Douggg wrote:

The dualistic notion of a powerful anti-G=d figure who fights with G-d for the destiny of the human race is a Chrstian idea (possibly originating in Zoroa-sterianism, the dominant religion in the Middle East at the time of the founding of Chrstianity.) It is entirely unacceptable to Judaism.

Judaism teaches that there are no competing powers. God is completely in control.

There is no dualistic notion of an powerful anti-G-d figure on equal footing with G-d. We do believe that Satan wants to become like G-d and be worshiped. (snip)

In Chrstianity, G-d is in complete control as well. You can ask any Chrstian that.
Dougg, there IS a dualistic god concept in Xianity -- it is just that the bad god (the devil) is considered to be eventually defeated by the good god. As your own post said you believe that your devil wants to be like G-d and worshiped.

There is no entity in all of creation that is against G-d. The Xian idea of the devil who wants to be a co-god is pagan with roots in Zoro-astriasm. From the Encyclopedia Britannica:

"According to Zoro-aster, Ahu-ra Maz-da created the universe and the cosmic order that he maintains. He created the twin spirits Spen-ta Main-yu and Ang-ra Main-yu (Ahr-iman)--the former beneficent, choosing truth, light, and life, the latter destructive, choosing deceit, darkness, and death. The struggle of the spirits against each other makes up the history of the world. . . .According to Zoroa-ster the world was soon to be consumed in a mighty conflagration from which only the followers of the good would rise to share in a new creation. Until this came to pass, the souls of those who died would cross the Bridge of the Requiter from whence the good would be led to wait in heaven, the wicked in hell.
Let's change a few names shall we?
"According to Xianity, The Father created the universe and the cosmic order that he maintains. He created the twin spirits Jsus and the devil--the former beneficent, choosing truth, light, and life, the latter destructive, choosing deceit, darkness, and death. The struggle of the spirits against each other makes up the history of the world. . . According to Xianity the world was soon to be consumed in a mighty conflagration from which only the followers of Jsus would rise to share in a new creation. Until this came to pass, the souls of those who died would cross the Bridge of the Requiter from whence the good would be led to wait in heaven, the wicked in hell.
The fact that in the end you think your good god is in control doesn't change the fact that you see the "devil" as a god wannabe.

Mark 1 says that Jsus (who is supposedly your god) is TEMPTED by the devil. This certainly puts the devil on the same footing as your man-god -- how can your man-god be tempted by him otherwise?

Is it not true that many Xians think of your devil (satan) as an angel who fell from heaven for rebelling against G-d? This makes your devil an adversary of G-d, and a god wannabe.

The mere fact that Xians think the good god will eventually win over the bad god doesn't change the dualistic nature of the dual-gods in Xianity.

סופי

And everything that Sarah tells you, listen to her voice. Bereshit (Genesis) 21:12
Last Edited By: Sophiee1 Tue, 8-Jul-08 11:44:53. Edited 1 times.