Shawn Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 I'm sure any former Christian of some time has heard this. I know I first heard it at a Wednesday night Bible study while in the US Air Force. A former "sister" said: Satan sure seems to have an easy time with intelligent people. I'm glad I'm just 'normal'. Even then, I thought, "Why would someone say this?" Of course, I forgave her and just figured "Well God, everyone has their own struggles". What is it with the people in the Bible? Paul says things like this..."Knowledge puffs up". So, God loves stupid people? But hold on, in Hosea God says, "My people perish for lack of...knowledge!" Once again, typical of the Bible. Flip a coin, either way is 'right'! Well, I guess most everyone (except those God wants to save anyway) at Ex-C is going to hell for having an IQ above 100. That filthy whore...REASON! So, why does Satan have such an easy time with us here? ;-) If we went back to God for some reason, does anyone doubt Japeth and other fundies would say "They sure glorified Jaysus with their brains! They outfoxed the Debil! Satan is so angry..." Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lycorth Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 It's typical of that "flip a coin" mentality you mentioned. Satan preys on the smart folks because "knowledge puffs up, blah blah blah" but if a Xian with intelligence is found, his intelligence is somehow a "gift" to him from the Almightah. In other words, Xians have to constantly update and make excuses for their religion to appeal to the people they are trying to convert to it. No logical fallacy or Babblical contradiciton is barred. They think Jebus is real and believe they have a mission to spread Jebus, so all's fair. That, and generally Xians appeal to the "normal" people because those who exercise their intellects are less likely to accept the ridiculous story of Jebus. Hence, intelligence is of the devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramen666 Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Here is even a deeper question within your question. Why does God let Satan tempt them in the first place? Isn't Satan the bad guy.... Who really is the bad guy here? God creator of the evil dude or the evil dude? Christians and intelligence cannot go in the same sentence I don't think. Vary good topic I am hoping to see otheres opinion. My opinion God doesn't want us to know knowlege ( Adam and Eve incident) Christianity does not want you to think , you cannot ask too many questions or you will start questioning religion and they don't want you to do that because the church will loose their $$$$$. Look at the Christians that come here, they think of us as the typical sterotype. They do not think of us as human. (Another Topic) Because they always listen to the preacher/Bible and do not think for themseleves. Once they think for themseleves that is the ultimate move over to leaving the flock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 I agree Varokhar. In the Bible God seems to do this alot; to 'test' humanity for faithfulness. It does seem God is opposed to people learning. Even in the now non-canon books like Enoch, he asks Enoch why he wants to know so much. I mean, why not God? Why is it with God that every action of Man to learn more, MUST be for evil!? God "Adam...why are you studying Eve's vagina? Are you trying to keep her more loyal to you than...ME!?!?!?" God "Oh no, that Nimrod and his folks are getting knowledgeable! They are building a tower to Heaven! And maybe they will steal the really good fruit here!" I agree, thinking and studying it all can lead to leaving the faith, esp. coupled with let downs over time. Then God says, "Well, that was another test!" Reminds me of John Lovitz's character on old SNL..."The Master Thespian"..."Didn't you KNOW? I'm ACTING!" Didn't you know, I have feelings and needs? Duh, Gawd! Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godlessgrrl Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 "Satan sure seems to have an easy time with intelligent people..." There's a certain weird irony in this statement. Why would it actually be easier for someone to outsmart an intelligent person? That doesn't make any sense at all. You'd think a smart person would be able to use their smart brain and figure out what was going on. Maybe it's really that Yahweh sure seems to have an easy time with stupid people. Wonder why that might be... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Misanthrope Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Maybe it's really that Yahweh sure seems to have an easy time with stupid people. Wonder why that might be... Reminds me of a quote from Spaceballs: “Evil will always triumph over good, because good is stupid!” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShackledNoMore Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 When I was still a xian, especially leading up to my deconversion, I asked the same question (albeit from a slightly different angle). Eventually, I asked it directly to other xians, church leaders: "Why does it seem that intelligent people are less likely to get saved?" The answer I got was that the intellect of smart people got in the way of their belief in god. Indeed! After my deconversion, having watched the anti-intellectual mindset of many xians and xian groups, I find it quite appalling. As others have said: people start thinking and asking questions, and they lose sheep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 The answer I got was that the intellect of smart people got in the way of their belief in god. Indeed! Personally, I have noticed when I decide to believe in things considered crazy, stuff happens that defys logic. To do Qi Gong (asian mysticism) Kung Fu, you have to believe to a point, for the training to work. After awhile, it becomes second nature and no longer is questionable. I can prove what I do to anyone. Hell, I use it against people in public that piss me off! It becomes the same as breathing or writing. At first however, it can be tedious and many give up. It took me 2 years to get it to the level it is. Perhaps your pastors had a point. But, still, with Bible God...he makes promises in the Werd, and I have not seen him always keep them. I feel like asking Bible God if I see him, "Did it take faith for you to make the universe?" Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Because you have to check your brains at the door in order to swallow it. I used to think that the reason I didn't understand christianity and salvation until I was 16 (it was thrown at me from the age of 9) was because I matured slowly. I'm not a stupid person by any means, however. Now I think that it took so long because it didn't make sense to me due to my above average intelligence and ability to reason, though I doubted myself at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 5, 2007 Author Share Posted January 5, 2007 "Satan sure seems to have an easy time with intelligent people..." There's a certain weird irony in this statement. Why would it actually be easier for someone to outsmart an intelligent person? That doesn't make any sense at all. You'd think a smart person would be able to use their smart brain and figure out what was going on. Yeah, I agree. You would think the smart person is the one Satan would be afraid of. Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godlessgrrl Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 So then the next thing that pops into my mind is: If Satan really does have an easier time tempting smart people, does that mean that he approached Eve in the Garden of Eden because Eve was smarter than Adam? Hmmmm...., makes ya wonder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Misanthrope Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 If Satan really does have an easier time tempting smart people, does that mean that he approached Eve in the Garden of Eden because Eve was smarter than Adam? Hmmmm...., makes ya wonder... Ouch! Now that is just hittin' below the belt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverclear5 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Of course it looks that way to them. They are sure that they are right. But if all the smart people say that they're wrong then either they ARE wrong or satan can more easily convince the clever. Which could it be I wonder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warrior_of_god Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Isn't Satan the bad guy... Whose more the bad guy? The bad guy or the bad guy who made him? I was thinking about this and dosent Stephen Hawking believe that some higher force may have made the universe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverclear5 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Isn't Satan the bad guy... Whose more the bad guy? The bad guy or the bad guy who made him? I was thinking about this and dosent Stephen Hawking believe that some higher force may have made the universe? A lot of scientists think SOME higher force MAY have created the universe. But we don't all share the opinion and if we did, that wouldn't mean God and certainlly not one described in any current religious text. Thing is there are things in science we have yet to explain so there is still a little room for some gos to fit itself in there. NO real scientist beleives the universe is 6000 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white_raven23 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 So then the next thing that pops into my mind is: If Satan really does have an easier time tempting smart people, does that mean that he approached Eve in the Garden of Eden because Eve was smarter than Adam? Hmmmm...., makes ya wonder... That would also make Jesus an utter MORON! According to the babble, Satan tempted him for forty days and failed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 That would also make Jesus an utter MORON! According to the babble, Satan tempted him for forty days and failed! Well, let's compare: Snake: Eat this fruit and gain the knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve: What does that mean? Snake: Just eat it. Eve: Ok. We're all friends here in the garden after all. [Eve eats the fruit] Eve: Oh shit! I didn't want to know that stuff. Snake: Too late. You're fucked. Compared to jesus: Satan: Turn these rocks into bread. JC: No. I can somehow live for 40 days without food even though I'm totally a man. Really. [satan shows JC all the kingdoms on their flat earth] Satan: Worship me and I'll give you all the kingdoms the world. JC: So you'll give me what you don't own? You think I don't know? I'm a god too retard. [satan magically takes JC up to the top of the Super Holy Temple yet doesn't defile it] Satan: Jump off the temple so angels can catch you for some reason. JC: I can float on my own. On water AND air bitch. Satan: D'oh. I suck at this. JC: These three "temptations" took 40 fucking days? C'mon...dick! Satan: Fuck you. I'm going to invent something call Christianity and get people to waste their lives on it. JC: Yeah, right. Asshole. I really don't think old Satan had his "A" game going out in the desert. Of course fooling Eve was no huge triumph either. As for getting someone with even half a brain to see how stupid the whole thing is isn't much either. Satan is right...he really does suck at this but he sure came through in the end. mwc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramen666 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 I compare it more like this: God- Do not eat from the tree of knowlege of good and evil.You WILL DIE if you eat from it Adam- (drooling at Eve) Ya ok Eve- Sure ok God- (vanishes behind and tree and giggles) Now for the snake Snake slithers by to Eve and they start speaking Eve-almama of he heth (speaking parseltounge (snake langauge) Eve- That snake says that we will not die if we eat it Adam- ( Wow your body is ) God- its only a matter of time Eve- (eats fruit) what the fuck? We are naked Adam- (bites fruit) Hell ya God- ( jumps behind from tree) YOU SHALL BE CURSED AND EVERY SIGNLE HUMAN THAT