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tonyrey
Guest
Why is it reasonable to believe God was hopeful and His hopes were frustrated?
It seems very odd that the Creator of the entire universe should have limited power?
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It seems very odd that the Creator of the entire universe should have limited power?
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oldcelt
Guest
A bit of a conundrum, isn’t it? Perhaps God never created Satan or his followers and the evil is all our own. Just a thought.
John
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tonyrey
Guest
It seems rather anthropocentric to confine evil to one tiny planet - or even to one form of existence. Why should it be the monopoly of humanity?
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ynotzap
Guest
Holy Scripture is very clear about Satan’s presence on earth: Mt 4-l0, Mk l;13, Lk l0-18, Lk 22-3, Lk; 22-3, Lk; 22-3l, Jn:l3-2l, Jn; l3-24, 2Cor ll-l4, Acts:26-l8 and rev 20-7, and many more not mentioned. Satan never leaves Hell, he exists in the state of Hell, he brings it with him. At the final Judgement he will no longer roam the earth but be restricted to the state of Hell, the absence of the Beatific Vision, the absence of God, no longer able to tempt and deceive mankind. Nelka’s quote is an apparent conundrum
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Aloysium
Guest
I think your answer reveals the truth of the matter.
Whether it is physical or mental suffering, or the dark night of the soul, the abyss is within us as much as we are within it.
For me the mystery would be Judgement.
It is possible that although they now continue to exist in time, at Judgement, they become who they are in eternity - unchanging, a statement as to what they did and who they were.
Those resurrected in Life would go on to participate in creation, in God’s love.
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oldcelt
Guest
Never said it should. So far as I knew we were talking about humanity. If there are other sentient beings, which I think is likely, I imagine they have their share of problems.
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ynotzap
Guest
Satan’s freedom to tempt and deceive humanity is always under the control of God. St.Paul:l Cor:l0;l3 No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength, but with the trial He will provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. Satan is allowed to test the saints, that’s you and me and all that have Christ as our Savior. Hell is not a place as we know place, a certain locality in space, but a state of existence since spirits do not occupy space. Being separated from God is Hell, and this is even evident here on earth. All those who do not have Jesus Christ are victims of Satan’s deceits, and as victims do experience their own personal hell on earth, eg. wars, murder, injustice, lust, thievery, lies, hatred, pride, jealousy, envy, selfishness, addiction, suppression, obsessions, illlulsions and inordinate fears, and ignorance. These are all states of existence, conditions. We also can have positive states of existence, love, peace, justice, honesty, freedom from oppression, humility, chastity, fortitude and courage, and truth, this is a reflection of Heaven a state of happiness, notice I didn’t say Heaven which is perfect happiness but a reflection. Perfect happiness is not possible on earth.
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tonyrey
Guest
“the evil is all our own” gives the impression that we create evil. At all events evil (or good) seem to have nothing to do with the remote, amoral, impersonal First Cause which serves only one purpose - and probably has no choice in the matter!
And yet you stated:
That seems a far cry from:
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oldcelt
Guest
You are reading way between the lines.
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oldcelt
Guest
So God controls how much the evil one may harass us? Interesting…
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Aloysium
Guest
That is not the Catholic perspective. On the other hand, Perhaps He can be said to harass what is sin. Some kids see their parents attempts to steer them towards hard work and away from such destructive activities as drugs and promiscuity as harassment.
I’m actually unsure to what degree Satan is active in this world. We seem to be doing well enough on our own.
Harassing, if that is what it is, might not be a bad in dealing with eternal beings constructing their place in that eternity.
Not actually agreeing with you but if that is where you are coming from this might help you understand.
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tonyrey
Guest
You need to explain why…
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Wunderkinds
Guest
Because he still loves Satan and the demons, because there is a tiny piece of them that is “good.” Satan having the least of this goodness and the demons having more and more than Satan.
However, because they are not completely bad, God still loves them, therefore they exist. If they were 100% evil, God would forget them and they would be gone.
D
Dorothy
Guest
The evil spirits exist because what God gives He does not take back. God allows them to tempt us, and when we resist we grow in grace. We have an awesome remedy, Jesus Christ our Lord!
The angels were given great intellect, and once they made their decision to rebel they suffered the consequences.
Our intellect is much lower than the angels, and when we refuse grace from God and rebel we have the chance to repent and be forgiven. When our time runs out, that is it.
God’s grace is available, so we can be ready at our death. Let us take advantage of His wonderful grace every moment. He deserves all the glory!
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tonyrey
Guest
It seems absurd that any being created by God in His image and likeness could be 100% evil.
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ready
Guest
God permits the evil to try the good. Satan, demons and people who are Satan’s followers serve to try the elect and to give them opportunity to prove their love and fidelity to God, thus giving them opportunity to grow in virtue and to gain merit for heaven. God bless you.
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Wunderkinds
Guest
Yes, because he already stated that he destroys what he hates. Thank you for the thumbs up.
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ready
Guest
Yes, St. Augustine says that God would not permit a creature to remain in existence if it did not contain some goodness. Satan has being (something good) and God uses his being to try the elect so they can prove their love and fidelity to Him. God bless you.
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