The god of this world

[Catholicus]

Yes, there are a lot of different beliefs, regarding the presence of evil..

If 'humanity' is the source of all evil, then why did God allow that? God has allowed evil, and whether you believe the influence of an external agent, or exclusively human, it is a real problem.

God is a libertarian, not a tyrant - therefore allows evil to exist.

 

[Catholicus]

What if it is all fake like in The Matrix. What if the devil is really the Architect?

Can't be - evil cannot create.

 

[Catholicus]

If Satan and god exist maybe it had good reason to rebel against it. Maybe god is lying when it says Satan is evil, when in fact it is god, which is the fount of all that is evil.

It is Satan (not God) who is the Father of Lies.

 

[Catholicus]

Sometimes they make quite the pair.

God is everything that is good and kind, Satan is everything that is evil and cruel.

 

[Catholicus]

I sometimes think maybe it's a cosmic test to see who's gullible and will dutifully believe anything at face value that crosses their path without using the power of scrutiny and reason.

Yes, atheists are very gullible and irrational.

 

[JJ50]

Yes, atheists are very gullible and irrational.

The same can be said of religionists.

 

[sealchan]

God is everything that is good and kind, Satan is everything that is evil and cruel.

And who is responsible for it all?

 

[JJ50]

Anyone claiming god is good and kind hasn't actually read the Bible, without wearing rose coloured specs!

 

[DaveRisner]

I`m new here and I need some thoughts on a very interesting subject. Recently, it`s been confirmed that objects ..NOT OF THIS WOLD..have been flying around our air space. How does our religious views deal with this??

 

[Spartan]

If Satan and god exist maybe it had good reason to rebel against it. Maybe god is lying when it says Satan is evil, when in fact it is god, which is the fount of all that is evil.

Yeah, and maybe pigs can sprout wings and rockets and fly to the moon.

 

[Spartan]

Anyone claiming god is good and kind hasn't actually read the Bible, without wearing rose coloured specs!

If it wasn't for God you wouldn't even be breathing.

 

[JJ50]

I`m new here and I need some thoughts on a very interesting subject. Recently, it`s been confirmed that objects ..NOT OF THIS WOLD..have been flying around our air space. How does our religious views deal with this??

The jury is still very much out on the origin of UFOs.

 

[Spartan]

I`m new here and I need some thoughts on a very interesting subject. Recently, it`s been confirmed that objects ..NOT OF THIS WOLD..have been flying around our air space. How does our religious views deal with this??

Not a problem. They could be angelic beings too.

 

[Lionel Refson]

According to this we are all becoming little devils
‘Horns’ Are Growing on Human Skulls Because of Phone Use, Scientists Say

 

[sojourner]

The influence of the Liar and Destroyer of humanity should not be overlooked or underestimated, in the unfolding history of man.

He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.

There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:

1. Fear him, and overestimate his power
2. Underestimate him, or depreciate his influence

Most people err in one of these 2 extremes. The most popular view of the enemy of humanity now, is to caricaturize the devil, and make him into a mythical joke. This is his work, too, to blind people to Reality.

It is not my goal here to empirically prove, or disprove the existence of the devil, but to address his outworkings, of deception and destruction, in the human experience. The evidence of a Great Deceptive Force, in the history of man, is obvious.

I will also relay some biblical facts, about the nature of this influence, in the world of man. As this is a deep and involved subject, and too long for a forum thread, my points will be general, and not expanded upon. I and others can happily expand and clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings about this constant menace to Truth and the individual soul.

1. He is a fallen Angelic being, rebelling against God, and took 1/3 of the angels with him
2. He was defeated at the Cross, when Jesus's blood paid the penalty for humanity's sin
3. He is a liar, and the father of lies
4. He comes to kill and destroy
5. He knows his time is short, and works tirelessly to destroy the relationship between God and man.
6. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so they cannot see the redemptive work of Jesus.
7. Some humans are devoted followers of Satan.. and some completely unaware that they are.
8. He is the accuser, who tries to derail the redemptive process with false accusations and guilt trips.

Jn8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2co4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel..

Rev12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray..
10 For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death...
12 But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

Why would you want to give all this energy to the negative? Why not give voice to the positive?

 

[oldbadger]

I love how the devil is faring in politics these days...

Literalism is perhaps his greatest weapon.
........................

Yeah.......... Nasty wicked Literalism!
How I hope and pray for a return to all that sweet 'n' healthy religious mumbo-jumbo.

 

[usfan]

Why would you want to give all this energy to the negative? Why not give voice to the positive?

I do that! But so many negative posters here prefer the 'dark side', so i wanted to accommodate them.

 

[JJ50]

I do that! But so many negative posters here prefer the 'dark side', so i wanted to accommodate them.

And your definition of the 'dark side' is?

 

[usfan]

And your definition of the 'dark side' is?

Context, Grasshopper. Negative? The reply to the other poster? Star wars cultural reference? Dark side?

Oh, never mind.. just make up whatever you want, and revile me with righteous indignation.. that's the usual course..

 

[sooda]

You can be correct.
I myself was deceived by so called "Christian Charismatic churches"
But then I had the small bit of intelligence to go and find out who is lying through their teeth.
How did I do it?
I went and read the Bible, the Quran, the hadith, the Book of Mormon, the Insight and watchtower, and compared it with each other.
Now I have the authority to distinguish between the liar and the Truthfull.
For instance, I also read what Atheists say.
And quite frankly, they say nothing.
if one prove that science took the start of the Universe and Nebular theory form the Bible, they all of a sudden have a problem with what theory science realy adheres too.
Any evidence that proves a Creator, somehow turns into a fairytale.
but they can believe everything came from nothing, even guys like Stephen Hawking thinks he can change the meaning of "Nothing" into gravity and Quantum Physics.
Therefore, as someone who took the time to find out what all the religions claim about their "Truth", I have the right to say:
Jesus is God, God is a Trinity, Allah is an Idol, Joseph Smith and Muhammad was liars, the JW's are wrong...
why?
been there done that!

so you are and expert in all faiths including atheism