# Can you sell somebody else's soul to the devil? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 10, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709 "2010-12-10T21:56:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/81 "2010-12-24T20:13:19Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > And if it’s not a sin for a person to sell their soul, why would it be a sin for a third party to participate in the sale of a soul? Because by selling the Devil someone else’s soul, you’re harming them, by damning them to an eternity in hell, for your own benefit. It’s a sin to do that, and the fact that they were dumb enough to sell their soul to you in the first place doesn’t relieve you of the moral obligation not to hurt them. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/82 "2010-12-25T02:02:57Z")
Yes, what Captain Amazing says. It’s not the selling their soul per se (if we accept your premise). It’s that in doing this, you have deliberately damned someone else to eternal torment. Whatever method accomplishes that, that’s a pretty shitty thing to do, right? Suppose the devil approached you out of the blue and said, “Just say the word, I’ll see to it that John is damned for eternity. If you don’t, I’ll let him go.” If you give Satan the nod, that would be the worst thing you could do to John, a damnable offense for you, I would assert. The fact that you accomplished this without selling a soul is irrelevant, just as it is in your scenario where Satan does get title to someone else’s soul. The transaction itself isn’t the problem. The problem is its effect. Sorry, my advice to you remains the same: do not sell someone else’s soul to the devil if you wish to avoid eternal damnation. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/83 "2010-12-25T02:14:39Z")
Does the Devil want the most “damaged” souls, or the least? Let’s say I’ve done something terrible and I’m already damned. But I find an innocent sucker who’ll agree to give up his soul to the Devil if mine is left alone. Who’s soul would the Devil prefer? Also, surely if God wants someone’s soul, the Devil can’t have it, right? If not, wouldn’t that be a limit on God’s power? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/84 "2010-12-25T19:13:48Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Because by selling the Devil someone else’s soul, you’re harming them, by damning them to an eternity in hell, for your own benefit. It’s a sin to do that, and the fact that they were dumb enough to sell their soul to you in the first place doesn’t relieve you of the moral obligation not to hurt them. You may be right. But I’ve taken this possibility into account. See my post on my regular schedule of repentance for any sins I commit. This will cover me if selling other people’s souls is, in fact, a sin. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2010, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/85 "2010-12-26T03:31:44Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > …although I have to say I’m still fuzzy on the attorney/Satan distinction. Satan doesn’t have student loans to repay 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/86 "2010-12-26T05:33:03Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You may be right. But I’ve taken this possibility into account. See my post on my regular schedule of repentance for any sins I commit. This will cover me if selling other people’s souls is, in fact, a sin. Like I said, read Lackey and Dixon’s short story first: [http://www.webscription.net/10.1125/Baen/0671878662/0671878662\_\_\_2.htm](http://www.webscription.net/10.1125/Baen/0671878662/0671878662___2.htm) Besides, repentence isn’t that mechanistic. You obviously don’t feel bad about selling said soul to the devil, you just want to stay out of hell. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/87 "2010-12-27T02:22:45Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Like I said, read Lackey and Dixon’s short story first: Not a relevent precedent. The devil never had any contractual claim on my soul in the first place. > [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Besides, repentence isn’t that mechanistic. You obviously don’t feel bad about selling said soul to the devil, you just want to stay out of hell. Guilt can be a motivation for repentance but it’s not mandatory. Fear of damnation has always been portrayed as acceptable grounds for sincere repentance. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/88 "2010-12-27T08:06:28Z")
It seems like you’re going to dismiss any objections to your plan. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/89 "2010-12-27T12:49:01Z")
I agree. As far as I’m concerned, Nemo can go to hell. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dog\_the\_bounty\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dog\_the\_bounty\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dog_the_bounty_hunter)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/90 "2011-07-27T06:51:50Z")
[quote=“Little\_Nemo, post:1, topic:563709”] Based on the traditional beliefs that souls exist, that their ownership can be transferred, and that the devil exists and wants to acquire souls. According to my understanding of christian religion, giving your soul to anyone other than God warrants damnation of that soul. Selling your soul to a person in itself would damn the soul and render it worthless in negotians with the devil ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/91 "2011-07-27T06:57:54Z")
Whoa there, sparky! The devil deals in damned souls, kind of by definition. Sell your soul to the devil and you are damned, and the devil is fine with that. How else is the devil gonna get souls – highjack the heaven-bound train? ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/92 "2011-07-27T17:10:10Z")
The devil is a lookie loo, my soul has been on the market since at least '92 and he’s never made an offer. And it’s a fairly clean soul at that there are several commandments I haven’t broken. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![XxJayCKxX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/dc4da7/32.png) [@XxJayCKxX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XxJayCKxX)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/93 "2012-05-01T02:07:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > In what religion would you be allowed into heaven after making a deal like that? Looks to me like he gets your soul anyway. lol or he’ll be stuck on earth…which to be would be pretty sick…i would love to stay on earth as a roaming spirit and see just watch and study people =P ---
