Do you believe in the Devil, and if so, can you describe it?

[BurtWorm]

I ask because I was listening to someone at work today talk about the Devil as if it were a real physical thing. There was metaphor in what she said, about how it "lies in wait" and "lays traps," but she seemed to believe in it as a force of some kind (evil, no doubt) that had actual intention and a physical effect in the world. Is there anyone in this forum who has the same idea about the Devil? Or any other idea about it?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SoFlaJet]

2. Actually...

I had him in the back of my cab in the late 80's...I KNEW it was him...

[MineralMan]

3. Just another deity I don't believe exists.

[napi21]

4. Think Dick Cheney & you've got your description! n/t

[CrispyQ]

6. I fucking love this!!!

:rofl:

I put it on a tee shirt. I've gotten more comments on this shirt than any other political tee I've worn!! People love it!

[monmouth]

5. I heard he hails from Connecticut....n/t

[StarfarerBill]

7. No.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. No, I don't waste time 'believing' in mythical creatures of any type. Your co-worker has been

indoctrinated with that stuff. There are evil people in this world, but there's no devil trying to tempt you.

[BurtWorm]

9. Oddly enough, this is a liberal person who in the next breath expressed disgust with Lieberman.

Maybe she was talking about Lieberman all along, come to think of it.


(Seriously, she was talking about the Devil.)

[stray cat]

10. I believe that evil exists

[Silent3]

17. What does it mean for evil to "exist"?

"Exist" in what sense?

You can define certain human actions as "evil", point to times and places where "evil" actions take place, and then I suppose you can say evil "exists" in those instances.

You could, however, also describe certain human actions as "funny", but would you ever be likely to say, "I believe funny exists"?

When people talk about evil "existing", it's hard for me to escape the impression that they're treating evil as some sort of mystical force, some sort of disembodied entity or influence that floats around, moves like an infection, somehow pervades or imbues situations where bad things occur.

In a certain sense I suppose "evil" can behave like a contagion, a memetic influence, but still, humor and political philosophies can spread in a similar fashion, and yet you don't often hear people say "I believe humor exists" or "I beleieve supply-side economics exists".

I can't help but think when people talk about evil "existing" that they're talking about evil in a supernatural sense.

[Fire1]

11. I doubt you want a serious answer or you would have put this

post in the proper forum. So, I'll just consider it snark.

[BurtWorm]

12. What's improper about a question about the devil in the religion forum?

:wtf:

PS: It's a serious question. If you believe in the Devil, I'd appreciate your adding your thoughts to this thread.

[Fire1]

13. I'm sorry! I thought this was GD! I've been clicking back and

forth throughout the site and forgot to look!! Again, my bad!! lol!!!

[BurtWorm]

14. The devil made you do it.

:evilfrown:

[Fire1]

15. hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! Good one! n/t

[Silent3]

16. It's in the details.

And wearing a blue dress, I believe.