Argument 1- By historical context, the name Blue Devil is an inherently irreligious term.

The Duke University Blue Devil originally came from a nickname, “diables bleus” given to chasseurs alpins, an elite mountain warfare infantry unit that gained recognition during World War I for their skills. 

A children’s magazine called “Youth Companion” describes a French blue devil as “physically stalwart, thick legged, somewhat short men” who defend mountains where no other human dare touch or invade (“The Blue Devils of France”). Even the Germans, the instigators of World War I,  knew their name (“The Blue Devils of France”). 

Nothing in my research indicated the French blue devils had religious backgrounds, or served religious purposes. Why where they nicknamed “Les diables bleus” then? Calling a group or person a “devil” would indicate their antagonism or malfeasance, both in personality and action. The French blue devils, lauded during World War I for their courage and effectiveness, did not appear consistent with sacrilegious imagery.

According to Encyclopaedia Judaica, Satan, or the devil, is not a proper noun referring to an antagonist of God, which is the definition within the New Testament (Rabinowitz). Rather, Satan is a common noun meaning an adversary who opposes and obstructs (Rabinowitz). Taken in this context, the alpine hunters may have been nicknamed “Blue Devils” for their marque blue outfits and combat effectiveness, resourcefulness, and valiance in opposition to the enemy.

Another explanation behind the origin of the name is where the chasseurs alpins fought. Fought in the Alps during the Vosges Campaign, a mountainous region on the Western Front, and the only region to see mountainous fighting during World War I (“The Great War on the Vosges Front”). From 28 August to 9 September 1914, the Alps were a hotly contested area between French and German forces (“The Great War on the Vosges Front”).  Control of it switched between the French and Germans five times, killing 4,000 French soldiers who nicknamed it the “Hell Hole” (“The Great War on the Vosges Front”). Unsurprisingly, while the rest of the French army suffered, the alpine hunters thrived in the mountainous environment, much like devils would in hell. The ability of the chasseurs alpins to succeed in adverse environments suggests a more noble perspective on the traditional devil motiff: a perspective that emphasizes toughness and respect for adversaries. 

 (DU Archives)