My remark has to do with how it seems that so many times - even after G-d's deliverence of the Commandments - are caught worshiping idols, for example. In one sense, we see a G-d who must be frustrated that he has to keep telling these guys, "Knock it off, I'm serious" by way of prophets. And it makes me wonder, if G-d is so put out by this act, and he's all powerful and all, why doesn't he just fix the problem? Of course, then we get in to concepts of free will and so on. But, that, in turn reduces back to the whole Truth that God created it all to begin with. If He doesn't like Idol worship, why did he make a system where Idol worship would become such a problem? Even today, if you view Christianity in a certain way, idol worship continues with vigor. If G-d is "against" this sort of thing, then isn't it fair to say He's failed in his creation?
So, in order to move past these sorts of quandries, I surmise that the lessons about Idol worship are not so much from G-d - in terms of consequences - so much as they are from men trying to teach other men how to appreciate the glory of G-d. If a man has no choice, as I believe, but to expierence reality and that reality is one expression of G-d, ultimately it matters very little if we're worshiping idols, or coveting our neighbor's things and so on. I suppose I should posit also, and I would hope this would clear up where I'm coming from on some level, I believe G-d is LOVE. I don't know... I understand the point of personal responsibility as social animals... I get that... but, when talking about the infinite nature of G-d, there's a breakdown of consequence that I can't understand.. which of course, makes sense, lest I'd be G-d, right?
My background is Catholic, so no doubt my understandings of Satan is understood with that backdrop. Though, I've come to reject Satan as anything, really. I mean, wouldn't it be fair to say that giving Satan power via fear, we fear him as some kind of demi-god, at least? If Satan is real, he is still subordinate to G-d, and I have no fear of something which G-d can stop. Of course, concepts of some giant battle of Good and Evil must also thereby ring hollow, as we already know who the winner is... or G-d isn't G-d at all... ironically, should there be any question who wins, we do not have ONE God at all... but two.. of equal potential... and if the "bad one" (Satan) were to win any epic battle at the end times, well... he'd be G-d afterall, and the guy we're calling G-d now not All Powerful and thus we're all worshiping the wrong guy.... it's a loose loose idea, making little sense and carrying no weight with me. Though, I can appreciate it's ability to convince others.
Gotta get home... I'll check back to this thread later....
