurped power. If a man at such a time
were to try to take energetic measures, he would encounter only mistrust and
envy, which would prohibit all movement. The essential thing then is to
hold inwardly to the power of truth, which in the end is so strong that it
exerts an invisible influence on the ruler, so that all goes well.

Nine in the third place means:
The underbrush is of such abundance
That the small stars can be seen at noon.
He breaks his right arm . No blame.

The image is that of a progressive covering over of the sun. Here the eclipse
reaches totality, therefore even the small stars can be seen at noon.
In the sphere of social relationships, this means that the prince is now so
eclipsed that even the most insignificant persons can push themselves into
the foreground. This makes it impossible for an able man, though he might
be the right hand of the ruler, to undertake anything. It is as though his arm
were broken, but he is not to blame for being thus hindered in action.

Nine in the fourth place means:
The curtain is of such fullness
That the polestars can be seen at noon.
He meets his ruler, who is of like kind.
Good fortune.

Here the darkness is already decreasing, therefore interrelated elements come
together. Here too the complement must be found-the necessary wisdom to
complement joy of action. Then everything will go well. The
complementary factor postulated here is the reverse of the one in the first
line. In the latter, wisdom is to be complemented by energy, while here
energy is complemented by wisdom.

° Six in the fifth place means:
Lines are coming,
Blessing and fame draw near.
Good fortune.

The ruler is modest and therefore open to the counsel of able men. Thus he
is surrounded by men who suggest to him the lines of action. This brings
blessing, fame, and good fortune to him and all the people.

Six at the top means:
His house is in a state of abundance.
He screens off his family.
He peers through the gate
And no longer perceives anyone.
For three years he sees nothing.
Misfortune.

This describes a man who because of his arrogance and obstinacy attains the
opposite of what he strives for. He seeks abundance and splendor for his
dwelling. He wishes at all odds to be master in his house, which so alienates
his family that in the end he finds himself completely isolated.

The purpose of wealth, is sharing, the purpose of abundance, communion. The Sun at noon knows no screens, just like the generosity of the Lord overflows on all of existence. By putting curtains before the light, evil is born.

[My Favorite Martian]

The compassion of the letter comes from an intervention of Heavens. The ear is where it comes to literature.

[Celsius]

Thats like the question "why is the sky blue?"

Answer: It just is.

[My Favorite Martian]

Yes, but it is in fact the case, and we will to have live with as self-determined and self-responsible individuals.