WALKS THE EARTH FOR EATING THAT FRUIT YOU SHALL FEEL MY WRATH AND BURN IN HELL FIRE CREATED BY ME BECAUSE OF YOUR SIN Eve- Adam- God vanishes and Adam and Eve are looking at each other Eve- Hey we arn't dead? Adam- God needs to shut it God- THIS IS MY PLAN! WHY ISN'T IT WORKING? ( God looks around at his angels) Satan get down their mess with there lives, screw them over, all rights are granted to you. You are the new owner of Hell. Just get going cause havoic and I will blame the humans for it. I created you! GO! I have blamed sin on them even though my snake didn't work create a Babble or something. Satan- Babble? God- You know a book about worshiping me I will use the same corrupt arrogant men I hate Satan- Why not you create the rules and I will mess with them tempt the shit out of the humans. God- Thats good we will make the Bible so they always fail no matter what they do. Satan- You evil bastard God- I will also let anyone burn in hell that was born in China, Middle East, Indians anyone not Christian. Satan- Isn't that kind of brutal? God- You question me ! YOU DEFY YOUR MASTER! Satan- Well I am doing this because you want me to? I would think.... God- No I thinks or nothing CAUSE HAVOVIC MAKE PEOPLE NOT BELIEVE IN ME SO I CAN SEND THEM TO HELL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythra Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 It seems that the assertion that christians are not an overly intelligent lot is an old one. Celsus (2nd century pagan philosopher) had this to say about christians: the following are the rules laid down by them. Let no one come to us who has been instructed, or who is wise or prudent (for such qualifications are deemed evil by us); but if there be any ignorant, or unintelligent, or uninstructed, or foolish persons, let them come with confidence. By which words, acknowledging that such individuals are worthy of their God, they manifestly show that they desire and are able to gain over only the silly, and the mean, and the stupid, with women and children."... Now, I'm not saying all christians are ignorant or stupid. There are plenty of christians who are highly intelligent. But I wonder how many believers developed their faith early in life (passed on to them by their parents) and just never seriously questioned it. "All things are possible with God". This means of course, that you need to shut off your mind to the long list of impossible events in the bible. Nevermind that your reason tells you that nothing like that could possibly happen. (such as a man walking across a lake) It makes you wonder what the believers would have accepted. If the gospel story had a literal account of Jesus talking to a mountain and having it jump into the sea, would that have been believed? I don't know why it wouldn't. It's just as possible as graves opening up and dead people walking around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thackerie Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 ... It makes you wonder what the believers would have accepted. If the gospel story had a literal account of Jesus talking to a mountain and having it jump into the sea, would that have been believed? I don't know why it wouldn't. It's just as possible as graves opening up and dead people walking around. What a coinky-dink. I was just flipping the TV remote control a few minutes ago when I caught a few seconds of a sermon where some preacher was saying, "We all know faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains." Suuuuure it can; that's why we see it happen every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythra Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Most modern-day christians take the "mountain moving" verse symbolically. They understand that it really means that if you ask believing, God will provide you with a parking space at the mall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefranden Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 This mustard seed things makes a good test for Christians. Just carry a stone in your pocket or purse. When a Christian attempts their spiel, pull out your stone and say, "Hey, cool, I've been waiting for a person with faith to explain this stuff to me. Now if you just show me how you can make this stone fly off the table by faith alone, I will surely believe what you have to say." I've had Christians actually try to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonis Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Why Does 'satan' Seem To Tempt Smart People More? Because satan has already fooled all the idiots into thinking he exists. Smart people require far more effort on his part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 This mustard seed things makes a good test for Christians. Just carry a stone in your pocket or purse. When a Christian attempts their spiel, pull out your stone and say, "Hey, cool, I've been waiting for a person with faith to explain this stuff to me. Now if you just show me how you can make this stone fly off the table by faith alone, I will surely believe what you have to say." I've had Christians actually try to do it. I LIKE IT! :-) Just have it in your palm and say, "When you can make this pebble float off my hand, I will believe!" LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 This mustard seed things makes a good test for Christians. Just carry a stone in your pocket or purse. When a Christian attempts their spiel, pull out your stone and say, "Hey, cool, I've been waiting for a person with faith to explain this stuff to me. Now if you just show me how you can make this stone fly off the table by faith alone, I will surely believe what you have to say." I've had Christians actually try to do it. I LIKE IT! :-) Just have it in your palm and say, "When you can make this pebble float off my hand, I will believe!" LOL! Wouldn't this make them more Jedi than xian? How cool would that be? That's a religion I can get behind. I want my own lightsaber. mwc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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