Does Satan help people? (Jesus, ritual, homosexuals, hell, atheist)

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by DeepShadow

The first thing that comes to mind is the Chick tract that says Dungeons and Dragons player get the powers of their characters after they advance for a while. My friends and I are still sore about not getting our powers. Maybe now that 3rd Edition is out....

Seriously, I don't think Satan helps out as much as he just doesn't work so hard on us. I mean, a lot of what he does is throw adversity at people to discourage them and get them on the wrong path, but if you're already on it, why should he bother?

Very good point. Since it would occupy alot of his time and since he is not a equal to God, why waste precious time?

[I Panicked! At the Disco]

Satan's objective is to get you into Hell. Period.

I think he might be able to "help" you with worldly pleasures. For example, if you're someone who can't resist a beer, you can bet that Satan makes sure you find your way to one. But is this really helping you? Nope.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Faint

Let's for the moment say that the Bible is extraordinarily accurate, and the devil exists. Do you think a person can contact him to gain favors? Does he help people become powerful/wealthy/famous etc. if they make a deal with him?

Assuming for the moment that the Bible is extraordinarily accurate, there is no scriptural evidence to support the idea that you can make a deal with the Devil in order to become powerful/wealthy/famous etc. The only time that Satan made such an offer was to Jesus, based on the premise that he is the son of God. So unless we think we're the son of God that offer really doesn't apply to the rest of us.

[Selene]

If we choose to ignore that Hell, Satan and all that stuff seems to originate from the Medieval Ages, like many scientists also claim, and so was a mistranslation or whatever of the christian bible, well, I second the opinion that he wouldn't really bother us... we're already good enough at "sinning" that we'd put him out of business pretty quickly. *laughs*

[Booko]

Originally Posted by DeepShadow

The first thing that comes to mind is the Chick tract that says Dungeons and Dragons player get the powers of their characters after they advance for a while. My friends and I are still sore about not getting our powers. Maybe now that 3rd Edition is out....

You mean if I keep playing this blue dragonette character long enough, I'll be able to zap things with lightning bolts?

WOOT!

<<wonders why she didn't choose to play the crystal dragon that has the psychic attacks...>>

[DeepShadow]

Originally Posted by Booko

You mean if I keep playing this blue dragonette character long enough, I'll be able to zap things with lightning bolts?

WOOT!

<<wonders why she didn't choose to play the crystal dragon that has the psychic attacks...>>

Absolutely! My biggest question is what happens to folks like me, who do (almost)nothing but DM their entire D&D careers. Am I immune/exempt, or do I acquire demigodlike powers at some future date?

I'm also a little curious as to what happens when you play a nonstandard PC. Seriously, the arrival of the creature catalogue and the advent of ECL's must herald some bad news on the horizon--half-dragon sorcerers, minotaur fighters, to say nothing of all the Drizzt wannabe's. Almost makes me want to start a "replica Drizzt scimitars" business and wait out the inevitable. What do you think--ten, twenty years?

While I'm waxing off topic, does this acquisition of powers mean only supernatural powers, or does it go all the way down to base stats and creature type? Does in include loopholes? Which editions are covered?

For example, back in 2E, one of my friends created a fighter specialized in darts, taking advantage of the rapid fire rate so that he could do considerably more damage per round than a comparable fighter specialized in broadsword. This loophole was practically the character's sole reason for existence. Is my friend someday going to wake up and find himself unconstrained by the laws of physics? Or will he discover he has all the character's lesser features, but has been cheated out of the majority of the character's power by a cruel twist of reality?

And if it's the latter, can he justifiably go to Satan and say that the deal is void?

Sorry for ranging so far off topic, but I've always been curious about these things.

[joeboonda]

Let's for the moment say that the Bible is extraordinarily accurate, and the devil exists.

The Bible IS extraordinarily accurate, and the devil DOES exist, the beginning of wisdom....

Do you think a person can contact him to gain favors?

Perhaps, but it would be only temporary, ultimately not completely satisfying, yet completely destructive in the end.

Does he help people become powerful/wealthy/famous etc. if they make a deal with him? Does there need to be a deal at all, or does he just stay behind the scenes "directing traffic" until someone who serves him (knowingly or otherwise) finds success in the world?

He does both, some folks serve him knowing they are, and some unknowing or not letting themselves know. Any worldly success is not worth the consequences, though.

For instance, I was watching "The Ninth Gate" recently and the characters in the movie try to perform a ritual to meet the Prince of Darkness. Also, on my way to work today I was listening to White Zombie (Devil Music Vol.1). Does Satan make rock stars better lyricists/songwriters?

Some of them believe so, that he 'inspires' them somehow or the lyrics/music just came to them somehow mysteriously...

And if such deals can be made, do you think they can be broken and a person can be saved at the last second by asking Jesus for forgiveness and accepting him as their Savior yada yada?

Well, anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, no exceptions, even someone who has denied and blasphemed the Lord. But, at the last second, while it can and does happen, I fear it is rare. For many people who have turned from the Lord and followed Satan and who have continually ignored the faint knocking of the Holy Spirit on their heart, finally are completely hardened to the Gospel and die in their sins. But, while a person still has breath in their body, there is hope. Thing is, when we see that Satan, although offering pleasure for a season, ALWAYS takes way more than we bargained for, always brings destruction into our lives, and that adversity follows the wicked, yet peace, happiness, joy, love, and true contentment lie with those who have placed their trust in God, why not follow Him?

[zombieharlot]

Well, the devil apparently isn't omnipresent, so he could only tempt one person or a group of persons at one time. That being said, I'm sure he wouldn't give a damn (pun intended) about anyone who wants to make deals with him. None can craft a lie as masterly as he, so I'm sure he would spend his time deceiving the most influencial saints.

[alex-f]

Satan appears to help. He will prey on the weak, the most likely to submit, and offer them assistance. The help however comes with "small print" and much like a loanshark he seeks something in return, and this always costs more than whatever favour he offered in the first place.