History DarkIsNotEvil / MythologyAndReligion

** Hades. Even though he is [[EverybodyHatesHades portrayed as a Satan analogue]] nowadays, in the original myths he was described as grim and stern, but not evil. Ancient Greeks were wary him more because of the natural fear of death and unknown, rather than him being particularly malicious. Hades was actually one of the few gods that didn't harm mankind directly, even proving willing to work with people, who ventured into his kingdom demanding something from him. The worst thing he ever did was kidnap Persephone.

* Hades from the GreekMythology; even though he is [[EverybodyHatesHades portrayed as a Satan analogue]] nowadays, in the original myths he can best be described as LawfulNeutral, and is actually one of the few gods that didn't harm mankind directly (even [[GreenThumb Demeter]] caused devastation by the droughts following her daughter's "abduction"; keep reading). The worst thing he did was kidnap Persephone, and in some versions she was perfectly willing to go with him. Other entities from the Greek mythology, such as the already mentioned daemons, are also neutral or benevolent, and are usually dark aligned, in contrast to the violent/[[ManipulativeBastard very manipulative]] and certainly NOT good [[LightIsNotGood light themed]] gods such as [[JerkassGods Zeus]].
** In most myths he shows up in, Hades is shown to be a polite guy simply doing his job, though he can be a bit grim. But considering his job, that's to be expected. And he proves himself perfectly willing to work with you if you simply come and talk to him up-front, something that most of his fellow Gods and Goddesses seem to flat-out refuse to do. Hell, if it was Zeus in Hades' place during the whole 'Persephone' incident, she'd have been raped, and when Demeter got angry, he'd have punished ''her'' for doing so.
*** In some versions of the tale, Persephone is violently raped. And she's about twelve years old. Some versions of the tale have her so young that she sobs for her crushed flowers as much as she does her utter terror at being kidnapped and raped. Granted, Zeus rapes a whole lot more women, but it's still pretty brutal.
**** It's worth noting that 'rape' means 'abduction' in the archaic language those myths are translated in. There are several old texts and none of them mention his actually raping her, some do kidnapping. I don't believe her age is ever mentioned either, but she's probably a younger teenager. Also, though they did have different values back then, marriage was considered honouring a woman, rather than taking her and discarding her (possibly to die). The version you're referring to is also a later, Roman version.
**** On other versions Aphrodite is to blame for her megalomania, making Hades fall in love/lust with Persephone for the mere fact he was not under her control. On other myths, Persephone is no better than Hera: a jealous bitch.
**** Hades may have been the best husband she could have (for a Greek god). In even the oldest stories Hades was very kind, and he didn't ever nag, boss, or smother her like Demeter. He very much wanted her love and tried to buy it with many gifts at first, but then took to spending all of his day with her, trying to make her happy, and never cheated, very unlike his brothers who practically screwed everything that moved.
** On a related note, Hecate (witches and ghosts) helped Demeter search for Persephone and when Hera turned a slave-girl of Heracles' mother into a polecat for sabotaging her attempt to prevent Heracles' birth, Hecate adopted the polecat.

** This is lampshaded in the Ravirn series of novels by Kelly McCullough when the protagonist says in his narration at the beginning of a chapter where he goes to Hades "Hades the place is not Hell, and Hades the god is not Satan."

** Dark is not always used as a metaphor for evil, as God is described as providing shade and night to comfort people in in the book of psalms as well as manifesting in darkness before he punishes evil by king David.

* In the LusitanianMythology there was Ataegina, a goddess of the night that was also the goddess of Spring. Similar in some ways to [[ClassicalMythology Persephone]], another benevolent goddess of the Spring and the Underworld, except that Ataegina wasn't married to anyone.

* Demons/daemons were not necessarily considered evil until around maybe as late as a thousand years ago. Before then, the general idea was that they were just fear-and-awe-inspiring beings of greater power than ordinary men could imagine, essentially somewhere between demi-gods and gods in power and often in the service of gods and other divine beings. Summoning a demon to perform a task was, at a basic level, no different than calling for a servant the king had given you authority over to ask them to do you a favor.

* In Islam, quite a lot of emphasis is put on the night. One ayah even describes the night as a soothing blanket. Israa al-Miraaj was a journey that took place during the night, from Mecca to Jerusalem to the seventh heaven. Qiyam al-Layl is a night prayer, and is the optional prayer with the most rewards. Similarly, Laylat al-Qadr ("Night of Power") is a night during the last third of Ramadan in which, if one prays during this night, it is better than if they had prayed for 1000 months. In the Islamic calendar, sundown marks the beginning of a new day, and not sunrise. During Ramadan, no food or water can be consumed by daylight; eating and drinking is only allowed at night.

