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GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Tuesday defended his 2008 comments on Satan.
Rick Santorum is far from alone in professing a belief in Satan. In fact, most Americans believe in the devil too.
Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator and 2012 Republican presidential contender, is making headlines this week for comments he made at a Catholic university in 2008 about Satan having his “sights on” America.
In the speech, which resurfaced recently, Santorum told an audience at Ave Maria University in southwest Florida: “Satan [has been] attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that [have] so deeply rooted in the American tradition.”
Atheists bill big names for 'coming out' party in Washington
He said Satan has been “most successful” in attacking academia, but that Satan also has gone after the church and popular culture. Santorum said politics and government would be the next to fall to Satan’s attack. “The body politic held up fairly well up until the last couple of decades but it is falling too.”
While such frank talk about spiritual warfare is uncommon among presidential candidates, surveys over the past few decades have shown that the majority of Americans do believe in Satan.
According to a 2007 Gallup poll, seven in 10 Americans said they believe in “the Devil,” while 8 percent were not sure. Twenty-one percent said they don’t believe in the devil.
Eighty-six percent said they believe in God, while 8 percent were not sure and 6 percent said they don’t believe in God.
A 2009 Harris Interactive survey found 60 percent of American adults believe in the devil, while 82 percent said they believe in God.
"Santorum's comments regarding his theory of the fall of American institutions is, I think, quite relevant in the current presidential debate," said C. Melissa Snarr, associate preofessor of ethics and society at Vanderbilt University Divinity School.
"In a public speech, Santorum offered a grand interpretation of the current challenges facing the United States. I think it is imperative to analyze and debate his version of a political theodicy (or why bad things happen to good countries) and ask whether his interpretation is one that voters should feel comfortable backing," Snarr said in an email to msnbc.com."
"What he's saying, it's certainly not any heresy," the Rev. Tom Reese, a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Woodstock Theological Center, told CNN. "It's the language some preachers would use that conservative Catholics would be very comfortable with. Is it the kind of language theology professors at Catholic universities would use? Probably not. They would likely see it more metaphorically," he said, according to CNN.
Santorum on Tuesday defended his 2008 speech.
“You know, I’m a person of faith. I believe in good and evil,” he told reporters following a rally in Phoenix. “I think if somehow or another, because you’re a person of faith you believe in good and evil [is] a disqualifier for president, we’re going to have a very small pool of candidates who can run for president.”
Snarr said the media is right to dissect the speech.
"Is the media making too much of it? No. He has chosen to make a very public interpretation of the trajectory of the United States (specifically citing an opposition candidate) and his public political theology should be discussed thoroughly," Snarr said in an email response.
She added: "This is not to say, however, that a belief in Satan or even spiritual warfare puts him at the 'extreme' end of Christianity. Belief in Satan and Satan's activity is present in multiple Christian traditions and particularly important for more theologically conservative evangelical believers— of whom there are many in the U.S."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
Leave a Comment:
wow 1st on this one...lol
Only cos I wrote an aritcle in response! LOL!
Here is the best part of the article:
Of course he believes in Evil and in Satan, those are basic tenants of being a Republican. Regular worship of Satan is probable, though not required. However, being Evil is requirement number one on the check off list before you can put your name on a ballot as a Republican.
If Americans allow the media to convince us that Santorum has a chance to be President, we are totally @!$%#ed as a nation.
The same applies to the other two psychopaths: Romney and Gingrich
Sooooooo, If I've been a baaaaaaaaaad boy, I get to meet satan's black magic women, too???? Kool!
Why the widespread desire in America to retreat literally to the dark ages ? And yes Santorum is Satan.
Why is that conservatives, who are so big on PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY
are also so quick to blame the devil for everything they think is "wrong" in their eyes?
also, who could take this seriously when he says that "govt is about to fall next" to satan.
our govt (if anything has fallen to satan) fell a long long long time ago...about the time when it considered black people less than human, and women less than human...and ultimately enslaved people for profits.
pretty sure jesus wasnt down with that.
or slaughtering the natives in order to manifest destiny. I dont think jesus like genocide either.
but what do I know, im just a heathen who doesnt pretend to pay lip service to GOD and behaves in the complete opposite fashion from my faith.
I guess it will take another 2000 years or so before we get rid of this concept of satan. Satan isn't real...people doing things that would put satan to shame certainly is real. I suppose we have to blame our failures on somebody or something else...seems to be a part of human nature.
taste the foam!!!
Say what you will about Santorum...he's a HOMOPHOBIC, MISOGYNISTIC, RELIGIOUS ZEALOT who has a sideways looking nose...but one must admit that......his SWEATER VESTS are TOTALLY KICK-ASS!!!
What a dumbass article. A new low for PMSNBC.
Of course Satan is real and his name is Rick Santorum!
GOP = Satan !!
.
TheBreeze - how so?
The only dumbass part are Santorums direct quotes.
Are we poking fun at your hocuspocus beliefs?
fyi - Satan is writing all of this, I have absolutely NO CONTROL!!!!
just call me toonces the cat!
I thought Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi were prime candidates... Obama run's comparably close too.
Wow-
It doesn't surprise me that 70% the people in the US believe in this ridiculous fairy tale, but do we really want a President who seriously considers a red guy with a pitch fork as the cause of adverse world events? Really??
There are 300 million people in the US, can't we come up with some better candidates?
If Satan does exist his finest, finest work is all the war, intolerance and hatred done in the name of God .
It just goes to show that most people are still silly and gullible. Sure there is evil in the world, most evil comes from highly religious people as they try to oppress people who don't believe as they do.
But satan? Nope, satan is another mythical being made up to try and frighten the gullible into following religion.
Xaziol, you have a spelling problem. It should be Saint when referring to Obama compared to the other candidates from the republican side. :D
Gee, are those professors defending Satan and Santorum's political view or not? It is well past time for all politicians to remember that the Constitution requires the separation of church and state, so, yes, every president should be promoting a "secular agenda", not a "religious agenda" as Santorum especially is doing. Article 6, Clause 3 of the Constitution also stipulates that NO Senator, Representative, President/VP, or Judge should every have a religious test applied to their eligibility requirements. So get religion out of politics.
He said Satan has been “most successful” in attacking academia
Ah, this is why those atheists and agnostics seem so intelligent! Their arguments come from the mind of Satan.
Satan is merely a boogeyman, of exactly the same sort parents use to frighten children in doing what they want. He was invented by clerics to frighten people into compliance.
Sad commentary on the state of American's intelligence.
Jean,
Thinkers tend to cause trouble. Blind follows are much easier to keep under control. Santorum doesn't trust anybody he can't control. The man is clearly paranoid.
Ooooh, I knew it was coming when I saw the headline, and I was right in my assumption:
Here we see a whole raft of hateful comments from the atheist zealots, condemning religion and trumpeting their superior intellects and "progressive" thinking. Never any proof, or even evidence, that a god does or does not exist, just the same old "I'm right - you're wrong crap!
This is ridiculous. This man hates homosexuals, thinks women are to be barefoot and pregnant and now he believes that Satan has his eyes on America? Almost laughable if it weren't so disturbing...and half the country believes it too. Scary times.
They say that like it surprises them... considering that in order to beleive in the christian god you need to beleive that the devil exist as well...I am baptist by the way, anyone who says that "alah" is the same god has there head in some dark place... here is a link to the quran(the muslim "bible") please read all of it. If you do then you will see how al-qeuda formed...
http: // divinequran .com/
and here is a link to the bible(king james version is the most acrurate to the origanal):
http: // www. kingjamesbibleonline .org/
If I were Satan??
I AM Satan!
I'm waiting for you, man who's name also means frothy mixture of semen and feces!
I don't understand why people are so shocked. Jesus believed in Satan. He was tempted by Satan, he expelled demons from people, was betrayed when Satan entered into Judas etc.
Why are you guys so shocked that a majority of a nation who claim to believe in Christ, believe that when he said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." they should take it serious?
Why is it so shocking that people who are religious actually believe it?
I think it would be shocking if Santorum didn't believe in the Devil. Now THAT would be odd.
Hello folks, as the old time newspaper boy on the corner would say, heary, heary, heary, from Veterans Today read all about it. Santorum is right, Satan is alive and well in the U.S. and is part of the biggest financial scam in the history of the world which will imprison former and current top government leaders. If this is found to be true don’t worry about the elections. This story which is starting to gain a lot of traction around the globe is going to change our country as no other event in history has to this point! Please read the story from Veterans Today. I will post as much as the comment blog can hold.
Bush, Fed, Europe Banks in $15 Trillion Fraud, All Documented
Veterans Today
By Gordon Duff, Senior Editor
———————-
Below is one of the strangest stories in financial history, one involving the US government lying about hundreds of thousands of tons of imaginary gold, illegal wire transfers and loans totalling $15 trillion. The video, from the House of Lords, is amazing in itself.
What it doesn’t express is where the money came from though Lord James of Blackheath proves conclusively that an effort was made to say it came from a gold reserve in Brunei that, in fact, never existed.
At surface, it appears we have stumbled upon the largest terrorist organization in the world and have found original documents tracing its funding to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, two of the top financial officers in the US. A cursory review of terrorism statues in the US indicate that all transactions we will learn about are, in fact, to be assumed “terrorist money laundering” and that the only thing preventing the immediate arrest of hundreds of top financial officials is their political connections alone.
YouTube - Veterans Today -
We will be able to offer an alternative, more insights, some hard intelligence and some very valuable background that we hope will offer insightful and realistic perspectives on this amazing story.
On February 16, 2012, Lord James of Blackheath, member of Britain’s House of Lords presented evidence of an illegal scheme begun, he has thus discovered, in 2009. His documents including originals signed by Alan Greenspan and Timothy Geithner, show the illegal “off the books” transfer by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York of $15 trillion to, initially, HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation) London and then to the Bank of Scotland.
The Bank of Scotland, under royal charter but restricted from involvement in any such transactions, simply “gave” the money to 20 European banks to use in a highly profitable scheme of co-trading “fresh cut” MTN’s (mid-term notes), generating trillions of dollars in profits over 3 years, none of which is shown on books, none has been taxed or has benefitted shareholders in those banks.
As Blackheath outlines, the “deception and cover” for this transfer is the imaginary seizure of 750,000 tons of gold by agents of an unspoken entity (confirmed by the highest official sources as the Bush family and CIA), the listed “source” of the money.
The government of Indonesia confirms this to be an utter fabrication and that the individual named had 700 tons of gold (about half of what Gaddafi was holding), not 750,000. It is noted that only 1,500 tons of gold have ever been traded in world history, as stated in the House of Lords.
The issues that are initially brought out, issues inconsistent with international convention and starting the reader on what is only the surface discovery of two decades of crimes involving dozens of governments are as follows:
WHERE DID THE MONEY COME FROM
There is no record of the Federal Reserve being authorized to “create” $15 trillion, equal to the entire national debt of the United States. There is, however, proof that funds that totalled, at one time, $27 trillion had been earned surreptitiously, disposed of as part of an intelligence operation against the Soviet Union and then later stolen with accusations made against George H. W. Bush as being the perpetrator.
