The American Spectator

Kitty| 1.19.11 @ 6:26AM

Let's not forget that Saul Alinsky dedicated his book, "Rules For Radicals," to Lucifer, and the NEA put his book on their recommended list.

David T| 1.19.11 @ 10:30AM

Alinsky said power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have. God keeps Satan on a short leash (see Book of Job), but that doesn't stop the father of all lies from going around roaring like a lion seeking whom he might devour.

Alan Brooks| 1.19.11 @ 6:25PM

If the writers at AS go to Hell someday, they can be with Tyrrell-- it will be a reunion.

Alan Brooks| 1.19.11 @ 6:27PM

... there's nothing wrong with a company reunion.

Todd S| 1.19.11 @ 11:55PM

You are a pathetic piece of crap

Kevin Dunn| 1.19.11 @ 6:47AM

What bears on me more and more is the lack of competition the Devil has today. It's a long time since General Booth of the Salvation Army said: "Why should the Devil have all the best tunes?" C. S. Lewis's Christian science-fiction and Christian stories for children are sui generis - There are plenty of believing Chrisians in the world today, but where are the explicitly Christian writers, artists, film-makers, even poets? The success of Lewis, Tolkien and a very few others shows the market is there, but the "makers" seem in very short supply. I lose patience with the people who deplore the real evils of our culture yet fail to create - or more culpably (since we can't all be creative artists) to support - competing stories etc. of Christian values. The film of Lewis's "The Voyage of the Dawn Readaer", which I have just this day seen, though it has some faults, is one example of what might be done and one step in the right direction (My 7-year-old grandson thought it weas "awesome" and we discussed dragons all the way home).

Ryan| 1.19.11 @ 8:30AM

I think Walden Entertainment has done an overall decent job along these lines.

What many Gen-Xers don't get is press. The modern praise-and-worship movement began with several talented leaders in the late 90s/early 2000s; alas, what we've seen it turned into is the entertainment-driven services in megachurches.

However, I HAVE seen it work.

Pall Leosson| 1.19.11 @ 10:50AM

Kevin Dunn:
Have you read any of the works of Flannery O'Connor? If not, check out her short stories, two novels (Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away), essays and letters. She is a brilliant and compelling Christian author who died of lupus at the age of 39, still faithfully composing in her hospital bed. She said that she wrote for and about people struggling with Grace in a territory largely held by the Devil. Her wit and wisdom and gift for narrative power and human insight are profoundly manifest in her superb short stories and novels.

Ted| 1.19.11 @ 1:38PM

Just know going into a Flannery O'Connor story that it is not going to be all peaches and roses.... Her works are excellent, but until you have read them and thought about them for a bit, you might wonder "where the good has gone."

Anastasia Mather| 1.19.11 @ 5:57PM

I love Flannery O'Connor. I especially adore the collection of her short stories, Everything That Rises Must Converge. No mincing of ideas or words.

Another overlooked author (extremely overlooked) is Charles Williams. He produced seven "supernatural thrillers" that will have you scratching your head, wondering, thinking, etc.

Alan Brooks| 1.19.11 @ 6:30PM

As far as sin goes, I only committed adultery with one woman-- while many employees of AS have Done more than One.

Lisa? she wouldn't do something like that, right?

CalMark| 1.19.11 @ 6:46PM

What a lovely thing to say about someone you don't know.

I thought nonjudgmentalism was liberals' substitute for the Bible.

Alan Brooks| 1.19.11 @ 7:55PM

But you WANT judgment-- and you will get it..
I would be happy to give you fickle Rightwingers (you can't decide on personal ethics), all the judgmentalism you want.

Alan Brooks| 1.19.11 @ 7:59PM

... so please do not write that you are confused on what I mean: you know the difference between ethical standards and personal morality.
You do in fact believe "do as I say, not as I do."
An obvious fact, not an opinion.

Steve B| 1.20.11 @ 6:56PM

I can't resist commenting on this one, though I have no idea what the hell you're talking about or who Lisa is. Just because I like to indulge my pedantry once in a while.

