Is Satan Just A Symbol Of Evil

[locusts]

Is Satan just a symbol of Evil
how many people think he is just - a figment of the imagination a myth or a fairy tale-- just to stop children from being misbehaving –but the Bible talks of --different story of this fallen angel.. Matt .4. 10

[Theland]

Satan is real.
He is not the comic little red and horned imp carrying his tripod.
His greatest achievement is to deceive people into believing he doesn't exist.

[naomi24]

//just to stop children from being misbehaving//

Any parent who frightens children with tales of Satan - or with any other figment of his own twisted imagination - has no business being a parent. That’s child abuse. Absolutely disgraceful.

[Mamyalynne]

Exactly Naomi, it would be a very sick person to do that.

[Theland]

Hollywood must have a lot to answer for then.

[naomi24]

What does Hollywood have to do with stupid people who intentionally use superstition to fill children's minds with fear, Theland?

[Theland]

Hollywood's horror films?

[Mamyalynne]

Hollywood Horror Films are not trying to scare children or prevent them misbehaving by portraying nasty characters, which is what the OP asked.

That's before we ask why children are viewing such films.

[naomi24]

Silly analogy, Theland. No responsible parent would allow a child to watch a horror movie - just as no responsible parent would fill a child's head with imaginary tales of Satan.

[andy-hughes]

locusts - // Is Satan just a symbol of Evil //

Whatever answer you want - it makes no difference at all what anyone else says, I don't know why you bother asking questions, you have no interest in anyone else's view, you just get miffed when people don't agree with what you think.

You remind me of someone on here ...

[fender62]

most religions have a sort of devil demon call it what you will, i do not think there is such a thing or ever was, irrational minds of early humans who tried their best to explain why bad things happen to good people, why good people sometimes do bad things, and why there is so much needless suffering in the world, and also to get bums on seats, in churches and other places of worship, acts as a good tool to control.

[Theland]

All of these questions and subjects seem to jump in part way through the complete story of our existence, without the context of cosmic history.

[naomi24]

This isn't about cosmic history.

[Theland]

Are my opinions unwelcome?

[MallyJ]

What do you think Locust? I think gods and demons are simply an invention used in the past to keep people where the well off wanted them, getting them to believe that if they were good (worked harder for peanuts) then they would go to an imaginary heaven. Does anyone in their right mind believe in angels and demons?

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // All of these questions and subjects seem to jump in part way through the complete story of our existence, without the context of cosmic history. //

The answer lies fairly and squarely at the door of human nature.

It cannot be coincidence that every single trible of mankind anywhere on the planet has come up with something to worship, and something to fear.

I have no problem accepting that as simply the way the human mind works - something to explain the good and bad things that happen every day.

I simply don't feel the need to fixate on one particular example, and spend my entire life fretting because others don't think like I do.

I am always delighted if people do think as I do, about anything, but to castigate them for their own views being different from mine, and muttering dark threats about their future after death, seems to be pomposity of galaxy-sized proportions.

[AuntPollyGrey]

// What does Hollywood have to do with stupid people who intentionally use superstition to fill children's minds with fear//

Disney via Hans Christian Anderson lol!

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // Are my opinions unwelcome? //

Not in the slightest.

However, your sneering, lecturing, carping, insulting, nastiness, superiority, arrogance, and insults are unwelcome.

Leave those at the door, and your opinions are as welcome as anyone else's.

Bring them in and scatter-gun them around, and you'll continue to get the full-on flak that sends you into smoking martyr mode.

It's not rocket science, this has been pointed out times without number - let's hope it will one day take effect.

[Mamyalynne]

Phew, glad I got in and out sharpish.

[naomi24]

Theland, the OP is talking about Satan. As far as I'm aware that particular myth has no part in cosmic history.

[Theland]

Andy - Thank you for your comments, but I do really reject them.
I have no intention of sneering or being arrogant etc, and if I appear as such, it is not intentional.
Insulting? Maybe, of I cross the line from simply being robust.
I do notice though, time after time, how my views are misunderstood, maybe deliberately so, to create an argument, and then the myth takes on a life of its own.