(February 21, 2013 at 12:41 pm)LastPoet Wrote: Like in any history, there is the good guy and the bad guy. In a nutshell that is all about it.
I do not think satan is the bad guy in the traditional sense.(A somewhat equal opposing force to God) Satan repersents choice. even if it is of the deceptive nature, he brings an alternitive to what God offers. Not in an uncontrolable opposition to God, but as someone subservieant to God. Look at His role in the Garden, be was limited to just trying to verbably tempt Eve. In the Book of Job we see him having to run what he did to Job, by God for approval before he could do or say any against him. And one final time look at how he 'tempted' Christ. Look at how and when it happened (In a time set aside by God for this to happen.)
Where the 'church' has pictured satan as being this opposing force is from some of the other religions that have been assimlated into Christianity. (as you pointed out, all of them have the antagonist figure) I believe it is from this need to fill the empty void where the bad guy usally is in a religion, And from mis interpertating all of the 'bad' things that will happen in revelations. Most assume because these are bad things and because of the false doctrine of omnibenevolent God.. satan was responsiable for the end of this world. when in fact the end of this world will be triggered by us, and our willingness to adopt Evil into our 'moralities.' thus allowing us to accept whatever man is the current version of the Anti Christ. (I believe there has been one on standby since the time of Christ.) It's just the world is not completely ready for him yet.
That said, crap like the subject matter of this thread tells me we are way closer to being ready to accept the anti Christ, than at any other point in recent history.
Back to the bad stuff in Revelations, It's not caused by Satan (Satan makes a move because he has been puffed up by all of the support the nations give him.) But in the end it is God that rains down death and destruction, and puts and end to everything, because He is tired of our collective BS.
Of which defending/adopting satan's evil is most definatly adding to that pile..
Also side note, defending/supporting satan's evil takes you guys out of the realm of atheists.
