Thanks Tammy for your - expected - indirect defence of the "God" of Holy Scripture. Your ability to select evidence for God in a book that reveals his (reported) ferocious genocidality continues to impress. It is however time you widened your lens: You would then see that the very charges laid against the Biblical "Satan" can be levelled against the Biblical "God".
Pointing out that Satan is not a friend of man has nothing to do with defending God. I thought I stated that. I simply showed that the biblical evidence does not support the claim made from the title or OP. Satan is no unsung hero.
A genocidal god is not either, but that is besides the point. (and I see God through Christ alone, as it is, but again besides the point)
For starters, you cannot in good conscience ignore the "Scriptural" record in which "God" ordered his "chosen people" to wipe out every living person in the Promised Land, including babies and old people. Ask those people who were slaughtered in "God's name" if "God" was a friend to them. I'm sure even the stones are crying out loud for the spilled blood of innocent humans killed for this "God" - to convert a handy Biblical phrase.
Again, it wasn't a comparison as to who was better.
Simply a statement that Satan is no unsung hero.
If it is good enough to allude to Satan's deathly antics, it is good enough to refer to "God's". The only thing that might make someone hesitant to do that is mentioned in the second point you raise: i.e., "...do not be surprised if your reward (from Satan) for defending him and denouncing God is no different than Adam and Eve's."
In these sweetly marshalled words, we have the crystal clear nub of the Christian argument: Do not denounce "God" because he is far stronger than you and Satan - and you'll suffer the way others have done. Excuse me whilst I measure my blood pressure in the light of your calmly threatening warning.
I said a reward 'from Satan'. Not from God. Satan is not going to reward you for defending him and denouncing God. He is not even going to speak a word in your defense. He does not care what happens to you. He is not your friend.
There was nothing further in it than that. Once again, it had nothing to do with God.
Thank you Tammy for confirming my long-held view of Christianity: You subscribe to it not because of all the love, but because you honestly believe that if you don't, you'll suffer at the hands of this God who claims to love humankind.
And perhaps you saw this only because it is already your long-held view of Christianity. So you thought you saw a confirmation in my words, but you did not. I do not subscribe to this, at all.
Which ever way you look at it - whether it is described as defending Satan or denouncing "God" - believers believe because of the claimed consequences. Love is simply a dispensible add-on. Of course, if we ditch "Holy Scripture" which seems the only way out of this maze, we do not have the problem of defending the indefensible. The genocidal, blood-obsessed "god" of ancient tribes who allowed his son to be killed is no longer an impediment to be solved.
I am sorry you hold this view. I can assure you it is not mine, not is it taught by my Lord.
I believe because it is true. I believe because of Christ. I understand that for others, this is not true to them. It is to me. And not because of consequences... good or bad. Because of love.
Peace,
tammy
