I'm fascinated that some people might consider selling their souls to the Devil, understanding that it theoretically means everlasting, unrelieved agony.
Would you actually do that?
I wouldn't. I guess I'm a chicken.
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Why would any ancient entity want a person's soul? Is there some sort of competition between God and Satan over who gets the most souls? What does the winner win?
When you really take a look at people, you'll see how shallow and insipid most of us are. Even if we get what we want, we still complain. If we're forced to do something or adhere to some kind of morality, we complain that we're being stifled. If we're given free reign to do what we want, we complain when we inevitably screw up because we're not given enough guidance. If we have to work hard, we bitch. If we have all the free time in the world, we bitch that we have nothing to do. Again, what entity would want to hang out for an eternity with beings like that?
I find it sort of hilarious that we humans think we're coveted by deities and that they're fighting over us and our souls. Yeah, there are good people out there but most of us are basically insufferable and annoying.
I wouldn't either. I'm a Christian and if the Devil did come to me and try to make a deal I'd say, "Go suck a bag of rocks you evil jerk!"
"You want me to roll 6,000 of these!? What? Should I quit my job!?" George Costanza, Seinfeld
It looks likes it's time to hit the reset button. There's a lot of random pseudo theology in this thread.
Here's the question, clarified, hopefully:
1. Are you someone who believes the basic Christian concept of an everlasting, fiery, painful Hell?
2. Given that 1 is answered yes, would you commit your immortal soul to that Hell, in exchange for some earthly benefits, such as wealth and pleasure, for the rest of your earthly life?
If you don't believe in the painful, unending Hell doctrine, then you're not relevant to the question, although I'd have to say, that doesn't make you exempt.
The question is a supreme test of your live-for-the-now commitment.
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The story is king.
There is no "basic Christian concept of an everlasting, fiery, painful Hell". Early Christians believed when you were dead, you were dead. The faithful would be brought back to life to live forever with God when He established His Kingdom on Earth.
A fiery burning hell is left over from the Greek/Roman concept of Hades, popularized by Dante in the Inferno.
Depends, what are you offering for it? If the sale is eternal damnation, I could only imagine that it would fetch for a good price.
shareThat looks like a yes, if you don't mind my saying. You would go into "live-for-the-now" thinking, and let your future self worry about the consequences?
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The story is king.
Selling your soul isn't "live-for-the-now" thinking. What is the value of my soul and what is the price being offered. If your home is $250K and someone offers you $300K, would you sell it? Of course. Same difference, just a different commodity.
shareYou still seem to be answering the basic question in the affirmative. Is that not so?
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The story is king.
"Well, he taught me to play this here guitar real good".
"Oh son, for that you sold your everlasting soul?"
"Well, I wasn't usin' it."
What if somebody wishes to never age or die?
shareThe devil would pull a fast one and you'd get that wish, but in some monkey's paw kinda way. Like you'd become immortal and then immediately after that, a comet would hit the earth right next to you and you'd be catapulted out into space doomed to drift eternally in the void but still alive. The devil may not ever collect your soul, but he's got plenty, so the amusement the situation gave him by tricking you would make up for it.
shareOkay, so I'll hit 666 and then wish that I would never age, get sick, or die but all other aspects of the universe remain unchanged.
share