Many christians hate my screenname because they think it has to do with Satan....?

Question

Would anyone like to explain to them why that is incorrect?

Robin J Sky gets the special thumbs up from me for pointing out BOTH that it refers to a position in a debate, and the fact that it a devils advocate is a priest who argues the "no" position when a new saint is considered.

Thus, the term is actually both religious, and christian!!!

I just enjoy the fact that so few christians know anything about christianity

Answer 1

Well, what we now refer to generically as a devil's advocate (someone fighting against an idea or poiting out counteropinions regardless of their own beliefs) actually started as a term for a position a little more aptly named. When someone was going through the process of canonization for sainthood, a strong case had to be made in their favor. A church official was appointed as "Devil's Advocate", and their job was to find as much evidence as possible to refute or otherwise blow holes in the case for sainthood, essentially doing the "devil's" work even though they probably very much wanted to see the sainthood be approved.

Answer 2

To play the part of "Devil's advocate" is simply to present the possible negative consequences of an argument. It is no different than when a person tells another about an idea and the other person offers possible faults in the idea. It helps the person with the idea to come up with realistic contingency planning. It is essentially the 'con' in any 'pro vs. con' debate.

Answer 3

In common parlance, devil's advocate has come to mean a person who takes a position for the sake of argument (not necessarily believing in the argument); or who presents a counterargument for a position they do believe in, to another debater. This process can be used to test the quality of the original argument

Answer 4

Because 98% of them are morons. Arguing the other side of an argument when there isn't anyone of the particular mindset your against - for the sake of rational problem solving - is playing the "devil's advocate". Now they can go back to home-schooling and preacher banging knowing something the neighbor's handout didn't explain.

Answer 5

Im a Christian and I could care less what your screen name is...... I know what a "devils advocate" is and dont appreciate the fact that all those that have responded to this question are calling christians names.... I could sit here and call you names because you dont know the lord, or you worship satan, or just dont care.... But I think I would rather pray for you!!!!

Answer 6

Because Devil's Advocate is just a figure of speech, a slang term meaning you'll defend the opposite point of view, not necessarily because you believe it, but just to show people what the other side of the argument is.

Answer 7

Devil's advocate refers to the act of taking a position that you don't necessarily believe (like in a debate or argument) in order to point out inconsistencies in the original position, or merely for the sake of debate.

Answer 8

It resembles "Devil's Advocate". How could this not be taken negatively?

Personally, I don't care one way or the other. I know you are not, because the Devil doesn't have an advocate. He's too much of a weasel.

Answer 9

A Devil's advocate is merely someone who presents a different side to an argument, making one think their side completely through. It works well in "brain-storming" sessions.

Answer 10

You know. In Canon Law (R. Catholic) it is a priest who argues the other side, typically in a case brought for beatification or sainthood. They argue that the person was not a saint.

In common usage it means someone who argues the other side, sometimes just for the sake of argument, in order to clarify the issues.