But to the extent that they are "deformations of reality," and thus deformations of the truth of reality, they enter into the world as sources of disorder: What starts out as personal disorder finally, ineluctibly translates as a source of social disorder.
Hitler. Stalin. Pol Pot. Most of Hollywood. Clinton. Etc.
You got it, Ronzo! Today these "sources" are legion....
I finally saw The Passion of the Christ last night -- a profoundly moving film and an astonishing artistic achievement. I found myself seeing the unfolding action through the Blessed Mother's eyes (Maia Morgenstern portrayed Mary's profound suffering and personal courage to "see it through to the end" with her Son superbly, brilliantly. My tears flowed with hers....)
I was fascinated by Gibson's portrayal of Satan. I need to see the film again (perhaps several times) to confirm this for myself, but it seemed to me that Satan was visible only to Jesus; except for once, he/she/it was visible to Mary.
I say that Satan was unseen by the many because when he/she/it moved through the crowds, no one seemed to acknowledge or react to his/her/its presence. It's as if Satan were "invisible." Not even Judas gave any sign of seeing Satan directly, only through "proxies" -- the demon-like children who harried, jeered at, and chased him, culminating in his suicide.
On one occasion, it seemed to me that Satan was visible to Mary.
When Jesus bore the cross to Golgotha, with Mary alongside, Satan appeared with a "babe in arms," apparently intently looking at Mary. It was a monstrous parody, a jeering caricature of the Madonna with the child Jesus in her arms.
Of course, that "babe in arms" was no child, which was obvious from its total lack of the quality of innocence -- that "babe" was a hate-filled demon, sharing Satan's delight in the suffering and grief of the Holy mother and her Son. The "babe" was an anti-Jesus, and Satan an anti-Mary in that scene. It was a gratuitous, spiteful, evil parody of love and life -- and of a mother's incalculable sorrow and grief over the suffering of her only Son, borne with immense courage and grace.
It seems to me that people like Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and the others you name have the same contempt for all that is good and holy. They are the implacable enemies of the Holy Spirit, divine and human. In this, truly they are satanic figures.