A History of the DevilThe biggest ruse of the devil is making us believe that he doesn't exist, claimed Baudelaire. On the contrary, argues bestselling French historian and critic Gerald Messadie, it is devilish that we believe in him at all.A History of the Devil is a vivacious and provocative exploration of the personification of evil through the ages and across cultures. Messadie reveals that our Satan -- the antithesis of God and good -- was a concept unknown to the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Hindus, and Chinese. In fact, the devil was probably invented six centuries before the Common Era by Persian clergy eager to aid their political allies. Ever since, the image of evil has been a useful tool of the powerful, from the proponents of the Spanish Inquisition to the Cold Warriors of our own time. Meticulously researched and eloquently argued, this unorthodox history of religion from its seamy underside explores a fascinating and diverse strand of cultures everywhere. |
Contents
Introduction | 3 |
The Ambiguous Demons of Oceania | 15 |
Exorcism through Writing | 55 |
Copyright | |
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according African American ancient animal appeared became become began beginning believe body Book called cause Celts century century B.C. Christian Church civilization claimed comes considered course created Creation cult culture dead death deity demons Devil divinity earth Egypt Egyptian empire enemy Essenes established Evil existence fact faith father fire followed forces given gods Greece Greek hand Heaven holds human idea important individual influence instance Italy Jesus Jewish Jews king kingdom known land later least less living Lord master means mention mind monotheism myths nature never once original pantheon Paris perhaps Persian person political practice priest produced reason referred religion religious remains ritual Roman Rome Satan seems sense sometimes spirit story supra Testament texts things third thought thousand true turn University Western whole woman writes