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The Book of Revelation speaks of the Devil being vanquished and cast into a pit of fire and brimstone at the end of the world.

Yesterday, however, the Church of England consigned Satan to a decidedly less dramatic fate – being quietly designated as an optional extra.

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Instead of requiring an apocalyptic battle between the forces of good and evil, the move was approved with a polite show of hands at the General Synod, the Church’s decision-making body, which has been meeting in Westminster.

Members voted to approve an alternative baptism liturgy with all references to the Devil removed, as part of a drive to make services “accessible” to those unused to attending church.

Those who work with young people gave consistent advice that references to the Devil are likely to be misunderstood in today’s culture

Following a consultation process, a committee of liturgical experts ruled that the inclusion of Satan as “personified evil” was “unhelpful” as it was likely to be “misunderstood” by young people.

The word “fight” has also been removed from the liturgy to give the services a more pacifist tone.