So you don't believe in the devil

a reply to: ByeByeAmericanPie

The “chief commander” remark by Bob Dylan I thought referred to God.

God makes covenants not deals. Everyone knows who commands this world.

a reply to: Degradation33

Love how Mathers says his skin is too thick and bulletproof when he was one of the biggest whiners about Trump lol.

a reply to: Astrocometus

I guess you never heard of the 10 commandments?

If by everyone, you mean no one, then yes I agree.

a reply to: ByeByeAmericanPie

I've heard! I also know that they were the law that Isrealites/hebrerws were
supposed to follow. By context alone they do not apply in the New testament.
Jesus is all you need not the law.

The word is dispensationalism. I'll take it to the grave.

BTW I love your screen name.

a reply to: Astrocometus

God makes covenants not deals.

A covenant is a deal. For more information, consult a dictionary.

Everyone knows who commands this world.

‘Everyone’ meaning a petty criminal and jaillbird who left school at the age of fifteen. Sweet old boy, but hardly someone to quote as an intellectual or spiritual authority.

Only the secular would doubt who Dylan was referring to.

Only someone thoroughly unfamiliar with Dylan would presume to state with any confidence what he was referring to.

Well, John the Baptist after torturing a thief
Looks up at his hero the Commander-in-Chief
Saying, “Tell me great hero, but please make it brief
Is there a hole for me to get sick in?”

The Commander-in-Chief answers him while chasing a fly
Saying, “Death to all those who would whimper and cry”
And dropping a barbell he points to the sky
Saying, “The sun’s not yellow it’s chicken”

− Bob Dylan, ‘Tombstone Blues’

But that’s okay, please carry on believing in the Devil and listening to Black Sabbath. To each according to his need, from each according to his ability.

Tammy would tell you that when you pretend not to be home when someone knocks on your door they will leave.

a reply to: Astyanax

A covenant is a deal.

Most would agree that a covenant is some what more sacred
then just a deal. Covenants usually arise between rulers with
higher stakes than just some bargain. Hence the need for a
different word then deal or agreement. Covenants also span
a greater length of time.

Only someone thoroughly unfamiliar with Dylan would presume to guess who he was referring to. Or what he meant.

And somebody thoroughly unfamiliar with God would presume I have to be familiar with Dylan to know who he was referring to.

But that’s okay, please carry on believing in the Devil and listening to Black Sabbath. To each according to his need, from each according to his ability.

In this world? One would have to lead a largely insulated life not recognize an
intelligent force behind all the unnecessary wickedness we live with daily. Can
you not see the full potential of this world is being intentionally negated?

Maybe Sabbath isn't your cup of tea.



Maybe your time is better spent not paying attention to lyrics IDK.

Does it bother you that I do?

originally posted by: Hankervild
a reply to: HighEQ

What demonic entity resides in this place?
Can you be more specific?

I need you to be more specific on what specifics you want.

There is the unseen and the seen.

originally posted by: Astrocometus
Well Dave Mustaine might call you a fool.

Mustaine

And Bob Dylan might agree.

Dylan

Only the secular would doubt who Dylan was referring to.

We can go thru the many musical artists, politcians even the vatican
and prove the devils existence by the many venues and personalities
that obviously believe worship and serve him. Sadly if you choose to
ignore what's right in your face? It can only be because you have decided
God does not exist. And you can't believe in one without the other.

Soon you won't be able to ignore the truth. That's just what time it is.

This is at the core of every problem we face today.

I think you might enjoy Stryper.

Unforgiven by Metallica is a good example.

a reply to: Astrocometus

One would have to lead a largely insulated life not recognize an intelligent force behind all the unnecessary wickedness we live with daily.

There is. It’s called the human race.

you not see the full potential of this world is being intentionally negated?

No. Please explain what makes you think such a weird thing. It sounds like a conspiracy theory.

Maybe Sabbath isn't your cup of tea.

I certainly prefer Led Zeppelin. But if you think I regard all that Satanist twaddle as anything but the drug-addled mumbo-jumbo it is, you’ve got another think coming.

* * *

Bob Dylan believes in God. As far as I can tell he always has, although he's switched religions more than once. Given the cultural soil in which his art has its roots, he probably believes in the Devil too. Dylan stands in the tradition of American folk song, in which the Devil plays a bigger and far more potent role than God. If His Bobness chooses to employ Old Nick as a metaphor for the music business and consumer capitalism in general, that is very much in the tradition. But I realise that metaphor is a foreign concept to many of you.

Here’s a question for you to ponder. Why would a benevolent God allow the Devil mastery over his creation? And tell me, while you’re puzzling that one out − what do you make of the Book of Job?

I look forward to your reply.

a reply to: Astyanax

Here’s a question for you to ponder. Why would a benevolent God allow the Devil mastery over his creation? And tell me, while you’re puzzling that one out − what do you make of the Book of Job?

I look forward to your reply.

Well lets see about Job first. I'd bet you realize it can be surmized a
number of different ways first of all. But for you I'll give you my own
interpolation. Simple really as it shows us how Satan is so quick to accuse
us out of blindly driven hate. He becomes completely oblivious to the
fact that God knows his creation better than the one he also created.
It serves as a reminder why God doesn't give up on us collectively.