I have spoken with two individuals, one President Reagan’s intelligence coordinator and the other Chief Legal Cousel for the Central Intelligence Agency regarding these funds. Both have indicated that former President Bush had asked that these funds, totalling $27 trillion, be transferred to his control, that threats were made by Bush and that many involved in this operation suffered, issues including murder, illegal arrest, torture and detention among them.
The individuals I am speaking of repreatedly met with President Bush over these funds, disputed his claim to them, and indicate that the majority of the funds are the property of the people of the United States.
These funds are the mysterious “Wanta” funds, monies earned through years of currency trading aimed at collapsing the Soviet Union, a plan originated by President Ronald Reagan, then White House Intelligence Coordinator Lee Wanta and CIA Director William Casey. I have been told that, while this operation went forward under President Reagan, he had ordered that his successor, George H. W. Bush not be “briefed” out of “mistrust” for Bush.
The funds themselves were earned through a scheme of trading Soviet roubles at enormous profit, a practice that eventually collapsed their government. A portion of the profits are subject to current litigation in the Federal Court of the Eastern District of Virginia, Judge Lee presiding. I have over 2,000 pages of documents on this case which shows a remainder of the original funds had been transferred to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond by the Bank of China, a party to the rouble trading practice, in 2006 and is claimed as totally owned by Ameritrust Corporation. That amount was $4.5 trillion of which we hold the SWIFT transfer documents.
The other monies, which “likely” make up from the unspent portion of the missing $27 trillion, may well constitute all that is recoverable.
Wanta, sole shareholder in Ameritrust, has offered his companies share, valued by the court now at $7.2 trillion, entirely to the American people as intended by President Reagan.
The origin of the additional funds, issued by the Federal Reserve during the 80s and 90s, totalling nearly $8 trillion is unknown. High ranking sources within the US government indicate that this can only be either the remainder of funds Wanta raised or profits made from them after the majority of funds were stolen.
Stories, some quite good actually, and personal interviews plus my own review of documents would place the theft or conversion of these funds initially with:
What is lacking is a source for half of these funds. Technically, they don’t exist as there is no record of them being originated by nor transferred to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York though there are clear and discernible records of them being transferred out of that institution which never possessed them, according to their 2010 audit, in the first place.
WANTA MONEY
The transfer of Wanta funds, they can be assumed to have no other origin as they track into the Federal Reserve banking system while in escrow and are currently awaiting payment based on the orders of President Obama in accordance with findings of the federal court, is complicated by the Scottish transfer.
Either Wanta has claim to the entire amount or it is the property of the US government. That no effort has been made to secure the funds or enforce criminal and civil remedies to recover enough money to pay the entire US national debt and more, as with earnings, we are nearing well over $30 trillion by this time, is an indication that a criminal conspiracy with enough influence to overrule our own government is involved. Whether that “conspiracy is, as noted, the Bush family, rouge sections of the CIA or a secret society such as P2, one we can prove or others we only suspect exist, is another story.
The lack of action, here or as requested by Lord James in Britain, is, in itself, proof of both the seriousness and actuality of these events and the powers that can prevent any inquiry when irrefutable documents such as SWIFT transfers are available. In fact, Lord James has offered a wealth of documents which, when combined with the 2000 pages of Wanta “discovery” from the Federal Court, constitutes more than prima facia evidence of money laundering, conversion, terrorism or worse.
Thus, the inaction in the face of overwheming and unquestioned proof is inexplicable.
FLOOD OF WANTA LITIGATION AND INDICTMENTS COMING
Currently, Wanta’s legal status is as technical conservator and owner of $7.2 trillion. However, as nearly half that is owed in taxes and the court settlement required Wanta to purchase $1 trillion in treasury bonds, the federal government should show positive interest other than President Obama and a few others. More are being obstructionist with the payout and exercise of $3 trillion in US debt reduction.
This is, not only illegal but an indication of conspiracy.
In addition, Russian Prime Minister Putin has communicated that he awaits the agreed upon 3% payment of Russian taxes, initially on the $7.2 trillion. Will Putin want to be paid on the entire $15 trillion plus interest and will Russia and/or the US have interest in why the Bank of Scotland transferred these funds to 20 European banks to trade in MTN’s (mid term notes) without any authorization or agreement, any participation or sharing of profits.
As the funds, at least the half which the US government can claim ownership of, combined with the interest and earnings of, would quickly put the US “in the black,” again we look at, not just the press blackout on the Wanta litigation of the last 6 years but the press blackout on Lord James of Blackheath and the wealth of damning documentation he submitted to Parliament.
Nothing has been done since, it is as though the proof submitted was so dangerous that those moments in time have been erased by a mysterious g-dlike power.
What makes Wanta dangerous is that he has begun to distribute funds, some to government entities, counties and states, law enforcement agencies, giving them standing, not just in recovering funds intended for their use but in helping prosecute anyone involved in interfering with or attempting to divert funds.
One grand jury is being formed to investigate diversion of Wanta funds even at this early date. It is likely that Wanta/Ameritrust funds earmarked for border protection could lead to the indictment of high ranking US officials. This is only the beginning.
If the Royal Bank of Scotland doesn’t think it should be expecting the biggest chargeback in the history of the world, they are in for a shock.
@jean The devil is also known as the father of lies.
@anti They should persue an AMERICAN agenda. Many forget that the seperation of church and state started because the pope practicaly controled europe at the time. They instituted it to stop that from happening again, not to stop a very religous person from getting into office, grow up.
@trust go away scaremonger
If there is a Satan a description would be a frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter.
People! Get out and vote this dumbass down.
In a related question, what would Jesus do? He just might be too busy in other parts of the world where there is true poverty and helplessness to put tax breaks for the wealthy and gay marriage here on his to do list.
Which dumbass, john, Obama?
since it was collapsed above:
Here is the best part of the article:
Of course he believes in Evil and in Satan, those are basic tenants of being a Republican. Regular worship of Satan is probable, though not required. However, being Evil is requirement number one on the check off list before you can put your name on a ballot as a Republican.
spider-737231
First things first.
Exhibit A: Ayman al Zawahiri.
Why such a strong desire by the liberal elite to follow the path of the Roman Empire?
Exhibit B: The last debate when Santorum said he would attack Iran, North Korea, China, Venezuela, Columbia, Nicaragua, and Cuba.
I think the devilstation would be much higher that Exhibit A
ssmike, look at history with open eyes. The decline of the Roman empire and the rise in the Christian church were in lockstep .
i agree with Santorum 100% , the country is driving by satan.
Why am I not included in these surveys?
First it was the 804 out of 5.2 million voters in NJ who said they liked Chrispie Creame Christi for re-election...it was touted by the Repugs as a landslide for his re-election. Now it is seems the "majority in the US" who think Satan is real....WTF?
Btw...I was not asked if I believed in Satan...if I was, I would have said, because I believe they are eitherit is a GOP/Teabagger!
Gee do you think they would have counted that as a yes?
The Roman empire fell long before the rise of the church, too prove this:
http:// www. historyguide .org/ancient/lecture14b .html
and the rise of the church:
http:// www. vlib .us/medieval/lectures/western_church .html
2 diffrent times, I wonder how that is???
“Satan [has been] attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that [have] so deeply rooted in the American tradition.”
Mr Santorum, interesting that you left out greed…
There's NO PROOF that "Satan" -- as the epitome of an anthropomorphized being of "evil" -- exists.
And 'evil,' is a subjective human judgement, and a negative label for any condition that people arbitrarily consider as unwanted, so it does exist as a human perception, due to unwanted conditions created and maintained by humans operating in dynamic, interdependent causalities between each other and within their environments.
Thus, i don't see the hand of "God" nor of 'Satan' in any of this. I see evidence of a lot of human consequences and conditions wrought by individuals and people, though.
So if people agree with Santorum that 'Satan' exists, wonder how many of them will naively believe in every other ignorant falsehood or belief he says to his listeners; and thus, are willing to vote for him.
Definition of Satan: supernatural force responsible for all people I disagree with
Definition of God: supernatural force responsible for all people I agree with.
Really Santorum... We could debate and try and show you lically how wrong you are all day, but it's just easier to call you stupid.
Rick is being a typical 'Neo-Christian'. You can rationalize all your hatred, "sin", bad behavior, immorality, mistakes, depriving others of their rights and basically anything you want simply by declaring that you are a "Christian" and that "Satan" is responsible for all the bad that you do. It becomes a very convenient scapegoat for a person to avoid taking responsibility for one's actions. I prefer a much more honest way myself; I prefer to hear someone accept responsibility for their own mistakes and character flaws instead of taking the coward's way out and blaming it on "The Devil"- a terrible weakness and a sign of immaturity in my opinion. It shows lack of integrity!!!
Sure, Satan is real his name is David Koch.
The very nature of the majority of the posts show that satan is indeed at work...to laugh and make light of the subject just shows how uncomfortable people are with it...everyone must serve somebody.
I guess you mean as opposed to how "totally @!$%#ed as a nation" we are now, right?!!?!? Can't be any worse than where we are now, unless, of course, we keep going down the path we are currently on.
I'm ready to try one of the psychopaths as you call them, the clueless narcissist we have now just isn't helping ANYTHING!!!
I swear there ain't no heavon but I pray there ain't no hell!
Hah! Yes, satan is working himself in Sanatorium! For a Roman Catholic, he sure isn't practicing what Jesus preached. Lying thru his teeth!! Making false, baseless accusations towards the president! Promoting fear and hate!! Then he'll what?! Go to confession to supposedly ask forgiveness, and then start sinning all over againt?! What a hypocritical A-hole!!!
He needs to go back and redo catechism, and learn that Jesus preached to take the side of the poor and helpless, NOT the wealthy and greed, and promoting love, NOT HATE! The gall of hiding behind the plan of smaller government, but to actually take control of peoples God given free choice, especially of women?! No respect for anyone who does not buy into his twisted delusional extremist beliefs! So, anyone who will buy the vile spew from this jerk is as lunatic as Satanorum!!
Anyone who collapse my post is avoiding the truth! And yes, the devil made you do it!!
@trent. You need to restudy your American history. Most of our founding fathers were Deists, not christians. There is a huge difference. Study what they wrote and you will see that while they believed in a "divine creator", they were against any religious influence on government. They also put the freedom of religion into the Bill of Rights to make sure that that same government could not at any time in the future pass any laws that would establish an "official" national religion like the former mother country (England) or any of the other European nations that had a "national" religion. They wanted every citizen to be free to determine for themselves if they wanted to accept any religious beliefs and not be controlled in their lives by any national religion. Because of that belief, they instilled the "no religious test" into Article 6 of the Constitution.
Step in what?!!?!?!?
you do realize there is another candidate, Ron Paul
Comment # 1 restored for clarity.
Belief in Satan is little different from believing in the superiority and omniscience of some people over others...or believing that Psychology is around to "help" people rather than to keep them subservient to a Master class...or believing that people with pieces of paper certifying that they read books written by other people are more intelligent and capable than those without. Every system...economic...legal...social care...educational...religious...etc....serve to control people and make them subservient to the "leader class."
Well what a hornets nest that has been stirred. So if I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Which by all that the Bible says. There is a Satan who has gone against the Creator according to the Bible. Then in the end there is this great battle between good and evil. Which by the way the Mayan's also believed in the Final Battle between Good and Evil according to their writings of their God coming back to Earth to do battle.