"Do as I say, not as I do" recognizes that some things are wrong - though hard to live up to.

A Christian conservative (I'm not one BTW) acknowledges the wrongness and hypocrisy of (for example) his adultery as measured against the code he believes, but fails to live up to.

Somebody like Teddy Kennedy or Bill Clinton is obviously not a hypocrite - because he has no moral objections to adultery, merely expedient discretion based on the unpopularity of the behavior with voters.

This does not ipso facto, make them better people than conservative hypocrites.

Kevin Dunn| 1.19.11 @ 6:50AM

Sorry, that sdhould be "Dawn Treader", of course. A demon in my computer?

Alan Brooks| 1.19.11 @ 10:41PM

Yes, a permanent one.

Appleby| 1.19.11 @ 6:54AM

Satan promises us what we want; God promises us what we need. Very few people know the difference these days.

Satan promises us we can be in charge; God promises us He will be in charge. In times when it seems that nobody is in charge and the people who want to be in charge should be in the asylum, ignorant people find the *choice* easy.

PJ| 1.19.11 @ 7:48AM

Your thoughts are especially profound today.

Appleby| 1.19.11 @ 11:56AM

Thank you. Read Luke Chapter 4 for further details (and in your mind substitute Obama for Jesus and ponder which choice he made when the same deal was offered to him.)

Beer (f.m.h.)| 1.19.11 @ 11:59AM

Succinct, but true and very well said. thx.

Ted| 1.19.11 @ 1:39PM

That was a rather profound comment. I am saving that one, I am.

Alan Brooks| 1.19.11 @ 10:43PM

"What a lovely thing to say about someone you don't know."

I mean, are you kidding, Calmark? in the year 2011? you think she is saint Lisa??

Maggi| 1.20.11 @ 10:11AM

"Satan promises us what we want; God promises us what we need." I truly believe this simple yet profound statement says it all. Thank you for your thoughts.

Pelligrino| 1.19.11 @ 7:13AM

Thank you for the article, Ms. Fabrizio. And the reference to C.S. Lewis 'Screwtape Letters.' This book and 'Mere Christianity' should be required reading.

You are quite correct; Satan seems to need little assistance these days. Our decadent culture throughout the media (all forms of it), all pop culture, our museums, and our academic institutions cry out that God is dead.

So many people decide to sleep in on Sunday mornings. And our political leaders jockey to be on some stupid Washington, D.C. TV talk shows on those same Sunday mornings.

What? No time for church? No time for God?

This is why it is so difficult to achieve the good in even simple undertakings. Or to simply argue why this or that should be done away with for its immorality.

I firmly believe; however, that God is not mocked. The Bible tells us so. Our day of reckoning is coming. Jesus will be coming like the "thief in the night."

Tina B| 1.19.11 @ 7:15AM

A little eloquence from Margie would be welcome here. I am an ex follower of the Evil One, from Catholic parents and schools, I still emerged a crazy California teen who sought pleasure at every opportunity regardless of the harm I did to others and myself.

Like Solomon, however, I am older now and wiser. The Lord is my Rock and my Salvation and I see the folly of my ways. From everything is vanity to "for God will bring every deed into judgement. . ." and I am blessed to have a Savior from my sins. He is Jesus Christ. The lost can find him if they are really seeking Him.

Mimi| 1.19.11 @ 2:32PM

Yes Tina ....The Lamb has come... to take it all upon himself.... for all of mankind.! God Bless you for your POST. Go well

Clint| 1.19.11 @ 7:26AM

"There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be."
— Fulton J. Sheen

The Devil Is In The Details.

Paul Leosson| 1.19.11 @ 10:56AM

A brilliant and thoughtful citation from Bishop Sheen! In our postmodern age it could also be said: "There are not one hundred people in Western Civilization who hate the Christian Religion, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Christian Religion to be."

Clint| 1.19.11 @ 12:50PM

Indeed Paul.

