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"The Devil Is Always On The Job."

Now, I'm wondering something. This public activity was posted by a sort of distant family member, on a social networking site. I want it to be known I'm not ridiculing anyone here.

a family member said:

family friend 1 said in a reply to that post:

family friend 2 said:

This distant family member is a member (like most family and indeed residents around here) of a local rural charismatic protestant church no doubt, in Oklahoma, possibly (likely) Pentecostal, so I know there is a fundamentalist theme and sort of almost "code" for some of the language, but I have to know; I've heard this all my life, around various family, close and distant, and in just some people you meet, acquaintances, people working at stores, etc.


Do people REALLY believe the actual Devil is doing these things? Responsible for pain, suffering, cruelty, bad luck or misfortune? An actual living entity, maybe in some evil plane or deep in the Earth or whatever, has a lake of fire and flaming pits and tortures souls and causes havoc on earth, influences people to do wrong, cheat on spouses, kill, etc.? Through some unexplained faculty, massive telepathy and telekinesis, he manipulates people and events on earth and causes wanton destruction, appears in people's closets and bedrooms, maybe in dreams, talks to people on Ouija boards, corrupts young minds through fantasy dice and storytelling games, etc.?


Again, this is not being snide, but these are things attributed to Satan, so I'm wanting to get a real viewpoint on this issue: is Satan more a psychological construct, or a sort of generic mass of external blame for people, that is responsible for every bad thing and can be seen as the enemy, manifest in one concrete idea, rather than just random happenings we just can't understand or logically explain, or is it really a guy or monster intent on selfish and vile pursuits, revenge, betrayal, etc.


When people like in the quotes above say "The Devil has been really going at me today", do they actually get a mental image of a red skinned guy with horns and stuff (or any other real-life personification, even if it's a mustachioed guy in a nice suit), and MEAN that literally, or do they mean a subtle malicious influence on their day from this beast, or is it really just metaphor?

Jobquot On Is Devil quotThe

Name: Hauge

Name: People love to blame someone else for what goes wrong in the world and the devil is probably one of the best choices. I mean he's already known as the worst guy in history from Eve all the way down to now. He's ugly, another reason to be hated. He's a snake, and who likes snakes? So next time you have something bothering you just know it's the devil, no need to take responsibility for your own aura, fate, responsibilities, or whatever you call it.

"The Devil Is Always On The Job." Beliefs Religious General

I think that the Devil does exist and that their is a hell. As far as his influence I see it more like we are the gas and he is the match. His influence is his existence in ourselves. Furthermore being a good person or a seeker of truth if you will. That person will stand out to the Devil.

Energies seek to find balance in my opinion. So the more of a "good" person you are the more "evil" will try and "attack" you.

I quess I would view the Devil as a sort of sentient energy, as for a body I suppose he could take whatever form he wanted.

Jobquot On Is Devil quotThe

In the case of the victim this is where we get "Poor Devil" from:

Jpatt perhaps you can use the term next time you hear someone blaming it all on the devil.

Jobquot On Is Devil quotThe

Definitely have at least heard that, though more times that is more the proper sounding parts of the country, and more Europe like the UK and such. Either way, it still doesn't make a whole lot of sense really, who could use a sympathetic theme for the supposed enemy of God and Man and all that?

"The Devil Is Always On The Job."

Do I believe the Devil exist? Not sure but I do believe that a lot of religious people use it as a poor excuse when they mess up really bad.