Rose42 wrote:
On the subject of Christianity you are uninformed. The bible is the source to go to not asking people what their opinion is. It explains different people God has used throughout history and the various times people have been punished and undergone trials.
Typical narrow mindedness we have all come to expect from you.
Merriam Webster wrote:
deity noun
de·i·ty | \ ˈdē-ə-tē , ˈdā- \
plural deities
Definition of deity
1a : the rank or essential nature of a god : DIVINITY
b capitalized : GOD sense 1, SUPREME BEING
2 : a god (see GOD entry 1 sense 2) or goddess
the deities of ancient Greece
3 : one exalted or revered as supremely good or powerful
such established American deities as Daniel Boone, Kit Carson
— J. D. Hart
the deities of the banking world
I expect that you will point out that many of the definitions include the word god which is generic, much like the Christian usage of the word god to refer to their deity. The Christian deity has many names but most Christians seem to favor the non-name "God" as a way to refer to their deity. God is nothing but a generic term to refer to a deity which Satan is such a deity, of course Christians prefer not to refer to Satan as a deity. Let's take a closer look at Merriam Webster's definitions and see how they may applly to Satan.
1a : the rank or essential nature of a god : DIVINITY
Gods are typically called such due to their divine nature. The fact that they are considered to have supernatural or superhuman powers. Powers mere mortals do not possess. Is it said that Satan has any such powers? Well... the ability to hold sway or influence over man from Hell would be considered supernatural or superhuman I would say. Is Satan ever accused or blamed for having held sway or influence over men and their decisions?
b capitalized : GOD sense 1, SUPREME BEING
Would anyone argue that Satan ISN'T a supreme being? Many people speak of men/women making deals with the devil. that would require the devil's presence or at thew very least, the ability to hear people on the mortal plain all the way from his plain in Hell, not a power possessed by mortal men. Such abilities are only possessed by supreme beings.
2 : a god (see GOD entry 1 sense 2) or goddess
the deities of ancient Greece
Let us look at how Merriam Webster defines "God" and see how that might apply here.
Merriam Webster wrote:
god noun
\ ˈgäd also ˈgȯd \
Definition of god (Entry 1 of 2)
1 capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality: such as
a : the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe
b Christian Science : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit : infinite Mind
2 : a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship
specifically : one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality
Greek gods of love and war
3 : a person or thing of supreme value
had photos of baseball's gods pinned to his bedroom wall
4 : a powerful ruler
Hollywood gods that control our movies' fates
god noun br \ ˈgäd also ˈgȯd \ br Definition of g... (
show quote)
Here within the first definition several things stand out the would perhaps disqualify Satan. Firstly I will look at "goodness", Goodness is somewhat subjective. One person's "goodness" can be another's misery. Let's toss "goodness" aside then.
"Worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe", that part eliminates Satan as I know of nobody that claims that Satan was the creator of the universe.
Definition #2 "2 : a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship" I think we have already spoken on "supernatural" powers, aka "attributes and powers". Does Satan require worship? I suspect only those that desire favors of Satan need bother worshipping him. Gee... why does that sound familiar? Perhaps due to the fact that those desiring favors from "God" are required to worship him in hopes that he favors them with their desires. Thus far I know not of anyone dropping dead because they missed a prayer session.
3 : a person or thing of supreme value
had photos of baseball's gods pinned to his bedroom wall
Uh-oh, blasphemy, Idolatry, worshipping other gods apart from "God".
4 : a powerful ruler
Hollywood gods that control our movies' fates[/quote]
What? You do not need supernatural/superhuman powers or attributes to be a god? Don't tell Rose42 this. So, as Satan qualifies as a god, (the bar is set quite low) and a god is a deity, then YES, Satan is therefore a deity.
As for the last part of your reply:
Rose42 wrote:
On the subject of Christianity you are uninformed. The bible is the source to go to not asking people what their opinion is. It explains different people God has used throughout history and the various times people have been punished and undergone trials.
Again you speak on that which you haven't a clue on, like a fool. You do not know me, you do not know my background, you can not make such foolish statements like that without some background to back up such a foolish comment. On what evidence do you base your accusations on?
In all of the stories I can think of off the top of my head, they are all from the old testament, he has always chosen a faithful servant to issue his "trials" onto. I guess God prefers to punish his most faithful servants. The only time I recall Satan heaping on the trials was the story of Jesus on the mount where Satan tried to persuade Jesus to abandon god. I figure he assumed that if he could sway God's own son, he could sway EVERYONE.
Still, we find that when people are "tried" in our modern times, the blame goes to Satan, when great things are bestowed, it is "God" that gets the credit.