Go to No Answers Found Here.
- Add a comment
- Go to What If There Is No Devil?
As long as there is ...
... black and white, there will be wrong and right. God and satan are symbols of just that - and since this universe seems to be made of opposites, why deny either. Why can't we just accept both?
posted by
b2008
on December 29, 2007 at 2:58 PM
| link to this | reply
Re: every1 has it wrong! the devil is only within self; no such thing
Hi KingKai, thanks for reading. I personally believe that there is a "devil", a negative force in the universe that opposes God. I don't, however, agree that it is the cause of everyone's poor behavior. I tend to think that people use the devil as a scapegoat--as an excuse for their bad behavior, which ultimately causes them to never take responsibility for what they do to this world and to each other. "It was the devil, he made me do it"--therefore they are not responsible for their own sins. It's quite a little game humanity plays, isn't it?
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on December 16, 2007 at 12:59 PM
| link to this | reply
every1 has it wrong! the devil is only within self; no such thing
posted by
KingKai
on December 15, 2007 at 5:35 PM
| link to this | reply
Re:
mama, thank you so much for reading, and for the comment!
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on December 5, 2007 at 5:45 AM
| link to this | reply
I agree with you. There is opposition in all things and yes, I believe there is a devil BUT blaming HIM for something I did, doesn't make it any less MY problem.
posted by
mama_joy
on December 5, 2007 at 2:58 AM
| link to this | reply
Re: Nature's opposing forces
sira---I think you've hit it right on the nosey. I don't believe that someone is TRULY sorry with the attitude of "it doesn't matter what I did, I'm changed now." I believe that the realization of what your actions do to the world around you is vital. If you don't realize what you've done, and the true cost, how can you truly change?
regarding equal and opposite reactions---when you look at this definition, the equal, opposite reaction is to the action of the item being placed into action. It does not change the nature of the item. A ball being thrown against a wall will move, displace matter, possibly bounce back to you...It will, however, always remain a ball.
The same with a good action---you put good out into the world, it will have an effect, but the action itself will remain what it is.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on December 3, 2007 at 7:20 AM
| link to this | reply
Nature's opposing forces
If every action has an equal and opposite reaction, then wouldn't it be fair to say that every bit of good has an equal amount of bad - it's the natural order of the world, a necessary step to ensure that everything is balanced.
I firmly believe that God had an evil counterpart. But believing in a supremely bad being does not give people the right to do whatever they please, all the while assuring themselves that they were "forced" to act in that manner. And neither does a belief in God's blind forgiveness.
I've heard many people say "it's alright, God will forgive me", after they've done something truly terrible. Look at all the murderers and rapists in jail that have "found God". Is simply asking for forgiveness enough to get yourself out of a lifetime sentence to hell? I'd like to think that God expects a bit more in the way of accountability from us. I've committed my fair share of sins (granted, nothing nearly as serious as murder!), but I don't think it's fair to ask for forgiveness until I've shown that I'm really and truly sorry. I've got to make up for the damage that my actions caused before I'll be deserving of absolution.
I don't think that the devil tells people what to do. God doesn't either. I'd like to think that they're just watching, and waiting for us to choose our paths. Instinctively, we all know when something is morally wrong. The devil won't tell you to do it, and God isn't going to tell you not to. The choice is ours to make, and the consequences are ours to live with.
posted by
Sira890
on November 30, 2007 at 10:16 AM
| link to this | reply
Re: No one to blame? Now that's a scary thought.
Hi Whacky, Hi Bo! Yes it is...very scary. That means we can't hide behind the scapegoat any longer!
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 30, 2007 at 4:15 AM
| link to this | reply
Re: yes, i believe that is how it works, no devil to blame and no hell, only
hi callista...thanks so much for reading. In a round about way, yes...Now I do believe that there is a devil, and that there is a hell; don't get me wrong about this---but I also believe that it exibits zero control over anyone that refuses it. Therefore, as far as my existence and life is concerned, there is "no devil". Only me and my choices regarding what's right and what's not. No one makes anyone do anything that they truly don't want to do.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 30, 2007 at 4:15 AM
| link to this | reply
Re:
hi sam, thanks for reading! I personally believe that should be the goal of all of humanity--take away our scapegoats. Start standing on our own. Start behaving correctly simply because it is right. Unfortunately, though, there are entire schools of thought that prefer to lay blame elsewhere. I believe that in the end we're going to be judged, and it will cover our intentions as well as our actions.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 30, 2007 at 4:11 AM
| link to this | reply
Re: Fingerpointing
Ann Onimous: Exactly. Once you start rationalizing and laying blame elsewhere, you only make yourself look more guilty.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 30, 2007 at 4:09 AM
| link to this | reply
No one to blame? Now that's a scary thought.
Red roses
and yellow smiles
from me and Bo =^..^= the wonder dog!
posted by
Whacky
on November 29, 2007 at 9:18 PM
| link to this | reply
yes, i believe that is how it works, no devil to blame and no hell, only
the hell we make for ourselves.
posted by
callista22001
on November 29, 2007 at 8:28 PM
| link to this | reply
RIGHT ON, TAKE THE DEVIL AWAY, EVERYONE ON THEIR OWN STANCE. GREAT, GREAT!!!! SAM
posted by
sam444
on November 29, 2007 at 3:08 PM
| link to this | reply
Fingerpointing
Makes me think of an ancient Chinese saying --- "when you point a finger at someone don't forget that 3 fingers are pointing at yourself".
posted by
Ann_Onimous
on November 29, 2007 at 1:17 PM
| link to this | reply
Re: FYS
eyeshaveears, welcome back! your last statement: "we can only blame ourselves should we allow this to happen", is absolutely true. Ultimately we are capable of self-control, and we are not possessed by some being using us as a puppet for their will.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 29, 2007 at 12:39 PM
| link to this | reply
FYS
"So maybe we should live our lives as if there is no devil, as if there is no one out there to blame, and take responsibility for our own actions."
Hi FYS,
Yeah, this is how I would answer or relate to such a query, with the quote above. I for one do believe that there is an evil force such as the Devil that opposes God and good living. Though I feel it is wrong or like you say, used as a scapegoat for when people do wrong. At the end of the day we are responsible for our own actions and how we live our individual lives. Should our way of living not be a righteous one or one where we live in a positive way and lead by good example, then we will allow the Devil and Devilish elements to reside within us, though like I said, we can only blame ourselves should we allow this to happen.
Nice post.
Bless
posted by
UncharteredSoul
on November 29, 2007 at 12:21 PM
| link to this | reply
Re: Did the devil put those words in your head?
HAH! He wishes. he be a punk, ted. a punk.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 29, 2007 at 10:57 AM
| link to this | reply
Did the devil put those words in your head?
Hey only kidding, Young...sit back down...
posted by
teddypoet_TheGoodByeFade
on November 29, 2007 at 10:35 AM
| link to this | reply