If satan does not have a physical body, and cannot operate within the mind, what power does he have? As I see it, that is the only way they have power at all. Teaching people with open minds all kinds of doctrine of demons.
I believe satan and the demons are handicapped by their inability to see the future. As we know the ability to predict the future is God's alone. That is how God can work all things together for good, despite Satan working hard to mess things up. Take the holocaust for example. Was the hatred of Jews influenced by satan? Absolutely. It was satan trying to throw a wrench into God's plan, by trying to eliminate the Jews. However, as we saw, God used it for good.
34 comments
God used it for good -- how exactly? If you're referring to the establishment of the modern state of Israel, couldn't God have accomplished it at a lower price, being omnipotent and all?
Also, if the devil can't see the future, how could he have pre-stolen various elements of Christianity, as so many Christians are sure he did?
WTF? How can this possibly make sense to you? Why is your omnipotent and omniscient god getting his plan messed up by some satan? By that reasoning he is either not omnipotent/omniscient or he wants satan to do evil on earth and then blame us for it, which in turn makes him an ass-backwards jerk. You choose.
Let's talk about the inability to see the future, you funny little rapturist.
If that is the best your god can do, I'd hate to see his worst.
Actually, you're giving Satan a lot of power, because, as far as I'm concerned, nothing good came out of the killing of six million people.
"Take the holocaust for example. Was the hatred of Jews influenced by satan? Absolutely. It was satan trying to throw a wrench into God's plan, by trying to eliminate the Jews. However, as we saw, God used it for good."
Yes, God used it for good by... um... wait, I know there has to be something... er...
Why doesn't God just smack Satan in the chops and say "go back to hell"? Wouldn't that be easier? The god portrayed in the Bible comes off as a moron.
Was the hatred of Jews influenced by Satan?
Doesn't this guy believe in free will at all? Does everything have to be caused by God and Satan fighting over humanity's puppet strings? If we don't have free will, how can the whole Fall and Redemption thing make sense to Christians?
@John
The moment something can be heralded as an example of their cause, the premise of Free Will goes completely out the window. Anything major, and noteworthy event is inevitably the result of a spiritual hijacking, it would seem.
'Course, the funny thing is, in such a case, the premise of sin becomes moot, because sin requires free will.
If God can predict the future then there is no free will. If what ever choices I am going to make can be determined in advance (i.e. pre-determined), even by God, then I am not making a free choice, I am fulfilling my predestined choice.
That isn't to say God cannot prophesize, since all that requires is that he have a plan in mind, and the means to make it come about.
"If satan does not have a physical body, and cannot operate within the mind, what power does he have?"
You have to prove satan exists in the first place.
This particular Satan lives in a nearby church - in Rennes-le Chateau. An odd chap to have in the church, to be sure!
OK. I've tried, but the nasty little devil doesn't want to go public. (How do you post a pic anyway?)
Anyway, he's got talons for nads and looks really mean, with the most piercing blue eyes.
I thought it was God who wanted to eliminate the Jews.
What with all the venom the New Testament throws at Jewish folk, and all.
Therefore, God knew Adam and Eve would disobey him:
God: I know they're going to eat the apple, but I'm going to punish them for it anyway.
Jerk.
@Xotan: Unless something's changed recently, to post pictures you have to post the picture to an Internet picture sharing site like Photobucket, ImageShack or Flickr, then link back to it.
"Teaching people with open minds all kinds of doctrine of demons."
So, we should all be close-minded from the moment we are born? Good idea, but no. Thanks for playing. Go take a cookie.
"Take the holocaust for example. Was the hatred of Jews influenced by satan? Absolutely. It was satan trying to throw a wrench into God's plan, by trying to eliminate the Jews. However, as we saw, God used it for good."
Godwin and Goddickery, what a splendid mix. Mix of FAIL!
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
To post a comment, you'll need to Sign in or Register . Making an account also allows you to claim credit for submitting quotes, and to vote on quotes and comments. You don't even need to give us your email address.