What is Good and Evil?

[PWRDbyUNCLEbens]

This came to my mind last night when by friend asked me about my religion. He asked me what religion I was, and I said I believe in a god but not necessarily the christian god.

He then asked me what if I believe in good and evil. I thought about it, and said I think there is a balance. I figure that I dont thin evil is necessarily bad, but is necessary to how the world functions.

Are some people evil or do people just do evil things and good things?

What really defines what is good and evil?

I'd like to hear some thoughts on this to help me get a better grasp on the idea.

[AlmostStock]

Originally Posted by PWRDbyUNCLEbens

Are some people evil or do people just do evil things and good things?

I would say both. Everyone falls into the latter category to some degree, and some belong in the former category because they do a lot of evil things. But this is very subjective. While most people may agree a particular action is evil, certainly everyone draws the line where they see fit.

What really defines what is good and evil?

Again somewhat subjective. I would say if an action hurts or is detrimental to another being or the environment, it's evil to some degree.

[Rally Sport]

Good and Evil isnt always all good and something all evil, its just popular opinion most of the time, which is usually what makes us think that something is good or bad.

Take what happend on 9/11 4 years ago.. I remember watching the news and it was shocking and people were saying "Who did this crap to us, assholes, blah blah blah" and then I also remember on the news it showed us that people over seas were celebrating and such.

Basicly it comes down to how you view the situation.

[PWRDbyUNCLEbens]

The whole murder thing however i don't think is always evil . It is nature for animals to kill others over territory, mating, food etc.. I dont think I few animals much differently then humans. So that kinda changes the ideas of good and evil for me based on nature.

[eversio11]

We all have the capacity of good and evil, it's human nature, and it's up to each individual to how much they show of each side.

I think there's a universal good, like everyone can agree 'yeah, that's good'. ie.. giving up your seat on the bus for an old lady. How do we know that's 'good'? Because all of our words and meanings are based on our feelings, and when we do 'good' things, it makes us feel good.

[Vtec913]

Originally Posted by PWRDbyUNCLEbens

The whole murder thing however i don't think is always evil . It is nature for animals to kill others over territory, mating, food etc.. I dont think I few animals much differently then humans. So that kinda changes the ideas of good and evil for me based on nature.

Yes but we have the ability to hold back from commiting a murder, animals just do it to survive. I can see if you're killing in self-defense then I dont think that would be evil, but if it was premeditated or such and you only did it because you hate or have a grudge against someone then that is evil in my eyes.

[YogsVR4]

Bending a girl over a stump and ass raping her with a lice hardened piece of bear shit is plain evil. Its not bad, its not subjective - its evil.

[AlmostStock]

^^^Just posting something as offensive as that is evil.

[eversio11]

Originally Posted by craigcully

When we do good things and it makes us feel good, I think that is only because we have been taught by society that it is a "good" thing and so when we do it, we "feel good". If society thought that old people were worthless, etc., I don't believe you would feel good about giving them a seat on the bus.

I disagree, everything we know is based on our feelings, back before we had a society or language or anything.

[oneillchick]

But then again... if you knew that this is evil and this is good, why wouldnt you be more inclined to do what you knew was right in the first place... Cause think about it we can know what the right thing to do is, but do the opposite... because we find the outcome more favorable... not because we want to be evil... so in this case i also think that emotions play a big part

[PWRDbyUNCLEbens]

So do you think a person should be damned (to hell for instance) for doing whatever supposedly evil things they do?

If good and evil isn't cut and dry then how can any religion base your after-life on the good and evil things that you do? This is a big dilemma I have with most religions.

[Rally Sport]

Originally Posted by PWRDbyUNCLEbens

So do you think a person should be damned (to hell for instance) for doing whatever supposedly evil things they do?

If good and evil isn't cut and dry then how can any religion base your after-life on the good and evil things that you do? This is a big dilemma I have with most religions.

Well the thing is that when it comes to religion something is always good and bad, even though the bible has a lot of holes in it. Problem with religion is what it wants you to do to get into heaven.. take Christianity for instance, say an armed robber is in your house, you confront the guy, and you start fighting him. NOW it is either you kill him or he kills you, being Christian if you kill someone you go to hell, but if you dont kill him, he'll kill you.

Sure you can say, it was in self defense, but it doesnt matter, you wont be permitted into heaven if you kill the guy, so then you must die. This example is why I dont really belong to a religion, but I believe in god, chilling on his chair up there.

Good and evil boils down to what you believe in, thats it. You cant really say it any simpler than that.

About religion though, I think the best one is Satanism.. it isnt all evil like everyone thinks, actually its version of the bible is the only one thats down to earth because it basicly says "Do what you like/want/feel doing" it doesnt matter, but it doesnt promote killing or something that will get you introuble with the law. BTW im not a satanist.