Why would Satan want souls? What use are they to him?

[ronedee]

Thanks for the reply.

1. I wasn't asking about your god. I was asking about a man. So I wasn't asking if god was Christlike, I'm asking if this man was Christlike.

2. In that case, it's a little hypocritical of you to accuse atheists of not considering all possibilities regarding heaven. Especially since most atheists do acknowledge the possibility of the existence of god and heaven.

1. Ok, but I can't relate to a loving man throwing his kids in the basement. If that were the case... God would've killed us off a long time ago!

2. I've never accused anyone of, "not considering all possibilities regarding heaven". What I did say, was that every atheist has a different opinion. Which I guess they are entitled to. I just have a hard time remembering who has what!

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I think you've misunderstood me: what I was saying is that it's really hard to talk details when I'm talking to a guy who's willing to shake off every contention I bring to the table with "god's infinitely powerful, so it won't be a problem. He'll make it so it isn't." Since there's no parameters, the same argument can be used against anything I say; it's essentially having a question answered in such a way that no information is provided, but follow up questions will just get the same answer.

No. I don't think we are having that type of conversation. Just from the fact that I haven't shaken off anything you've presented. I've tried to answer in a manner that makes some kind of common (i.e. both see possibility) sense. Maybe if we keep on, you will see my points. I do want to know yours.

The message might be different- mileage may vary on whether it actually is- but that has no impact on whether or not it's any more truthful than the old testament; two fictional stories can exist side by side, after all. If they couldn't, we'd never have sequels to anything.

But, indeed Jesus' is a very compelling story. And a very humble one.

I'm interested in whether you'd accept this line of logic from a competing religion, too; if the Hindus discovered their own new testament tomorrow, with a radically different, loving message, would you consider that true too? I suspect not, which leads me to believe that there's additional criteria you're using there.

Based in "love & forgiveness"? I wouldn't condemn it! As I said in another thread. Jesus' signifies in several accounts that there are "followers of other flocks". What does that mean (rhetorically)? I don't know exactly. But, I won't discount it. Nor, would I embrace any other religion wholeheartedly. I still point to Jesus' words! And that [could be] any religion, or man living by them. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life." He didn't say we needed to say His name to be saved (which does help btw!)...He said we needed to follow Him!

Well, that's a heartening statement. I guess my follow up question would be, why does anyone end up in hell at all, if this is the case?

Because they don't have 'Love'. And I mean that in the true sense of the word. It's easy to love people that love us. The hard part is loving people...well...in a lot of cases, that don't love us. or actually hate us.

I remember something my mom told me when I was a teen, and found some reason to hate someone who treated me badly. My mom said: "Love all of God that is in a person."

That didn't make much sense at the time. But, as I got older I pondered that. And more so, when she passed on. And now I know what she meant. We are all part of our creator. Whether we know it or not, there is some part of God in us all.

And ultimately, that is exactly why Jesus tells us to "Love our enemies."

I truly believe that Love is what we will be judged on.

"...and in the end - the love you get - is equal to - the love - you give."
Lennon & MCartney