A Randian contemplates the Devil
Atheist said:
"Of course Ayn Rand dismissed all forms of altruism, including Christianity. I reject both of Christianity’s deities, Jesus or the Devil; but if I were forced to choose one, I would have to agree with Eve. Given the choice of mindless bliss zoned out in the Garden, if I just agreed not to ask the “jealous” god any questions; or a functioning inquisitive mind and a “devil” god responsive to my inquiries – I gotta go with the Devil. My rational mind is short on “faith”; it desires to know, even if said knowledge is not always blissful."
ct said:
"For Christians the devil is not a deity. He is a fallen angel. He wanted to put himself in the place of Deity. He failed." (The site this took place on would have banned me if I'd answered initially to greater length covering all the doctrinal subjects the atheist's comment brings up.)
Atheist said:
"An omnipotent god could, by definition, eradicate a “fallen angel,” whatever that might be. One wonders how many of those there might be flitting about. The notion of an eternal celestial battle between the forces of good (God’s camp) and evil (Devil’s camp) that is supposed to affect our daily lives, necessarily posits at least two powerful gods – neither of which can overcome the other – presumedly using Earth as a game board and humans as cannon fodder for their amusement. However do they keep score?"
ct said:
"Why assume equality? Satan is God’s monkey, as Luther said.
God’s plan of redemption exists for a reason. The mechanics of it. The forces involved. Real understanding, real consciousness, real will has to develop in individuals in God’s plan. To create such beings by fiat obviously would result in a different kind of being.
To know good and evil is part of God’s people developing in a real way. Jesus himself says that the negative part has to exist, yet woe to those who play that part.
Satan fell like Adam fell, and in Satan’s case God uses his evil and evil influence for the purposes of His plan."
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home