The devil AKA Satan.

Do you believe in the devil?

Many fundamentalist Christians would obviously say "yes" with the sage and knowing comment that the greatest trick of the devil is to convince us that he doesn't exist.

Myself, I think his greatest trick is to convince us that he he does.....which doesn't really make sense I know, but is rather funny when you think about it.

The Dharma, Buddhism, does have its own version of the "lord of darkness", Mara. Mara often acts as someone who would seek to convince us that "enlightenment/salvation" can never be ours.

Once, on a Buddhist forum, another poster spoke of his own outlook. He only believed in bodhisattvas, surrounding us, "enlightenment beings" who have renounced the joys of nirvana in order to share our sufferings, making them their own, aiding and supporting. Angels in a sense I suppose. I saw his outlook as life giving. I still do.

I don't think we need believe in fairies to reap the benefits. A "bodhisattva" can be in the smile of a child, an act of a stranger. Tangible. Real. Lifegiving.

No poll here I'm not interested in any vote. Truth is not democratic.

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Islamreligion · F

Satan is a figure in Islam too and shown as an enemy :
Al-Baqarah - Verse 168
{…and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. He is truly your sworn enemy.)
if you don’t believe in the existence of Satan you cannot possibly be a Muslim since by doing so you are denying part of Gods creation. it is like being a Buddhist and denying the existence of Buddha or some main figure in it.

In Islam , Satan and the devils
Do try to deceive people
However we believe a person makes the final decision and has their own choice and will to do bad/good.

What interesting enough
Is this verse in the Quran
Al-An'am - Verse 112

{And so We have made for every prophet enemies—devilish humans and jinn—whispering to one another with elegant words of deception. Had it been your Lord’s Will, they would not have done such a thing. So leave them and their deceit}

The reason I find it interesting is how God refers to some “humans” as devilish
Because sadly some humans by their evil traits fit the definition of a devil maybe even worse than a devil.

Have a good day 🍀

Tariki

@Islamreligion As a Buddhist I can do without Siddhārtha Gautama, the historical Buddha. Denying his existence is in a sense irrelevant. It is the Dharma that cannot be denied. Truth.

Thank you.

Islamreligion · F

@Tariki exactly you are making it very simple!

Dharma is a “doctrine “
And you believe in it firmly as you said with No “denying”
Christians and Muslims are no different; they have their own doctrine /set of beliefs and
That includes believing in the existence of a creature called Satan. (and similarly many other religions have their own doctrine that includes specific beliefs and ideas )

In Islam we believe that Satan is but a creature of God who has free will
Ane decided the path of evil just like some humans can and do choose that path.

For example you have a man and he becomes a leader of a violent criminal gang (aka Satan) and starts influencing people and asking them to join his gang (aka humans )
However those who join do so willingly by their own “will “ and “choice”
After fully knowing and being warned.

I don’t see what Is confusing about the Islamic belief on Satan.
God clearly identified him and warned us about him , sent prophets throughout with scripture and at the end each person has their own will and will face the consequences of their “own” actions accordingly.