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Satanism through the ages

The term Satanism represents a broad range of religions, world views, and literature that all look favourably on Satan or similar rebellious figures.

Satan first appeared in the Hebrew Bible as an angel who challenged the religious faith of humans. In the Book of Job he is called "the Satan" ("the accuser") and acted as the prosecutor in God's court.

A character named Satan was described as the cosmic enemy of the Lord and tempter of Jesus within many of the Gospels of early Christians. He is the bringer of Armageddon and Apocalypse as featured within the Book of Revelation.

Christians and Muslims have portrayed Satan as an evil competitor to humans and Jesus, characterised as a fallen angel or demon ruling the Underworld.

The Christian church's tendency to label all those who did not agree with it as agents of evil led to the persecution of numerous non-Christian groups, leading to the Crusades and witch-hunts and the Inquisition. It would also eventually lead to the destruction of many indigenous cultures, such as the Mayan civilisation, in the name of Christ....
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)