Interesting that the Bible speaks also of this. So if this doesn't ever happen and I believed this, then all I may of done is waste a bit of my time. If I am right and your wrong. Then you have to ask yourself where do you stand? I believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God. In fact I am tired of all the Anti-Christian Rhetoric. So because Rick Santorum believes in the Son of God and he also believes in the adversary who used to be a Arch Angel named Lucifer which fell from grace according to all the Catholic writings and is now called Satan. Is so called loon in yours opinion. Well so be it. I don't care what he thinks about Satan. At least we know what he believes and where his heart is. Far more than we can say for the one who has scorned the Day of Prayer since he's been in the Whitehouse.
Is this the crusades all over again? I want to live in a free America. I don't want to live in a country ruled by religion; ie Iran, Iraq, Afganistan. I wish the american public would wake up and smell the coffee. When we bring lofty ideology into politics, we are slowly eroding and destroying the premise on which this country was created. The constitution is now being read like the bible and vise versa. I don't care what religion anyone is, there is good and bad in all. What about JOBS, PEOPLE, HEALTHCARE, ENERGY PROGRAMS, OUR OLD, OUR YOUNG, EDUCATION, THE INFRASTRUCTURE?
Gee, I wonder if Jesus believed in Satan?
Anyone that doesn't believe in Satan must, by extension, not believe in the teachings of Jesus, because they include many references to Satan.
So how many people can really call themselves 'Christians' if they don't really believe the teachings of Jesus Christ?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
It isn't "satan" that's destroying America - it's people who believe in "satan". Santorum and his wack-job cronies need to get the "hell" out of my womb and stop blaming poor people for causing the problems in this country. It astonishes me every single day that people who aren't even smart enough to see the facts about what caused our financial problems somehow think they are smarter than doctors. The republican stand is fairly clear. 1. They want all eggs to become humans (that isn't possible in nature). 2. They don't want to support the HUGE population that would exist if it were possible. 3. They are, in the extreme, racist and at the very least bigots. 4. They've had their chance, they lied and cheated and failed and now they need to sit down (again) and let the dems fix the problems they caused (again)! A vote for Obama is a vote for Rooseveltian stability. I don't agree with everything Obama says or the dems want but this country is going toward healing and rejuvenation and everyone needs to take a breath and let time pass a bit.
Believing in satan is one thing. I don't see a problem with that belief. Believing that satan is corrupting the institutions of America, especially academia, is a totally different thing. One is normal. The other is a very clear symptom of paranoid schizophrenia.
Satan and Santorum, awfully close in spelling ! If you believe in God or the devil is not the issue. Santaliban thinks his policies come directly from God, so anyone who disagrees with him is evil. He's not religous. He is the epitomy of arrogance. All 3 Republican front runners seem to believe this. Newt Romtorum has a nice sound to it.
How about a wacko for president?
Please think carefully before ya vote folks, we could end up electing the devil to high office...
There's just something not right about these two GOP candidates...something real creepy, especially this Santorum...he reminds me of a fellow by the name Joseph Goebbels who used to spread untrue propaganda about jews, and the whole masses believed in him....
I gotta stop here, my horse Rex's gettin spooked
I don't think anyone cares if he believes in Satan. That isn't the issue at hand here. So some do and some don't. There is a huge difference between believing in Satan and believing that he did all that Rick says. Really, where is rational thought here? Believe if you do and fine, but blaming every thought others have on him and wanting to run the country based on your religious beliefs is another matter.
I haven't seen much healing or rejuvenation going on in the last three years! The country is more divided than ever and relations with the middle east aren't improving even after all of the apologies. If the hate dripping from these post are any indication, the country is doing anything but healing.
GOP = Satan !!
.
We do believe in Satan - it's Santorum and the rest of the GOP!!!!! Haven't they proved it?
I can totally understand engaging in religion in order to have some spiritual structure in one's life. But in this day and age to take this mythology as literal truth? And then use it as an excuse to try to run other people's lives? This may not be the Dark Ages, but the light's still pretty dim.
Glad this wacko has no chance of being president.
Someday, some religiously inclined person will have to explain to me how an all-powerfull, all-knowing and benevolent God creates a world with a Devil in it.
Why'd he do that? Didn't he think we'd have enough to worry about?
@realist, You are RIGHT, there seems to be a lot of HATE dripping from these posts, MOSTLY DIRECTED at the PRESIDENT!
OUR PRESIDENT!
That was grounds for treason charges 4 short years ago.
OBAMA 2012
"Satan" is irrelevant in politics and discussion of "him" violates our Constitutional rights.
wow and this idiot might become the president? oh wait that has already happened RECENTLY
“Satan [has been] attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that [have] so deeply rooted in the American tradition.”
........
Fun fact of the day! Replace America with "Islam" and American with "Muslim" or "Islamic" and he sounds like one of those Islamic extremists. Satan of course being America.
Freedom of speech. Not that you have to believe what they say.
You are correct and you are wrong.
It well within anyone's right to discuss Satan, God or the Easter Bunny if they want to. It is however very much against our Contitutional rights to be forced into any discussion of those topics if we do not wish to. The Ultimate law of our land clearly states that there be a separation of state and church.
Where it gets fuzzy is in the implementation of that mandate. Does that mean that our leaders cannot be religious or be guided by their religious doctrine? Or does that mean that our leaders must separate their personal beliefs from the political decisions that they must make? Is that even possible?
Quite the quandry.
SATAN LIVES AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, the messiah has arrived!
Why am I not included in these surveys?
First it was the 804 out of 5.2 million voters in NJ who said they liked Chrispie Creame Christi for re-election...it was touted by the Repugs as a landslide for his re-election. Now it is seems the "majority in the US" who think Satan is real....WTF?
Btw...I was not asked if I believed in Satan...if I was, I would have said, because I believe they are eitherit is a GOP/Teabagger!
Gee do you think they would have counted that as a yes?
I'm not denying that Satan is real. Contrary to what the religious right believes, however, Obama is not Satan.
Yes Satin is alive and well.
The Republican party is proof positive.
Clearly most Americans are RETARDS!
The guy believes in either absolute good or absolute evil with no gray areas in between. What happens when that voice in his head tells him to let the nukes fly?
“Satan [has been] attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that [have] so deeply rooted in the American tradition.”
Mr Santorum, interesting that you left out greed…
Nah, John, wrong party there. Satan must love the libs support of abortion, gay marriage, embryonic stem cell research and now free contraceptives, sterilizations and the morning after pill....I can go on and on.
lee land, greed is prevelant in BOTH parties. Look at the people supporting the current president.
So Rick, if you aren't elected does that mean Satan prevented you from being the president? God wants you in and Satan doesn't, who do you think will win this battle?
All of thes people are battling smoke if you ask me.
Satan isn't real but Evil is. Both Good and Evil exist within human beings. If they would simply acknowledge this they could expand on the good one and minimize the other instead of praising and blaming another entity.
This is really amazing to me. They come up with a way to explain all of the evil in the world 2000 yrs ago. And grown people still believe it. If you believe in Satan you might as well believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.
I've met Satan, and Rick Santorum is no Satan.
A false prophet at best.
(Ok, so I met him in a dream, but I can produce a picture, I defy someone else to produce evidence that could contradict it. .I mean if you've got Satan, produce him, I still have a bone to pick with him!)
Santorum could also be a reincarnation of Goebbels, he started out as a fanatical Catholic as well.....
Now that's odd. . . you'd think if Satan had any position on contraception, abortion, etc he'd be on the pro-life side as a means of recruiting more followers. . . especially those born into situations in which either they are so marginalized they are ripe for mind control or else reasonably well off but narrow-minded, complacent, and greedy. Oh, but wait--maybe those unbaptized unimplanted embryos go straight to Satan's lair. In which case I'd have to conclude that he and God had struck a deal. . . and Santorum says other people have false theologies!
On the same wave; demons and satan "believe" in Jesus Christ. People believe in "higher powers" and even call it "karma". They are called "deists". Becoming a Christian just means you have faith in Christ alone; and that He died for your sins. By no means are you a better person. By no means are you "sin free". By no means do you earn a "I won't be mangled to death by a bear" card. Only the assurance that He will be there while the deed is being done; and waiting for you on the other side. None of us are worthy of His love. But your faith in His selfless actions for you, provides most of us a peace that cannot be attained on this earth. Satan has been defeated. He already knows.
Satan would never register Democrat.
The vast majority of people, probably 90% or more worldwide believe in God, which is why America's coins and currency says "IN GOD WE TRUST", and why we place our hand on the Bible when being sworn to tell the truth in court or uphold the laws of our country as elected/appointed officials. Our belief in God means we believe in GOOD, which means we also believe in EVIL. You don't need to read very far into these comments to see absolute evidence of Satan manifesting himself in hateful words here. Even the words "hardly alone" in the title of this article reveal the author's bigotry toward people of faith. It's unfortunate that this website attracts mostly homosexuals, which causes most normal people to stay away. For the vast majority of people, visiting this website is like visiting Home Depot, or Macy's (both of which have lost most of their customers because they promote the homosexual agenda); it makes us feel like we need a shower. Anyway, people of faith have come to realize that we need to vote according to our faith, instead of according to our skin color, or our love of the environment, or whatever else politicians use to trick us. Our faith in God should be our most important motive for voting. President Obama's actions have brought me to deeply regret that I voted for him. It was my first time to vote. President Obama's actions are not the fault of us who voted for him. How could we have known what horrendous damage President Obama would inflict on America? Vote your faith in November! God bless!
Never Stop, it's patently obvious you've never read the Constitution if you really thing that Santorum or any other politician discussing religion is unconstitutional. Try reading it. Who knows? Maybe you might even be able to understand what it says. There is not a single line in the Constitution that says anything about the "separation of church and state." What it says is that government will not interfere or persecute citizens because of their religious beliefs. It gives you the right to practice religion without interference from government.
H Stowell, the fore fathers, most of them at some point wrote on this subject, including George Washington. They all agreed that law and policy should not be made based on religious beliefs. Your right to your religion ends where mine begins, and mine ends where the next persons begins. Of course Santorum has the right to his beliefs, but he crossed the line by comparing the president to Hitler, and he crossed the line insinuating that he is satan.
Santorum has the right to whatever crazy religious beliefs he wants and women have the right not to vote for him and my guess is that only the very far right women will be able to stomach voting for him.
Instead of sounding like he's running for the highest office in the land, Santorum sounds more like he's auditioning for head preacher on a evangelical TV show....... It's over for the GOP they just haven't realised it yet.
I, personally, think people don't want to take responsibility for their behavior so they blame Lucifier. I do believe in Lucifier (Satan) but not how Hollywood portrays him or that he wears a red suit and has a pitch fork and is harmless. The bible describes him as a angel of light. He is described as the Morning Star and was the most beautiful angel. He was able to do most everything God can do except he is not omnipresent The Bible says "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. I personally do not believe Satan is particularly interested in our "great institutions of America" or the great institutions of any country. He is a "fallen angel" because God kicked him and approximately one third of the angels, who supported him, out. What he is interested in is believers who worship God. He hates God and his way of getting back is to destroy those people. It's OK to disagree with me. Ice Cream is good, but not when it is shoved down your throat. Unfortunately, many believer's do that and more. I will say this don't ever under estimate him. Don't let him have your foot, because he will take your entire leg, and eventually your mind and the way you think.
