Some people seem to have an acutely Manichaeistic viewpoint, where, if you're not "for God", you're in league with Satan, or are at minimum duped by Satan. With these people, simple atheism instantly makes you evil. This tends to upset atheists---it's a grossly unfair libel by association.
It seems to me that the evidence for a personification of evil is far weaker than evidence for God. I mean the "there must be God because snowflakes are beautiful" argument is not entirely vacuuous---there are snowflakes, and they are beautiful, and behind that beauty are physical laws whose origins are not entirely understood.
But evil---I don't doubt the existence of evil---is done by people. There is, it seems to me, far less evidence for a supernatural agent of evil than for a supernatural agent of creation. In fact there is no such evidence whatsoever. So why do people believe in a personification of evil?
To root out evil, isn't it better to understand its true origins?
2007-11-21 02:30:58 · 7 answers · asked by cosmo 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In my opinion, no. I believe that Satan and Hell were invented by the early church as scare tactics, a way of keeping the masses in line. Not to mention giving Christians an all-too-convenient scapegoat on whom to blame all of their "sins", so they wouldn't have to bear either the responsibility or the guilt for their "wrongdoings". ("I didn't do that! The DEVIL made me do it!")
Edit: BURK - I'm an agnostic, which basically means I'm half-atheist. Who are YOU to tell ANYONE their beliefs (or non-beliefs) are "wrong"??? That's a JUDGMENT call - and you Christians are NOT supposed to judge! Your precious Bible even tells you that: "Judge NOT, lest YOU be judged." Hypocrite.
2007-11-21 02:40:40 · answer #1 · answered by Gypsy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The devil is real. He is the god of this system of things.
Your best bet is to stop wondering whether evil is real and start worrying about your redemption from it. Do you really need proof that the satan exists? Can you not look around you and see evil everyday?
2007-11-21 10:45:36 · answer #2 · answered by J R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe in a personification of good or evil. I also believe that a gross is a dozen dozen.
2007-11-21 10:38:45 · answer #3 · answered by What? Me Worry? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear the Devil is everywhere to trick you to follow him on the crossroads. Love the baby Jesus, be a lamb and follow with Gods flock.
2007-11-21 10:37:41 · answer #4 · answered by Frau 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
being an atheist doesnt make you evil it just makes you wrong
2007-11-21 10:41:33 · answer #5 · answered by burkstep55 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the devil is very very real, and you just elected him pope.
congratulations
2007-11-21 10:35:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
No.
2007-11-21 10:38:16 · answer #7 · answered by Cotton Wool Ninja 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