Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Democracy

2007-03-16T04:43:34Z

Omnijohn:

'''Democracy''' is a form of government. The origin of the term is [[Greek]], from the words ''demos'' (people) and ''kratos'' (rule). Although it is a very broad classification, democracy is generally understood to refer to [[representative]], [[liberal]] democracy, in which the government is made up of ''representatives'' of the people, who are charged with the protection of ''liberties''.

Although a number of societies have practiced some form of democracy, the concept as it is understood today was invented in ancient [[Athens]], where citizens (not women or slaves) were allowed to vote in the Assembly which made the laws of the city-state.

Some, such as [[George W. Bush]], have made the claim that 'everyone wants democracy'. He apparently does not understand that the Sunni muslims, in the minority in Iraq, do not want to be ruled by the Shia muslims, who are the majority and who want to kill them. This is, hopefully, an isolated act of idiocy.

Satan

2007-03-16T04:43:11Z

Omnijohn:

'''Satan''' (from the Hebrew "ha-satan", "accuser") was a member of the [[divine council]] of God referenced in the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]]. In the Christian tradition, he rebelled against [[God]] and was cast from [[Heaven]] to reign over [[Hell]], where he leads a host of fallen angels (or [[demon]]s). In the Jewish tradition, Satan faithfully serves God as a tester of the piety of men. Those who worship Satan are called [[satanism | Satanists]].

== Christian Views ==

In Christianity, Satan's goal is to lead people away from the love of God, by tempting or tricking them. The only sources of supernatural power in the world are from either God (good), Satan (evil), or Aliens from another planet. In the book of Genesis, Satan takes the form of a snake and tempts Eve with fruit from a tree. Satan, in the Book of Job, is used by God to test the faith of Job (who remained true to God through hardships). Some believe that Satan is able to possess and control living humans on Earth, although Catholic priests (and sometimes only bishops) are able to [[exorcise]] his influence. Satan, is also called by several different names (the Devil, deceiver, Bealzebub, Beelzebul, Lucifer, Asmodeus, Abaddon, "Old Scratch," the Crooked One, etc). The notion of Satan, or an evil force, is noted in many if not all of the major world religions.
In the [[New Testament]], Satan tries to tempt [[Jesus]] in the desert, and fails.
Many Christians hold the view that Christianity is monotheistic, that there is only one God (even if he has three parts) yet ignore the supernatural, transhuman power of Satan.

== Jewish Views ==

In the Jewish tradition, Satan serves God as the one who accuses men of wickedness and impiety. At the direction of God Satan may be permitted to test these accusations. In this view, Satan's goal is not to lead men away from their faithfulness to God, but merely to revealing the true depths of their devotion.

Job

2007-03-16T04:43:09Z

Omnijohn:

Job was a rich man who feared God, and who was challenged by Satan. To show his love for Job and contempt for Satan, the Almighty slew Job's flocks and children<ref>Job 1:16-19</ref>. Job maintained his righteousness despite his losses.

==Interpretation==
Some have raised the point that one must assume three things to be true:
1. God is good
2. God is all-powerful
3. Job is a good man

God is good, and Job is definately a good man, the most devout and righteous of all. If God were all-powerful, he could have prevented Satan from ever asking the question, or destroy Satan, or convince Satan without taking any action, or a host of other things. Through logic, if one takes the story to be true, God to be good and Job to be fair, then God must not be all-powerful.
==References==
<references/>

Magna Carta

2007-03-16T04:42:57Z

Omnijohn:

A great charter issued in AD 1215, which among other things, limited the power of the English king and guaranteed rights to the nobles.

It was a founding stone for greater liberty to come in the next nearly 800 years in many countries around the world, where people could not be imprisoned without a charge (habeas corpus), though this has seen a decline in the [[War on Terror]], where suspected terrorists can be held for years without a charge.

[[Category:History]]