Special Lessons for Christians

Xev,

I was talking about Zarathustra's quote...

About the quotes you cited from the Bible...
Do you know a figure of speech called Personification? :) :eek:


tomzyk,

Now, according to you, "your free will ... is susceptible to evil". In that case, why do you think that your are the "good" while people of other faiths are "evil". (probably not ALL other faiths, but people with different beliefs) From my perspective, I am "good" and you are the "evil" one trying to infect others with your religious beliefs. I'm sure it's not even your fault because you probably had religion forced upon you by your parents or friends when you were younger and you've just come to accept that "the Bible in the word of God" and you believe it and therefore you are "good" and that's all there is to it.
Click to expand...

"Good" is in the absence of belief, beneath the lies that our minds create. "Evil" is what our mind create when we lie to ourselves... and to others...

I was not forced to go to church. I went since last year... by myself.
In other hand, I agree with you that many people are forced to do so.

Love,
Nelson
 
The quote in my sig? That's from Zarathrusra.

About the quotes you cited from the Bible...
Do you know a figure of speech called Personification?
Click to expand...

These quotes do not refer to personifications - they were thought to be physical entities.

I point you to Lilith for the OT mythos - they obviously regarded such demons as real entities. I also point you to Azazel, described in 2 Chron 11:15. Another demon who cannot be regarded as a personification, in light of Jewish mythology.

Nor are the NT quotes personifications. Jesus is recorded as having cast demons out of the sick and sending these demons into a herd of pigs, which then drowned themselves (Mat. 8:28-32).

Demons attack Jesus and Paul in Acts 8:15. Again, these are not personifications.

In later Christian mythology, demons and the devil play an even bigger role. See this entry in the Skeptic's dictionary for background. I also recommend Carus "The History of the Devil and the idea of evil" (which can be purchased through that link) and a book that is simply titled "Satan" whose author I forget.

While you may interpret such things as personifications, Nelson, your interpretation is not borne out when we consider Scripture in light of its cultural context. But then, you regard this as fact, not mythos, so where are we!
 
Xev,

Depends on what you concider a Spirit. If metaphorically, God and Devil are just ideas. If literally, God and Devil are real.

I do believe that God is a great conscience and Devil is limited conscience, though. As I said, we have to begin with ourselves, so we have to focus on conscience...
 
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