The argument--whether or not the Devil exists

by The wanderer 23 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  The wanderer

  The argument—whether or not the Devil exists

  Mainstream religions all over the world and not so mainstream
  religions teach of a devil. The devil is considered to be the
  personification of evil and goes by the names of Satan,
  Asmodai, Beelzebub, and Lucifer.

  The argument can be made

  Regardless, if you are an Atheist, Christian, Agnostic or
  Evolutionist the fact of the matter is that evil does exist
  in this world. But does this justify a devil, being the
  cause of it all?

  Is there a Devil?

  The Bible points to a wicked spirit creature and
  for centuries mankind has placed a belief that
  such a spirit creature exists.
  
  On the other hand, there is no definite proof
  other then paranormal psychology to support
  such a being as a "devil" or spirit creature.

  Questions to consider

  • If there is no devil, why is there so much evil
    in the world?

  • If there is a devil, what proof is there besides
    the Bible?

  • What is your individual viewpoint and perspective
    on the matter?

  ---

  Please post your replies for an interesting and
  lively discussion of the matter.

  Respectfully,

  The Wanderer
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  The idea of a totally wicked creature is just too fairy-talish. If there are other intelligent life forms, it seems far more reasonable that they are somewhat good/somewhat evil, like everybody else.

  Put me down for a "Not".

  Dave
• 

  AK - Jeff

  Still trying to 'come down' on this one.

  I am a bit recalcitrant to accept an Evil Personified. But the Crooklyn bunch comes close.

  Sorry - I joke for having nothing truly wise to say here. [Do I ever?]

  Jeff
• 

  stillajwexelder

  I suppose like Yin and Yang - if there is an ultimate good -God - there is likely to be a balancing ultimate evil -Satan
• 

  hambeak

  Considering the evil men do Yes I believe there is a devil
• 

  daystar

  If there is no devil, why is there so much evil
  in the world?

  What is considered "evil" most often is a person indulging their baser instincts. To get to the "evil' point, it usually has to be pretty extreme. But this doesn't necessitate there being a Satan proper. The base instincts are demonized and personified.

  If there is a devil, what proof is there besides
  the Bible?

  I don't believe in the sort of devil most do any more than the sort of gods most do. They are manifestations arising from within us. And there is no more objective proof of devils any more than there is of gods.

  I'm sorry, I don't have time today to elaborate my viewpoint on this topic. Good one though.
• 

  rwagoner

  Stays at my house every 28 days....trust me..the devil exists.
• 

  gaiagirl

  Everyone makes choices, sometimes those choices hurt others. Some people are selfish, and always do what is best for themselves. And some actually enjoy hurting others as it gives them a sense of power. "Evil personified" or a totally evil being would not be making a choice, but would be acting out of instinct or reflex. However, I don't believe such a being exists, or even could exist.
• 

  kid-A

• If there is no devil, why is there so much evil
  in the world?

• If there is a devil, what proof is there besides
  the Bible?

Regarding point 1, why would some hypothetical "devil" creature need to be an antecendent condition for the existence of evil? In addition, ones concept of what constitutes "evil" is entirely subjective. Example: George Bush does not consider it "evil" that iraqi babies were being bombed to death during his little war. This was not evil, it was "collateral damage". Evil is defined by context and culture, it has no meaning in and of itself.

Regarding point 2, virtually all religions traditions have some form of "devil" like creature, thus, the version contained in the Judaeo-Christian holy book is neither sufficient nor necessary for a definition of some hypothetical creature causing evil on earth.