Making light of the devil
 

A quick question for those who have experience with being a member of a religion.

A priest or even better for our example, a bishop. Aside from whatever else they do, they peach fearing the devil and hell, how they should be avoided and fought all times and at all costs due to being the ultimate evil/punishment.

Now say a video surfaces of that bishop in casual conversation with a cardinal (let's say it's an outtake during a recording for a prayer video or something to teach others about the evil)and they are laughing about the devil in a passage saying something like: "and then the devil appeared, DUN DUN DUN... *thunder noises and sarcastic hand waving*"

My question is, what would you think of the legitimacy of their faith after seeing them make light of the ultimate evil?

I wouldn't question the "legitimacy of their faith." Only God knows what's inside their hearts and minds. What I would do is question their theology. I would want to know what they teach concerning the devil.

I'd show them this thread and tell them to go outside if they ever post something like this.

For arguments sake they are teaching directly from the bible. I'm more concerned with what an average church goers reaction would be to the leaked outtake.

uh no, only Allah knows that information.

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/448...-tongues-o.gif

Nice of you to respond. Got a thread coming that's relevant.

Dumb thread, fedora on head

He did show us that animated gif of himself thrashing about. That's worth something isn't it?

As a reformed Puritan from a strict Catholic upbringing from 100% Church institutions, I can speculate that it wouldn't bother me personally hearing about it happening at someone elses Church. There is a big difference between reading/hearing about a scenario that happened somewhere else, a theoretical like you proposed, and actually living it and genuinely experiencing it at your own Church. Something to keep in mind.

Having your own priest or bishop, a far more personal connection, making a mockery of hallowed Church teachings would probably make me leave said Church. It wouldn't reflect on the overall religion for me immediately, but it might raise some eyebrows and cause some critical thinking.

In the immediate I'd consider it flippant, grossly insincere, and immature. I would take it as an indication that they were having spiritual health struggles and/or struggles with God, thereby unfit for the calling. Just me personally.

edit: misused a capital letter on Church multiple times, implies leaving the entire Church. I would only leave the church, lowercase, and find another church. No one is forced to attend or participate in a certain church, we had 4-5 options growing up and it was funny to hear the adults reference other churches across town like "oh she goes to St. Mary's" as if it meant something. Some kind of rivalry/territory weird social implication. "Oh they belong to St. John's". etc.

We had people leave our church after the priest bought a new house that was the same size as their own house. People were very angry and let other members know about it.