Deconstructionist Agendists are attempting to smear, slander & marginalize Christian Religions.

Occam's Tool| 1.20.11 @ 10:39PM

Sorry, Tim*/Clint, you curse Israel daily. You are no Christian.

Ted| 1.19.11 @ 1:56PM

Fulton Sheen quotes are always welcome. We Christians, whether Catholic or Protestant, need to remember Benjamin Franklin:

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."

Pelligrino| 1.19.11 @ 7:29AM

Tina B., I too look forward to what Margie might share with us here. She always seems to have good words; she finds the right Bible verses to fit the discussion.

It is very good that you know Jesus and profess Him as Savior. Now you have life and life eternal. Good for you!

You've started my day on a high note. Thank you!

Denver Todd| 1.19.11 @ 8:37AM

I have long noted that the E-word is absent when all the hand-wringing goes on after national events such as 9/11 and Tuscon. Evil is never blamed, just a lack of funding for this or that cause, or not being nice to other countries.

Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 1.19.11 @ 9:07AM

Instead of giving the devil his due why not rejoice in the fact he has been defeated by Jesus Christ through his death on the cross at Calvary & His resurrection three days later. Not only was Satan defeated, but also bondage to sin & evil if we will only believe & turn our lives over to Him. With GOD everything is possible. Satan is defeated & awaiting his sentencing. His only desire now is take as many souls as he can convince to go with him to the lake of fire GOD has waiting for him after GOD's judgement is handed down. Don't underestimate him, but remember the battle is already won. We can either choose victory through Jesus Christ or defeat through Satan. GOD has made it very clear to us how His judgement works. I have chose victory through Jesus Christ & I pray all who read this will too. Take care all & GOD bless!

Franz| 1.19.11 @ 9:31AM

Original Sin opened the door, but Satan can't enter
without our permission - it's in the New Testament. GK Chesterton opined in "Orthodoxy"
(the BEST book ever!), that...God has written a
play (life on earth), that he had planned as perfect,
but which had necessarily been left to human actors and stage-managers, who had since made
a great mess of it. Search out Chesterton and his
works for more answers than one could handle in
a lifetime.

Tony in Central PA| 1.19.11 @ 8:29PM

G.K. Chesterton is the best writer nobody ever heard about.

Chuck| 1.19.11 @ 9:48AM

I was asked 30 years who was the most influential individual in history. The answer Jesus Christ. The second most influential is none other than Lucifer. Eternal life is simple either your with Jesus or Lucifer and there are no other choices. Take your pick it;s your choice.

Walkthetalk| 1.19.11 @ 9:58AM

“Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!” said Jesus. So, just who is it that follows the devil? Well, you will know them by their fruits – they are liars who love death. Liberals fit this definition. Look at the Liar in Chief for example. He and his wife also support abortion. Obama is of his father the devil. Dreams of his Father is to complete the works of his father. But he’s not alone. There is a broad path that he is following. There are very many people walking on that path. If they follow their leader whether Obama or some one else makes no matter, they are all going the same direction, to a dead end. What is more, they adore their father, and dedicate books to him. Many religions, atheists, God-haters, the self-centered, and even so-called Christians follow this path because it is a spiritual condition. If you sin, turn away from God, you will be subject to spiritual death, and no matter who you think controls your destiny, your de facto king is the devil. You will do his works. (This is made clear in the second book on the site www.christforamericans.)

The people on the other path, the narrow path are free from the power of the devil. We are subject to King Jesus, to do his will, and to love him. We must encounter the works of the devil, and live amongst his people, but we know the truth that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Like it or not, there is a devil and he is in charge of all those on the broad spiritually dark path. Be aware. Be prepared. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground .…”

Walkthetalk| 1.19.11 @ 12:13PM

Oops, thats www.christforamerican.com
I'm not a liberal, I can't blame anyone else but me for not adding .com.

cyberdog| 1.19.11 @ 10:58AM

"Catch the bellwether, and his whole flock comes after him."...BHO anyone?

