On Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:10:03 GMT, Scary <modelmakers@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>The question is do most Christians believe that there is a conspiracy
>of Satanists many of them in positions of power who function something
>like a "Star Chamber" in order to advance the devils work?
>
>Or is it just a perception based on Faustian stories and films like
>"The Omen, Rosemarys Baby and that one with Arnie in it?
>
>And if you do believe that there is such a conspiracy then what
>actually evidence is there of an actually Satanic Organization exists
>and what evil actions that you know about have been performed by them?
Many Western Christians believed that there was such a conspiracy in early
modern Europe, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, which led to the
great European witch craze.
Most western Christians abandoned such beliefs after the Enlightenment,
and
they have been rare since then.
I think the Orthodox view is quite well summed up be the anthropologist
Charles Stewart when he writes:
Good and evil.
Source: Stewart 1991:146.
"The Orthodox moral world emerges as an arena in which good
struggles against evil, the kingdom of heaven against the
kingdom of earth. In life, humans are enjoined to embrace
Christ, who assists their attainment of Christian virtues:
modesty, humility, patience and love. At the same time, lack
of discernment and incontinence impede the realization of
these virtues and thereby conduce to sin; sin in turn places
one closer to the Devil... Since the resurrection of Christ
the results of this struggle have not been in doubt. So long
as people affirm their faith in Christ, especially at moments
of demonic assault, there is no need to fear the influence of
the Devil. He exists only as an oxymoron, a powerless force."
--
The unworthy deacon,
Stephen Methodius Hayes
Contact: http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/stevesig.htm
Orthodox mission pages: http://www.orthodoxy.faithweb.com/
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