If you think certain religious people (JW's, Mormons,) are deceived by Satan into believeing what they believe

Question

how do you know Satan isn't deceiving you?

I don't consider "the bible says so" to be a valid answer because you can't prove the bible is the word of God

Answer 1

'The Princess Bride' addresses this very issue (kind of) when the Dread Pirate Roberts matches wits with Vizzini.

The Dread Pirate Roberts wins by poisoning both drinks, but thanks to his pre-planning. survives.

I don't know what the hell of a point I made, but it beats quoting the bible any day.

Answer 2

Well to the extent that different groups (and branches of Christianity) hold bleifs that are at odds and cannot be reconciled, there's no room for everyone to be right.
Someone *has* to be wrong, without necessarily anyone being right.

One of the beliefs which might be wrong, of course, is that there is a Satan who does "deceiving".

But without careful self-reflection and thought , nearly everyone tends to measure from wherever they have stuck their pole in the sand. It's not that surprising: who believes something they think is mistaken? It's almost a contradiction in terms.
Admitting the possibility of being mistaken, and the possibility of other views being more right...
That at the same time undermines a (perceived) security while offering the prospect of progress and refinement of views.
I suspect we could do with some more of that, and less dogmatism, but I'm not dogmatically insisting on it.

The extreme version of the "I may be being deceived" hypothesis takes us close to ideas in "The Matrix" .
If I'm wired up in a lab, and everything I think I know including all memories prior to encountering this question are simulated constructs, how would I know?
(looking out for flaws, discrepancies in the programming, would be one methodology... But if I decided I was a character in a computer simulation, how would I ensure immortality? Attempt to impress or amuse the programmers? "Get close to famous people and be outrageous" was one suggested strategy)

Answer 3

being Mormon I don't know if I am aloud to answer -- but I'll throw caution to the wind.

OK -- as I have changed my life and slowly given up my vices I have become happier and treated my family better. I have done this by following Jesus Christ as I understand His teachings through the LDS church. -- This is how I know that I am following Christ and not Satan

Satan is only as powerful as you let him be. Following him by sinning, putting others down and the like.

God will lead you to happiness and self-worth (and not necessarily good times all the time, He lets all of us experience life the good and bad -- so we can learn).

If you have feelings of happiness and self-worth then I believe God is working in your life in some measure.

IF all this makes me deceived then SO BE IT -- I love this church and it's doctrine and I believe that Jesus Christ is at the head of it.

IF all that I have learned that has changed me into a NEW CREATURE, loving my neighbor, treating my wife with more respect, and my kids too, is one grand deception then I embrace it. This is the best deception ever.

But I believe I am not deceived.

D

Answer 4

Because my bible says so, that's why!

(That's my prediction for at least 50% of the answers to follow, regardless of your correctly saying that it's not a valid answer.)

Answer 5

I couldn't agree with you more. I just wish that they would leave us alone. I mean, we don't do it to them, or at least not as much/bad as they do it to us. They fear what they do no know....

Answer 6

That is a good question!
Accion talk more than words!
You would be know by your accions!

Answer 7

CUZ THE WORKS ARE OF GOOD WORKS. NOTHING EVEIL COMES FROM THESE PEOPLE

Answer 8

Hey!!! you rock, that's true :P

Answer 9

*crickets*