** Also while angels look like {{Eldritch Abomination}}s, they're good.

** And Yama. Seriously he is the coolest guy ever, very neutral righteouss. Also, he has made mankind, so show some respect! He was degraded from a king to a judge, isn't that bad enough for him already?
* According to a few verses, the [[Literature/TheBible biblical]] {{God}} dwells in darkness (1 Kings 8:12, Psalm 18:11, Psalm 97:2). Whereas he is good or [[GodIsEvil not]] is a matter of debate however.
** Angels could also appear to be 'dark' or very threatening, appearing like {{EldritchAbomination}}s or other monsters.
*** While they do look monstrous, two of the featured classes of angels include the [[PowerGivesYouWings seraph]] and [[ShapedLikeItself ophan (or wheel).]] The seraph is described as "firery one", and the ophan is also said to be on fire, so they also fit LightIsGood. Granted, since the only verified fact about angel morality is their loyalty to YHWH(which doesn't [[FallenAngel always stick]]), they could also count as LightIsNotGood.
** Many modern angel mediums, such as Chantel Lysette and Doreen Virtue, describe ArchangelUriel as fitting this trope. Even as a WingedHumanoid.

* In Filipino Mythology monsters are usually AlwaysChaoticEvil, but there are exceptions; [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapre The Kapre]], for example, is a sasquatch like creature that usually only reveals itself to people because it wants to be their friend ([[InterspeciesRomance or more]]) and will follow them throughout life afterward, implicitly protecting the people they like. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_%28legendary_creature%29 The Alan]], meanwhile is a [[TheGrotesque deformed]], [[TheTrickster mischievous]] [[WingedHumanoid bird-like]] creature with [[BodyHorror backwards facing hands and feet]], that steals [[{{Squick}} drops of menstrual blood, miscarried fetuses after birth and other reproductive waste]]...[[ParentalSubstitute and turns them into human babies that they raise lovingly as their own]].

**** Hades may have been the best husband she could have (for a Greek god). In even the oldest stories Hades was very kind, and he didn't ever nag, boss, or smother her like Demeter. He very much wanted her love and tried to buy it with many gifts at first, but then took to spending all of his day with her, trying to make her happy, and never cheated, very unlike his brothers who literally screwed everything that moved.

* In Filipino Mythology monsters are usually AlwaysChaoticEvil, but there are exceptions; [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapre The Kapre]], for example, is a sasquatch like creature that usually only reveals itself to people because it wants to be their friend ([[InterspeciesRomance or more]]) and will follow them throughout life afterward, implicitly protecting the people they like. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_%28legendary_creature%29 The Alan]], meanwhile is a [[TheGrotesque deformed]], [[TheTrickster mischievous]] [[WingedHumanoid bird-like]] creature with [[BodyHorror backwards facing hands and feet]], that steals [[{{Squick}} drops of menstrual blood, miscarried fetuses after birth and other reproductive waste]]...[[ParentalSubstitute and turns them into human babies that they raise as their own]].

* In Filipino Mythology monsters are usually AlwaysChaoticEvil, but there are exceptions; [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapre The Kapre]], for example, is a sasquatch like creature that usually only reveals itself to people because it wants to be their friend ([[InterspeciesRomance or more]]) and will follow them throughout life afterward, implicitly protecting the people they like. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_%28legendary_creature%29 The Alan]], meanwhile is a deformed, [[TheTrickster mischievous]] bird-like creature with backwards facing hands, that steals [[{{Squick}} drops of menstrual blood, miscarried fetuses after birth and other reproductive waste]]...[[ParentalSubstitute and turns them into human babies that they raise as their own]].

* While Christianity usually uses light as a metaphor for good and dark for evil, lots of churches, especially old Eastern Orthodox ones, are pretty dark and gloomy inside.

** In a more symbolic sense, consider that the most common symbol for Christianity, a cross, represents what was originally an instrument of torture and execution. This gets even thicker if you're Catholic and grew up with crucifixes in your churches.

*** While they do look monstrous, two of the featured classes of angels include the [[PowerGivesYouWings seraph]] and [[ShapedLikeItself ophan(or wheel).]] The seraph is described as "firery one", and the ophan is also said to be on fire, so they also fit LightIsGood. Granted, since the only verified fact about angel morality is their loyalty to YHWH(which doesn't [[FallenAngel always stick]]), they could also count as LightIsNotGood.

*** While they do look monstrous, two of the featured classes of angels include the [[PowerGivesYouWings serpah]] and [[ShapedLikeItself ophan(or wheel).]] The seraph is described as "firery one", and the ophan is also said to be on fire, so they also fit LightIsGood. Granted, since the only verified fact about angel morality is their loyalty to YHWH(which doesn't [[FallenAngel always stick]]), they could also count as LightIsNotGood.

