The Dichotomy of Love and Evil: Are God and the Devil Truly the Same?
Many philosophical and theological debates center around the concepts of God and the Devil. From a purely empirical standpoint, these entities are non-existent. However, the motivations and the forces that drive those who follow them are as opposite as they can be. God is associated with love, while the Devil represents all forms of evil.
Opposing Forces: Love and Evil
The power and motivation of those who love God and those who choose to follow the path of the Devil are fundamentally different. Those who adhere to divine love are moved by virtues such as compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. Conversely, followers of the Devil are motivated by jealousy, hatred, and malice. Even personal experiences, such as dating a narcissist, can illuminate these distinct paths and their motivations.
The Hierarchical Structure of Angels and their Perception
God is often depicted with a hierarchical structure, with different ranks of angels. There are nine ranks, with each level representing a different perception and understanding. The lowest beings in this hierarchy are the Angels, who are one step or one kingdom above humans in the evolutionary scale. In contrast, Archangels are two steps or two kingdoms above humans.
To provide a clearer understanding, plants are two kingdoms below humans and have no way of understanding humans. Similarly, Archangels, being two kingdoms above humans, perceive them as humans might view animals. This analogy further emphasizes the vast differences in perception. Principality, being three kingdoms higher than humans, regards humans with the intelligence of rocks.
The Nature of Evil and Divine Responsibility
The question of why the Devil punishes the wicked without God getting involved can be seen as a reflection of the idea that God is omniscient and omnipotent. If God created everything, including the Devil, he bears some responsibility for the fact that evil exists. This notion can be explored further by considering the beliefs of Gnostics, who believed in two gods. The Old Testament god, associated with evil, created physical reality, thus leading to suffering. The New Testament god, associated with good, focused solely on spiritual beings.
These dualistic beliefs remove the Problem of Evil by attributing physical reality to the evil god, while the good god only cared for spiritual beings.
Ultimately, from a purely existential perspective, neither God nor the Devil exist. However, the dichotomy between love and evil has profound implications for human understanding and behavior. Whether we believe in these entities or not, the concepts they represent continue to shape our moral and ethical frameworks.