I'm back. I was in the hospital.

[Jimenem]

But does it make sense?

Stop and ask yourself, who is the Devil exactly? A fallen angel? Why would an angel want revenge on God, and cause havoc on human kind? Angels are messangers, nothing else.

Look at the world around you. Everything has to make sense. The stars, the earth, biology, pap smears. God created that.

It's when things don't make sense, that we need a scapegoat. Hence the Devil. How else can we explain trauma? Murder? Domestic Violence? Terrorism? Wrestlemania?

God forbid we blame mankind for that (no pun intended). But it's free will that's to blame. And God can't intervene with that, because then we'd all look like we stepped out of that movie, The Stepford Wives.

The Devil equals fear. Focus on your fears, and you'll get rid of the Devil.

Your dreams, and fears went away because the devil got what he wanted, Your doubt. You let him win, Sry. (I know I'm not going to be liked for that statement, I don't want you to be mad at me or anything, but in my opinion He did. And my opinion is based on the one and only Word of God. I sympathize for you Filomena. I truly do.)

[Jimenem]

I can answer your question about who the devil really is. . . PM me.

[Filomena]

Actually Jimenem, I don't disagree with some of the things you're saying.

But when you say,

And If God exists the devil Exists

.... then I don't agree.

You're insinuating that you can't have one without the other. That's sad.

I don't buy into the stories that man made about the Devil. I'm saying God exists. The Devil does not.

I'm glad you believe that God made the whole universe, and how it all works makes sense, right? So then why did God make the Devil? Unless you don't believe that God made the Devil? That perhaps, they are on equal terms? (God forbid!)

Talking about Faith is such a precarious thing, which is why I hesitated in the first place.

You need to find comfort in whatever way you can to explain things to yourself and find solace in your life.

But don't ever say, this is just the way it is, because we have always believed it is so. That's a cause for concern.

Again I reiterate....God exists. I don't doubt that for an instant, and you should be careful about calling people atheists.

But I stress, again and again, don't make God and the Devil partners. The Devil does not exist. It's a fallacy, like so many things in this world that we have lumped under the auspices of Blind Faith.

Yes, faith makes us all stronger. That's a given. But if something in the world doesn't make sense, please ask yourself, why?

[xmassmurdere]

but since God does good, then wouldnt there have to be a devil to balance out the different forces in the world, like yin and yang? as for where the evil lil guy came from...that is something i would want to know

[Filomena]

That's one way to explain it.

But why does God need something to counter balance what he's created? God is God. He doesn't need to be balanced out because everything about God is about positive energy.

Everyone here is on a personal journey. It's about figuring out what makes you happy and what you can do to make the world a better place. No ying and yang. No mysticism needed here.

The little evil guy is a manifestation of everything that's wrong with the world. A symbol of things that are bad. And hell is that place right here on earth, when nothing goes right.

That's why it's so important to talk to people who can help us when we feel the Devil is out to get us. Whether it's an online forum or friends or cousins, etc.

TALK TO SOMEONE because if you're plagued with problems, you won't be able to figure it out on your own. And then you'll get frustrated, and you'll sink deeper into despair!

Get out and sign-up for something in the community. A support group or something that will make you go once a week to talk about your problems.

And now I'll shut-up. I promise.

(okay, promises were meant to be broken. But enough from me about this topic)

[Canadian Jayne]

Please
don't do that to us again, we NEED YOU here,
we missed you sooooo much,
Remember, you must take care of yourself FIRST.
I read something the other day about remembering...
really good memories, go to that peaceful place....

[mav]

The little evil guy is a manifestation of everything that's wrong with the world. A symbol of things that are bad. And hell is that place right here on earth, when nothing goes right.

That is exactly what I had in mind, but you put it so much better!
-
Also, many texts try to simplify things for the reader and end up personifying forces.
-

[wonderbunny]

I happen to know that there is a Supernatural Spirit whom people call Satan, he is the fallen angle thrust from Heaven as he disobeyed God and want to the world to be in his control. He took 40 angles with him and they are here on earth in a supernatural form. Imagine those individuals who have no conscious, no inner voice that knows the difference between good and evil. Good people do bad things and feel remorse, but there are others without that ability and society wonders who could do such a thing. Its a subtle process. Take a child who was abused early in life, they learn antisocial behavior very young. When one is hurt, abused, angry, depressed they are ripe for Satan's attack. What seems like a good idea when you in that state, may turn out to be the biggest mistake of you life. Impulsivity is key. A broken heart and contrite spirit is the aftermath. The trick is to realized that evil is a spirit and not just a work. It can take the shape of words, violence, movies, and sometimes murder. With enough evil stimuli, one can commit these crimes and not feel to bad about; cuz everyone's doing it, right? Don't believe everything you see in the movies or on television. That's why I like Carrey flicks, he doesn't seem to delve into the evil stuff; He's a happy actor with flair!

Keep the bad stuff away from your system, you'll be a happier person!

[Jimenem]

Just for the record I didn't call YOU an atheist. I will tell you about the devil and how he came to be if you want to hear. It wasn't a story man made up it was in the BIBLE!!

