Tag: "Devil (Satan)"

tag name	Devil (Satan)	type:	Religions, Middle Eastern
web link	bahai-library.com/tags/Devil_(Satan)
variations or mis-spellings	the evil one; shayṭán (شیطان); ahrímanán (اهریمنان)
related tags	Evil; Misconceptions, Religious
referring tags	Iblis; Jesus Christ, Temptation of; Paradise Lost (poem)
Inventory subject	Satan; the Evil One
notes	"In the Bahá'í Writings, the terms 'Satan' and 'satanic' are used metaphorically to refer to the lower, base, selfish side of human beings, in contrast to their higher, virtuous, selfless side. Bahá'ís do not believe evil originates in a creature called Satan but that the capacity for 'satanic' actions, like the capacity for good, exists within man himself..." – from A Basic Bahá'í Dictionary (1989) See also: Peter J. Awn, Satan's Tragedy and Redemption: Iblīs in Sufi Psychology (1983; archive.org) [not related to the Bahá'í Faith]
selected quotations (authoritative sources)	These quotations reflect common presentations of Bahá’í views; the materials below may show a wider range of interpretations and contexts: "... Know verily that Knowledge is of two kinds: Divine and Satanic. The one welleth out from the fountain of divine inspiration; the other is but a reflection of vain and obscure thoughts..." – Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude), ¶76 (BH00002) ".. investigate and study the Holy Scriptures word by word so that you may attain knowledge of the mysteries hidden therein. Be not satisfied with words, but seek to understand the spiritual meanings hidden in the heart of the words... The divine Words are not to be taken according to their outer sense. They are symbolical and contain realities of spiritual meaning..." – 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, talk no. 137, 3 December 1912 (ABU0523) "... God has created all in His image and likeness. Shall we manifest hatred for His creatures and servants? This would be contrary to the will of God and according to the will of Satan, by which we mean the natural inclinations of the lower nature. This lower nature in man is symbolized as Satan—the evil ego within us, not an evil personality outside..." – 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, talk no. 96, 27 August 1912 (ABU0024) "... The teachings specialized in Bahá’u’lláh are addressed to humanity. He says, “Ye are all the leaves of one tree.” He does not say, “Ye are the leaves of two trees: one divine, the other satanic.” He has declared that each individual member of the human family is a leaf or branch upon the Adamic tree; that all are sheltered beneath the protecting mercy and providence of God; that all are the children of God, fruit upon the one tree of His love. God is equally compassionate and kind to all the leaves, branches and fruit of this tree. Therefore, there is no satanic tree whatever—Satan being a product of human minds and of instinctive human tendencies toward error. God alone is Creator, and all are creatures of His might. Therefore, we must love mankind as His creatures, realizing that all are growing upon the tree of His mercy, servants of His omnipotent will and manifestations of His good pleasure. "Even though we find a defective branch or leaf upon this tree of humanity or an imperfect blossom, it, nevertheless, belongs to this tree and not to another. Therefore, it is our duty to protect and cultivate this tree until it reaches perfection. If we examine its fruit and find it imperfect, we must strive to make it perfect. There are souls in the human world who are ignorant; we must make them knowing. Some growing upon the tree are weak and ailing; we must assist them toward health and recovery. If they are as infants in development, we must minister to them until they attain maturity. We should never detest and shun them as objectionable and unworthy. We must treat them with honor, respect and kindness; for God has created them and not Satan. They are not manifestations of the wrath of God but evidences of His divine favor. God, the Creator, has endowed them with physical, mental and spiritual qualities that they may seek to know and do His will; therefore, they are not objects of His wrath and condemnation. In brief, all humanity must be looked upon with love, kindness and respect; for what we behold in them are none other than the signs and traces of God Himself..." – 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, talk no. 82, 14 July 1912 (ABU0023)
references	en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil; bahaiquotes.com/subject/satan; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Satan; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Devil; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q="Evil One"

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