Joe| 1.20.11 @ 1:34PM

Absolutely!

Petronius| 1.19.11 @ 11:20AM

The opposition of the theatrical and film community to Christian strictures concerning behavior is natural enough, going back to the Church's prohibition of dramatic performances in the post Roman era. Later at the dawn of the 13th century it was the Church which did revive it as a vehicle of instruction. First, the Church fathers put actors out of work. Then they hired them to do their teaching during Mass. But the cathedral was not and is not a stage.
Examine the modern actor and his profession. To become successful in commercial theater and film he must be rooted in himself to get noticed, get cast, gain public recognition, and then be accepted into the upper echelons by his peers. If any priest or minister objects to the material he performs, or any aspect of production he will naturally take offense along with his director, writer, and producer. The script, the costumes and lack of them, nor the premise of the piece do not matter. Any attack or even any small expression of displeasure by any on the outside brings tirades against the bluenoses on ET. They might feel obliged to media critics, but never to any others. Yet, they can't wait violate the sensitivities of people who hold traditional morals and religious beliefs. That's a + on the resume'. The cultural and life style templates of show business reflect the nature of the beast. But it's all personal. Ergo, actors consumption habits, relationships, marriages, or family and life left behind cannot temper their egos. And that goes double concerning Broadway musicals where the casting couch is for the boys. Those who don't play, don't work. They regard it as their universe: and it is. Unless you are a cable or satellite subscriber, you don't have to subsidize their cinesewage. So I don't let it bother me. I'm picky at the box office.

Seek| 1.19.11 @ 11:24AM

Superb post. You have given me yet another reason to support film, television and theater.

Pelligrino| 1.19.11 @ 4:40PM

Seek, please explain. "Support film, television, and theater?" I do not understand what you mean.

Why would anyone be interested in supporting today's L.A. television, Hollywood (or Bollywood) film, or Broadway's theater?

Mike McLaren| 1.19.11 @ 11:33AM

"Catch the bellwether, and his whole flock comes after him". After reading this the name Oprah came to mind.

Natural Born Texican| 1.19.11 @ 11:44AM

Glorious!!!!

These posts have lifted my spirits! To see that there are soooo many of us who follow Christ is a breath of hope and fresh air!!!!

This has made my day!!!!

MrsB| 1.19.11 @ 11:46AM

Luke 9:49-50 "...we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."

Al Adab| 1.19.11 @ 12:16PM

Should we really be surprised that in a nation which expends it's wealth and future sacrificing children to the god Choice (idolotry) that evil has a hayday? The salt of the earth and the remnant will prevail, but God judges nations. No gurantees there.

Franco| 1.19.11 @ 12:22PM

Evil is sexier and has cooler uniforms. It also manages to get away with terrible but fun stuff before it is stopped. Lord, woman, have ye never heard of Star Wars or The Third Reich?

Dave Williams| 1.19.11 @ 12:46PM

There is not the SLIGHTEST shred of evidence for the existence of either god or devil (and please spare me the C.S. Lewis quotation). This country is hopeless until we grow up and realize that we, human beings, the summit and masterpiece of evolution, are TOTALLY responsible for ALL the good and evil in our lives and act accordingly.

Ryan| 1.19.11 @ 2:01PM

Then how can we properly define "good" or "evil?"

Ken (Old Texican)| 1.19.11 @ 2:05PM

Dave Williams,
You are a mere "fetus of the Spirit".
You must be "born of the Spirit" to inherit life.

It looks to me that you should be aborted, but God will decide that. If you refuse to be "born of the Spirit", that is certainly your choice.
Enjoy the outer darkness.

Al Adab| 1.19.11 @ 2:34PM

Dave,
Interesting to find that atheism brings you to an understanding of free will, ie the sovereignty of the individual, a basic tenant of Western Civ and modern Conservatism. "Chose you this day whom to follow but as for me and my house...".