Also it is so insanely hypocritical for him to stand around and openly call Obama satan, Hitler, and question his "theology." Yet no one has the right to question his views? Sorry right wing, if you want to make your policy based on forcing your religion down my throat, I am going to judge it. I take no issue with Romney and religion but he doesn't make it an issue.
I notice that the overwhelming posts here are from people that DO NOT believe in Satan. The bible-thumpers are all in hiding cause Satan might jump out of a closet and get them...hahah
The "Do you believe in Satan?" survey on this site is proof positive of how few normal people visit this website. The inconsistency between the beliefs of the general population and the people who hang out here is glaring.
Kaitlin: epic fail. In God We Trust on our coinage wasn't added untl the hysteria of the 1950's when Congress under the McCarthy insanity wanted to take a stand against the "godless" communists of Russia who were supposedly about to take us over. Try and learning something about your own country and it's roots in ESCAPING religious tyranny, would you?
I know very few though whether they are Christians are not Kaitlin that believe law or policy should be made based on theology. In fact most people are aware there are many religions out there and be careful what you ask for when you are trying to build a Christian taliban. My devoutly Christian mother said to me "when governments start to make law based on the bible, governments begin to fall. Faith is personal and an interpretation."
My mother seems smarter than Santorum and you.
Rick Santorum, sounds like Mr. Smith from the Matrix... Please re-insert Rick Santorum so he can be their president. Rick Santorum for President of the Matrix, it's as close to any oval office as he should get. Remember Jim Jones and those that followed him.
AP, you are apparently not an American. I think every American knows that "IN GOD WE TRUST" has been on ALL American coins since the American Civil War - which happened in the middle 1860's, in case you didn't know that either.
Jan, the underpinnings of American laws are ALL based on the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God.
It's becoming more and more apparent that very few normal, educated people visit this website.
Satan? The hell you say? I thought it was just something I ett.
I'll leave your womb alone when you stop killing its inhabitants. Like it or not it's not just "your body" that's affected in pregnancy. It's the body of your unborn child as well, and it doesn't deserve to be scraped out of your uterus like scum because you don't want unflattering stretch marks on your stomach. You don't have to keep the baby you have. There are lots of parents that want to adopt, and if you can't find one that does there are government organizations that take care of children. The only reasons to abort a child would be that the mothers health would be negatively affected by the birth, or the child was conceived out of rape or incest. However on the flip-side of that argument I do believe in birth control. It's the best way to prevent abortion (and unwanted pregnancies), and the Catholic church should of realized that by now.
LOL...this is only 'news' for those far Lefties that think the whole world believes what they do.
@Kaitlin loves Austin #2.44: You're wrong. Wasn't on all American coins until the 20th century. Actually evolved from an old Retail shop phrase displaying a sign to discourage patrons from asking for credit.
"In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash"
Hey DocHolliday, you already did!
Mac, you're the one who's wrong. I wish you people would read a book once in a while. "IN GOD WE TRUST" has been on ALL US coins since the American Civil War - except for a few minted in 1907, which prompted Congress to pass a law in 1908 making "IN GOD WE TRUST" mandatory on ALL U.S. coins and currency.
there is no santa claus -no easter bunny --no mickey mouse and there is no satan. the evil that exists is man made---the only creature on this earth that decides to do evil deeds is man! i do not g thru life looking for evil and i am very suspicious of people who do. i find santorums' obsession with evil very telling. the man has problems and i think pscho analysis would prove what we all suspect---he is a religious zealot and not fit for the presidency. i don't think i'd be comfortable with him as a little league football coach. there is something very odd about the man. he is following in the pattern of men in history who were responsible for mass gen0cides----- the naczis' plan was-----''tell the biggest lie you can think of to alienate groups of people-say it loud and say it often''. (quote from book written by h.v. kaltenborn in reference to hitler).
Interesting.
Are you 'outing' yourself by coming here, Kaitlin loves Austin? Or are you just admitting that you're not "normal"?
Satan loves intolerance.
Kaitlin loves Austin
What you appear to be saying--correct me if I'm wrong--is that the people who visit this website are far more intelligent and rational than the general population.
That is correct. (We'll make an exception in your case.)
The god of Abraham said "I am the source of all weal and all woe." In other words, god is the source of everything (if you believe in such a god). Satan was "invented" from a mythological "adversary" (shaitan) of god's, whose purpose was to keep god honest by being a "devil's advocate" whose job it was to challenge god's decisions and cause god to explain himself. Shaitan didn't become separate from god (the devil) until Christianity (and Hellenized Judaism) remodeled him as a "fallen angel," the "prince of darkness," and lord of "hell" (another late invention).
It's all mythology. The world will be a better place when people stop believing in such nonsense. As one person here has commented, good and evil come from within US, and the sooner we take responsibility for our actions (instead of blaming them on supernatural forces), the better off we will be.
@Katlin Loves Austin#2.50: Hate to argue with you, but you are wrong. I have several from 1935 back and none bear the slogan. You should google it and get the whole story. You could also ask any reputable numismatist who has good knowledge of the history of our coins and currency. Regards
Kaitlin must be a closeted, gay evangelical. Your ignorance belongs on "The Blaze".
Oh for crying out loud you're both right. It's on Wikipedia I found it in 10 seconds.
The idea of putting the phrase on U.S. currency was conceived by Salmon P. Chase, the U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Abraham Lincoln.[1] Chase wrote in an 1861 letter to James Pollock, then Director of the Mint in Philadelphia, that "no nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins."[4]
Aspirations for the motto arrose surrounding the turmoil and heightened religious sentiment that existed during the Civil War. The Reverend M. R. Watkinson, in a letter dated 13 November 1861, petitioned the Treasury Department to add a statement recognising "Almighty God in some form in our coins."[5] However Treasury Secretary Chase did not submit the motto with the words "In God We Trust" until December 9, 1863.[1]
The act approving the motto to be placed on the 1-cent and newly created 2-cent piece passed April 22, 1864.[5] This was followed in 1866 by the 5 cent nickel (1866–1883), quarter dollar, half dollar, silver dollar, and gold dollars.[6][7] An 1865 law allowed the motto to be used on coins.[8] The use of the motto was permitted, but not required, by an 1873 law. While several laws come into play, the act of May 18, 1908,[9] is most often cited as requiring the motto (even though the cent and nickel were excluded from that law, and the nickel did not have the motto added until 1938). Since 1938, all coins have borne the motto.
Thanks for clarifying, Xina!
Kaitlin, implying that people are not as superior as you are, and are evil... just because they do not agree with you... is why we have these debates in the first place.
If Christians would stop telling everyone else they are wrong, bad, going to hell, and what to do... nobody would give a damn about you and your faith.
If you want to be Christian... BE CHRISTIAN... but when it comes to telling everyone else how to live, and judging everyone else... STFU.
Romans used to say "santorum"for satan.
good one ! I'm jealous because I didn't come up with that one.
billy-301028,
Latin for "satan" is "santanam". "Santorum" comes from the Latin root meaning "saint". I believe "santorum" is the dative plural case, but it's been a while since high-school Latin.
Lune
Are you @!$%#ing people for real? I'm an atheist, but I don't care if some clown believes in Satan, God, the tooth fairy or Santa Clause so long as he doesn't try to pick my pocket to pay some lazy assed liberal in order to vote for them, or to pay for health care for someone too stupid to stay in high school, or get into college in order to get a decent paying job with benefits. That just about sums up all the democrat party or supporters. What is destroying this country is we have way too many people who want a hand out and get something for nothing. Oh, don't tell me about the 1%. I worked three jobs to get two college degrees, had to change careers 5 times, went through 3 divorces and put two kids through college. All on an income of less than $40K a year. Now that I'm making over $100K you pukes want to pick my pocket because you were too stupid to do anything for yourselves. If life is so rough on you, suck on a bullet and end it all, and get out of my life. Wait till the @!$%#ing Muslims get their hands on you. Then you'll know Satan is real.
Three divorces? That explains it.
mudrake2-WOW, someone must have really pissed in your Wheaties today. Now Breathe.
Three divorces, racist Muslim rant, 5 failed careers?!?..... Newt?.. Is that you?
mudrake - Stop whining.
The sad thing is that you are all oo stupid to beleive him.... go muddrake! Finally an atheist I can agree with.
mudrake: put down the coffee and take a chill pill, or maybe just a breath. The fun part of these political forums is that you can see what people think about the real nut cases running for the GOP nomination. What is really scary is that people are actually voting for them.
Mudrake dear. People with two college degrees are usually not this irrational. Was this maybe a couple of those colleges on the Internet, or did you maybe major in athletics?
Mudrake...
Pay your taxes and STFU.
You also might want to look into seeing a psychiatrist...
Actually he already resides in the White House,, Barack Hus-Satan Obama.. thats why he doesnt like his middle name being used,, its a guide to the truth,,
beingone, why aren't you? What an atrocious lie to spew. Best get to your church. But don't expect much, God already knows you well.
Socialist, how about you take your own advise?
Satan...thy name is political bickering and partisan politics.
The "Do you believe in Satan?" poll on this website is proof positive how few normal people hang out at this website. The vast majority of people believe in God. We believe in GOOD and EVIL. People of faith have realized that we must vote according to our faith, instead of our skin color, or our love of the environment, or whatever else politicians use to trick us. Unfortunately, this website attracts mostly homosexuals who seldom read, and who would like to convince us that there is no God, and that they were "born that way". Scientific evidence of God's existence is everywhere around us. Read a book once in a while. Read about Kinesin machines in protein molecules, or the Hafele-Keating time experiment. Ask yourself the simplest of questions, like "Could homosexuals have 'evolved'? and "If homosexuality is not a 'choice', how are bisexuals able to switch their 'choice' back and forth at will?" Open your minds to scientific facts, and stop being fooled by Satan. November is only a few months away. Vote your faith!
I really NEED to know; what the hell does Satan have to do with a Presidential election?... This current batch of Republican Wanna-Be's should return to their home planet and let us humans decide who to elect President.
This is like love and hate. You must believe in one to believe in the other. I personally don't believe in religion. I respect people who do. I expect the same respect in return. If this gomer wants to keep taking God/Satan, fine, just not from the White House. America was founded on the principle that people would practice their beliefs, every one, not just Christians. That principle seems lost on the current crop of right wing extremists running for the rethugli-con nomination.
inevitable failure; the Devil made them do it ....LOL
Yup, pandering to a religious base is fine if you want to become a pastor. To be a president of the United States, with it's mandates for separation of Church and State, well, theocracies aren't examples of separation of Church and State
It is sad to see insults like rethuglicon or libtard, all that does is dilute whatever relevance there may have been in the post.
Umm, I have known many gay folks, I rather doubt that they actively sought to be maligned or harassed or hounded as a result of their sexual orientation. As to bi-sexuals. They are opportunists.
