William James

William James
We must get by on what truth we have today, and be willing to call it error tomorrow.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

What, precisely, are Satan's powers?

Here are the results to a poll I posted:

What, precisely, are Satan's powers? And what, if any, objective evidence is there to prove it? Rate Topic: Poll: What do you believe about "Satan"? (19 member(s) have cast votes)
What can Satan actually do?
He can tempt us be planting ideas in our heads, but nothing more (4 votes [21.05%])
Percentage of vote: 21.05%
He can tempt us and also proactively control our actions (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
He can tempt us, proactively control our actions, and exercise power over physical objects (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
He can tempt us and exercise power over physical objects, but cannot proactively control us (3 votes [15.79%])
Percentage of vote: 15.79%
He can't do anything to us, and only cheers us on when we make wrong choices (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
Not sure, but I doubt Satan exists or that he has much ability to do anything to us if he does exist (2 votes [10.53%])
Percentage of vote: 10.53%
I just don't believe in Satan at all (7 votes [36.84%])
Percentage of vote: 36.84%
I believe in Satan, but I'm not sure exactly what he does or can do to us (1 votes [5.26%])
Percentage of vote: 5.26%
I believe in something similar to the LDS concept of Satan, but don't believe LDS tradition on the subject is accurate (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
I believe in Satan, but none of the above choices does justice to my views (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
Other (2 votes [10.53%])
Percentage of vote: 10.53%
To what do you attribute evil in the world?
Satan, because every sin stems from his influence (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
The bulk of it is a result of human weakness and inherent selfishness which exist independent of Satan if he does exist (5 votes [26.32%])
Percentage of vote: 26.32%
Evil is caused by a mixture of Satan's influence and independent human weakness/selfishness (5 votes [26.32%])
Percentage of vote: 26.32%
Evil stems from the inevitable fact that there must be an opposite in all things- there can be no good without evil (5 votes [26.32%])
Percentage of vote: 26.32%
Evil is caused directly by Satan in every instance (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
God is the author of the evil (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
There is no such thing as evil (1 votes [5.26%])
Percentage of vote: 5.26%
Not sure (1 votes [5.26%])
Percentage of vote: 5.26%
Other (2 votes [10.53%])
Percentage of vote: 10.53%
What underlying beliefs contribute to your views on Satan? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)
I have physically seen him/it (1 votes [1.20%])
Percentage of vote: 1.20%
I have received what I consider to be a spiritual witness of his existence (4 votes [4.82%])
Percentage of vote: 4.82%
I have received what I consider to be a spiritual witness of his non-existence (0 votes [0.00%])
Percentage of vote: 0.00%
Historical evidence tends to indicate that Satan did not exist in early Judeo theology (6 votes [7.23%])
Percentage of vote: 7.23%
Evil in the world cannot be adequately explained by inherent human weakness/selfishness or other factors unless Satan exists (1 votes [1.20%])
Percentage of vote: 1.20%
The scriptures say he exists, so he must (5 votes [6.02%])
Percentage of vote: 6.02%
It is plain to see that humans do bad things of their own accord and would do so with or without Satan (9 votes [10.84%])
Percentage of vote: 10.84%
Theologically speaking, our analysis of what is right and wrong or how we should live our lives is not aided by factoring "Satan" into the mix (4 votes [4.82%])
Percentage of vote: 4.82%
The concept of Satan gets used to excuse individuals from personal responsibility (8 votes [9.64%])
Percentage of vote: 9.64%
The concept of Satan is a cop-out for religious conservatives to avoid having to critically question or analyze long-standing doctrines/traditions/beliefs (5 votes [6.02%])
Percentage of vote: 6.02%
The concept of "Satan" tends to have the effect of replacing rationality with fear (7 votes [8.43%])
Percentage of vote: 8.43%
It makes sense that if there is a god who is infinitely good, there would be an opposing figure who is infinitely evil (3 votes [3.61%])
Percentage of vote: 3.61%
The existence of Satan is the most rational explanation for why normally good people do bad things (2 votes [2.41%])
Percentage of vote: 2.41%
We have the ability to sin without the need for a third-party "temptor" such as Satan (9 votes [10.84%])
Percentage of vote: 10.84%
LDS church leaders frequently talk about Satan, which in my mind is convincing evidence for his existence (5 votes [6.02%])
Percentage of vote: 6.02%
Supernatural phenomena such as witchcraft, etc. are strong evidence of Satan's existence (2 votes [2.41%])
Percentage of vote: 2.41%
Demonic possession proves Satan exists (1 votes [1.20%])
Percentage of vote: 1.20%
Perceived evidence of Satan's existence (i.e., demonic possession, supernatural events, etc.) is probably misinterpretations of what is really happening (4 votes [4.82%])
Percentage of vote: 4.82%
Evil can and does exist independent of Satan if he does exist (6 votes [7.23%])
Percentage of vote: 7.23%
Because Satan is the "father of all lies," all evil stems from him (1 votes [1.20%])

And one person commented:

"Satan can do more if he is dismissed as a figment of the imagination than he can if he is presumed or believed to be a real influence."

To which I responded:

Satan worshipers would likely disagree with you. I think the principle you may be trying to articulate is partially true, that is, if people try to avoid the unpleasant truth that evil exists and that it can sometimes blossom more easily when it is not addressed or when people pretend that what is really evil is somehow good (take, for example, genocide in the Bosnian war), then evil will more easily prevail. However, I don't think the same is true of Satan, because evil exists independently. Knowing whether or not Satan is behind something evil is irrelevant; the question is, is it evil or not? If it is, then it should be stopped. If it is not, then again, Satan is irrelevant.

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