NationStates Jolt Archive

For the most Heinous acts and crimes society tends to look past redemption and rehabilitation and focus on punishment. The perp must pay for his crimes; has an almost soothing ring to it when dealing with sinister individuals who show no sign of remorse for what they have done. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Bin-Laden and that evil looking clown your mom hired for your birthday when you were 5.

In another thread on this forum a member posted that Satan would take "particular pleasure" in punishing Fred Phelps for his venomous "protests" of hate and sadism.

I thought these choice of words were interesting. It seems we are comforted in the thought of knowing a particular indiviudal who we feel deserves it, may end up in a fiery and eternal hell. Some who don't believe in an afterlife almost want to believe in a hell for those who truly deserve one and in many cases Hell takes center stage over Heaven. In Hell, Satan punishes the evil.

Now he no doubt takes pleasure in punishment for sheer sadistic reasons, but nonethless we almost cheer him on when it comes to guys like Hitler, who took his life before we could get to him, or even Phelps. In a twisted way we are routing for Satan. Serving as his Cheerleaders and validating him as our bringer of justice.

In many great movies, books and plays the hero often gets his revenge and conquers the villain or brings him to justice. Does humanity subconsciously see Satan or whatever devil there may be in your respective religion as the hero?

edit> spelling error corrected

Ah, a common misconception of Satan. Thing is, Satan is not the Punisher in hell, nor is he the King/Prince of Hell. He was cast out of Heaven, and forced to reside and burn in Hell for eternity for his sins against God. He himself is being punished for his acts, and although he is thought to be the bringer of punishment, he really is not.

The words "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" is meant to show that Satan is delusional, and truly believes he rules Hell, and not trapped there himself.

So thus, the analogy does not work out.

Ah, a common misconception of Satan. Thing is, Satan is not the Punisher in hell, nor is he the King/Prince of Hell. He was cast out of Heaven, and forced to reside and burn in Hell for eternity for his sins against God. He himself is being punished for his acts, and although he is thought to be the bringer of punishment, he really is not.

The words "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" is meant to show that Satan is delusional, and truly believes he rules Hell, and not trapped there himself.

So thus, the analogy does not work out.

How dare you get to it before me.

Ah, a common misconception of Satan. Thing is, Satan is not the Punisher in hell, nor is he the King/Prince of Hell. He was cast out of Heaven, and forced to reside and burn in Hell for eternity for his sins against God. He himself is being punished for his acts, and although he is thought to be the bringer of punishment, he really is not.

The words "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" is meant to show that Satan is delusional, and truly believes he rules Hell, and not trapped there himself.

So thus, the analogy does not work out.

Exactly. You could think of Satan as the meanest guy in the prison, the one who takes out his sorrow and anger at being in Hell on the newcomers.

Exactly. You could think of Satan as the meanest guy in the prison, the one who takes out his sorrow and anger at being in Hell on the newcomers.

Interesting analogy. :) Many still perceive him to be the "prince" of darkness though.

Interesting analogy. :) Many still perceive him to be the "prince" of darkness though.

Who's the king?

Wonder that. If he's the 'prince' of darkness, that means he has no actual rule over the domains he was 'given'. Therefore people are subconsciously agreeing that Satan is not in fact a ruler of the domain that is Hell, merely the most powerful/influential force within the fiery planes of damnation. That's if they are fiery...

Exactly. You could think of Satan as the meanest guy in the prison, the one who takes out his sorrow and anger at being in Hell on the newcomers.

That still makes him the ruler of hell. Hell is sometimes defined as being cut off from God, so it's like a prison with no warden. The biggest, meanest inmate is king. Therefore Satan does rule in hell. Hail Satan!

Regardless of whether or not Satan is or isn't the 'ruler' of Hell, the idea that Satan punishes the wicked for eternity is commonplace. I wouldn't look at the idea that people think of Satan as 'the hero', rather an incarnation of punishment. I don't think of it so much as people 'cheering on the devil', rather that people would like the world to be a place where people are properly rewarded or punished for their behaviour. That doesn't normally exist in reality, so we often yearn for it in an afterlife. In a Christian society, Satan represents what people feel the wicked deserve.

Whenever I hear the word Satan I think of man's egotistical and selfish nature putting self before others and ignoring the needs of society. I really never think of hell as a fire and burning that is described in the Bible. Hell is to know what is right and to choose what is wrong. the description is meant to impress people of two thousand years ago. People who could not read and who had a (as compared us) limited idea of physics and natural law.

That still makes him the ruler of hell. Hell is sometimes defined as being cut off from God, so it's like a prison with no warden. The biggest, meanest inmate is king. Therefore Satan does rule in hell. Hail Satan!

Exactly, there aren't any heavenly cops guarding the prison called Hell, so basically, whoever's the toughest is the boss. That would be Satan.

However, I think the whole Hell/Satan thing is a bunch of hooey.

satan does not equal 'justice' if justice = punishment.