Nothing puzzling at all because God is benevolent and not a tyrant at all.
If there were a lesson of great importance that could be learned all thru
out your kingdom by not immediately sqaushing a rebellion. As most tyrants
typically do. Would you be more the wiser knowing the outcome of this
attempted coupe, if you simply let it play out? I think so because leaving
a question in the minds of your subjects is just asking for a reoccurrence. If
the subjects truly have the power of choice. Then they're being shown how
stupid some choices can be. All in a lesson that will be remembered for
eternity.

Blast away

a reply to: Astrocometus

You don't seem to have read the Book of Job at all. And you haven't answered the actual question, either: why does God allow Satan to rule the world He created?

a reply to: Astyanax

You don't seem to have read the Book of Job at all.

Yep you caught me you're right. I was just taking stabs in the dark hoping
you wouldn't notice. Totally busted me.


I did answer your question perfectly. If you can't see how maybe you lack
understanding or aren't even willing to understand. And if you aren't willing
to understand then what's your purpose? To make me look like a fool? If that's
it you need to set your sites higher amigo because that's an easy one. Like
falling out of bed for me.

a reply to: Astrocometus

I did answer your question perfectly.

Was this the answer?

Nothing puzzling at all because God is benevolent and not a tyrant at all.

Better read Job, friend. God doesn't come across as benevolent in it, not at all. He comes across as a neurotic patriarch with anger-management issues. Though admittedly, He does eventually put a stop to the suffering he imposes on Job and compensates him with lots of goodies. Doesn't really erase all the suffering though, does it?

If you aren't willing to understand then what's your purpose? To make me look like a fool?

How am I unwilling to understand? Explain it better.

It's not you, but the idea you're promoting, that is foolish. To project human wickedness on to an external power is to at least partly excuse our own inherent wickedness. That is very foolish indeed. So is giving a different external power all the credit for human goodness.

Whether God exists or not is a question on which it is unwise to hold any opinion. If the answer is Yes, then we are left with the perplexing question of why a benevolent, omnipotent being permits evil and suffering to exist in the world. To attribute benevolence to God, therefore, raises the question I asked you. To attempt to answer it through 'free will' is to ignore all the misery and suffering humans do not create – starting with the reality that all species prey upon other species, causing inevitable suffering to the prey.

And yes, I know: the Original Sin argument was developed to patch that gaping hole. But it doesn’t fit the reality we observe. So what do some of us do? We invent a Devil and blame it all on him.

In reality, none of this matters. God exists or He doesn't. But evil – wickedness, cruelty, selfishness – these are human traits, and whether or not an actual devil exists has absolutely nothing to do with our responsibility for our own actions.

Finally, on the subject of those who allegedly worship Satan. They must be damn fools, because if the Devil exists God does too, and in the world He made He's always going to win, and when he does they're scuppered. What sane person would do that?

a reply to: Astyanax

All we always ever wanted was to kiss and ride.

www.youtube.com...

originally posted by: Astyanax
a reply to: Astrocometus

You don't seem to have read the Book of Job at all. And you haven't answered the actual question, either: why does God allow Satan to rule the world He created?

Satan doesn't have full control over this world, only some influence. The reasons are many. People with a care about following good and not evil will understand it. Following evil and being evil always leads to inevitable destruction. But not all choose good as is apparent. Consequences and accountability. A lot of people don't even believe they will be accountable for their lives. Just look at Biden for a true example. Total lawlessness, self entitlement and no shame or remorse. (The devil's followers believe this person is Trump.) The bearers of false witness.

People are shown these two choices and can choose. That's the reason. It's an opportunity one or the other. Love or hate, good or evil. Those aren't man made things.

Can what you believe in or profess to know save you, or save others? What does your version offer to anyone?

a reply to: Astyanax

Better read Job, friend. God doesn't come across as benevolent in it, not at all. He comes across as a neurotic patriarch with anger-management issues. Though admittedly, He does eventually put a stop to the suffering he imposes on Job and compensates him with lots of goodies. Doesn't really erase all the suffering though, does it?

The Devil was wrong about Job was he not? I'm sorry your narrative
is something you hold dear for God bashing but I did mention the many
interpolations. You simplistically use it to bash God and have no interest
in any alternative views. Well fine, good for you, God sucks because you
say so. Happy?

a reply to: Astrocometus

God sucks because you say so

I didn't say so. I was talking about God as portrayed by the fellow who wrote Job. If God does exist, such a being would be very unlikely to behave as the writer of Job describes.

I am all for alternative views. Are you?

a reply to: Astyanax

Whether God exists or not is a question on which it is unwise to hold any opinion. If the answer is Yes, then we are left with the perplexing question of why a benevolent, omnipotent being permits evil and suffering to exist in the world. To attribute benevolence to God, therefore, raises the question I asked you. To attempt to answer it through 'free will' is to ignore all the misery and suffering humans do not create – starting with the reality that all species prey upon other species, causing inevitable suffering to the prey.

Look at this you simply have no concept of empathy towards who the Bible says
God is. Do you even understand that God if (as you say) does exist he isn't who
you say he is. How is it Gods fault when we choose to do evil? Your argument
is completely senseless. God doesn't permit anything we choose to do evil.
How is that not obvious? He even warned us way back in the garden. What
do you want?

originally posted by: Astyanax
a reply to: Astrocometus

God sucks because you say so

I didn't say so. I was talking about God as portrayed by the fellow who wrote Job.
I am all for alternative views. Are you?

Well, that's your side of the story.