The Real Root of All Evil

[Kurgan]

I am a spritual person but I do not think you can blame God for evil, and who is the devil, wheredoes he exist? The devil is a figment of the imagination and it is a cop out to blame anyone but yourself. Manknind is the root of all evil. Take a look at the seven deadly sins and you will find your evil.The Constantine monks tried to figure the root of all man's evil. They pretty well described the evils and the source. Evil is a monster that resides in all of us and it is a result of our own subconscious mind.

What religion does is try to help us to cotrol that evil. The true measure of a good person is how they control their evil and maintain their own deportment.

Just because someone believes in God or goes to church does not mean they are not evil. Some of the most evil people on earth are found within the eves of the perish.

 

[Sunstone]

Fear and greed.

Fear and greed are both manifestations of desire. Desire is like a fire -- it can be both life giving or destroying. Depends on how it's managed.

That being said, religion is a tool which seems to be particularly well-suited for making people willing to do evil.

Religion is almost the textbook case of a facilitator or enabler. But it can enable both good and evil. Again, depends on how it's managed.

 

[lockyfan]

Fear and greed are both manifestations of desire. Desire is like a fire -- it can be both life giving or destroying. Depends on how it's managed.

The word there. Desire. Satans desire to rule the wolrd caused sin to enter when e convinced Adam and Eve to sin agaisnt God.

Religion is almost the textbook case of a facilitator or enabler. But it can enable both good and evil. Again, depends on how it's managed.

Exactly, thus the reason why God will put it in the hearts of the world political lkeaders to destroy it as He thinks of it as

Revelation 17:1-2 And one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying: ‘Come, I will show you the judgment upon the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, whereas those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication

Revelation 17:4-6
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and was adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls and had in her hand a golden cup that was full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication. And upon her forehead was written a name, a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth.’ And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus

Revelation 18:3
"For because of the passion-arousing wine of her fornication all the nations have fallen victim, and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the traveling merchants of the earth became rich due to the power of her shameless luxury."

 

[themadhair]

Why are people so intent on blaming satan here? Is this a way of rationalising away the uncomfortable thought that some of your fellow human beings may simply be nasty pieces of ****?

 

[ManTimeForgot]

I would say that egocentric conceptualization (the inability/difficulty to conceive of thoughts in a manner which is not focused on the self) and terror are at the root of all evil. I think the "fear" we are talking about is the same thing, but I like having a different name for it. There are some things we should all be "cautious" (caution being a rational response) of, and that is because they are potentially dangerous (poisonous spiders, scorpions, loaded firearms, really high places with no guard rails, etc). And backed up by an "emotional response" this kind of "fear" only serves to keep us from doing really stupid things. Additionally anything we love (truly) will cause us to experience a certain amount of "healthy trepidation" as we fear for the well-being of that which we love, and I think this too is a good thing.

But "terror" (at least what I am talking about) is that primordial fear of the unknown: manifesting in uncertainty and insecurity. It makes us doubt and it makes us jump to conclusions. But I do not think that this alone is sufficient to "cause" immorality to be as "widespread" as it is.

No, if our "natural" mode of thought was to consider our effect upon others, then rash judgment would still not make us that much more likely to engage in immorality. A certain amount of egocentrism (manifested as conceit, selfishness, greed, hubris, etc...) is I think necessary in addition to fear in order to create widespread immorality. A high degree of egocentrism would tend to correlate highly with an individual likely to engage in all manner of subtle forms of vice (society punishes the more flagrant forms of evil, and thus this individual would tend to avoid that barring fear's influence).

MTF

 

[ManTimeForgot]

Why are people so intent on blaming satan here? Is this a way of rationalising away the uncomfortable thought that some of your fellow human beings may simply be nasty pieces of ****?

Some people are not ready for the truth...

MTF

 

[lockyfan]

Why are people so intent on blaming satan here? Is this a way of rationalising away the uncomfortable thought that some of your fellow human beings may simply be nasty pieces of ****?

nope because we were not originally created like that. Only after the sin in the garden of eden which was caused by satan himself tricking eve, did we become nasty pieces of ..........