There is indeed a satan, BTW. I have done many things that I can only blame on Satan's evil influence:)
As evidenced by the words "hardly alone" in the title of this article, this website is heavily bigoted against people of faith - which is why so few normal people visit this website. The inconsistency between the beliefs of the general population and the beliefs of the abnormal people who hang out here is glaring. The vast majority of Americans believe in God and Satan. The vast majority of people who hang out here do NOT believe in God or Satan. The numbers speak for themselves; MSNBC 'customers' are NOT representative of the general population. Visiting this website causes normal people to feel like they need a shower. It's the same as that creepy feeling when you walk into an empty Home Depot or Macy's store, where they promote the homosexual "lifestyle", and the normal people have fled.
Now the real question is: does santorum believe in Jesus?
Whenever I look at santorum I see little horns coming out and a spade tail. Any evil can read the bible, it's not like they burn and turn to a pillar of salt if they read it. I am sure demons comprehend -- and rewrite -- the bible more than any christian.
If you can't say WWJD you may as well become a muslim.
If Satan is attacking Academia as professed by Mr. Santorum...
Hmmm let's look at who else is attacking Academia.
Republicans in Wisconsin, Ohio, Idaho and Michigan passed bills that many teachers feel are attacks on the profession.
I wonder if Mr. Santorum means the GOP is Satan?
Mygirl1:
What a crock! You need to take responsibility for your own actions rather than blaming those actions on some external influence. Don't blame "satan"; blame yourself.
If one believes this poll, it's now official: The majority of Americans amounts to a great big village full o' badly educated, superstitious peasant folk, who prefer blaming Satan to taking responsibility for atrocious human behavior.
Cut the whining. I'm not an atheist, just someone who feels that spirituality should be a private matter.
The Devil does exist - look in Rickys eyes!!
BMette: Apparently you don't understand humor, or the 'tongue in cheek' remark. If I say the devil made me do it, who are you to prove me wrong? Satan exists, we are taught that all the evils of the world are of his making, so, applying sound logic, it was the devil, I was merely caught up in the moment.
Ummm Hellllo... His acolytes are running in the GOP. Foot in the door my friend, foot in the door.
I heard a radio personality today who just came back from Greece. His impression, the people inside are empty, dead as it were.
They got these checks and promises from government, and now they are cut.
I think that is what happens when you trust someone more than your common sense - just because they promise you will be taken care of.
For as long as I can remember, they've been saying that atheists make up 6% of americans. I doubt that some who claim to be, are?
According to the live poll in the article asking if people think Satan is real 41% yes, 56% no, 3% not sure. So the poll results contradict the article. I voted no.
Scott, it was probably a wingnut who wrote the article, they have a tendency to fudge the numbers a bit. They don't like feeling like crazy people so they pretend that the whole world believes in the same fairytale they believe and anyone who doesn't is the devil.
I've been told by numerous soldiers that there are no atheists on a battlefield during a battle.
This 3 year old Harris poll surveyed 2300 people. By their own admission, it was "massaged'
"This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States November 2 and 11, 2009 among 2,303 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online."
As of this writing, almost 14,000 people responded to the MSNBC poll and only 41% claim a belief in Satan. Not that it is anymore scientific than Harris' methods, but it's just a poll like theirs and it varies considerably. Polls are only as good as the representative nature of the respondents. 2300 people represent less than 1 percent of the US population. With that small a sample and such a primarily religious based group of poll questions, it's worthless as I see it.
Last year my tomatoes died in the drought, even though Rick Perry and a bunch of others prayed for rain. Either God hates tomatoes, or the Devil takes delight in watching them wither and die. I'm not sure which is true, but I need no further information to formulate my faith...
I had a good friend who was a tailgunner on B17s, I wish I had asked him.
Of course you voted "no", Scott, because you are typical of the abnormal people who hang out here. The national polls represent the beliefs of the general population - most of whom believe in God and Satan. Like all MSNBC polls, the "Do you believe in Satan?" poll only represents the beliefs of the abnormal people who hang out here - most of whom refuse to believe in God or Satan. Satan had the same choice we have, but he chose poorly. We should not follow in Satan's footsteps.
I believe in Satan, in fact he's in a neck to neck race with Romney right now in Michigan
Of course Satan is real. Look who's in the White House.
Jesus friggin Christ....If any of these religious fanatical republican ever get elected into the White House, We all will be swimming in a flaming lakes of Hellfire. These friggin religious idiots will turn the future back into the dark age.
If Satan is real then Santorum is Satan's little puppet.
I guess Mudrake for got to take his med's again ............ LOL
Our country was founded on freedom to speak and freedom to worship. How ironic is it that George Washington stood on the corner near Wall Street and dedicated our country to God. We are so far from the values we once had has a nation. God is waiting for us to make a decision. Are we going to turn to God or our we going to try to fix things ourselves. There is only good and evil, right and wrong. Dust off your Bible and read Isaiah 9 and Daniel 2. Then turn to the New Testament and read "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. John 3:16. Sept.11, 2001 was a wake up call from God. So WAKE UP AMERICA. God, bless our country, please.
Amen! Laura Amen! Always keeping God first!!! Judgement day is just around the corner!! we are all acountable for what we say...Yes, God Bless America!!!
The thing is Christians need satan, their religion doesn't work if there is no satan. But really, there is only God. Everything else is man's creation including satan. Certainly there is good and evil. The good comes from the teachings of God's Messengers, evil comes from not listening to God's teachings. People have two natures one, the spiritual, and the other, the physical. Our physical nature without any spiritual training or guidance is responsible for all the really bad things we do to each other (I, me, mine,) it has nothing to do with a supposed "evil presence" a devil as it were, we don't need any extra help to be evil. Each of us makes that choice, either our physical appetites rule us and make our decisions, or to let our spiritual natures rule them. Every religion has a "ten commandments" , a spiritual code of how to live, it all comes from free will, we are free to chose, to be a "saint or sinner" so to speak. When Christ was tempted in the desert, it wasn't by some evil being, it was by His physical self. We all face these kind of decisions every day, to give this decision up to some "evil presence" is a very childish notion, and doesn't become us as an educated society. In the early history of our country people were burned at the stake for being witches, is that where we are headed? Back to the 1600's. As a society we are still in our late adolescence, we have not attain full maturity yet, we have a ways to go. We will get there!
Hey Kaitlin,
I would have thought that the sane people would have already ran you out of Austin. I bet you love Austin but you probably live in one of the redneck havens they call suburbs.
wolfpack2000: You said,
"Jesus friggin Christ...." , well, why don't you curse some more. I'm sure your opinion will became stronger if you do. :(
mudrake = mud puppy = salamander = newt.
Newt 'ol buddy, just use your real name.
Oh! As for cursing Leiya, how about. Santorum is a (and I learned this in the Navy) Cotton picken, Chicken pluckin, Pusillanamous, Piss complected, Sheep shearin, Sack of Siberian dung eatin, piece of slimy slug lickin, Mother kissin, Cork soakin, Sock tuckin, Dingbat.
To believe or not to believe in God AlMIGHTY is an option God gave us.He does not force his self on anyone.You have to seek him,invite him into your heart or otherwise you will never know of the things alot of you are condeming!God's word said Satan has ben loosed and He is prince of the air until Jesus returns.Most of the antiChrist comments are unedjucated comments. Read Gods word from cover to cover with an open mind and tell God you don;t understand and see if you don't have a change in HEART.
Some choice! You are free to choose, but if you don't choose the way I want you to, you burn.
That sounds like the kind of choice a gangster would give a business owner when offering protection.
How about reading the bible while throwing out all logic and reason. It would make much more sense if you did that. Oh wait a minute. That is what they already do.
Kaitin Loves Austin
So, if people who are on MSNBC.com are abnormal, what does that make you?
Also, if you could please keep your bigoted comments about the "homosexual lifestyle" to yourself, at least until you become educated in the freedoms that are expressed in the constitution on religion and the fact there is a separation of church and state.
You sound so republican. Making everything a religious battle when we should be talking about our tanking economy and that people are suffering on the streets of our country.
@Kaitlin loves Austin, if people that post on here are not normal, why the hell are you posting? Go bury your head in the Bible and be afraid of the world. Go to your church so you can hear how bad everyone else is so you can feel better about your bigoted comments. If you think Satan is real, how do you know its a he? Um maybe because your bible and church told you. You cant think for yourself, your church does it for you! I gotta go, whinny the poo and bugs bunny are coming over for dinner!
Presumably, he also believes in the tooth fairy and the easter bunny, as there is exactly as much evidence of their existence as there is of satans. And this man has a chance of becoming president? We're doomed.
Hey, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny used to leave me cash and candy when I was a little kid. Satan never left me anything.
Then what are you doing on MSNBC of all places, and not in Church every spare moment of your life? We're all Satanists and Secularists here. You know that, don't you?
Lot's of athiests on this liberal newsvine. Well there you go.
"And the fool has said in his (or her) heart...there is no God".
If one believes in God then one must also believe in Satan. He is real and there is such a thing as spiritual warfare. The good thing is that if you do believe in God then you know that even if the devil is running rampant, he is already defeated and he just wants to bring as many people down with him as he can!
It's borderline scary that an adult, who has in his capacity the ability of rational thought, could for one second believe in either god or the devil. It's absurd.
Santorum is proof positive evil exist. His daddy was the devil that's why he knows so much about him.
He lives in the white house now,, Barack Whos-Satan Obama,, hello !!
Same lame comment again, Beingone? I encourage you to follow your name and be gone.
beingone: well that added a lot to the discussion and a clarity of the type of human being who goes in for this American Taliban stuff. Good thing you'll not be running anything anytime soon....
Breeze, Stephen, sorry but there's been absolutely zero proof of ANY deity shown. Faith or a belief in one does NOT mean it's real.
Nora, absolute scientific evidence that the Universe was CREATED abounds in the presence of anybody with an open mind. Read about Kinesin Motors within protein molecules. Read about the Hafele and Keating time experiment. Ask yourself simple questions, like "Could homosexuals have 'evolved'?" The presence of GOOD and EVIL is conspicuous. It's all around you. Open your mind.
Kaitlin no offense but you are trusting a MAN not God to make laws to fight "satan" who is attacking the United States because there no one else left to attack on earth?
How does this not seem insane in anyones mind? There is a reason for separation of church and state. You can look at any country who is run by a religion and find it, one religion does not represent all of the others. It becomes a war of religions trying to take power and it has yielded some very bloody wars historically.
In this country where you are free to believe there is good and evil, and someone else is be an athiest, we need secular laws that bases liberty and freedoms on individuals. My rights ends where yours begins.
so here we have a moron running for president that believes to two mythical beings, devil and god, LOL!
Hey, Kaitlin, one of my kids is gay, and so are two of her cousins. So was an uncle who was a decorated World War Two veteran. Nobody phoned each other to suggest that a lifetime of discrimination and abuse was a really fun, cool idea. This suggests that homosexuality is a genetic predisposition, not Satan sneaking around a family reunion.
Not being possessed of Kaitlin-level knowledge as to the universe's purpose, all I can say is that anyone who causes my daughter trouble is facing a mother who's capable of morphing into a sabertooth tiger. If that makes the parents of gay kids doubly Satanic -- well, hail Mom and Dad, the Dark Lords.
