If a christian refers to something as "satanic", this is not a compliment, right?

Question

According to christian theology, satan is the adversary and there is no greater evil. In many instances on this forum, christians refer to pagans and wiccans as satanic, and insist that their deities are really satan or his demons in disguise.

Why is it alright to express this, but its not appropriate to draw a comparison between the christian god and Adolf Hitler? Someone likening your god to Hitler is no different than you accusing someone else's god of secretly being the devil. Hitler is probably the epitome of human evil in most people's eyes.

What's the difference, christians? What makes one okay and the other not?

"Satan" is the hebrew word for adversary.

Either way, something that is very important to someone is being compared to a well-known symbol of evil.

Lets not argue the semantics of spiritual versus human. Its the symbolism behind it that counts.

For those of you who say I'm stereotyping or putting words in your mouth, just read some of these answers! I'm not pulling this out of thin air.

Answer 1

Both are acceptable in the academic sense. But one is in line with Christianity and the other runs vehemently against it.

The belief that the entity called upon by Wiccans and Pagans is none other than the Devil himself is a Christian belief, but that does not mean that others are not entitled to their own beliefs.

Answer 2

Hi, first off I am a Christian but ,I'm not a fundamentalist. I have had contact with several Pagans and Wiccans . I do have an opinion as why each one decided to follow the path they chose but thats not really pertinent to your Question. Modern satanism can also imply the exaltation of the human animal and self. Many times I have seen that Marilyn Manson explains that he doesn't worship the Christian Satan or devil. But thats not really Wicca is it.
In the Christian Church's past I am sure that there were groups so opposed to the Church that they actually did follow "the devil of the bible" as a way of expressing their hatred towards the church and their desire for power. And this is the main confusion many Christians have of "witches" of the Wiccan faith and "witches of satanic covens of the past , when in reality, Wiccans believe they are following an earth worshiping religion that wants to use the forces of nature for good and to help them manipulate their world through spells etc.
But here is the rub and this is the part where I ask you to understand many other non- fundamentalist Christians point of view.
We think this modern resurgence of paganism is hurting some of our most vulnerable children. Mainly the easily impressionable and frankly socially awkward teens and or kids that the only time they've ever seen a church is while driving by at 30mph. Wicca/Witchcraft has lots of rituals and spells that give these kids a sense of power over their chaotic and often times damaging/painful world.
You might see it as harmless , we see it as a false path, as a lie and whether you can understand it or nor "true heretic" (I mean that as your name not a statement, I'm try hard not to be malicious) We see this false path as something satan exploits and delights in. But I also see materialism, narcissism and the destruction of families as something he delights in also, basically he is having a hell of a time right now, just like Al Pacino in that movie. This is also something that alot of Fundies don't understand and they resort to old definitions and fears. But you know, I do understand and even if I know that many secular peoplethink of Wicca as harmless and even thought of as positive in many ways, I know that at its ultimate core its not. If I wanted to fool you completely and not have you question me, I would tell you a lie thats 90% true.
And don't bring Hitler into any argument, you can do better than that, nobody intelligent would use or listen to a "Hitler arguement" okay.

Answer 3

Why do people care so much about what others think?

If you're Christian, do your thing and don't worry about what others are doing or saying. If you're right, you'll be blessed.

If you're Pagan or Wiccan, do your thing and don't worry about what others are doing or saying. If you're right, you'll be blessed.

We have become a society of wimpy whiners. He said this, she said that. Let me complain and take it to a higher court.

Me personally. I am a Christian at heart, but also believe in some Wiccan and Shamanism. Probably from my Native American ancestry. I don't worry about what others say or think. I just believe what I believe, do my best, and hope for better things and try and treat others as I want to be treated.

Answer 4

I don't think it is alright to call someone demonic...unless we are sure they are possessed by a demon. I have called some things demonic because the Bible says they are. Speaking to the dead is just speaking to a demon (fallen angel). Some supernatural powers come from demons and those who deal with them should be aware of where the power is coming from. What they do with that information is up to them.

As for someone linking the Christian God to Adolph Hitler, if their religion teaches that and they truly believe it, I think they should be able to speak it.

I don't believe either side should approach it with hate though. There is way too much hate in the world and THAT IS demonic in origin!

Answer 5

I have never personally said that Wicca is satanic, but to answer your question (just because of the way you phrased it)--

The big difference is that "deities, demons and Satan" are spirits and may offer some comparison, and Hitler was a human and can't be compared to God (spirit).

I'm not saying that bashing either way is okay - I'm just pointing out a possible difference between the premise of the comparisons you (or they) are making.

Answer 6

During the Christian revolution, everything that was not considered 'Christian' was called 'satanic'. Abnormally born children were called such. I think we are a bit wiser now. It's just unfortunate that there is no section for silly questions. And it's not Christian theology, 'tho you seem to have some 'theology' system yourself which is definitely anti-Christian.

Answer 7

Christians who refer to Wiccans and pagans as 'Satanic' are ignorant and lazy--they have never bothered to learn the historical roots of those religions or to question what they have been told about their own religion.

People who try to compare God and Hitler are just trying to provoke outrage among people who they know are easily provoked. Ignorance can be (sort of) excused. After reading enough of it, you start to roll your eyes, eventually. Being a jerk, on the other hand...No.

Answer 8

Just which holy book of which theology likens God to Hitler? Produce that, and we have a similarity. Otherwise, it is just a person's judgment.
It is not a judgment I make on you or your religion when I let you know what Christian theology says of it. In fact, Christian theology (and I agree) simply says that you and I were both lied to by Satan to be led away from God.
For a Christian to say that other religions are satanic is not to say that the people in them are evil people (nor foolish people) - it's to say that they are deceived (as we were too). And please realize that it is not a judgment of you on my part - it is an explanation of the theology as written in the Bible.

Answer 9

It's an ignorant holdover from the Middle Ages when anyone who didn't believe in Jesus was a follower of Satan by default. For some strange reason (or maybe not so strange), this continues to this day.

Answer 10

The bible is clear that one who practices in magic and does not claim it in the Lord's (light) name then that person is practicing black( dark) magic. Therefore they are doing their master's work and will share in the same fate as their master.

If something really bad happens people say ," How could God allow such things?, Why does He not rise up and defend the good and destroy the evil of men?"

In the old testament God did come to the rescue and destroy those like Hitler and here you are saying he hurt innocent people like Hitler did. I think you need to study up on the kind of people that God passed fair judgment on.