Video
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
The Divine and Satanic in All of Us
If we believe in the duality of man then we must believe that Satan exists in the minds of every individual, though not in the human form -- as, for instance, the ruler of hell. I think Satan is the embodiment of all that is Evil in us, just as God represents all that is Good.
I think the parolee in Oakland, California, who recently shot down four policemen was under the influence of Satan. Another Satanic act in recent times, I would say, is what Bernie Madoff did to people who trusted him.
Whenever a person or nation acts in senseless physical violence or indulges in acts of greed, cheating, stealing, or in other ways doing harm to people and property they can be said to be motivated by Satan. I think the ancient Native American story of a Grandfather who tells his grandson: "There are two wolves at war in every human being" is very relevant to this discussion.
"Which one wins?" the grandson asks.
"The one you feed," was the grandfather's reply.
I would conclude that one is the Divine Wolf and the other the Satanic Wolf.
By
Arun Gandhi
|
March 24, 2009; 2:40 PM ET
Save & Share:
Previous: The Devil's Avocation |
Next: Satan is a Metaphor for Our Lower Selves
Posted by: FAITHAFTERREASON | April 6, 2009 9:19 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Excellent essay and succinct.
The only devil you missed, Mr. Gandhi, is the devil king of the sixth heaven, who is the one who whispers that you have done enough. You are okay. It is time to rest on your laurels. Sometimes evil rests in not acting.
Posted by: edbyronadams | March 27, 2009 11:54 AM
Report Offensive Comment
God is a Being of Pure Love, He does not "represent" all that is good, He is Love.
satan is also real and he is a deceiver.
In that Native American story, you could equate that with our conscience and God said that He would write His Law, which is Love, on our hearts.
Have you ever noticed that evil seems to feed on itself, whereas it might start out as, "well this isn't really bad", and can either quickly or slowly gather momentum?
Take care, be ready.
Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.
Posted by: ThomasBaum | March 25, 2009 2:45 PM
Report Offensive Comment
The comments to this entry are closed.
"To be" or the term "being" portrays a necessity to exist in time. God must be independent of such concepts. Eternity is commonly misunderstood as "fore ever". Eternity means "independent of time". If God is thought to be in Heaven then heaven must be a place as removed or separate from God? The Lord is independent of time , space dimensions. Time and space are his creations. Then, whatever there is.. is God and nothing else but God. Where is the room for a "devil" or "Satan" who is postulated as an antithesis to God in this model ?
The more mature religions of the world preach that actions of humans that further this realization are "good" and that which are opposed to this realization are "bad" or "evil". The seat of good and bad is the human mind and human mind alone! I completely agree with Mr. Gandhi's remarks about the wisdom of the ancient native Indian story. They just got it !