If god were real...

[Kayenneh]

Its most similar to biological functions of parents. Some parents are told that if they were to conceive, the child would be mentally challenged.

No, it isn't. Sure, some people know that they carry certain genes, or that the mother is old, which makes it more likely for the child to have e.g. Down's. But if god is all-knowing, he would know exactly which individuals would rebel and case such havoc among his children, lead them into temptation and whatnot, so why create them in the first place?

[Faith No More]

In the same way, God did not want demons, but isn't going to poof them away either.

How can something exist that an omnipotent, omniscient god did not want? Are you saying that there are forces beyond god's control?

[The Grand Nudger]

Its most similar to biological functions of parents. Some parents are told that if they were to conceive, the child would be mentally challenged. It doesn't make the parents want to have children less.

Most similar eh? Human beings can be hopeful to a fault, I'd wager that among those of us who possess this particular "virtue" - parents are the most grossly afflicted. I know I am, my hopes for my children are, in all likelihood, blown entirely out of proportion (I like to maintain hope that my daughter will be an olympic medalist in archery - but deep down, I know that this is impossible). Some are given dire odds, it's true, and ostensibly they hold out on that small sliver of a chance that things will be alright. Did you intend to liken your god to demonstrably flawed beings, subject and predisposed to wishful thinking, uncertain of the future or consequences of their actions in full?

Bravo. If cattle had gods, they'd look like cattle.

The demons, essentially, are the mentally challenged. They actually know God, all that he can offer, and reject his authority.

As do I, for the same reasons that you would most likely reject any earthly authority with the same resume and sales pitch.

Actually, this doesn't hurt God at all. It's not like he can't poof them away.

No, it doesn't hurt god, your god exists only between your ears. Course I guess that means it can't "poof away" any demons either - he has the same score on that count as he has on "poofing away" the mentally challenged......which is the only way these two things are related.

[Tex]

How can something exist that an omnipotent, omniscient god did not want? Are you saying that there are forces beyond god's control?

God wanted them. They, in and of themselves, are good. The things they do are not.

...so why create them in the first place?

First, he loves them. Apart from that, while they do harm, it ends up being for the benefit of us.

It was meant to show that I believe in Greek mythology. Zeus is the all-powerful, omniscent God. Not your god. Your god isn't real. Zeus is.

Oh, so you were just trolling. I was right in the first place. I figured I'd give you the benefit of the doubt, but I guess I shouldn't do that.

Quit trying to remove the responsibility from your god. Either he is responsible for everything or he is responsible for nothing.

He's responsible. Completely. And it is better that he created the demons than not.

[The Grand Nudger]

God wanted them. They, in and of themselves, are good. The things they do are not.

"But he was such a nice boy"

First, he loves them. Apart from that, while they do harm, it ends up being for the benefit of us.

Christians have a nasty habit of assuming they know whats best for others, what will benefit them.

[Godscreated]

If you want to have a serious discussion on the subject, then please do and stop acting childish.

He is not acting childish at all. He is asking very relevant questions in response to statements you made. We atheist tend to do that when faced with bald assertions.

By the way, I answered your question. Are you going to respond?

If you call those relevant questions, then you must be on the childish side,too.
No, you have not answered post #27, if you believe you have show me the answers you gave.

[Baalzebutt]

How can something exist that an omnipotent, omniscient god did not want? Are you saying that there are forces beyond god's control?

God wanted them. They, in and of themselves, are good. The things they do are not.

...so why create them in the first place?

First, he loves them. Apart from that, while they do harm, it ends up being for the benefit of us.

It was meant to show that I believe in Greek mythology. Zeus is the all-powerful, omniscent God. Not your god. Your god isn't real. Zeus is.

Oh, so you were just trolling. I was right in the first place. I figured I'd give you the benefit of the doubt, but I guess I shouldn't do that.

Quit trying to remove the responsibility from your god. Either he is responsible for everything or he is responsible for nothing.

He's responsible. Completely. And it is better that he created the demons than not.

Spoken like a true apologist.

And so now, we get down to the root of this entire discussion. God did, indeed, create satan.

See how easy that was? We went through all this ridiculous discussion and in the end, all you had to say was, "Yes, god created satan".

So now, can we get back to the original topic of the thread?

To add a bit more to my original point, I believe that if god created man in his own image then man essentially acts and thinks like god (funny how that works out seeing as how god was created by man.)

So the question remains: Why should we not expect of god exactly what he expects of us?

[Godscreated]

And so now, we get down to the root of this entire discussion. God did, indeed, create satan.

See how easy that was? We went through all this ridiculous discussion and in the end, all you had to say was, "Yes, god created satan".

Ok, let's play with your belief again, Christians do not believe God created satan, it's you that has made the claim, so the burden of proof is on you. Go get your proof Mr. Bbutt, remember the scriptures are the only place you will be able to try and bring your proof from. We will be waiting.

[Tex]

I'll bite:

God created Satan.

I don't understand what the problem here is. Technically, he made Hitler too.

[The Grand Nudger]

The problem, is that GC would rather pull your christian card then put his boy on the hook for anything. Seems like a disagreement between you two christians. Hammer that shit out, eh?
(I'd make it snappy too, won't be long before another christian comes in to explain how you're both full of shit, and he's bringing the good word right fresh from heaven)