Jan, you should stop trying to put words in other people's mouths. I did not say that God needs help from Mr. Santorum, or anyone else. I'm not sure who I'll vote for, but I am sure who I will NOT vote for. President Obama has joined with homosexual activist judges to disguise Evil as Good. President Obama, who never served a day in the military, ignored the pleas of his top military generals, and ended DADT - causing our soldiers to have to sleep with men who have sex with men - which is no different than requiring female soldiers to sleep with male soldiers. At least Mr. Santorum clearly tries to live his life in accordance with the Christian Bible - which is more than we can say about President Obama.
Kaitlin if you believe we were created by a God, you should also realize then that the God created satan/evil. There is no evidence to back any of it up scientifically or otherwise. Humans can convince themselves of anything, particularly things they want to believe, it would be terrible for them to ever consider themselves misguided, brainwashed or just plain wrong.
Kaitlain, it's never a good idea to believe in things that there are no evidence for. While the science of evolution and astro-physics is, no doubt, beyond your intellectual capacity to understand, that doesn't mean that there aren't men and women who, in fact, do exist (really!) that can understand and research these topics. The consensus in the scientific community on the origins of life is inarguable, as is the scientific method. As such, you don't get to make up facts that protect your childish worldview. You are obligated to shut up and accept the facts as presented to you by your intellectual superiors. And maybe learn something in the process.
Kaitlin, Mr Santorum makes his campaign about his religion. He has always based his politics on social issues.
Frankly I find you extremely judgmental and harsh, and your views on homosexuals is honestly archaic, unnecessary and hurtful to those people. I get tired of people with their "religion" trying to make policy based on that. President Obama is a secular president as has every other president been before them or at least if you took them at their word, that is their stance. It is their duty to be the president of everyone and not just who you deem an equal.
As far as homosexuals in the military, honestly my husband was in the military and took no issue with gay men. My uncle retired from the marines supports Obama. My father an air force man supports president Obama.
You tell people to open their eyes to a bigger world while you yourself shut certain segments of our population due to nothing more than your opinion. Which military officials begged Obama on this? Honestly homophobia to the irrational proportion that religious zealots take it, is extremely disturbing to me. However you justify your position on it, its still hate.
Walsh, yes God created ALL things, and to those he loved the most he gave a special gift - freedom to be influenced toward Good or Evil. You have every right to live your own life the way you want, and to choose whichever you want. Nobody on Earth can judge you, but God WILL judge us all. God has provided us with unlimited evidence that He exists. God built EVERYTHING from a relatively few types of building blocks. Humans have listed the known ones in what we call the "Periodic Table of Elements". At the molecular and atomic levels, things we call "solid" are 99.9999999...% empty space. We live in a virtual time capsule, where even time itself is a contrived phenomenon (as absolutely evidenced by the Hafele-Keating Experiment, during which two synchronized atomic clocks went out of sync simply because they traveled in opposite directions around Earth. Please be careful what you believe, Walsh, because everyday things like "solids" and "time" are NOT what they appear to be. Anyone with an open mind must conclude that we and our Universe are all created by God. Deny Him if you will, but don't say He didn't warn you.
Scientific mumbo jumbo that has absolutely nothing to do with the bible or your God. If people are trying to prove the existence of God with that information, I will call you out on it.
Another thing on this subject. All this loving God that the far right radicals want to portray and what do they do in Virginia. We want to love women so much that we will make your doctor rape you, show you images of your dying fetus, before you can be treated for a miscarriage.
That is called sick, cruel people who are using religion to oppress , gays, women and anyone who doesn't fit their mold. If there is evil in this world, I would say thats it.
Melissa, when you say "causes my daughter trouble", I'm not sure what you mean. If your definition of causing your daughter "trouble" includes things like defending traditional marriage between a woman and a man, then Satan has used your love for your daughter to warp your judgment. It is illogical to define protecting traditional American values, which have been in place for centuries, as "causing trouble" for anybody. Nobody owes it to your daughter to redefine traditional marriage. Where marriage is concerned, NONE OF US IS ENTITLED TO ANY SPECIAL RIGHTS. We cannot marry a sibling. We cannot marry a child, or a parent. We cannot marry multiple people. We cannot marry an animal, or a corpse, or a tree. We are free to love anybody we want, but the Bible clearly explains that God only joins together and blesses ONE WOMAN AND ONE MAN in holy matrimony.
krazymop: It's borderline scary that an adult, who has in his capacity the ability of rational thought, could for one second believe in either god or the devil. It's absurd- Equally as absurd is how someone claiming to have the capacity for rational thought could for one second believe that chaos can develop itself into a life form capable of rational intelligence.
To believe only in the assumption, for which there is no proof, that you originated out of that chaos and accidentally came to be... well, that defies reason. Maintaining that science has proven beyond a doubt that evolution accounts for the human presence, verifies that chaos is still struggling to evolve further into consciousness and rational thought.
Reason the dictates that one evaluate all possibilities before deducing a conclusion, and since chaos is still changing and "evolving" then necessarily, all possibilities must be continually re-evaluated. You demonstrate none of that here, you display only irrational rigid beliefs. So much for your outrage and intolerance of anyone who believes differently than you.... that is emotional behavior at best, and emotions are irrational.
Melissa, when you say "causes my daughter trouble", I'm not sure what you mean. If your definition of causing your daughter "trouble" includes things like defending traditional marriage between a woman and a man, then Satan has used your love for your daughter to warp your judgment. It is illogical to define protecting traditional American values, which have been in place for centuries, as "causing trouble" for anybody. Nobody owes it to your daughter to redefine traditional marriage. Where marriage is concerned, NONE OF US IS ENTITLED TO ANY SPECIAL RIGHTS. We cannot marry a sibling. We cannot marry a child, or a parent. We cannot marry multiple people. We cannot marry an animal, or a corpse, or a tree. Neither can we marry someone of the same gender. We are free to love anybody/anything we want, but the Bible clearly explains that God only joins together and blesses ONE WOMAN AND ONE MAN in holy matrimony.
i
Oops. Sorry. I was trying to cook and comment at the same time. Please forgive the almost duplicate post, and the empty one. Not sure how that happened.
At least I saved the pot roast. No hard feelings, Melissa. God bless America! Vote your faith in November!
To all who think the poll numbers don't represent the majority of America-- Do you have any idea how many people are polled for all of the things you seem to THINK America is in favor of? (Such as gay marriage etc.) Same amount of people or less...so what exactly is your point?
Satan is alive and well and if you can't see that everyday while living in this world you are either blind or delusional... May your eyes be opened soon. I guess we should be thankful he is still wreaking havoc in this nation, at least then we know he still sees us as a threat (the ones that follow Jesus Christ) Don't misunderstand, satan has been defeated all ready by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ...he knows the plans God has for him and he is not looking forward to hell. (Just in case you didn't know, he doesn't live there...yet)
It is so sad that so few read about the lives of the ones that founded our dear nation...if you did you would read about their STRONG faith in God and you would not question that our nation began with strong Christian roots.
Kaitlin that you would compare homosexuals to incest shows what a disgusting perverted individual that you really are, full of hate and lacking any compassion. Homosexuals is two consenting adults, incest is taboo because of the genetic abnormalities that it creates. Also animals can't consent. You are just a sicko like those horrors in virginia who want state mandated rape to women miscarrying a child.
By the way, there is zero evidence of true Christianity in the evangelical sect. A true Christian would know better than this judgmental, cruel behavior. They would know that the bible shows Jesus to be a compassionate loving man to everyone. Not a hate filled, gun toting, it doesn't matter what I do to people that aren't Christians.
Guess what? It does matter what you do to other people, and that is coming from an agnostic who believes that ethics and compassion come from the consciousness of the suffering of others. Not from a fictional fairy tale book.
Kaitlin, the bible has a lot of other things that has been going on for ages. I'm not expert but it says something that slavery is ok and you should not be around women that are on their period. It doesn't seem that God was really that all knowing after all.
Kaitlin loves Austin - While your big words and even bigger attitude seem to impress you it is not doing much to spread the love of God. Maybe you should stop reading all the other books and spend more time with the New Testament. Instead of blaming the downfall of society on homosexuals you should spend more time examining yourself. Jesus never spoke of condemning other people or using the Word of God to keep benefits from other people. He did however say to love everyone - not just the ones that Kaitlin deems worthy! Your rhetoric is more like that of the Pharisees and Scribes.
F WALSH Did you know God created Satan but not as He is today!! Satan is a fallen ANGEL that thought HE was as equal to God,therefore God cast him out of HEAVEN and caused him to crawl on his stomac for ever.
Oh boy. Kaitlin, you define a very large majority of people that are in the Christian and Catholic faith: Ones that say that they're incredibly faithful, yet don't read their bible. Do you not know the dichotomy between the New and Old Testament? Do you not know of the New Covenant? The traditions that this country was founded on still cling to the old, outdated laws of the Old Testament that were broken 2000 years ago by Jesus Christ our Lord.
There's only one major instance where in the New Testament homosexuality is covered, and that's in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. However, he even puts a little disclaimer in the front that says so long as your a good, loving Christian, the laws of the Torah (Old Testament) DO NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Want me to go further? I can break down this argument from the texts of the New to destroy the texts of the Old.
Santorum is a "F"ing Moron, just like the majority of dumbasses in this great county of ours. Superstition (which is exactly what "religion" is) has no place in government. Logic, reason, fairness and decency should be the quiding principles of our Government. But of course that will never happen because most human's seem to be "DEVOLVING". Religion and it's Zealots will be the downfall of mankind.
You are sooooooooooooooooooooooo right!!!
You know, American Brother - you just said everything I was trying to come up with.
AND...I believe that a lot of people forget the constitutional tenet that guarantees us Freedom from other people's religion.
American Brother may be a bit splenetic, but he's absolutely right. So why then was the comment collapsed? I make a motion to have the moderators of online fora called before a new version of the HUAC. An organization, btw, devoted to ruining people's lives in search of the devil.
Isn't that special.
It as collapsed because he insulted poeple... simple enough...
AMERICAN BROTHER Some people can’t be bothered with something called logic or thinking for themselves. I mean religion is taught to us by other people with absolutely no proof other than trust me god is real, now put your money in that basket in the lord’s name amen. God is not real people if you believe in this sky fairy then you have been fooled, swindled, tricked, mind jacked etc. If we put just half the amount of energy in believing in a god into proven things like health, earth, or space sciences we would be a race of great thinkers instead of a majority of followers, sheep, knuckle draggers, the world is flat believers, dumbasses, idiots, bible thumpers, Jesus freaks, Muslim extremists, all man you get the point hopefully.
One thing I find effing hilarious is when Christians or any other religious nut job says their god is the real one without offering any proof other than opening the bible/book which was written by multiple people/humans not a god.
trent-2358408......the devil made him do it !
"religion is a tool used by the state to control the simple minded" author unknown
I think that would be either Karl Marx or Joseph Stalin.
think that was Marx!?!? "The opiate of the masses..."
It was Jesse Ventura. Oh wait! He said "religion is for the weak minded"...oh well...both statements are true regarless of author.
I said that.
American Brother:
Can you deny that if all the tenents espoused by Jesus were folllowed by the population that the world would be a worse place?
