Do you think people use satan as a way to not feel responsible for their own actions?

I sure do, especially when they make excuses. I read an answer here on that neocon pastor and his male prostitute: "The closer to God you are, the more the devil tries to get you" or something like that. Anyone not a Christian who does the same is just evil to them, but when it's a Christian, they point at the devil.

In ancient Jewish tradition Satan is simply an angel doing the work that God assigned to Satan to do.

The word Satan means challenger. With the idea of Satan challenging us, or tempting if you will. This description sees Satan as the angel who is the embodiment of man's challenges. This idea of Satan works closely with God as an integral part of Gods plan for us. His job is to make choosing good over evil enough of a challenge so that it becomes clear to us that there can be only one meaningful or logical choice.

Contrast this to Christianity, which sees Satan as God's opponent. In Jewish thought, the idea that there exists anything capable of setting itself up as God's opponent would be considered polytheistic or setting up the devil to be an equally powerful polarity to god or a demigod.

Oddly, proof for The Christian satan/devil mythology is supposedly found in the ancient Jewish texts that were borrowed to create the bible. One can’t help but wonder how Christians came up with such a fantastically different interpretation of Gods assistant Satan in their theology.

Other hints about Satan’s role in human relations can be seen if you look at the name Lucifer. It’s meaning in the original tongue translates as Light bearer or light bringer. Essentially the bringer of enlightenment. The temptations of the Satan idea bring all of us eventually into Gods light. Hardly the Evil entity of Christian mythology.

Love and blessings

don

Well, Satan was originally created to convert pagans and later evolved into the scapegoat of peoples sins. I personally believe that people should take responsiblity for their own actions instead of blaming some made up nightmarish embodiment of evil.

I think some may use that as an excuse, but when Satan is tempting us I don't think many people notice. I believe that Satan does tempt believers, but we can withstand the temptation

Quite often this is true. It is easy to get into the habit of using Satan as a cop-out.

Yes, definitely, but don't stop there. Most so called religious folks that I know use God for the same reasons. Oh well, I guess everybody has their favorite crutch to lean on, it just so much easier than standing up on our own.

BINGO!!!!

All religious entities, good or bad, are a good way to take guilt off our selves and to explain the unexplained.

They are simply a way for people to except that we aren't always in control. Also a good thing to blame our bad things on when we are in control.

Satan is a mythological creation... only the mentally ill believe they are under his influence.

satan plays an important role in tempting ppl;however,somestimes ppl's own desires are more satanic than satan himself ...

Yes, and they use forgiveness and christ as an excuse to not feel guilty about it