* Hades from the GreekMythology; even though he is [[SadlyMythtaken portrayed as a Satan analogue]] nowadays, in the original myths he can best be described as LawfulNeutral, and is actually one of the few gods that didn't harm mankind directly (even [[GreenThumb Demeter]] caused devastation by the droughts following her daughter's "abduction"; keep reading). The worst thing he did was kidnap Persephone, and in some versions she was perfectly willing to go with him. Other entities from the Greek mythology, such as the already mentioned daemons, are also neutral or benevolent, and are usually dark aligned, in contrast to the violent/[[ManipulativeBastard very manipulative]] and certainly NOT good [[LightIsNotGood light themed]] gods such as [[JerkassGods Zeus]].

* Hel from NorseMythology. She just rules Helheim, which is where those who weren't cool enough for Valhalla but not sucky enough for Nifelheim go. She even offered to give Baldur back if everyone mourned for him.

* Anubis and Osiris from the EgyptianMythology, which are both death related deities that are good and righteous.

** Also while angels look like {{Eldritch Abomination}}s, they're good.

* {{UsefulNotes/Hinduism}} has several entities that are associated with destruction but are not directly evil; Kali is such an example, even if she is mostly demonized nowadays, much like [[GreekMythology Hades]]. Its last reforms spawned more confusion.

* According to a few verses, the [[TheBible biblical]] {{God}} dwells in darkness (1 Kings 8:12, Psalm 18:11, Psalm 97:2). Whereas he is good or [[GodIsEvil not]] is a matter of debate however.

* Many occult members who worship Satan believe that the devil and his demons do not necessarily represent evil.

** Do notice, however, that Lucifer means "light bringer", although many experts in theology claim that he is a different entity from Satan. Also, some demons like Moloch were originally solar deities before Christianity took over.

* In Celtic mythology, the children of the god of death were believed to have come from the underworld to claim this one, driving out the Tuatha De Danaan in the process. They were also the first humans.

* In Islam, quite a lot of emphasis is put on the night. One ayah even describes the night as a soothing blanket. Israa al-Miraaj was a journey that took place during the night, from Mecca to Jerusalem to the seventh heaven. Qiyam al-Layl is a night prayer, and is the optional prayer with the most rewards. Similarly, Laylat al-Qadr ("Night of Power") is a night during the last third of Ramadan in which, if one prays during this night, it is better than if they had prayed for 1000 months. In the Islamic calendar, sundown marks the beginning of a new day, and not sunrise. During Ramadan, no food or water can be consumed by daylight; eating and drinking is only allowed at night.

**** It's worth noting that 'rape' means 'abduction' in the archaic language those myths are translated in. There are several old texts and none of them mention his actually raping her, some do kidnapping. I don't believe her age is ever mentioned either, but she's probably a younger teenager. Also, though they did have different values back then, marriage was considered honouring a woman, rather than taking her and discarding her (possibly to die).

** Shiva as well: although he's a god of destruction, he's also a god of fertility (this is why his symbol is the distinctly [[FreudWasRight phallic]] ''lingam'' is his symbol. As ''Shiv and the Grasshopper'' (''[[TheJungleBook The Second Jungle Book]]'') says:

* Hades from the GreekMythology; even though he is [[SadlyMythtaken portrayed as a Satan analogue]] nowadays, in the original myths he can best be described as LawfulNeutral, and is actually one of the few gods that didn't harm mankind directly (even [[GreenThumb Demeter]] caused devastation by the droughts following her daughter's "abduction"; keep reading). The worst thing he did was kidnap Persephone, and in some versions she was perfectly willing to go with him. Other entities from the greek mythology, such as the already mentioned daemons, are also neutral or benevolent, and are usually dark aligned, in contrast to the violent/[[ManipulativeBastard very manipulative]] and certainly NOT good [[LightIsNotGood light themed]] gods such as [[JerkassGods Zeus]].

**** Hades may have been the best husband she could have (for a greek god). In even the oldest stoies Hades was very kind, and he didn't ever nag, boss, or smother her like Demeter. He very much wanted her love and tried to buy it with many gifts at first, but then took to spending all of his day with her, trying to make her happy, and never cheated, very unlike his brothers who literally screwed everything that moved.

* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Muerte Santa Muerte]]. Almost unbelivable since she's considered a Catholic saint by a community in Mexico. True, Catholicism as a whole does not accept her canonically, but enough worship her that the movement is pretty much a de facto religious sect. Subverted in that a few of her followers use her to impose death on their enemies, though several other worshippers aren't that nasty.

**** Hades may have been the best husband she could have (for a greek god). In even the oldest stoies Hades was very kind, and he didn't ever nag, boss, or smother her like Demeter. He very much wanted her love and tried to buy it with many gifts at first, but then took to spending all of his day with her, trying to make her happy, and never cheated, very unlike his brothers who literly screwed everything that moved.

**** Hades may have been the best husbend she could have (for a greek god). In even the oldest stoies Hades was very kind, and he didn't ever nag, boss, or smother her like Demeter. He very much wanted her love and tried to buy it with many gifts at first, but then took to spending all of his day with her, trying to make her happy, and never cheated, very unlike his brothers who literly screwed everything that moved.