**Author:** ![XxJayCKxX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/dc4da7/32.png) [@XxJayCKxX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XxJayCKxX)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/94 "2012-05-01T02:15:01Z")
> [@Carlos\_Spicy\_Weiner](#): > > The devil has morals ? and hates competition. the devil has morals? lol XD he’s a buisness man…he’ll do what he needs to do to get what he wants…and there is no competition if he’s selling the souls to the devil…its more of a partnership…cuz what use does he have for the souls if he doesn’t sell them to the devil =P ---
**Author:** ![XxJayCKxX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/dc4da7/32.png) [@XxJayCKxX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XxJayCKxX)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/95 "2012-05-01T02:28:18Z")
This may be irrelevant to the point your trying to make…but what exactly is a “soul” and how would you go about in buying it from someone else. If there is a “devil” and he’s some kind of spiritual being then he most likely has the ability to acquire ones “soul”…or actually who is to say that when you sell your “soul” you don’t still have it…as long as the contract is kept…then you will be sent to hell when you die…and if thats the case i see nothing wrong with your idea and i do not see how it is “sinful” cuz if the contract is not kept then i see no reason why you shouldn’t go to heaven…what gives “god” the right to dictate what you do or do not do with your “soul” its YOUR “soul” “god” would be just as bad as the “devil” if he decides what you do or do not do with it. ---
**Author:** ![pabloren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@pabloren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pabloren)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/96 "2012-11-16T18:08:54Z")
i recently bought my friends soul he even singed a contract with his own blood how can i sell his soul now? ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/97 "2012-11-16T19:08:51Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I’m not sure what would happen if you’re genuinely repentant later on, but if you go into the deal thinking, “Oh, I’ll just ask for forgiveness later” or later comes, “I wish I didn’t do that, but it sure was fun” that voids the forgiveness asking. But, then can’t he get a Mormon friend and have posthumous baptism as a ‘plan B’? Of course, then you end up on some planet, but the planet is supposed to be better than the hell that all us Christians are going to. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/98 "2012-11-16T19:23:13Z")
Are you able to take possession of the souls you claim to have bought from third parties? If not, how are you able to guarantee their receipt to the Prince of Lies? Assuming the existence of souls and The Devil, the way I see this playing out is that you offer money/sex/whatever to third parties for their souls. They enjoy whatever it is that you have offered for the exchange. You cut a deal with The Devil, who knows that you are actually unable to deliver the promised third party souls, and who then claims your soul as forfeit due to your inability to fulfill your end of the contract. See, The Devil has an acknowledged ability to claim souls as his and carry them off for eternal torment. You are just some mook who traded goods or services in exchange for something the seller could not sell you and of which you could not gain possession. You lose on this all the way around. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/99 "2012-11-16T20:29:26Z")
Hang on here, I think **Little Nemo** going to have a hard time proving he validly contracted for the souls. First problem I see is that the parties of the second part (hereinafter **Sellers** ) haven’t actually agreed to sell their souls to Nemo. It is a basic part of contract law that both sides have to have a ‘meeting of the minds’, about all the terms of the contract. If one party doesn’t agree to all the terms of said contract, (in this case the **Seller** thinking he was getting $5.00 without promising anything in return) then it can be argued that the contract is null _ab initio_. If however, a court of proper jurisdiction found that the **Seller** has validly contracted, a more troubling aspect is **Little Nemo** ’s fraudulent representation to **Seller** for the purpose of contracting in the first place. **Little Nemo** has represented to **Seller** that the sole purpse of the sale was skeptical in nature and he fraudulently obtained **Seller’s** acceptance, when in fact, the scoundrel knew he was purchasing to resell to Old Scratch. Which again, could cause a court to void the contract. Finally, even if the Court ruled against the **Sellers** one could make a public policy argument against the enforcement of the contract. I mean to force Ms. Dawson and Ms. Q to participate in the daming of a unsuspecting third party, no matter how pleasurable (or not) the experience may be to them, is an action that the Court should not be bound to enforce. So, while **Little Nemo’s** scheme is devious, and the mere attempt at it would be enough in some party’s eyes to consign his immortal soul to the Netherworld anyway, I for one would not rule in **Little Nemo’s** favor if I were the judge. (BUT, there’s always the Court of Appeals, those soulless bastards…) ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709/100 "2012-11-16T20:53:29Z")
In several places in Europe there are legends where a builder, faced with insurmountable difficulties, makes a deal with the devil. In exchange for the devil’s help, the devil is promised the soul of the first living being who uses or enters the edifice. Once the building is completed, an animal is chased over the bridge or into the building, thus cheating the devil of his reward. [Legend of the devil’s bridge in Andermatt, Switzerland](http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/infra_anlagendetail.cfm?rkey=722&instance=61985&art=Monument) [other legends](http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1191.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-somebody-elses-soul-to-the-devil/563709.md?page=6)