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Satan, His Purpose

Skwim

Veteran Member
"Facts" as gleaned from Christian theologies

1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
3) God allows Satan to stick around.​

So what purpose do all these serve?
1) _____________________________ .
2) _____________________________ .
3) _____________________________ .

.
.
 

Earthling

David Henson
"Facts" as gleaned from Christian theologies

1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
3) God allows Satan to stick around.​

So what purpose do all these serve?
1) _____________________________ .
2) _____________________________ .
3) _____________________________ .

.
.

You could replace Satan with mankind in each of those examples.
 

Altfish

Veteran Member
"Facts" as gleaned from Christian theologies

1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
3) God allows Satan to stick around.​

So what purpose do all these serve?
.
1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
Like what? What examples have you got of this?
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
Like what? What examples have you got of this?
3) God allows Satan to stick around.
Do either exist? What proof have you got?
 

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
"Facts" as gleaned from Christian theologies

1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
3) God allows Satan to stick around.​

So what purpose do all these serve?
1) _____________________________ .
2) _____________________________ .
3) _____________________________ .

.
.
His purpose is to post as a multiplicity of individuals on the internet the dangers of satan!!!!

Actually if i didnt know factually it was mental, i probably could refer to revelations somehow.
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
Like what? What examples have you got of this?
Not my examples of course, but those of a christian website.
  • He hinders missions strategy. 1 Thess. 2:18
  • He distorts and prevents effective Gospel message. Acts 13:8-9
  • He avoids inner need by removing external trouble. 1 John 3:12
  • He uses the fear of death to hold men in bondage. Hebrews 2:15
  • He causes people to stumble over bad Christian attitudes. 2 Tim. 2:24-26
  • He blinds the minds of unbelievers. 2 Cor. 4:4
  • He exploits a lack of understanding. Mt. 13:19
  • He suggests ways that don't involve suffering. Mt. 16:23; Mt. 4:1-11
  • He imitates religious roles. 2 Cor. 11:14-15; Mt.13:28,30; Rev. 2:9
  • He misuses Scripture. Mt. 4:6
  • He imitates signs and wonders. 2 Thess. 2:9; Mk. 13:22
  • He offers exotic occult alternatives. Rev. 2:19-24
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
Like what? What examples have you got of this?
He misuses people so as to oppose the truth reaching and converting people.

He leads others to cast doubt on God's goodness.

He makes people persecute others

He leads people to lie and deceive

He leads people to war with one another

He makes people lead others away from Christ​

3) God allows Satan to stick around.
Do either exist? What proof have you got?
Hey, if you're not going to buy into the story you can't play.

.



.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
"Facts" as gleaned from Christian theologies

1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
3) God allows Satan to stick around.​

So what purpose do all these serve?
1) _____________________________ .
2) _____________________________ .
3) _____________________________ .

.
.

When I questioned my priest on these, the answer I received, and I'm paraphrasing here, was, "To test our faith."
 

Bob the Unbeliever

Well-Known Member
"Facts" as gleaned from Christian theologies

1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
3) God allows Satan to stick around.​

So what purpose do all these serve?
1) _____________________________ .
2) _____________________________ .
3) _____________________________ .

.
.


Satan serves the exact same purpose as Voldemort or Sauron.

It drives the narrative forward. And it gives theists an excuse to "explain" evil.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Does god not already know the answer? Why test what god already knows?

Because he allows us to choose our own destiny. Our future is in our own hands....dictated by our choices. So we tell God who we are by what we do and how we think....and he responds accordingly. The devil doesn't make us do anything...and neither does God. Not rocket science is it?

He gave us the freedom to choose and you want to whine about it? Good grief...some people are never satisfied....:rolleyes:
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
When I questioned my priest on these, the answer I received, and I'm paraphrasing here, was, "To test our faith."
Then I have to say that's one hell of a consequence for failing the test. An eternity of suffering for not being able to do what one should that happens in a relatively split second.

.

.
 

Bob the Unbeliever

Well-Known Member
Because he allows us to choose our own destiny..

That is absolutely irrelevant to "test our faith"-- why would god need to test for something he already knows?

