The Devil made me do it.....

[alaric]

Alaric, your basically posing the old problem of evil question: if God is all good why is there evil in the world?

I don't think we're going to solve this problem here on Fish Eaters after 3,000 years of people asking it.

But, free will is part of the answer. God saw fit to give us free will and we choose to do evil.

Age old question I guess.

Goes right back to the garden. Adam and Eve "chose" evil I believe.

Right after they were usurped by a cunningly sly serpent who again was allowed to prey on an unsuspecting couple of humans oblivious to the concept of evil or deception.

But hey, the Fall might bring forth a "greater good" someday eh?

[Traditional Guy]

Alaric, your basically posing the old problem of evil question: if God is all good why is there evil in the world?

I don't think we're going to solve this problem here on Fish Eaters after 3,000 years of people asking it.

But, free will is part of the answer. God saw fit to give us free will and we choose to do evil.

Age old question I guess.

Goes right back to the garden. Adam and Eve "chose" evil I believe.

Right after they were usurped by a cunningly sly serpent who again was allowed to prey on an unsuspecting couple of humans oblivious to the concept of evil or deception.

But hey, the Fall might bring forth a "greater good" someday eh?

Well it was a test so to speak to see if Adam and Eve would remain faithful to God. The devil was just there to tempt them.

[Someone1776]

Catholic theologians have asked these questions since ancient times. None have really offered a 100% satisfactory answer in my opinion. However, we do have free will and God is all good. How does one explain how we have free will when God has planned and foreseen all is a mystery beyond our comprehension, as is why would God grant us and the angels free will if it allowed evil to enter the world?  

[Jackson K. Eskew]

alaric, this may interest you. The jokes end at about the 5 minute mark.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGRDqFeQT8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGRDqFeQT8</a>

[alaric]

Alaric, your basically posing the old problem of evil question: if God is all good why is there evil in the world?

I don't think we're going to solve this problem here on Fish Eaters after 3,000 years of people asking it.

But, free will is part of the answer. God saw fit to give us free will and we choose to do evil.

Age old question I guess.

Goes right back to the garden. Adam and Eve "chose" evil I believe.

Right after they were usurped by a cunningly sly serpent who again was allowed to prey on an unsuspecting couple of humans oblivious to the concept of evil or deception.

But hey, the Fall might bring forth a "greater good" someday eh?

Well it was a test so to speak to see if Adam and Eve would remain faithful to God. The devil was just there to tempt them.

So God in effect "uses" the devil to do his dirty work?

I don't want to sound too blasphemous but we really need to to clarify just what Satan's position or role here.

I mean he really did a number on Job with God's approval in his very presence.

Sometimes I believe that Satan is more man's enemy than God's ( I think the Jews believe this, which almost makes sense) or at least a tool  The Almighty uses in putting us to the test at times.

[alaric]

alaric, this may interest you. The jokes end at about the 5 minute mark.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGRDqFeQT8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGRDqFeQT8</a>

I'll have to watch that when  i have more time thanks.

I've been on way too long today as it is.

[Old Salt]

You gave me a lot of answers but none of the question I asked.

Why would it be necessary for God to let a demon torture one of his children in order to "bring a greater good"?

I'm sure Jesus is his greatest example of this. But why is bloodletting necessary for any kind of redemption?

And if Satan and his cohorts are truly the epitome of all things holy, pray tell why God allow these things anywhere near the members of his body?

I thought the "gates of hell" would never prevail anywhere in the presence of Christ. (The Church)

As for those lines crossed out in your post.....well maybe the evil one doesn't want me reading your answers. 

Sorry I did not answer your question.
Men chose evil over good of their own free will which God does not interfere with.
We know this from all creation and the Fall.
Christ does not make the person become possessd, but rather the person wills it.
God permits this horrible evil, to make the person convert to the Catholic Faith or become a better Catholic.
Why did God permit 9/11?
Why did God permit WWI and II
Why does God permit the greatest of all evils, worse than any possession, namely the slaughter of 100's of millions through the murder of abortion?

Christ sais The Gates of Hell would not prevail, meaning the Church as a whole will never fall to Satan, this does not mean that individual members of the Church cannot fall.
Also, remember that many who become possessed are not Catholic, and they do not have the grace filled protection of the sacraments.

Well permitting evil is one thing but how do you explain things like God "hardening" Pharaohs heart just when the ol boy was going to let the Hebes of the hook in Egypt?

I guess they had to suffer too in order to bring a greater good.

And what about Satan entering poor Judas so he made sure he cut the deal selling him out the Pharisees.

Some of this stuff brings up a lot of ugly questions most of us don't like to ask.

Problem is, I'm not like most people or Catholics for that matter.

Its not "Poor Judas'
Jesus said about him, 'It would have been better had he not been born'
Judas freely and willingly chose the path of the malevelont spirit.
Satan entered Judas, because he [Judas] wanted it so.

[Traditional Guy]

Sometimes I believe that Satan is more man's enemy than God's ( I think the Jews believe this, which almost makes sense)

He is. Satan can never beat God but he always tries to tempt man because he does not want mankind to be saved. As you said though God does allow this to happen as you mentioned in the story of Job. But while God is a judging God and does pass judgement on Adam and Eve he also promises them a Savior. Adam and Eve were created in God's image but after they disobeyed him they lost their "innocence" so to speak. But as we all agreed this is beyonf man's comprehension.

[Someone1776]

Satan does not do God's dirty work. God is all good and never does evil.

Alaric, I don't want to sound condescending but the line of thinking your having here could destroy your faith. I'd suggest talking to a traditional priest about these questions.

[alaric]

Judas asked Satan to enter him?

I must've somehow overlooked that verse in scripture.

Maybe you can let me know where it is.