In polytheistic religions, the gods and goddesses show more of the gray areas of morality. I think they better represent reality because most issues aren't as black and white as pure evil and pure good. Since most issues of morality are actually relative, do the traditional notions of God and the Devil seem antiquated?
2007-05-31 03:36:56 · 20 answers · asked by Graciela, RIRS 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ahh Graciela, you are so close and yet, you still have so far to go.
Religion, god, devil, goddesses, gods, they are all antiquated.
In most polytheistic religions, the notion of gods and goddesses were the personification of ideals. Zeus, Aries, Osiris Freyja, Yan Luo, Jengu, etc... They all had traits that people either aspired to attain or were warned against embracing.
In the monotheistic religions, god (El, Yahveh, Al-Khaliq, Allah, etc...) is viewed as either a parent or a king and sometimes as both. Anyway you look at it, a singular god is an authoritarian to be feared and obeyed. This made it easy for the 'earthly rulers' (or god users as I like to call them, the high priests, bishops, popes, cardinals, rabbi, Imams, Pharisees, sages, religious minded rulers and the ilk) to gain control of the people through fear and manipulation. Let's face it, the inquisitions and the Salem Witch Hunts weren't brought about by atheistic politicians looking to bring about religious equality!
The devil (Satan, Ibils, Lucifer, Baal, etc...) has classically been used as the great scapegoat. "The Devil Made me do it." I was wicked, I fell to the temptation of the devil." "He has tuned his back on his god and taken refuge in the arms of Satan." Excuses for poor reasoning, excuses for lying, cheating, killing, war even the common cold. Why? Because it's easier to blame the devil then to admit that you and you alone are responsible for your actions.
If humanity could just put god and the devil down and work together in harmony, just imagine what we would accomplish.
Imagine if you will just how much farther advanced we would be if 'science' hadn't been "outlawed" and considered black magic and devil worship during the dark ages. We would probably have a cure for cancer by now.
Is god good and the devil bad? NOPE! They are both bad and detrimental to the development of humanity.
2007-05-31 09:24:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
wouldn't you want to serve a God that actually is pure good? Think about it- if a god is gray in some areas, how could he be god? And how would you know when HE is right or wrong? By the way, there is only one God- and He is pure good. Yes, Satan is evil- and God gives him "free reign" of the earth- FOR NOW- Satan knows his future- and it is trying all he can to keep the world from coming to Jesus- God SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only Son- and once we are believers Satan will do everything that he can to keep us off track from serving God. By the way, the number one thing that Satan does to distract us from coming to God? Try to make people believe that he does not exist. Because if Satan did not exist, God would be a liar- however Satan does exist. The amazing thing to me is that people say there is no God- have you read in the Bible- even Satan believes. WOW!
2007-05-31 03:59:04 · answer #2 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The misconception is that God is pure good and satan is EVIL but in truth satan is a distortion of good. That's what makes it evil. Like sex is good but with only the right mate. Good act used badly.
Another example: How about a gun. It can be used for good or bad.
See it's the distortion of good that makes anything EVIL.
Simplistic but understandable
2007-05-31 03:53:46 · answer #3 · answered by garykofoid 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
So, you actually like it more complicated? Okay. But issues of morality, to the culture, are relative. We want to choose which ones are wrong based on how much we dislike them. Or which ones are okay based on how enjoyable they are. It's the old Genesis 3 story. We're like Adam and Eve. We've been deceived into thinking it's better if we determine what's right and wrong. The end of the story will not be a pretty one if we continue like that.
2007-05-31 03:44:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The irony is that there is no real leadership in hell. Satan was sent down there along with 1/3 of the angels in heaven. He was never called the leader in hell. There is a grey area there because people blame him for all the wrong doing in our society when we do most of it our selves. Therefore we hold our destiny and control whether we go to hell or heaven....through what the word says.
2007-05-31 03:42:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God is completely Holy and in Him is NO darkness.Satan on the other hand is a created being.The two don't really equate like a Yin-Yang, push me - pull me , thing.It's way too lopsided.God is all powerful where as Satan is just a speck compared to Him.
2007-05-31 03:43:15 · answer #6 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they do. Especially when this "purely good" god has the temperment of a two-year old who's long overdue for a nap.
2007-05-31 03:50:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Having a god of evil and a god of good is polytheism
Even if you do not call the evil one a god
2007-05-31 03:39:28 · answer #8 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Satan uses man's awareness of good and evil to tempt man to give in to weaknesses, ego, desires, needs on a rampant basis. God expects man the be above all that.
As a parent do you expect your child to give into tantlizing substances, laziness, deboterchery, filth or do you expect them to be above all that.
Sluffing off is easy.
Rightousness takes work and effort.
2007-05-31 03:50:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If God is pure good, Omipotent and omnicogizant, why does he allow his creation, Lucifer who is limited in ability and knowledge, run around doing evil?
2007-05-31 03:47:06 · answer #10 · answered by Simon T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