Sierrabear| 1.19.11 @ 2:47PM

Mr. Williams,
If, as you say that we, human beings, the summit and masterpiece of evolution, are TOTALLY responsible for ALL the good and evil in our lives and act accordingly, then it would be my contention that the human race by evidence of its history is an abject failure. Evolution does not set the bar very high for man. Conversely, God sets the bar at the pinnacle in the person of Jesus Christ for all to either accept or reject and thus commit the unpardonable sin as in the case of the latter. When one chooses rejection of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, there remains nothing further for them. The choice is simple and clear. Let us hope that you have it within you to also choose life.
By the way...
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Steve A| 1.19.11 @ 3:01PM

Dave, You sir, are a fool.

Appleby| 1.19.11 @ 4:07PM

Dave, I hope you are under 30 years old; if you're older than that, you need a wider circle of friends and a library card.

David T| 1.19.11 @ 4:12PM

Mr. Williams--In a very narrow sense, you are correct to say there is no evidence for God. You will not find Him in a test tube. But you will find Him if you seek him with all your heart. And, yes, I agree we are responsible for the evil in the world, but it is because we love sin more than we love God. St. Paul said to resist the devil and he will flee from us, but our human nature is prone to sin and we are weak in the face of temptation. Satan knows this and exploits it to his nefarious purposes. But we can overcome sin through Christ's strength and we can also bring good out of evil if we do not surrender to the enemy of our souls.

AllanS| 1.19.11 @ 9:27PM

Where is the evidence that all important truths must be supported by evidence?

"It is wrong to strangle babies" is an important truth. Do you need evidence in order to believe it?

Ryan| 1.20.11 @ 8:26AM

Yes, we do. We need to know that there is an authority behind the rule.

Now, I DO have faith that God is and He exists. I also believe that His character is perfect and that He is the ultimate Arbiter of life...therefore murder is wrong.

AllanS| 1.20.11 @ 5:56PM

I agree that right morality derives from our good God. But Dave Williams is demanding evidence that this God even exists.

Well, what's good for the goose... I, in turn, am asking Dave to supply me with evidence that all rational belief requires evidence. And of course, he can't. I then reply, "Do you know for certain that God himself isn't perfectly rational yet unprovable by evidence? If so, how do you know?" Again, there will be no reply. The truth is, Dave has no reason to reject God. It's something he *chooses* to do.

jstwndring| 1.19.11 @ 11:02PM

Hilarious. You say there is not the slightest shred of evidence for the existence of either God, or, devil, and then you proceed to assume there is for evolution? Really? Where? Come on, show us. You'll make the cover of all the important publications. There's none in the fossile record (if you can even legitimately call it that). There's none in the geological layers. There's none in space. In fact, all of creation mocks evolutionary "theory" at every turn. And I call it "theory" because it's not even legitimate scientific theory, since there is so much evidence against it. Please, stop the hypocrisy and demand the same level of evidence for evolution that you demand for the existance of God.

Joe| 1.20.11 @ 1:43PM

What a small, self centered world you live in Dave.

From your words, I get the impression you must believe that morality comes from enlightened man. We are free to define good and evil oursleves.

So please, tell us Dave, was the AZ shooters morality correct? His moral justification certainly came from himself, a man, the pinnacle of evolution, and he certainly believed himself correct.

What a slippery slope of self deification you embark on.

Occam's Tool| 1.20.11 @ 10:41PM

You know, Dave, I was a prison psychiatrist for years. Without G-d, I don't see humans, on the whole, behaving justly.

In addition, secularism is anti-survival. There's not one single secular humanist country that has a replacement birth rate.

CalMark| 1.19.11 @ 2:33PM

Philosophical question: how many "leaders" in Washington and the media are in very real danger of losing their souls? How many are so malicious that it would take--literally--a miracle to rescue their souls?

In other words, it seems that there are lots of people wondering whether our country isn't being "led" by those seemingly hell-bent (pun intended) on eternal damnation.

Ryan| 1.19.11 @ 4:19PM

Try this question...

