Do you believe in the devil?
This just in: ROME (AP) -- Worried about the lure of the devil, a Vatican-linked university on Thursday debuted its latest course offering: a class on Satanism, black magic and exorcism.
The class for clergy and seminarians at Rome's Pontifical Academy "Regina Apostolorum" arose from alarm about what some religious officials see as Satanic practices among young people, especially in Italy. In 1999, the Vatican issued its first new guidelines since 1614 for driving out devils, offering cautions to exorcists about taking psychiatric problems into account.
An updated exorcism rite in 1999 was a reflection of Pope John Paul II's efforts to convince the skeptical that the devil is very much in the world.
Others aren't so sure.
What's YOUR take on the source and nature of evil?
Comments (2)
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It's hard to discuss the root of evil. I think there is a personification of evil in the devil, in order to justify one's existence. What I mean is that people say that there is a "devil" so they don't feel guilty doing whatever sinful or bad thing. Perhaps there is someone/thing pulling the strings, or pushing temptation but I believe that there is choice and not everything is dictated by some higher beings playing chess with our puny lives. Just an observation, although strangely enough, demons in cultural chinese lore aren't "evil" like in Western religion. In fact, demons are good people that are chosen by the gods to punish those that have been bad, and Hell is more of a reform area. At least from what I remember as a child reading some bedtime story books. :)
Posted on February 17, 2005 5:12 PM
Good points Ben.
Addressing the question of Do you believe in the devil etc, ever notice how every now and then there is a new source targeted as being evil? Like how some people won't let their kids read Harry Potter because they claim it's evil. Whenever something new comes it scares people and they call it evil.
Posted on March 3, 2005 7:39 PM