lunachick

Tharmas:

Thanks for introducing me to some answers found in the classics! I'm a modern poetry kinda gal, and have not paid enough attention to the likes of Blake & Milton. I will read them. The differences in perspective throughout the ages, and represented especially in art, is too seductive to miss. I like the artists and the poets and the musicians in the world. Perhaps that is why I have no fear (or need for belief) of satan as some kind of personal nemesis.

lunachick

Yep, it sure does. Poor Pan. Aside from being a non-believer, I belive that nothing and noone (even gods and goddesses) are either wholly good or wholly evil. Ergo: I got sum sympatico wit' da devil.

lunachick

Heh. Me too.

lunachick

Okay, you have to tell me about the Prometheus myth. I didn't study classics, so only have the most rudimentary awareness of the old Romans.

lunachick

ArvelJoffi: I like the Sumerian myth of Enki. It is quite amazing how different cultures have portrayed the mythical figure that would later become know as satan via the fundamental puritan whoremongers! Yes, I said whoremongers - for it is only the ill-tempered, fire and brimstone-lock-up-your-daughters-type that makes whores. At least that's what I think, anyway.

Hinduwoman: I'll definitely be checking out Milton's Paradise Lost this week! Cheers.


Amos: I'll be back to answer your post soonish. I need more sleep right now. Don't run away, okay - I may wish to flirt with you. <blows Amos a kiss> See ya soon.

Bobzammel

In the NT Jesus calls Peter Satan for simply stating that he didn't want the crucifixion to happen. Jesus then goes on to say what man thinks is right, God thinks is wrong. Sort of an inverse...and very troubling.
Interestingly Satan is really not found in the OT at all. Lucifer is never identified as Satan, and Satan in the OT is potrayed as sort of a servant of God. Same with the serpent.

Amos

It was the keen insight of Peter (inspiration) that would become the rock upon which the new Church would be built and religion itself was satan. Hence the "get thee behind me satan."

Notice that later in the Gospels Peter was defrocked when Thomas was convinced because when all doubt is removed all faith must be gone as well. This is based on doubt being the opposite of faith (Thomas was the twin of Peter) because faith cannot be conceived to exist without doubt and when doubt was overcome faith was defrocked.

Voltaire Is My Hero

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lunachick:
[QB]Fundies sure like to give ol' Satan a bad rap, and it seems as time goes on poor Satan just gets more and more evil attributed to him. But what I've seen of fundie sites shows me that all these grossly perverse, bible-banging, twisted men and women are far more evil than the dear old devil could ever hope to be! Why is that? Doing a quick search on the horny horned one revealed one or two interesting things, and it seems to me that Satan was really about life, not eternal hellfire. God appears to be more about death and hellfire and damnation. So why is Satan considered the evil one and God considered the good one?

*Whatever. I'm not interested in giving the religious -any- recognition for their pet theories and theologies one way or the other. Yes, I know devilish figures in mythology predate the Christians [the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians had their devils and demonic gods].

I have such disdain for religion overall [Christianity is not alone in the ranks of irrationality, fanaticism, etc...believe it or not] that I'm -not- going to give any sort of credence whatsoever by adopting any of their ideals or notions.

I like what Ayn Rand said: You are either YOUR own highest value, or you're not.

--Cindy

[ November 24, 2002: Message edited by: Voltaire Is My Hero ]</p>

Amos

[quote]Originally posted by Voltaire Is My Hero:
<strong>So Cindy if you are so wrapped up in you being your own highest value what's this about Voltaire being your hero?

Starboy

Amos, what does this mean? Is it the goal of seekers to reach a point where they posses no faith or doubt, or posses both faith and doubt?

Starboy