 

[Onkara]

What religion does is try to help us to cotrol that evil. The true measure of a good person is how they control their evil and maintain their own deportment.

Yes. Satan/Devil/hell fire is an explanation to allow people to discriminate harmful ideas from beneficial ideas. It is a concept to allow us to guide the mind into correct thinking. Often with the purpose to find God or internal peace.

Society has changed dramatically, there is not the superstion there was in 1AD. Also the quality of education is higher. The world has been explored and communication systems have reduced the need for imagination. We can turn the TV to see the Amazon rainforest, it is no longer a picture in a book. The result is people do not need to accept these older ideas (philosophical concepts) and consequently we reject further investigation when we come across such an idea. I feel this adds to the explanation as to why people reject religion.

Fear and greed are both manifestations of desire. Desire is like a fire -- it can be both life giving or destroying. Depends on how it's managed.

Agreed. Desire is ceratainly the cause of actions. Often we are not capable of controlling the result of our actions. The result can be harmful or beneficial based on the desire that prompted the action and the nature of that action.

Respectfully, Onkarah.

 

[lockyfan]

Yes. Satan/Devil/hell fire is an explanation to allow people to discriminate harmful ideas from beneficial ideas. It is a concept to allow us to guide the mind into correct thinking. Often with the purpose to find God or internal peace.

But we also need to not only find God but serve him too. It is an action that is also needed.

Society has changed dramatically, there is not the superstion there was in 1AD. Also the quality of education is higher. The world has been explored and communication systems have reduced the need for imagination. We can turn the TV to see the Amazon rainforest, it is no longer a picture in a book. The result is people do not need to accept these older ideas (philosophical concepts) and consequently we reject further investigation when we come across such an idea. I feel this adds to the explanation as to why people reject religion.

Could it also be how hypocritical religion is as well? I see that as a major componant. "Love your neighbour"but it is ok to kill some bloke you have never met just because he is holding a gun and in another country than the one you live in.

Agreed. Desire is ceratainly the cause of actions. Often we are not capable of controlling the result of our actions. The result can be harmful or beneficial based on the desire that prompted the action and the nature of that action.
Respectfully, Onkarah.

Thus the reason why Jesus said that if a man looks at a woman and wants to do something with her (sexual) then he is sinning already in his heart. It is the desire that that person i allowing to develop within their heart

 

[Erebus]

Fear and greed are both manifestations of desire. Desire is like a fire -- it can be both life giving or destroying. Depends on how it's managed.

Definitely agree with you here. It's like the saying "The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference." All positive and negative human actions ultimately boil down to desire.

Desire to hoard, desire to love, desire to kill, desire for power, etc.

 

[Onkara]

But we also need to not only find God but serve him too. It is an action that is also needed.

Yes, good point. In my case that came later, after realisation that God exists. For some people there is a sense of strong individualism. If the sense of self-identity is strong, then it is not so easy to begin serving God from the start. Was it easy for you to accept that?

Could it also be how hypocritical religion is as well? I see that as a major componant. "Love your neighbour"but it is ok to kill some bloke you have never met just because he is holding a gun and in another country than the one you live in.

Religion, in general points to the good, to Truth. It is humans in the name of religion, not religion which acts. That might sound condescending but I imply it to put back into focus that it is the person who commits a sin, although they also claim to be devoted to a religion. Relgion is there for people who look for answers and guidance. It becomes an argument without end if we say religion is responsible for evil actions because every generalisation has its flaw (even my own).

Thus the reason why Jesus said that if a man looks at a woman and wants to do something with her (sexual) then he is sinning already in his heart. It is the desire that that person i allowing to develop within their heart

Agreed, the desire starts at the heart (mind). It is the mind that needs to be conquered. This is precisely the issue as to where the root of all evil begins. It is not outside of ourselves, lurking in a cave down the road. Good point

 

[Sunstone]

The word there. Desire. Satans desire to rule the wolrd caused sin to enter when e convinced Adam and Eve to sin agaisnt God.