Satan is the instrument of punishment, god is the agent of punishment

For the most Hanus?


Hanus?

Come on, school is your friend.

Shape up or herr oberst grammatiknazi will send you to ze camp. ja voll?

Ah, a common misconception of Satan. Thing is, Satan is not the Punisher in hell, nor is he the King/Prince of Hell. He was cast out of Heaven, and forced to reside and burn in Hell for eternity for his sins against God. He himself is being punished for his acts, and although he is thought to be the bringer of punishment, he really is not.

The words "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" is meant to show that Satan is delusional, and truly believes he rules Hell, and not trapped there himself.

So thus, the analogy does not work out.

He is still called the ruler of Earth though. Spends his time making people do evil deeds. Can't really say he is stuck in Hell.

For the most Hanus acts and crimes society tends to look past redemption and rehabilitation and focus on punishment. The perp must pay for his crimes; has an almost soothing ring to it when dealing with sinister individuals who show no sign of remorse for what they have done. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Bin-Laden and that evil looking clown your mom hired for your birthday when you were 5.

In another thread on this forum a member posted that Satan would take "particular pleasure" in punishing Fred Phelps for his venomous "protests" of hate and sadism.

I thought these choice of words were interesting. It seems we are comforted in the thought of knowing a particular indiviudal who we feel deserves it, may end up in a fiery and eternal hell. Some who don't believe in an afterlife almost want to believe in a hell for those who truly deserve one and in many cases Hell takes center stage over Heaven. In Hell, Satan punishes the evil.

Now he no doubt takes pleasure in punishment for sheer sadistic reasons, but nonethless we almost cheer him on when it comes to guys like Hitler, who took his life before we could get to him, or even Phelps. In a twisted way we are routing for Satan. Serving as his Cheerleaders and validating him as our bringer of justice.

In many great movies, books and plays the hero often gets his revenge and conquers the villain or brings him to justice. Does humanity subconsciously see Satan or whatever devil there may be in your respective religion as the hero?


Quaint. Except Satan does not punish. Punishment (note: Justice, Judgment) belongs solely to God. If you insist, Satan exists primarily--even solely--to tempt man away from God, specifically the way of Christ. So in answer to your question, no, humanity does not subconsciously view Satan as a hero, unless through their own misconceptions.

Who's the king?

Wonder that. If he's the 'prince' of darkness, that means he has no actual rule over the domains he was 'given'. Therefore people are subconsciously agreeing that Satan is not in fact a ruler of the domain that is Hell, merely the most powerful/influential force within the fiery planes of damnation. That's if they are fiery...

I am.

Hanus?

Come on, school is your friend.

Shape up or herr oberst grammatiknazi will send you to ze camp. ja voll?


oh my god, Heinous! Heinous!

but other than being my spell checker, why not contribute on topic? ;)

satan is the antithesis and as such the contrast which justifies the existence of god... so yes people do need and like him to be there and be the evil guy nobody likes and should be avoided so that we are all happy when we go to heaven, but more often this is unconscious rather than conscious... he is also the convenient scapegoat for the responsability of administering the divine punishment upon people which is in fact god's, but we do not want to see god as wrathfull when he is supposed to be the benevolent and forgiving deity he says he is

(PS: if this doesnt make any sense just ignore it... i havent been to coherent in the last week:p )

Who's the king?

Wonder that. If he's the 'prince' of darkness, that means he has no actual rule over the domains he was 'given'. Therefore people are subconsciously agreeing that Satan is not in fact a ruler of the domain that is Hell, merely the most powerful/influential force within the fiery planes of damnation. That's if they are fiery...

Logically, if Satan is the prince of darkness and the prince of lies, then his father, creator, God, would be the king of darkness and lies.

Since god created the concept of darkness and lies as well as goodness and truth, it's true.

I agree with those who have been pointing out that Satan is in fact, NOT, the punisher. Those who believe would tell you that in fact God is solely responsible for judging humanity, and he alone is the one who gives the evil (and the good) their due. Thus, to use the OP's terminology, God is the hero, not Satan. If people want to misconstrue the situation and claim Satan as a powerful being and bringer of justice that's their prerogative, but it's techinically incorrect. Satan doesn't choose who goes to Heaven or Hell, God does.

Somewhat relevant:

Someone told me once
that there's a right and wrong,
and that punishment
would come to those
who dare to cross the line.

But it must not be true
for jerk-offs like you.
Maybe it takes longer to catch a total asshole.
but I'm tired of waiting.
Maybe it's just bullshit and I should play GOD,
and shoot you myself.*
Because I'm tired of waiting.

Consequences dictate
our course of action
and it doesn't matter what's right.
It's only wrong if you get caught.
If consequences dictate
my course of action
I should play GOD
and shoot you myself.*
I'm very tired of waiting.

I should
kick you,
beat you,
fuck you,
and then shoot you in your fucking head.*