[fluffy]

listen folks..............get off the 'God' Bandwagon..........it doesn't help Quirky, it's one of the things which she has issues with...................

basically we're here if you need to chat Jill...............take it easy and be kind to yourself.........your'e not superwoman.........you need time to heal...........

love
Fluffy

[Clemmy]

I would like to share this with you Quirky, and everybody else on the forum. It talks about depression and how to deal with it. A friend of mine went to a depression period some time ago and some of the suggestions listed below helped her. It's from the website: http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities ... /index.asp

"...As you see, depression is a killer. It takes away all the enthusiasm and fun from peoples lives, and makes suicide seem a viable choice... You must get help. No one can read your mind and subtle hints will not save you. The reason that hints do not work is because those close to you do not want to believe you would kill yourself, and because they can't know how desperate you are. You must take an active role in saving your own life. Do something! Your life will be better for it, but you must act... The doctors and medicine can't "cure" you without you doing anything to make yourself better. You have to work on helping yourself. These things can help.

1. You and I must not interpret the present based on things of the past. Let each thing that is said or done be on it's own. Live in the "now" only. Put the past behind you and keep it there. Dreaming of what might have been will keep you from living the in the "now", and it incorrectly colors the present. If someone says something, accept the meaning without allowing the past to change it in your mind.

2. Stand up for yourself. Don't let others get away with trying to make you a victim. This is not a "get even" thought, it is a "stand up for yourself at all costs and all of the time" thought. Some people will walk on you if they can - don't let them. If they get away with it they will do it again and again, and you will despise yourself for letting them do that to you. You deserve better. (See the "Our Rights and Asserting Ourselves")

3. Forgive yourself. We all make mistakes and almost all mistakes are fixable. Learn from the mistake, forgive yourself and get on with living.

4. Learn to choose and to make your own decisions. By not choosing or deciding, we feel much less "in control" and we are that much more the victim. Get rid of "anything, doesn't matter, and whatever" those are not constructive choices. Many times, the lack of making decisions cause us to lose control of our lives, and that can lead to self hate.
(See link "About Making Decisions").

5. Watch out for idealistic thinking, try to stay real, we are not in a perfect world and you and I must not try to be martyrs. We can't show others by our willingness to suffer or die for our ideals. Other people probably won't understand the reason for our pain anyway, and our subtlety will be wasted.

6. Much of the hostility and/or hate you are directing inward to yourself should have been and should be directed away from yourself and toward those who deserve it - but, don't direct it toward people who don't deserve it.

These are things that you can do to help yourself:

A- Know your enemy. Learn to recognize the symptoms of depression.

B- Take responsibility for your illness and be active in the treatment of it. If you know you're depressed, get help and do not wait. If your doctor or therapist isn't helping you, change to a different one (they work for you).

C- Get guilt out of your life. Guilt is what parents used to control you as a child. You are not a child anymore, so don't carry guilt around. (Also if you are doing things that make you feel bad about yourself, stop doing them).

D- If your depression is "out of control," talk to at least five people about it or until someone sees your desperation. Most people are not able to understand if they aren't trained professionals, but most anyone would help you if they knew how.

E- If you use alcohol or drugs stop. When they say "alcohol is a depressant" they aren't kidding. I can't stress this enough! I couldn't get my depression and my life under control until after I stopped drinking - totally. This fact took me years to finally understand. You also don't need the turmoil that comes with drinkers. (See "Where do we go from here?" link).

F- When you most feel like hibernating and avoiding people, force yourself to get dressed and be with others. There are also links here on listening, on conversation, and on assertiveness that can help you be more comfortable and effective when communicating with others.

G- Start an exercise program. Exercise combats depression. Exercise twice a day - it really helps. To make it easier do it every day. Make it a routine, and don't stop if you have a few bad days. If you are having a bad time, tell your therapist.

H- Put a card on your bathroom mirror and read it aloud five times in the morning and same at night. The card says: "I am a very worthwhile person". You are. We always remember more of the bad things in life than the good, and this reinforces our sense of worth. If you are feeling worthless do it now.

I- Most importantly get help from professionals. See your doctor (Md.), call a hotline, call 911, You can also check into any emergency room anywhere - It's sure better than trying suicide, and people there are trained to get you help. They will understand, but act."


I hope this helps put things and life into perspective and get us take more care of ourselves.

Clemmy

[fluffy]

Yeah Clem........good plain speaking advice........without GOD!!!!!!.....

fluffy

[Jimenem]

I put my two cents in, and now I'm done with this topic, But I won't stop praying for you Quirky.

[quirky]

Fluffy. I don't have issues with religion. I am a Christian. My terror initially came from the fact that I picked up my grandfather's Bible and opened it to Zechariah and something told me to start reading.

Before her brain damage my mother was a very active born again Christian. I remember her once mentioning that she had had a prophecy about me, but she didn't go into details and then she got brain damage and wouldn't remember. Right now I am so confused that the ONE thing I wish is that my mom remembered what in the world she once knew. Because I just hurt. I'm taking my prozac, I'm at my cousin's, but I just hurt.

I've never felt so alone in my life and Mav can tell you about how I feel about that after our conversation last night.

[Jimenem]

and wouldn't remember

Curious choice of words there, Maybe you weren't meant to know. Maybe if you knew you wouldn't fullfil it. God works in mysterious ways. You above all people should know this.