Exactly, thus the reason why God will put it in the hearts of the world political lkeaders to destroy it as He thinks of it as

Revelation 17:1-2 And one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying: ‘Come, I will show you the judgment upon the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, whereas those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication

Revelation 17:4-6
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and was adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls and had in her hand a golden cup that was full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication. And upon her forehead was written a name, a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth.’ And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus

Revelation 18:3
"For because of the passion-arousing wine of her fornication all the nations have fallen victim, and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the traveling merchants of the earth became rich due to the power of her shameless luxury."

I think you are more interested in twisting my words than in understanding them.

 

[lockyfan]

Yes, good point. In my case that came later, after realisation that God exists. For some people there is a sense of strong individualism. If the sense of self-identity is strong, then it is not so easy to begin serving God from the start. Was it easy for you to accept that?

I will agree with you there. Being imperfect makes things difficult, but if you have a true love of God then what he asks of you it is not hard to do at all.

Sometimes it may also be a feeling of worthlessness that stops people as well.

Religion, in general points to the good, to Truth. It is humans in the name of religion, not religion which acts. That might sound condescending but I imply it to put back into focus that it is the person who commits a sin, although they also claim to be devoted to a religion. Relgion is there for people who look for answers and guidance. It becomes an argument without end if we say religion is responsible for evil actions because every generalisation has its flaw (even my own).

I disagree. Mainly because there is only one religion that teaches hte truth about God. They just confuse people into believeing unscriptural beliefs and DOGMA. Religions that ask you to go to war for them (the catholic religion has done this in the past) or say that God is on my side, yet the guy on the other side says the same thing and is from the same religion.

True God-fearing and Godly people do not get involved in this world and its politics, and wars. They remain Nuetral to these issues and have done as is mentioned in Isaiah 2:4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.

What started the war on terror but a difference over one religion to another?

Agreed, the desire starts at the heart (mind). It is the mind that needs to be conquered. This is precisely the issue as to where the root of all evil begins. It is not outside of ourselves, lurking in a cave down the road. Good point

The scriptures actually tells us to not follow our heart as it is treacherous nad will ead us astray. Using a bible trained conscious (mind) is the best way to tackle any issues with desire. As desire grows in the heart and then infiltrates our minds, but if we think clearly with our mind and not our heart, we will be able o see what is coming.

Sometimes though die to our imperfect state, we humans do tend to forget his and then we sin. Right now it is in our nature, but shortly it wont be.

 

[lockyfan]

I think you are more interested in twisting my words than in understanding them.

I was merely putting accross my point of view. I did not try to twist your words. I used one word from your post and created my own with my beliefs.

 

[zenzero]

Friend atotalstranger,

The Real Root of All Evil
Fear and greed.

There is nothing as good / evil.
They are just opposing forces on the same scale. Or in other words Dualities.
The root of duality is the mind which Thinks.

Love & rgds

 

[MissAlice]

I don't know what the real origin of evil is and I think one's evil is another's definition of good.

One thing I tend to notice when a root of evil takes on masses, it will usually take on the form of a leadership governed by a particular ideology. Trouble with any idealogy especially when it comes hand in hand with religion is it leaves other people out. In other words, there is no humane way to treat people if they're condemned as evil or lumped together like sheep and used as the ultimate scapegoat. There seems to be a great pattern with humans flocking to a leadership that assumes the role of "truth".

 

[lockyfan]

i refernce to evil I heard a good email the other week


There is no such thing as evil. It is a word we humans have designed to describe the absence of God,

 

[MoonWater]

i refernce to evil I heard a good email the other week


There is no such thing as evil. It is a word we humans have designed to describe the absence of God,

:no:. I don't really see there being any such thing as evil either but if the term was invented to describe the absence of god then not only would you first have to explain which god is absent and then explain why exactly that is negative. Even then how do you explain all the atheists and other people who don't follow that particular god that are very good people and have an overall positive influence on the world and explain the people who do follow that god but have an overall negative influence on the world. If you can explain how all that works maybe then your argument will have something to stand on.

