Is the devil really your father?

A couple of Sunday school kids were arguing if there really is a Devil. One terminated the day's discussion with the statement "I think it's like Santa Claus, it is really your father". With Christmas Day streaking toward us at high speed, the timing of the Metropolitan Opera's simulcast of Gounod's Faust was sure to confuse the devout. For centuries, the story of Dr. Faustus has twitted the creative energies of many composers. Opera News for November had quite a scholarly article or the subject while omitting two versions which are favorites of this blogger. The two extra favorites are Boito's Mefistofele and the Broadway version, titled Damyankees. As a maturing liberal student of electrical engineering (and Detroit Tigers fan) he ethought it most clever of the aging realtor to demand an "escape clause". The Broadway writer must have gotten the idea from Boito. The Devil promises nothing but pleasures for 24 years; If any pleasure causes Faust to say "Stay. Thou art beautiful". the Devil wins Faust's soul. But, in 24 years, Faust has not said the magic words. Back in his study, he opens his Bible and immediately he has a vision of a beautiful land where the potholes get filled and the laws are just(The rich pay their share of taxes) ; as the heavenly chorus swells, Faust says ""Arrestate!); the devil starts sinking into the earth yelling "Faust.Faust!". As the chorus and orchestra get to or over the EPA level for permitted sound level, nobody feels sorry for the Devil.