No I don't deny that the interpretations of the tenants of Jesus Christ would make the worse place. As evidenced by the crusades, inquisition, numerous wars over religion and the current holy war on the united states. Yes absolutely religion and the way man interprets it makes the world a worse place, not a rational place.
=AMERICAN BROTHER
"religion is a tool used by the state to control the simple minded" author unknown
---------------
religion is a device created by man to help people face the unknown, the greatest of which is death.
yes-but Rick Santorum is not doing that.
Listen to what his views are-listen to his hate filled rhetoric. He's more in line with the devil than the teachings of Jesus.
Did Jesus own an apartment building? How many tenants were there, anyway?
i think also if i go to any country in the world and i break my visa will get me right a way and kick me out from this country
and also a lot of country do not give citizen ship to any one unless your father and mother from this country, so please stop the none sense title.
American Brother, I think it was Stalin. Not sure off the top of my head, though.
Think about it: President Rick Sanitarium. ...............................Mmmm, naw. Sounds too much like colonoscopy.
And Obama sounds much like Osama - What's your point?
That we don't need a religious nut in the white house.... EVER !!! Obama is not! Rick IS !
Read the constitution
Lincoln was religous, so are most presidents, whats your point?
Hannah perhaps you should read the constitution. And you might want to bone up on just how and why the United States came to be!
Rick Santorum for President? Sounds like the perfect antidote for a feeling of well being.
Hannah, I'll take a religious man for President over the current Marxist ideologue sitting in the oval office.
Stowell, you need to back up your label of "Marxist idealogue." What do you object to, having the wealthy pay taxes? I get so tired of senseless hyperbole based on nothing but Rush Limbaugh.
"Marxist idealogue" Gimme a fricken break. Obama is no more a Marxist than Clinton, Kennedy, Roosevelt or any other democratic president you'd care to name. You either need to learn more about political history and stop throwing around derogatory terms that have nothing to do with reality, or turn off Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and the Fux News channel and get a breath of fresh air. Probably both.
Trent
Lincoln was a Deist who generally didn't speak of his personal faith.
Stowell
Your knowledge of marxism does great credit to your lack of education.
I agree MikeyMike.
Kevin-2320972
Think about it: President Rick Sanitarium. ...............................Mmmm, naw. Sounds too much like colonoscopy.
------------------------------
Hum, more like the laxative portion of the colonoscopy.
++++++++++++++++++++++
ssmike
Hannah perhaps you should read the constitution.
ssmike---the Constitution strictly prohibits a state/government sponsored religion. It also gives the American people the right to worship as they see fit, not as you want it, not as Rick S. wants, but as each individual wants it. Nice try.
Sounds like gas you have to blow out after a colonoscopy.
Everyone has the right to be a believer or choose not to believe. It's called free will. I don't judge people on their beliefs, their sex life or their political views unless they are a dumb ass like rick. But "You Got to Serve Somebody" bitches.
No, I don't.
i agree that everyone has a right to believe what they wish, and that they shouldn't be judged based on those beliefs.
the issue is when they want to make laws and base policies on those beliefs. then it most definitely is a problem!
deb
if I have religious convictions and do not practice them - you would call me a hypocrit. At least Rick is not trying to be a hypocrit.
Of course he's a hypocrite. Anyone who has more money than Jesus and claims to be a Christian, is a hypocrite. No true Christian could afford to run for office.
What does money have to do with being a christian? NOTHING!
Jesus said that He wants us to prosper as our soul prospers, there is nothing whatsoever wrong with having money. It is the love of money that is the problem. And as for the subject at hand, some people that say they dont believe in Satan only say that because they will have to admit that there is a God and the ones that do not want to serve Him will not admit that they believe in the devil.
suseq,
maybe some people say they don't believe in satan because they don't. See, if you don't believe in a god, it makes no sense to believe in s/h/it's nemesis. And most people who don't believe in a god are not trying to avoid serving s/h/it, rather, they just don't believe.
It's simple, really.
Edit: I just realized that when I try to abbreviate she/he/it, it turns out s/h/it. No offence intended.
As I understand it, Jesus gave everything he had to the poor so it wouldn't take much to have more than he did. I believe the phrase you want is "more money than Croesus". But hey, they both rhyme so what's the difference, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croesus
It always saddens me to see in polls how many people actually believe in Satan.
It actually saddens me to see how many people are oblivious to evil and Satan.
What America has become...A land where belief in God and being successful is now looked down upon....we're screwed alright.
I'm oblivious to the tooth fairy and the easter bunny. Does that sadden you?
Jimmy,
There is no such thing as evil, just evil people. People are the ones that create evil, not satan. Hitler was a fricking evil person but his actions were not guided by satan. They were guided by his misconceptions, much like Christianity and the GOP/Dems are using their own misconceptions about Islam to justify monitoring any Muslim in America regardless if they are suspected of terrorism or just students.
Religion has no place in our Government. We are a secular nation with no national religion and the freedom to practice any religion or even no religion. In a nation like this theocracy cannot exist without destroying the fundamental structure of what makes our nation great.
Key2Joy... Thanks for the laugh. Great post. You should add his holier than thou smirk.
watt75, did you really just say that? After reading an article stating 7 out of 10 people believe in Satan (meaning they also believe in God) you think this country looks down on people who believe in God? When will you guys stop playing this ridiculous persecution card? Christians make up the majority of America. You guys are totally entrenched. Every single politician in a significant office professes to believe. You are not threatened. Please stop being stupid.
I must disagree with this. Evil is done by evil people, I agree with that. I don't believe they are guided by misconceptions. They seek to do evil, but rationalize it. Hitler hated the Jewish people, so he scapegoated them for the economic woes of Germany. He invaded other countries to give the German people pride and space. The monitoring of Muslims and non-Muslims alike are in the name of "protecting people" but in fact make them less free. It is being perpetrated by a government that seeks to monitor and control its people (as most governments do) and it is being rationalized, even though it is the most un-American thing I can think of.
@6696 and watt
for all you know, god could be the flying spaghetti monster, and satan could be too many hot peppers in the sauce.
All you know about your religion is what some human told you about what some other humans wrote. Remember, everything in all holy books, including the bible, was written by professional writers. Everything you believe about religion was squirted into your head by professional writers and men who were paid to persuade others to believe their writings.
Think about that.
considering they wern't paid....have you ever read the bible(KJV)? If you havent then you cant comment on it.
@WStevens
Hmmm.. well even if I were to give you the part about the professional writers (it's not like they got paid to write this)... belief is not solely based on the Bible... though the the Bible is the guiding teaching source of Jesus through the Gospels, etc...
HOWEVER.. you forget that various miracles happen from time to time to strengthen faith and belief. Miracles (or "miracles" so some people won't get too offended) such as Our Lady of Fatima, and the miracle of the stigmata of Padre Pio help give people an extra nudge of faith. I named those two because they occurred within the last century. They are many many other accounts of unexceptionable occurances.
Google Padre Pio to find out his story...
@Geowil
I agree with you... religion has no place in a secular nation, albeit there are obvious moral codes derived from them. As for evil... if people create evil, are all of us the root of all evil? Enlighten us please...
Jimmy,
Everyone has an evil side to them. Most people keep it in check because they are rational enough to realize that acting upon that evil part of them brings about no good to anyone. The ones credited for being Satan's spawn are people who chose to act upon their evil sides and committed terrible crimes.
Everyone is capable of evil, even saints, because we are, as you said, the originators of evil as an enigma. Evil as is defined in the bible only exists in fantasy. In the real world evil takes the form of unbridled anger, illogical fears and discrimination, and those who act wrongly upon those emotions.
"you forget that various miracles happen from time to time to strengthen faith and belief..."
LOL. My statue is bleeding! What should I do? Why are miracles only seen by illiterate, uneducated, superstitious peasants? If God want to "nudge" us with a miracle, how about a fall Sunday at Giants Stadium? Why 3 children in 1917? Oh wait...because there AREN'T ANY miracles.
@jimmy6696 -
I know. And people see Jesus's face in grilled cheese sandwiches AND on the doors of rusted out pick up trucks.
Writers at that time were no doubt in the same straits as today: some barely getting by loading trucks - er, carts- for non-union freight haulers, some making a bundle. But the percentage of the population who could write was infinitesimal - I'm sure there were a few who could and did without charge, but most people who wanted something written had to get someone else to do it. If they didn't have a willing relative, they paid. So the chances that someone could write down the stories told by the religious was being paid or had gotten paid to write are pretty good. And don't forget, the bible has been rewritten many times.
It is astounding to me that in this day and age apparently 70% of the people this nation still believe in a bearded sky fairy and his arch nemesis the red-skinned goat dude with a pitchfork.
The patriarchal imagery for the sky dude is understandable, given the primitive society that originally recorded this tale and the classical associations of "The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit" (or Holy Ghost, or whatever). However, the typical Satan image is so clearly a propagandistic distortion of the Roman god Pan, it's laughable that anyone today takes it seriously. Do modern Christians fear Zeus or Poseidon? Obviously not. So why fear Satan? He's just a phony as the rest of 'em.
Then, all you've got to do is just take a deep breath, go one step further, and realize that the bearded sky dude and his zombie son are just as much myths as all the rest! If you do this, at last you will have accomplished what the wise teacher Jesus was trying to get you to understand: "Seek ye the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
The whole idea of Satan is just an out for the religiously inclined. Oh, I had sex...Satan made me do it! Oh, I got drunk and ran over a nun...I was tempted by the devil!
We humans are quite capable doing our own evil without any help.
When the semites created their myths they couldn't really explain how this God who chose' them allowed all the bad stuff they dealt with every day, so they invented satan to tempt 'the woman' (not too mysogynistic) and thus 'fell' from Eden. Oh please!
Thank you MikeyMike for the truth - Seek and you will find the Truth and the Truth will set you free! We hope all sincerely do seek! Please remember there are many out here to assist you if at any time you feel the need to get involved in "washing the feet" or serving others regardless of what they believe. Agape conquers all - and is all that matters, it takes the place of any religion. Jesus is not religion.
Science has not to date discovered or proven any truth showing creation from nothing. Please set me straight if I missed it, until then so many baseless arguments here are exactly that. All must keep seeking and any Christian with a closed mind has missed the point and will be certainly classified as sheepple These sheeple will be separated as goats ultimately simply due to a total lack of concern for others, even you. God Bless and Peace to All.
@WStevens
Stevens please... last time I checked, I don't think burnt toast qualified as a miracle officially recognized by the Church. And eventually writers or copiers would get paid... this is far down the line of history. Remember, in the earliest times of the Bible, people would not even consider taking a "job" to write the Bible when Christians were being tortured and put to death.
@sam-298381 Haha.. so every Christian is a peasant today huh.
Ahahaha. I guess King James got "royally screwed" then. With him commissioning the KJV and all. All that money went nowhere! You probably think people working at non-profit organizations don't get paid either, lol.
The devil is the creation of man not God. If even one soul would be lost, creation would not and COULD NOT have happened. God is not bound by the time he created, He is the master of it. Only man is mean enough and fool enough to believe in the devil. What people have done in the name of God is far more wicked than any other human vice. The presumed righteousness of the holier than thou, would be dictators is based on their assumption that most people are of lesser merit because they have given in to this fictitious devil. They are in fact the false prophets that their ilk warn of. One of the sure marks of insanity is to accuse others of ones own failings. If God exists, his love transcends any human judgement of good and evil. People like Rick Santorum are to be feared because they derive the "better than thou" mandate from insanity that is all to widespread and accepted.
