Do you believe that demons exist?

[Ted]

I can go along with Bryn Mawr on that. I suspect there is more to it but once again we are then into the theological realm and lack the language to make any real definitive determination or description.

I do believe there is a power of evil but have no idea as to its source though I do not accept Satan as an entity. This power of evil was anthropomorphized because that was the only way they could get a grasp of the concept.

Shalom
Ted

[kayleneaussie]

No I dont believe in demons

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by Bryn Mawr

Probably - man has the choice how to act.

I agree, man does that the choice on how to act, but does that mean that the original source of evil comes from our mind?

If there is no supreme being to define good and evil then that would mean that nobody has the right to say what good and evil is because it differs in each individuals mind. That would mean what Hitler did was not evil because in his mind he felt it was good.

I believe there is a universal understanding of what good and evil is for the Bible states that it is written on our hearts.

[spot]

Originally Posted by Paradox

If there is no supreme being to define good and evil then that would mean that nobody has the right to say what good and evil is because it differs in each individuals mind. That would mean what Hitler did was not evil because in his mind he felt it was good.

I've never seen that point made so effectively before, and I agree with it entirely.

[theia]

Originally Posted by Paradox

I agree, man does that the choice on how to act, but does that mean that the original source of evil comes from our mind?

If there is no supreme being to define good and evil then that would mean that nobody has the right to say what good and evil is because it differs in each individuals mind. That would mean what Hitler did was not evil because in his mind he felt it was good.

I believe there is a universal understanding of what good and evil is for the Bible states that it is written on our hearts.

That's really made me think.

What if God doesn't recognise "evil" and is pure love. Where does that leave "evil?"

[yaaarrrgg]

Originally Posted by Paradox

If there is no supreme being to define good and evil then that would mean that nobody has the right to say what good and evil is because it differs in each individuals mind. That would mean what Hitler did was not evil because in his mind he felt it was good.

This is a popular argument but has been undermined in the Euthyphro.

Could this supreme being redefine good and evil, so that what Hitler did was actually good?

If so, the ideas of good and evil are still subjective ... that is based on the whims of this powerful being. Otherwise, good and evil are defined outside the scope of this being's powers.

[spot]

We interrupt this discussion to bring our traditional Ash Wednesday announcement.

Cursed is the man that maketh any carved or molten image, to worship it.

Cursed is he that curseth his father or mother.

Cursed is he that removeth his neighbour's landmark.

Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of his way.

Cursed is he that perverteth the judgement of the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.

Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.

Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife.

Cursed is he that taketh reward to slay the innocent.

Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, and taketh man for his defence, and in his heart goeth from the Lord.

Cursed are the unmerciful, fornicators, and adulterers, covetous persons, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and extortioners.

Thank you for your attention. We return now to our scheduled item, Do you believe that demons exist?

[theia]

Originally Posted by spot

We interrupt this discussion to bring our traditional Ash Wednesday announcement.

Cursed is the man that maketh any carved or molten image, to worship it.

Cursed is he that curseth his father or mother.

Cursed is he that removeth his neighbour's landmark.

Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of his way.

Cursed is he that perverteth the judgement of the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.

Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.

Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife.

Cursed is he that taketh reward to slay the innocent.

Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, and taketh man for his defence, and in his heart goeth from the Lord.

Cursed are the unmerciful, fornicators, and adulterers, covetous persons, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and extortioners.

Thank you for your attention. We return now to our scheduled item, Do you believe that demons exist?

You've frightened them all away now, Spot

[Sheryl]

Originally Posted by theia

That's really made me think.

What if God doesn't recognise "evil" and is pure love. Where does that leave "evil?"

For me what is evil is given in the Bible. I'm not an expert on other religions, but I think what is considered to be "evil" is also laid out to the followers of each religion. So I think God does recognize evil.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by Paradox

I agree, man does that the choice on how to act, but does that mean that the original source of evil comes from our mind?

If there is no supreme being to define good and evil then that would mean that nobody has the right to say what good and evil is because it differs in each individuals mind. That would mean what Hitler did was not evil because in his mind he felt it was good.

I believe there is a universal understanding of what good and evil is for the Bible states that it is written on our hearts.

The way you were asking the question suggested that you didn't think so but I see no reason to think otherwise. Man is quite capable of dreaming up evil actions all on his own without bringing in Daemons to put the blame onto.

Hitler's acts are evil because they go against the accepted standards of the day. In other milieu they would have been seen as unexceptional.

There is no universal understanding of good and evil - what is considered to be commendable behaviour in one culture could be abomination in another.

I do not accept the position, put forward by Jester amongst others, that, because God created Adam and Eve and because all humanity are descended from them, all people have the laws of the bible written in their hearts. The Aborigines of Australia were isolated from the common stock for seventy thousand years, well before the Old Testament was written and with it Biblical law. The original mesolithic population of the Americas were isolated for twenty thousand years, again before Biblical law was formulated - many of their cultures incorporated human sacrifice. To say that they are to be condemned for not living according to Biblical law is totally unreasonable.