Do you believe in the Biblical "fire and brimestone" image of Satan?
By filmbuff
@filmbuff (2909)
United States
April 13, 2007 8:55am CST
Now that we're in the 21st century, I often wonder how many people really believe that there is a cloven-hoofed, forked tongue king of darkness in hell, trying to drag as many of us as he possibly can down with him to suffer for all of eternity?
This philosophy seems very "dark ages" to me and even a little silly, but I'm curious as to what others think on this topic.
I don't doubt that evil exists, but if seems to me that if Satan were the favored angel of g-d, and the most beautiful; it seems a little out of character for him/her/it to morph suddenly into a beast wanting to overthrow and rule heaven and earth.
If you take life as being a test, and free will as a choice to chose between good and evil it would make one think that Satan if he does exist is only playing a much needed part in being dark and seductive; either that or he's just a scare tactic to keep the "faithful" in line and is little more than the "boogeyman." Then again maybe he could be somewhere in between. What are your thoughts?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
30 Apr 07
My first thought is that The devil is G-d on a bad day.But now I think Satan as G-d's evil twin. As twins they have the same ability to appear in any form. Their true form humans couldn't take. So if you want The Devil to appear as a "Cloven-hoofed, fork tongue king of darkness", he will appear to you like that.I think he would appear as a character similiar to Dracula.A charming, tall dark and handsome stranger. That would work better than a un-earthly creature.
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@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
8 May 07
Wertzburg1 I agree. To do his work , the Devil has to blend in and be charming.
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@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
1 May 07
That's a very interesting take on the subject sararuthbeth. I've often thought that if a creature like Satan exists, that he/she/it is playing a much needed part. Although your idea of it taken whatever form each person would expect seems a very valid and logical one. Thanks again.
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@wertzburg1 (200)
• United States
7 May 07
Ever seen The Devil's Advocate? Now I'm not saying this movie has any accuracy, but Al Pacino, as the devil looks like a normal person. He even convinced Keanu Reeves that he was just a normal, everyday guy.
This, I believe, is a perfect portrayel of Satan.
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@rdurusan (624)
• Philippines
14 Apr 07
When i was young i believe in that story but now no more i just laughed it out.This tale are only inventions of the catholics to create fear in the hearts of the youngs.Don't forget that Satan is Lucifer which means angel of light.If youre an angel of light you must be beautiful and shining,that is why in my opinion he rebeled from God because he sees himself as the most beautiful and shining angel in heaven.When he rebeled to God he is cast out of heaven and he became Satan.Of course he will maintain his beauty and his power,because God did not take away these two assets of Satan.
1 person likes this
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
15 Apr 07
It's not just the catholics but granted they've had most impact. Interesting take on the cause for the rebellion. It is my understanding that the rebellion was over jealousy of man (being more beloved by G-d than the angels) and the fact that man was given free will to choose to follow the Lord or not. From what I've read it was Lucifers contention that man should be forced to follow G-d during their (our) time on earth. Interesting views, thanks for joining the discussion.
@tuposkid (286)
• United States
8 May 07
Actually, Satan is not what you might think... he is not a demon with horns and a tail and scary...
It actually says in the bible that he is beautiful...he looks peaceful and good....and i will tell you why
How many of you would want to eat an apple that looked like it had been beaten with a rotten chicken? not so many...
But would you eat an apple that looked like it was freshly cleaned right off the tree??? most likely
Satan is the same way... he is beautiful and appealing and tries to attract people to him so he can destroy them.
If he looked creepy, nobody would want to be bad because it scared the heck out of them
@wertzburg1 (200)
• United States
7 May 07
I believe in Satan and Hell but he's not a beast with horns, a pointy tail, and a pitchfork. Satan is a fallen angel. He rebelled against God and is now doomed to roam the earth forever. God no longer associates with him. Satan is very much real and is still working today. His goal is to take as many souls as he can away from God. Since he's already lost the war, he's just trying to take as many as he can with him.
Personally, I think Satan can take form of a typical person on earth. He can be anywhere. That's why we need to stay alert. That's why it's so easy to fall into temptation and sin. The devil likes to make things look very appealing. He is good at schemes and deception.
Satan knows he has lost and could never take over heaven. But he also knows that God wants all of us saved, so he's determined to prevent that.
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
8 May 07
Thanks so much for shareing your thoughts wertzburg1, it's interesting to note how the modern day image of Satan has changed in peoples minds. This isn't the first transformation of it's kind, nor probably the last.
In the hewbrew works he (Satan) is an angel who plays the role of accuser. He is like a prosecuting attorny *for* g-d, to test man's faithfulness to g-d. His main flaw was that he saw only the sins of a man and tended to ignore the good as demonstrated in the book of Job.
In the New Testament however basically all beings who were known to be evil (lucifer, beezabob, etc) were rolled into one and now called Satan.
Thanks so much for the response.