Our future is in our own hands....dictated by our choices. So we tell God who we are by what we do and how we think....and he responds accordingly. The devil doesn't make us do anything...and neither does God. Not rocket science is it?.

Irrelevant. See above.

He gave us the freedom to choose and you want to whine about it? Good grief...some people are never satisfied....:rolleyes:

Irrelevant. See above.
 

Bob the Unbeliever

Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, their explanations always end up as excuses.

.


Absolutely. The Problem Of Evil with a god that is... allegedly... "good".

This problem has always been a Conundrum for all theists who claim god is "good".

Then? They foolishly claim their god is still more powerful than satan.

Silly people: That only pushes the Problem Of Evil back one step: it's still firmly the fault of their god.

Meaning their god cannot possibly be all good..... or even a little good...
 

The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
"Facts" as gleaned from Christian theologies

1) Satan does a lot of bad things to people.
2) Satan makes people do a lot of bad things.
3) God allows Satan to stick around.​

So what purpose do all these serve?
1) _____________________________ .
2) _____________________________ .
3) _____________________________ .

.
.
From Christian theology, 1, 2 and 3 all remove responsibility of sin, blasphemy, and evil in general from both god and man.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
That is absolutely irrelevant to "test our faith"-- why would god need to test for something he already knows?

You don't really want to listen to anyone but yourself do you? There is no test of faith...he is seeing if we have any....I guess he's not doing too well with you then? :shrug:

Irrelevant. See above.

Irrelevant. See above.

None so deaf....

20mnzc.jpg
 

Bob the Unbeliever

Well-Known Member
You don't really want to listen to anyone but yourself do you?.

Projection. Also irony. Also you clearly missed to 100%, what I said. So irony again.
There is no test of faith...he is seeing if we have any....I guess he's not doing too well with you then? :shrug:.

That's kind of the same thing: You are literally saying that your god needs to see or test if we have any faith?

DOES HE NOT ALREADY KNOW?

Apparently NOT!

Sad.

And no--- your god remains unconvincing. Especially as so many of his self-appointed followers are so very, very judgmental. Which leads sane people to realize that if god exists? It's principle attribute (apart from being deceptive) is to create absolute chaos.

That 45,000+ different and in-fighting brands of "christian" we have today.


None so deaf..

Indeed. Your unintentional irony is duly noted.
 

Bob the Unbeliever

Well-Known Member
if not Satan.....what excuse is used when non-believers misbehave?

Forget about non-believers-- what excuse is there for when believers misbehave?

If their system of belief was All That? Would they not be consistently superior people, with respect to behavior?

But wait! We can easily check that: What'ya know? In the USA alone, the majority of inmates in prison are ... believers!

In fact, non-believers are severely under-represented, as compared to the general population.

So I would submit that Satan was very good at making believers misbehave-- seeing as how there are more (percentage wise) believers in prison than other sorts.

And also, it seems that Satan isn't very good at all, at making non-believers misbehave.... !

Hmmmmm........
 

Thief

Rogue Theologian
We can easily check that: What'ya know? In the USA alone, the majority of inmates in prison are ... believers!
I don't think we can use that captive audience as a base line

when confined.... a stressed human will turn to comfort
even if it means nodding your head to a recital by a fellow inmate

even a simple line such as.....screw you
takes a whole new meaning when dealt in confined quarters
 

Bob the Unbeliever

Well-Known Member
I don't think we can use that captive audience as a base line.

Why not? In other measures, when comparing the general population, you get a pretty even correlation.

Except for people of color, and the poor: Those two groups are also grossly over-represented in prison.
when confined.... a stressed human will turn to comfort
even if it means nodding your head to a recital by a fellow inmate.

As an atheist? I find zero comfort in any and all religion-- this is because I'm brutally honest with myself, and I simply cannot lie to myself, even for the dubious "comfort" of religious bigotry.

And I know I'm hardly unique here, among atheists...

even a simple line such as.....screw you
takes a whole new meaning when dealt in confined quarters

No... I think the meaning is the same, regardless. It's simply a rewording of a different phrase, for semi-polite company.

It has nothing to do with religion or situation.
 
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