Their souls - and ours - are already "lost." We are running headlong into hell - led or otherwise.

Every soul saved is a miracle - and completely undeserving of heaven.

Pelligrino| 1.19.11 @ 4:28PM

CalMark, I think it takes a miracle for all of us to come to real faith in Jesus as Savior.

But I not only get your point, I fully agree.

One of America's biggest problems is that the elected leadership, the judges, the top bureaucrats, the Wall Street titans, and the university deans and presidents are....non believers.

And they are not searching. They are lost and choose to serve themselves (Satan).

That is the real reason the US is in the RAPID decline and headed for the dumpster.

I have no idea why real, solid faith, real belief is not firm criteria for our leadership --- EVERYWHERE.

Why do we allow obvious, agressive atheists to be in primaries and win them?

David T| 1.19.11 @ 5:09PM

Isn't it interesting that in the early days of this country candidates for office in most states had to profess the Christian faith?

CalMark| 1.19.11 @ 6:55PM

Not only that, but those accused of "not keeping the Lord's day" and similar Biblical-type offenses didn't have much of a prayer (pun intended) of being elected.

Perusha| 1.19.11 @ 2:44PM

Uh, Lisa, perhaps you should check your writings BEFORE posting them. In the following quote, surely you meant “antidote” instead of “anecdote”, but, who’s paying attention, anyway?

“----especially when the anecdote to evil has been virtually expunged from all aspects of public life;"

gene hauber| 1.19.11 @ 3:50PM

LIZ,
ARE YOU ASKING ABOUT OBAMA??

Ryan| 1.19.11 @ 4:38PM

Gene,

Is your capslock broken?

gene hauber| 1.19.11 @ 3:50PM

LIZ,
ARE YOU ASKING ABOUT OBAMA??

Bradford Young| 1.19.11 @ 5:23PM

A patristics scholar once told me the hermits in the desert went there specifically to fight the devil. The implication given was these spiritual men were strong enough to face the devil in the desert (alone, hungry, cold, surrounded by danger) and offered their fight to the glory of their Lord.

On movies, you might try to get in front of the 1973 movie "The Wicker Man" starring Christopher Lee. While the moviemakers' were clearly contemptuous of the bumbling Christian policeman, his enduring faith gave him great nobility in the final scene where the ultimate deceit is revealed.

Tina B| 1.19.11 @ 5:43PM

Dave W,
Ryan said it right. How do YOU define good and evil? You used those two words. Where do you find your definition for them? What book, website or pocket of your own mind do you take your meaning from???

What if your neighbor uses a different book, website or pocket of HIS mind for a definition of good and evil? What if HIS book, your neighbor I mean, says it is ok to rape and or kill your wife, sister, brother, child, grandchild? Is that OK for your neighbor to do? He thinks it is, maybe he's had a tough life and just sees things a little differently from you.

I mean if we all get to use our own minds or sources to determine what is OK and what isn't, well, then you might hurt me or I might hurt you. And that should be OK, right?

Heck NO it's not OK. We need some kind of shared standard to form our understanding of good and evil. And to those of us who are Believers, the Bible is that source. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments are the Handbook for Life.

I lived many years according to my own thinking, just as you do. I set my own standards for good and evil. I must have been nuts, as I look back. California in the 60s was a fertile stomping ground for hedonists, and I was first among them. And then I awoke. Thank God for that.

He changed me and I am so grateful. He is my King now, and I am a new creation. For the past 15 to 20 years I have served a risen Savior, and what a great master He is to serve. Life isn't perfect. His Church (His children) aren't perfect either. But it sure beats the alternative. I know. I've tried it.

Maybe, like C.S. Lewis, (you really should read him as his works are varied and all are awesome) the Hound of Heaven will chase you down. We can only hope.

CalMark| 1.19.11 @ 6:52PM

We already have some of that, by purportedly "Christian" clerics.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that sharia law, which advocates a lot of stuff that even liberals say is bad, should coexist side-by-side with British law. Because it's more...well, inclusive, you know.

