What do you think about this statement?

[stellablue]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

 

[perla75]

Wise words to live by, IMHO!

If you don't believe in the Boogyman, he will not exist to you. If the entire world got together & decided to stop believing in the Devil or Hell, that concept would go away as well.

 

[Heidict]

Not believing in something doesn't make it go away.

 

[perla75]

Not believing in something doesn't make it go away.

Could you explain more of what you mean?

 

[Hoodie]

I think the saying is "The greatest accomplishment of the Devil is convincing people he doesn't exist"

 

[horseshowmom]

Not believing in something doesn't make it go away.

Have to agree with this.

 

[perla75]

I think the saying is "The greatest accomplishment of the Devil is convincing people he doesn't exist"

I've never heard that statement before and I don't understand it-why would that be an accomplishment? I would think it's quite the opposite?

 

[horseshowmom]

Could you explain more of what you mean?

I can choose not to believe in cold germs, but it won't keep me from getting another cold.

 

[Kath2003]

Since I don't believe in the 'devil' or 'hell', I don't see why there's a need to make it 'go away' in the first place.

 

[Heidict]

Could you explain more of what you mean?

Yeah, i realized after I posted that i didn't really word it right.

Just because we can't see something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist and just because we try to convince ourselves that something is not real doesn't mean that it isn't real.


I'm coming from a stand point of believing in the existence of God and the devil, not everyone does. So for those who don't, maybe my line of thinking won't make sense no matter how I word it.

 

[perla75]

Yeah, i realized after I posted that i didn't really word it right.

Just because we can't see something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist and just because we try to convince ourselves that something is not real doesn't mean that it isn't real.


I'm coming from a stand point of believing in the existence of God and the devil, not everyone does. So for those who don't, maybe my line of thinking won't make sense no matter how I word it.

We do have very different view points, but thank you for further explaining

 

[Hoodie]

I've never heard that statement before and I don't understand it-why would that be an accomplishment? I would think it's quite the opposite?

Because by convincing people he doesn't exist means that they have no fear of him or will not be leery of him. Easier for him to do what he wants if people aren't aware of him.

I'm not religious, but I've always liked the saying. It can apply to anyone/anything. It's much easier to get things accomplished (bad and good) if people ignore what you're doing.

 

[stellablue]

I can choose not to believe in cold germs, but it won't keep me from getting another cold.

Right, but there is a huge difference between cold germs & the concept of the devil.

When I was little, I used to have nightmares about Freddy Kruger. I believed he was real & was going to "get me." Once I stopped believing in him, my fears went away. Really, what's the difference? They are both mythological creatures.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I remember reading that mentally handicapped folks are possessed by the devil.

 

[brockash]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

Honestly, I think it's hilariously wise

 

[JR6ooo4]

When I was little, I used to have nightmares about the devil. I believed he was real & was going to "get me." Once I stopped believing in him, my fears went away. Really, what's the difference? They are both mythological creatures.

Now you have gotten into the "where is the proof?" discussion.

MIkeeee

 

[islandmum]

A friend of mine was talking to his son today about the Devil & Hell (his son brought it up) & he said to his son:

"The only true way to get rid of the Devil & avoid going to hell is to simply not believe in it"

What do you think about this?

ALL respectful religious & non-religious opinions welcome!!

It would be interesting to hear in what context the son brought it up - for me as a child it was used as a tactic to make me go to church and be good. Only then would I be safe in Gods hands away from the Devil and hell.

As an adult I dismiss these theories and choose to be a good honest peron not to escape the devil or hell - but because thats what makes a good fullfilled life.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Somehow, this topic reminds me of the saying "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get you!"

Just because I don't believe in something doesn't make it fiction. I know someone will turn it around saying "Just because you do believe something doesn't make it true."

There is objective truth to be found. Our various belief systems may or may not match up with it.

 

[SereneOne]

I remember reading that mentally handicapped folks are possessed by the devil.

UR, just because some people of faith think things like that is no reason to condemn everyone that has faith. Should we blame all black or homosexual or whatever for what some of them believe? For someone who I have been led to believe is for tolerance, it sure does seem that you have an agenda against people of faith. I find it sad that one would be so vociferous in their defense of tolerance that they would be so intolerant themselves.

In earlier times before we had the advances that we now have, people did not know about such things as keeping the dead away from other patients, etc. And there has been cases of people who have been possessed.

 

[brockash]

It would be interesting to hear in what context the son brought it up - for me as a child it was used as a tactic to make me go to church and be good. Only then would I be safe in Gods hands away from the Devil and hell.

As an adult I dismiss these theories and choose to be a good honest peron not to escape the devil or hell - but because thats what makes a good fullfilled life.[/QUOTE]

This is what I believe as well, and the way I raise my children. I think it's stupid to only behave in a good way, because you are afraid something bad will happen to you if you don't. To me that in itself is a lie. I'm not a supporter of ruling by fear. That's nothing but bullying, which is pathetic.