Originally posted by Darth Sponge
it might be interesting to examine Satan's role in Christianity.
what function does it serve to have a source for Prime Evil? and, as far as the Bible is concerned, what is Satan's "evil" or "sin"? because he used to be a favored Arch Angel. he was cast out of heaven when he refused to serve God. it seems to me that henceforth, Christianity d ...[text shortened]... s... thus Christianity has made an idol of painful servitude and a demon of selfish pride.
First of all, Satan does not have a 'role' in Christianity. Not in the sense that your post suggests. He was not written into a storyline to fill some theatrical gap, as it were. Rather, he is an historical figure. He was created as an angel, like other angels, decided that he would rather be in God's place, inevitably lost that battle and was cast out.
In his growing hatred for God, he found he could deceive Eve and Adam into rebelling against God. Whether they knew it or not (probably not), they joined with him against God. You might say they became the first 'satanists'.
as far as the Bible is concerned, what is Satan's "evil" or "sin"? because he used to be a favored Arch Angel. he was cast out of heaven when he refused to serve God.
Are you suggesting that satan should have been allowed to rule heaven in God's place? Or that he should have been given half of the Kingdom? Or that if all of the created angels decided the same thing, they should each be given an equal share? Things don't work that way. If my 18 year old son came to me with such a claim to my home, he would be forced to move out as well.
As far as being 'demonized', I think that that is what Lucifer (as he was called before) did to himself. Instead of truthfully acknowledging the glory of God and accepting his own place as a created being, he began to change himself into a creature of pride and delusion. Instead of an 'angel of light' he transformed himself into the 'prince of darkness'; a demon.
Now satan stands as the example of prideful rebellion; setting one's self above even the most obvious righteous authority. And Jesus, since He came willingly to suffer death on that bloody cross, stands as the example of God's willingness to put the desperate need of even the most pitiful sinner (who WILL humble himself properly) above His own claims.