Is “Satan� actually a competing “god�?

[Zzyzx]

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Is “Satan� actually a competing “god�?

All we “know� about the Satan character is from the POV of Bible writers – who claim that “he� is inferior to “God� (and presumably Jesus).

Since Bible writers and promoters have a vested interest in glorifying their favorite God(s) they could be expected to bad-mouth / demean / discredit the competition.

Since there is no assurance that there is only one “god� (or three-in-one for Christendom), the opposition might be one (or more) of the thousands of proposed gods. In fact, the only “evidence� for any of them consists of unverified tales, testimonials, conjectures, opinions, beliefs.

Thus, is there any sound reason that “Satan� could not be one of the other proposed gods and be equal in “power� to the Bible God?

“The Bible says� is NOT acceptable as proof of truth in this C&A sub-forum or in this thread.

Perhaps “Satan� isn't really the “bad guy� he is made out to be by promoters of the Bible God. Maybe “he� is another one of the “gods� and is equal to the Bible God and/or Jesus – and no more bad or good (or real or unreal) than they are.

It does not seem as though God and/or Jesus are able to defeat or eliminate Satan. Wonder why?

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 175 by JehovahsWitness]

NEWS FLASH :

Once again, JW and Blastcat proves that rocks are more real than God !!!

[Replying to post 174 by rikuoamero]

Yes, that's true. I believe A rock really exists as a physical entity and that God really exists as a spiritual one.

JW

You SEEM to be talking about two DISTINCT kinds of "existence".

1. Physical existence ( the kind rocks have, but that God doesn't have )
2. Spiritual existence ( the kind rocks have and that God reputedly has )

That's two to one in my book.

So, when it comes to existence:

ROCKS 2
GOD 1

ROCKS WIN AGAIN !!

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 174 by rikuoamero]

Yes, that's true. I believe A rock really exists as a physical entity and that God really exists as a spiritual one.

JW

Oh.. just to be EXTRA PERFECTLY CLEAR .... to me, rock can be spiritual in nature... just saying.

[ttruscott]

According to God's word it can be and is. God himself admits to creating it:

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil [. I the Lord do all these things.

Well thank you for that, OnceConvinced. I never thought good old Isaiah would help me out of a problem. So God DID create evil after all. I just knew it.

You've been riding the`ra `ra bandwagon for a long time. `ra can of course mean moral evil but since the weight of Scripture protests for GOD's goodness and justice, `ra must have its meaning here of a disaster as a fulfillment of the death sentence.

What is the reply to "Why do you hate GOD?" Isn't it "I don't hate him, I do not believe HE exists." "So God DID create evil after all. I just knew it." sort of breaks the pattern and exposes the more hidden things.

[ttruscott]

According to God's word it can be and is. God himself admits to creating it:

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil [`ra]. I the Lord do all these things.

Well thank you for that, OnceConvinced. I never thought good old Isaiah would help me out of a problem. So God DID create evil after all. I just knew it.

You've been riding the`ra `ra bandwagon for a long time. `ra can of course mean moral evil but since the weight of Scripture protests for GOD's goodness and justice, `ra must have its meaning here of a disaster as a fulfillment of the death sentence. And Christians get accused of cherry picking...

What is the reply to "Why do you hate GOD?" Isn't it "I don't hate him, I do not believe HE exists." "So God DID create evil after all. I just knew it." sort of breaks the pattern and exposes the more hidden things, eh ? or do I have it wrong again?

[Zzyzx]

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[Replying to post 183 by ttruscott]

Most of us have noticed that the Bible claims that its God created evil. Whether one believes the tale or the claim of a god's existence, all are entitled to evaluate the merits of what is presented.

Some observe that although the Bible clearly says that in plain English many Apologists attempt to argue that "he" did not. Evidently they do not believe their own Bible-- but change it to support whatever suits their argument or belief.

Pleading "God is not responsible for how things turned out in his 'creation'" is an illogical to irrational response for those who maintain that their God is all-wise and all-powerful (in keeping with Christian lore).

[JehovahsWitness]

.... to me, rock can be spiritual in nature...

Interesting, can you explain what that means and why you believe that?

[JehovahsWitness]

Most of us have noticed that the Bible claims that its God created evil.

Really? Can you clarify who "us" is? "most of us" atheists? (My understanding is that atheists have nothing in common as a group except they do not believe in God, can you really make (and prove) a claim about them if that is the "us" you are speaking for?)

Most of "us" on this board? most of "us" humans? or are you refering to "most of us" that hold the same view? (which is circular). Please provide clarification and verifiable proof of this claim.

Evidently they [Apoloogists] do not believe their own Bible--

Please provide verifiable proof of this claim that does not involve supposition based on an opinion based interpretation of scripture.


JW

[Zzyzx]

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Most of us have noticed that the Bible claims that its God created evil.

Really? Can you clarify who "us" is?

Most of "us" who can read and who have read the Bible.

Isaiah 45:7 KJV I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Evidently they [Apoloogists] do not believe their own Bible--

Please provide verifiable proof of this claim that does not involve supposition based on an opinion based interpretation of scripture.

Notice the term "evidently" which is defined as: in a way that can be easily seen or noticed : in an evident way —used to describe something that appears to be true based on what is known. Merriam Webster Dictionary

Bold added

Some may not be aware that when a qualifier (or limiting) term is use that indicates the following words are NOT claim of fact -- but, as in this case, "what appears to be true".

It "appears as though" (evidently) Christians do not believe what the Bible says when, for example, when they say, "That isn't what the Bible means by what it says, it means _____________ fill in the blank" -- as they frequently do to "explain" or excuse the quote above concerning God supposedly clearly saying "I create evil."


Will there be more diversionary tactics that avoid addressing the OP question: Is “Satan� actually a competing “god�?

[JehovahsWitness]

Evidently they [Apoloogists] do not believe their own Bible--

Okay so can you offer verifiable proof that the majority {"most"} apologists do not believe their own bible. Peer reviewed references would be appreciated. What actual "evidence" so you have?


JW

[Zzyzx]

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It "appears as though" (evidently) Christians do not believe what the Bible says when, for example, when they say, "That isn't what the Bible means by what it says, it means _____________ fill in the blank" -- as they frequently do to "explain" or excuse the quote above concerning God supposedly clearly saying "I create evil."

Okay so can you offer verifiable proof that the majority {"most"} apologists do not believe their own bible. Peer reviewed references would be appreciated. What actual "evidence" so you have?

With competent reading of what I actually said there is clearly no claim of, or even mention of, majority or most.

Thanks for the dance and display of fancy footwork and diversions. Now let's return to the OP topic -- Is “Satan� actually a competing “god�?