Religion: His Due

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The cleverest wile of Satan is to convince us that he does not exist.

—Baudelaire

The catechism of the Church of England begins with the question: "What did your godparents promise for you at your Baptism?" Over the centuries, millions of tiny Anglicans preparing for Confirmation have lisped and stammered out the awesome answer that begins: "I would renounce the Devil and all his works." A year ago, in a proposed revision of the catechism, the Anglican Archbishops' Commission struck out all mention of Satan. Young believers, the draft suggested, should merely "renounce all that is wrong and fight against evil.''

Dropping the Devil was part of the archbishops' effort to keep up with the times. Christ mentioned "the prince of demons,'' and all the great Christian theologians have considered Satan the personification of evil. But now, even some devout Christians think of the Devil as a figure of superstition, or a comic literary fancy. In a 1957 Gallup poll of Britons 20 years old or more, 78% said that they believed in God, while only 34% believed in Satan.

But the Devil will return to Anglican lips. After receiving more than 250 complaints, the commission has submitted another version of the catechismal phrase, which will probably be approved by a convocation of Anglican bishops this week. The new answer: "I would renounce the Devil and fight against evil." Admitted one of the catechism's writers: "The word 'devil' gives the people a better idea of what they're up against."