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Robert_Sock
Guest
I’m afraid that we live in world where ignorance and illusion abound. I voted ‘yes.’ Sex, porn, SSA and abortion make it hard to believe otherwise.
LOVE!
LOVE!
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tonyrey
Guest
No! To think Satan has our world under a strong spell is to underestimate the power of Jesus whose love has redeemed everyone without exception. Even if we are not Christians the vast majority of civilised people believe in the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity due to the impact of His teaching that we are all children of the same Father. Most of us are weak but not vicious - and certainly not diabolical…
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Amandil
Guest
I wouldn’t say that its under a “spell”.
But definitely Satan and his angels are at work. And their lies are being believed.
The effects are too manifold to think otherwise.
But definitely Satan and his angels are at work. And their lies are being believed.
The effects are too manifold to think otherwise.
meltzerboy
New member
I agree with this. Besides, HaSatan works for G-d (HaShem) and has no power of his own.
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mikekle
Guest
Well, when you look around at the world we live in today, it is pretty clear there is a large percentage of the population that chooses to live without God in their lives…the question is though, if the majority of people are NOT choosing God, was all Jesus did for mankind, all for nothing? After all, if it turns out that the majority of people do not choose God, that kind of tells me that Satan has managed to win over more souls…That is pretty significant imo!!
Even the bible admits not many people will make it to heaven, so that in itself is scary, it basically saying Satan WILL win more souls!!!
I only wonder what the implications of that is though…surely it is pretty powerful and important to God that his adversary has gained more souls…right?
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Robert_Sock
Guest
Who says that Satan cannot work for God and keep the world under a spell at the same time? From within Jewish thought, doesn’t Satan control much of our sexuality? Would you not consider this a part of a spell?
LOVE!
meltzerboy
New member
If what you mean by “control much of our sexuality,” is that Satan tempts us so that we abuse our G-d-given sexual part of our nature, then perhaps. But Satan’s temptation is essentially for the purpose of strengthening our resolve by putting pressure on us to freely choose the morally right path and not give in to sexual pleasure whenever and wherever it pleases us. To say that Satan keeps the world under some sort of diabolical spell is, as “tonyrey” notes, to deny or minimize the power of G-d to give us the will (grace) to ward off evil impulses.Who says that Satan cannot work for God and keep the world under a spell at the same time? From within Jewish thought, doesn’t Satan control much of our sexuality? Would you not consider this a part of a spell?
LOVE!
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Adonia
Guest
No, not under his spell, but for sure Satan is being allowed by God the freedom to entice humans into evil. This is counteracted by the saving grace of Christ and we in turn have the free will to follow the good path laid out for us. Satan is stupid, he always thinks he will win, but time and time again he ultimately fails.
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davidv
Guest
Satan has completely separated himself from God. He will not work for God. That is his sin. He has refused to serve. Satan does not control our sexuality. Our respective wills control our expression of our sexuality.Who says that Satan cannot work for God and keep the world under a spell at the same time? From within Jewish thought, doesn’t Satan control much of our sexuality? Would you not consider this a part of a spell?
LOVE!
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Robert_Sock
Guest
Yes, I strongly agree that God gives us the grace to resist temptation, but I do not believe that our world being under a spell is inconsistent with this fact. I believe that we live in an illusion, where nothing is real except the illusion. I believe that this is well within God’s will.
LOVE!
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Aloysium
Guest
:twocents:
Surrendering ourselves to God and accepting His gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and knowledge, we are able to come closer to Truth.
The concept of illusion seems rather complex and to have different meanings: from attaching ourselves to creation rather than our Creator, to misunderstandings, distortions, perhaps projections of truth, and to outright lies.
The aim would be to have a God-centred understanding.
Solid Truth has a way of pushing through and dispelling the clouds of illusion.
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Charlemagne_III
Guest
Satan certainly does not have the whole world under a spell, if I understand rightly what you mean by spell.
But demonic possession is another thing. I don’t know what to call it if not a spell of sorts.
Parts of the world have been dominated by Satan’s influence, such as Nazi Germany, or at present the state of North Korea … a truly psychotic state if not demonically possessed.
And then of course there was the “smoke of Satan” that visited the Vatican for a time.
But demonic possession is another thing. I don’t know what to call it if not a spell of sorts.
Parts of the world have been dominated by Satan’s influence, such as Nazi Germany, or at present the state of North Korea … a truly psychotic state if not demonically possessed.
And then of course there was the “smoke of Satan” that visited the Vatican for a time.
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Robert_Sock
Guest
What causes abominations such as SSA, abortion, atheism, pornography and sexual promiscuity? Are they not a part of an illusion that dictates how people view the world? Indeed, what we call ‘reality’ is nothing but a contrived grand illusion, produced by Satan’s spell.
As long as we are in this lowly world, we are living in the bondage of sin.
1 John 1:10 RSV
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
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tonyrey
Guest
Robert, have you read my post?
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Geist
Guest
Satanic influence is all around us; if you are not seeing it is because you turn your eyes away.
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tonyrey
Guest
Your last point is a decisive refutation of the Satanic spell hypothesis. The vast majority of people in this world are neither evil nor foolish but tragically many individuals in our secular society lack moral perception through no fault of their own. It is ignorance rather than malice or diabolical inspiration that dominates our spiritual environment.
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tonyrey
Guest
Irrefutable!
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tonyrey
Guest
Satan certainly does not have the whole world under a spell, if I understand rightly what you mean by spell.
But demonic possession is another thing. I don’t know what to call it if not a spell of sorts.
Parts of the world have been dominated by Satan’s influence, such as Nazi Germany, or at present the state of North Korea … a truly psychotic state if not demonically possessed.
And then of course there was the “smoke of Satan” that visited the Vatican for a time.
“our world” is certainly a gross exaggeration.
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tonyrey
Guest
There is a vast difference between the entire world and those who are deceived by Satan. Ignorance has always been a major cause of wrong-doing but usually it is not culpable.
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tonyrey
Guest
In our secular society many people are brainwashed by scientists claiming mindless evolution has replaced God. They are deceived by men rather than Satan!
Where is the Catholic doctrine that not many people will make it to heaven?
Your deduction implies that Satan is more powerful than God.
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