 

[lockyfan]

:no:. I don't really see there being any such thing as evil either but if the term was invented to describe the absence of god then not only would you first have to explain which god is absent and then explain why exactly that is negative.

The God in the bible described at 1 John 4:8 as Being love. Not just has heaps of love to give, but being lone t is his pure essence. He is abset from this world right now, because the "father of the lie"who is satan, challenged him and for our sakes and the angels sakes and the rest of humankind forevers sakes, Jehovah allowed that challenge to take place.,

The God of love in the bible: will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away (rev 21:3-4)

His promise is to rid us of our pain and troubles and live in the paradise we always should have been in. I personally think that that is a positive thing.

Even then how do you explain all the atheists and other people who don't follow that particular god that are very good people and have an overall positive influence on the world and explain the people who do follow that god but have an overall negative influence on the world. If you can explain how all that works maybe then your argument will have something to stand on.

The thing is the Athiest who do not follow God may have a good influence on the world, but my concern is to stay out and away from what hte rest of the world thinks is good. As true Christians we have been commanded to not love anything that this world thinks is good as this world is on its way out

1 John 2:15-17
Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever
John 17:16-17
They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth
John 18:36
Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.


Plus most of the people who follow my God, (the ones who stay in the truth) do not actually participate in anything this world thinks is popular. because we are no part of this world. We are merely travellors awaiting the train into the new system.

 

[MoonWater]

The God in the bible described at 1 John 4:8 as Being love. Not just has heaps of love to give, but being lone t is his pure essence. He is abset from this world right now, because the "father of the lie"who is satan, challenged him and for our sakes and the angels sakes and the rest of humankind forevers sakes, Jehovah allowed that challenge to take place.,

The God of love in the bible: will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away (rev 21:3-4)

His promise is to rid us of our pain and troubles and live in the paradise we always should have been in. I personally think that that is a positive thing.

I read about this very thing in a booklet some jehova's witnesses gave me. This was how the book answered the question of why god allows suffering. If one accepts the premises put forth by Jehova's witnesses and the bible then the answer does make sense. However I don't accept the premises. When I look at the world I see a beautiful and wonderful creation, not a world ruled by a satan but one ruled by the laws of nature, which are at times cold and brutal, but are necessary for survival. I see a loving earth mother that provides us with everything we need to survive and has a great deal to teach us if only we take the time to observe and listen. And I see humans stumbling to find their way because many have forgotten that they too are a part of nature and that we need to live in harmony with it not fight against it or seek to control it.

The thing is the Athiest who do not follow God may have a good influence on the world, but my concern is to stay out and away from what hte rest of the world thinks is good. As true Christians we have been commanded to not love anything that this world thinks is good as this world is on its way out

1 John 2:15-17
Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever
John 17:16-17
They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth
John 18:36
Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.


Plus most of the people who follow my God, (the ones who stay in the truth) do not actually participate in anything this world thinks is popular. because we are no part of this world. We are merely travellors awaiting the train into the new system.

I've read the biblical description of heaven and wasn't impressed. "A city of gold"? Sounds as much like a hell to me as the lake of fire. Now granted I don't know if you are referring to that specifically when you speak of paradise. To me paradise is something we create for ourselves. Paradise can be present right here on earth if we believe it to exist here. To me paradise would be running through the woods with the wolves, swimming through the ocean with the dolphins, flying with the eagles and sun bathing by a lake. as well as other simplicities like having a group of people to tell stories to and to hear stories from. And those are just some examples. This is why I have always liked the idea of the Pagan summerland more than the biblical heaven.

I know this world will eventually die when the sun nears the end of it's life and expands to engulf the earth. But I'm in no hurry to see it go away nor am I eagerly awaiting that day. Though granted I won't be around to see it, it will still be sad to lose such beauty.

In short I do not see god(or goddess as i prefer to call her) as being absent from this world, I see her as fully and ever present, apart of everything in existence. And while I don't see her as equivalent to love, I do see her as being deeply filled with it towards all of her creation, so much so that she would never abandon us, she would never become absent from our lives or the lives of any other creature.