Evil takes many forms. The culpable ignorance (a theological term, for those keeping score) of fools in high ecclesiastical office is among the most dangerous.

Saralee Wisner| 1.19.11 @ 6:28PM

Those who find it difficult to believe in the existence of a personification of evil need only refresh their memories by reading about--or watching the made-for-tv series "Winds of War" and "War & Remembrance" concerning the horrors of the Holocaust during WWII.

It is a sad commentary on our society that so many of our current leaders, celebrities, etc. feel the need to ridicule or question the existence of evil. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, as the saying goes...

PCP Smoker| 1.19.11 @ 6:55PM

Who says most people don't believe in the Devil? That's bunk. The D-man is the force behind communism and nazism. He is also personified by Barack Hussein Obama.

REB| 1.20.11 @ 12:27AM

Funny how people want to discount God and say he isnst real and that believers are using a crutch...funny how when almost every American even in our govt acknowledged God our nation was free and powerful in every way then fast forward to today and we dis God as a nation and our socalled leaders mock him and America is now a third rate power welcoming the leader of the most evil nation on earth and kissing his butt to get favor and these guys mean us no good...wouldnt it be better to just acknowledge God again and serve him ....instead of the evil one and his minions? William Penn once said "we will be ruled by God or we will be ruled by tyrants" Wake up America!

Martin Owens| 1.20.11 @ 12:55AM

If Satan hangs out with the leftocracy,
we must conclude that the company he is made to keep is part of his punishment...

KyMouse| 1.20.11 @ 10:01AM

"We read of heroic men and women who performed supernatural feats -- like Simeon Stylites who lived on a pillar for 37 years -- in an effort to live lives of mortification and penance, thereby growing closer to God."

Ms. Fabrizio, I hope your reading included Phyllis McGinley's poem about Simeon Stylites, which ends with this verse:

And why did Simeon sit like that,
Without a garment,
Without a hat,
In a holy rage
For the world to see?
It puzzles the age,
It puzzles me.
It puzzled many a Desert Father,
And I think it puzzled the good Lord, rather.

Donald Sensing| 1.20.11 @ 10:41AM

A few days after the Arizona shootings, I posted, "He has a demon, and is mad," on my site:

French philosopher Paul Ricouer argued in his book, The Symbolism of Evil, that one of the things taught by the temptation stories of the Bible is that evil resides within the human breast but not only there. There is an "externality of evil," as he put it, symbolized in Genesis by the serpent. Within these texts is a strong subtext, not only in the Bible but in cultural myths around the world that there is a seduction of the human mind and the human body by the "tragic" of creation into which we are born, "which is already there and already evil" (his emphasis).

Because of this fundamental fact we will be tempted by an externality much and yield to it often - usually, happily, on harmless things like another piece of chocolate but not infrequently to evil itself. When we yield to the harmful rather than the merely frivolous it is sin, indeed, too often mortal sin which, as we saw in Tucson, can be lethal as well.

This is not a modern world view. We have exorcised sin conceptually from our vocabulary, our discourse and hence, our understanding of the human condition. "He has a demon, and is mad" is eye-rolled for the former part and medicated for the latter - psychiatry today exorcises pharmaceutically, not ritually. And yet for all its chemically-reliant wonder, no mental-health professional will ever be able to explain away that the human being is predisposed to cooperate with the iniquitous, a cooperation that not merely endures but increases until it forms the horizon of actual evil, evil that erupts so tragically.

mrgoodbar| 1.20.11 @ 2:45PM

You guys do realize that Satan is just make-believe, right?

Tina B| 1.20.11 @ 4:56PM

So, Donald S, are you a believer? In Christ, I mean.
I would think that you are, because I can see you understand the nature of evil. Just wonderin'.

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العاب بنات| 4.11.12 @ 2:28PM

Ryan said it right. How do YOU define good and evil? You used those two words. Where do you find your definition for them? What book, website or pocket of your own mind do you take your meaning from