Huh, I must run out and get a different bible. If memory serves me correctly wasn't Satan one of the favored ones but his ego got the better of him and was cast out?
I don't know which religion you're referring to.. but if you're Christian, you might want to recheck.. everything...
Stonepipe,
You are essentially correct. I think Softdude has a soft head. I went to Catholic school for 12 years ( I like to think I have overcome that experience). I can assure you that Satan is mentioned many times in the Bible, both in the old and new Testaments.
However the real Satan is currently in the White House LOL
Thanks for the chuckle- I like to think I have overcome that experience- dude, I have lots of them.
Umm... where does it say anything in softdude's post about a bible (another creation of man)? Leave it to you dingleberries to automatically associate anything referring to a god as christian based.
THINK FOR YOURSELF, QUESTION AUTHORITY
"Polictics and Government would be next to fall to Satan's attack." My sympathies to the Devil......
dingleberrie! Well, I never! Dude, it's 2012 not 1934, you can call me a dumbass, it will not offend me. I'm down to one feeling anyway and it's all dented up.
In that same bible, it clearly describes how a man picking up sticks for firewood on the sabbath is to be stoned to death for working on the holy day. Which, by the way, is Saturday, not Sunday. Also, wearing both cotton and wool at the same time is forbidden. Oh, and if your son disobeys you, you can take him to the front gates to be stoned to death. I call that very very late term abortion. Or maybe that's full birth abortion with a decade or so delay.
Yep satan was a high positioned angel in heaven. but since the living God Himself gave all the gift of free will, he chose to challenge. "you positively will not die" the devil said to Eve, when God said, "for the day you eat from it you will positively die". the result? Death to all "for all have sinned". And here we are thousands of years after, debating of the believe in satan the devil.
obviously a criminal works on the dl, so that no one can find out who he is or if he even exists , so that his crimes go unpunished. dont you think the devil would be smart enough to use this tactic as well? if a person doesnt believe in satan, than he wouldnt believe in God. if a person doesnt believe in God, well, lets just say thats one down and more to go for satan. becuase he obvioulsy does NOT want you to believe in God. and look what this world has come to. SH*T.
politics are works of the devil, politicians are puppets, and satan runs this @!$%#.
WAKE UP PEOPLE
or wait for your death , its not that far away anyway, dont get too excited.
Ezekiel 11:12:
"and YOU will have to know that I am Jah, because in my regulations YOU did not walk and my judgments YOU did not do, but according to the judgments of the nations that are round about YOU, YOU have done.’”
concerned citizen,
You do not seem to have overcome. They appear to have convinced you that the bible was created and given to us by god. It was created, entirely, by men. Therefore, the concept of satan certainly was created by man. Thanks for playing.
And don't speak about Bo like that. Poor little guy can't even defend himself.
yo mike,
it was written through men, yes, but Gods word is the bible. through Holy spirit they were given what to write. you need scriptures to prove that to you too?
or are you going to keep on being oblivious. because obvioulsy you have not put your eyes upon a bible.
it puzzles me how you have so little faith. be concerned of your judgment.
"it was written through men, yes, but Gods word is the bible."
It was written BY men... and in fact revised many times throughout its 2,000 year history.
Prove to me the existence of Satan... and do the same for God. You can't...they are imaginary constructs to describe cattle sacrificing bronze age primitives concept of good and evil.
Why is it that religious zealots try to argue with people who think they're full of crap by citing versus from [insert local/family chose text of mythology for defining "life" here]. You realize you're about as convincing as saying, "magic, flying, purple, spider monkeys from Corelis-5 are guiding our lives, and the evil, green hippo 'Zorg' is working to destroy us all! Bow before the monkeys now! Bow! Bow, before it's too late!
{.... oh yeah, and the spider monkeys say I get all the pie....}"
@dennis what bible is that? Also if its in the old testament then its out dated. God in the flesh(Jesus) gave His blood so that we wouldn't have to do those very things.
Concerned Citizen - clearly you're referring to the tour Santorum and Romney took - since they're the only Satans in the White House since Bush left.
Mike - poor little Bo - not nice!!!!
really prophecy... really...
Take one second, re-read what you wrote (in 10.11), then apply critical thinking skills, ignore your faith for 10 seconds and try to look through the eyes of an objective thinker. Do you see how you make no sense and just look like a wacky bible thumper. I have a deed for some ocean front property in Kansas, it's real cheap and the deed looks legit. since it's written it must be real, right?
This poll makes me sad to be a human being. I cannot believe that there are so many delusional people on this planet. Why not believe in the tooth fairy or the boogie man? Give me a freakin break!
Satan does exist and has taken the form of Rachael Madcow!!! She's one evil beatch!!!
CURT---I have to agree with you on one point...it makes me sad to be a human being knowing that there are so many lost people posting on here. I am thankful though that God has rescued me from the evils of this world and that I have a bright hope for the future. God is good...all of the time.
the fab five: that's the truth. A lot of these postings remind me of scripture in the bible: God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soeth, that shall he also reap. I see way more people mocking the things of God then the other way around, the bible also says that the wisdom of man is foolishness with God, and that he also gave the foolishness of preaching to save those that believe. It's really kind of funny how so many non-believers want to always say how bigoted Christians are and oh how we are so hateful, etc. but never have I ever read where an atheist actually came right out and said that he loved Christians, never. It's disgusting how much hate I see coming from non-believers, and sad too. Can any atheist on here honestly say that they love all people. I cannot love other people on my own without God's help, I dont know about the rest of you perfect people!!! And btw, we are not evil because of the devil, we have the potential to do evil because the bible says that all have sinned an come short of God's glory, not even the Pope will be saved without repenting and of course obeying Acts 2:38.
susq,
I absolutely cannot say I love all people. I can say I care about all people and wish no one harm. But love is special. Love is something you share with the people in your life. People who you know, spend time with and are intimate with. I cannot love someone I do not know. But, let me be the first ahteist to actually come right out and say that I love Christians. You see, both my parents are Christian, and I love them very much.
Your love, however, is meaningless. You say the word love and dilute its strengh. You turn it into something similar to: "I love ice cream." See? Meaningless.
I am also not hateful. You call it hateful and persecution when people reject or disagree with your views. That's not hate, that's discourse. And yes, some people go overboard (on both sides) and let their passion overcome their reason. But, as far as I am aware, I do not hate anybody.
I'm sure you'll even tell me that you love me, even though I'm a lost, hateful tool of the devil. Well not only do I reject your meaningless love, I am offended by it.
Of course Satan is real, his name is currently Santorum though. For the religous, we were given free will so we could make our own choices, Santorum is trying to remove those same choices so, he must be Satan.
I'm reminded of an old Stephen King book - The Dead Zone. Haven't read it for years...but didn't the hero discover that a charismatic, flamboyant candidate for president was either Satan or had a direct line to the big guy?
Going to have to download that book on my e-reader and refresh my memory.
Santorum is right! Satan is real, and he's a Republican who hates poor people, sick children, blacks, Mexicans and gays!
and women!
Amen B. Thomas!!!
Pretty sad that superstition is so prevalent in the USA. We're well on the way to becoming a third-world country.
Publicly shared massive self delusion. Mind boggling.
Don't worry UDunnoBro. I'm actually surprised ONLY 70% believe in the devil. I'm sure it has been more. It'll take time but we'll get there.
And this is yet another reason why we are a laughingstock to the rest of the world.
As a person that lives in "the rest of the world", I can tell you that you are absolutely correct.
Satan resides in America's Three Branches of Oligarchy....
I think Santorum meant "Santa"
I am so very tired of religion being brought into the political discourse! Let's do ourselves a favor, let's keep it out! It has no place in politics! I do not care one whit what anyone believes in, just keep it to yourself!
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If Government should stay out of religion(s), then shouldn't religion(s) stay out of government? It irks me that some of us, as Christians, think that our will should be forced on everyone, but if someone challenges what we believe is the 'truth', then they should just stay out of it! America isn't a one way street...besides, if we allow Christianity to rule, we are opening the door for Sharia law
Roflmao........finally, back to the subject. I thought after the last 100 comments on the old battle of " is so or ain't neither" that the subject matter would not get back to the true question at hand. Seperation of State and Religion. Referee and tr_98, thanks for bringing it back.
Now there were a few others with short jibs that eluded to the truth but no one grabbed me like these two. ( and besides they were close to the end ) Now, being my first time on this site, I figured I'd say something before I go to bed.
Referee: I don't care what religion a person is either, but we damn sure don't need a person using the Presidents office, nor any other law making position to push into place the laws of said Religion.
tr_98: You hit it on the head bro. We don't need a Pastor for a President. If one sector of a religion was to take over then all we would have is a battle from all the other factions and different religions.
We need to remember what our fore fathers came here for and what they set up. We are different because we are not ruled by religion but by the laws of MAN. All people have the Right to their belief and no religion has the right to say this country belongs to them. This country belongs to all of it's citizens. Reguardless of what they believe or not believe. So the office of our leaders should be filled with men and women who reguardless of their beliefs, will do what's right for all. Not what their religion dictates to them as followers of their belief .
Things like this make me want to thank God I am an atheist!
Well said.
same here
R'amen.
Satan resides in Corporate America....and the Super Rich...their both evil.
SATAN LIVES AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE , the chosen one has arrived!
I was about to believe you but then I saw FAKE in your name.
So if you don't agree with an idea or opinion, you claim that Satan has influenced it and discredit the idea or opinion in that way. You don't have to create a well thought argument, you don't have to have any knowledge of the subject, you just have to claim Satan's influence if you don't agree. I used to laugh at the Christian right, now they scare me a little. First they attack women, wanting to take their ability to make decisions about their own body away. I can see a lot more freedom being taken in the name of defeating Satan. Something like "We have to limit free speech, because it leaves a lot of room for Satan to exert control." Or how about "We're going to have to bomb (insert name of country here), because it looks like Satan is gaining control". Or maybe "We better burn those books, because we can see Satan's work in them". Maybe they scare me more than a little.
J100 - Don't be afraid. If you do...they win! Fear the Muslims, fear the Marxists, fear the Socialists, fear the Unions, fear the Teachers, fear federal employees, fear the guy next door. Only the "Party of God" (GOP/TEA) can keep you safe.
"Bow down before the one you serve...you're going to get what you deserve"
Wow-
It doesn't surprise me that 70% the people in the US believe in this ridiculous fairy tale, but do we really want a President who seriously considers a red guy with a pitch fork as the cause of adverse world events? Really??
There are 300 million people in the US, can't we come up with some better candidates?
I fear how fear-mongering Republicans seem capable of convincing fearful Americans that the GOP/TEA Party isn't responsible for the fear they feel.
@ marbles
Agreed, but you have to bear in mind that the important thing about a republickin candidate is that he/she be able to dupe the stupid, the paranoid, the superstitious, and the fanatical into believing that the party of the plutocrats is their friend.
E.g., Reagan-Bush Junior-FrothyBrownStuff. Q.E.D.