Motoring6 mins ago
Is There Really a Devil?
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Is there basis for believing that a wicked "spirit" creature exists? Or is this belief unfounded?
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There is no mention of the devil in the old testament and only makes a limited appearance in the Gospels.
The question remains: If God created everything and only wants man to be good, then why did he create the devil? A question that no theist has answered in a rational way.
(Don't get involved, don't get involved... oh bugger!)
The question remains: If God created everything and only wants man to be good, then why did he create the devil? A question that no theist has answered in a rational way.
(Don't get involved, don't get involved... oh bugger!)
Well if you'rie ght Sandy- then isn't that just a beneficient god you've got going on there?
He makes a creature who was once an angel, living in supreme love and all that, designs him so that he'll cause havoc and then banishes him to hell (10,000 years of burning in misery) so that he can tempt these little people that God has crafted in his image, 'best beloved' and all that malachi- so your wonderful loving god can chuck all them down to hell as well. If that is your god of supreme mercy and love - frankly mate you can keep him.
To Elderman- no of course there is no Devil- why ever ( apart from being brainwashed) would youi for a moment think there was?
He makes a creature who was once an angel, living in supreme love and all that, designs him so that he'll cause havoc and then banishes him to hell (10,000 years of burning in misery) so that he can tempt these little people that God has crafted in his image, 'best beloved' and all that malachi- so your wonderful loving god can chuck all them down to hell as well. If that is your god of supreme mercy and love - frankly mate you can keep him.
To Elderman- no of course there is no Devil- why ever ( apart from being brainwashed) would youi for a moment think there was?
Birdie--Well ok ,Regardless of where you live, you have no doubt seen for yourself how religion affects the lives of millions of people, maybe yours too. Some claim to see good in all religions; hence, they feel no real need to seek out the true religion. Such individuals should heed the warning given by the prophet Isaiah, who wrote: “Woe to those who are saying that good is bad and bad is good, those who are putting darkness for light and light for darkness, those who are putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20) Yes false religion has produced what is bad for humanity.
Can you explain why all the varied acts of senseless violence.? What makes some crimes more difficult to understand is their irrational nature. For example, it is hard to comprehend why a person would walk up to total strangers and stab him to death or why someone would drive by a house and shoot at random.
Some claim that violence is inherent in people. Others argue that senseless crimes cannot be explained as an unavoidable part of human nature.
Can you explain why all the varied acts of senseless violence.? What makes some crimes more difficult to understand is their irrational nature. For example, it is hard to comprehend why a person would walk up to total strangers and stab him to death or why someone would drive by a house and shoot at random.
Some claim that violence is inherent in people. Others argue that senseless crimes cannot be explained as an unavoidable part of human nature.
The Bible's not really clear about the devil is it?
He doesn't appear too much - there's the Job story wherehe goes off to hurt Job with God's permission.
And there's the tempting of Jesus
But where does the cloven hooved monster ruling Hell come from?
Oh yes the Bible's own Acid-tripping fantasy merchant St. John the Divine and his book of revellations.
I think at the time there was some deal of controversy about whether that should be allowed in the Bible or excluded into the apocrapha.
I think they made a bad call there - I do wonder sometimes whether Chrisianity would have been different if they'd all told John to go and sober up
He doesn't appear too much - there's the Job story wherehe goes off to hurt Job with God's permission.
And there's the tempting of Jesus
But where does the cloven hooved monster ruling Hell come from?
Oh yes the Bible's own Acid-tripping fantasy merchant St. John the Divine and his book of revellations.
I think at the time there was some deal of controversy about whether that should be allowed in the Bible or excluded into the apocrapha.
I think they made a bad call there - I do wonder sometimes whether Chrisianity would have been different if they'd all told John to go and sober up
The bottom line is that if God created everything, he must have created the Devil too. Since God is allegedly omniscient, it follows that he was fully aware of the effect the Devil would have upon humankind before he set to work. Therefore, Elderman, there is no denying that, believing as you do, your God is wholly responsible for all the evils of the world.
naom......... You to are still in the dark.
These questions do cause a person to think. When the natural desire of all normal persons is to live at peace, why is it so common for people to hate and make a practice of killing one another? It truly is a paradox, are you responsible all the evils of the world you say lot all blaming.
jake-the-peg........The Bible's not really clear about the devil is it? No, if you don’t know the Bible? for all the evils of the world.
These questions do cause a person to think. When the natural desire of all normal persons is to live at peace, why is it so common for people to hate and make a practice of killing one another? It truly is a paradox, are you responsible all the evils of the world you say lot all blaming.
jake-the-peg........The Bible's not really clear about the devil is it? No, if you don’t know the Bible? for all the evils of the world.
But what do we mean by responsibility ? Are we implying blame too ? If there are only certain scenarios that 'work' and we have to choose one that minimises what one might consider 'the bad stuff', and maximises what one might consider 'the good stuff', then selecting it may make the selector responsible for the choice, but not necessarily to blame for 'the bad stuff' that remained. It is the possible implication that may make folk feel less than easy.