Zone1 Are Humans Essentially Good or Evil?

[Cassandro]

Are humans essentially good or evil? I am not posing this question in a Garden of Eden context, but in the context of societal evolution. What I am now witnessing is a growing indifference to whether something is morally good or evil. I understand that this is a normative concept but, in the past, people seemed more willing to express their moral opinions about actions taken by themselves and others.

For the past few years, it has been inculcated into our society that to have an opinion on such matters is evil. As a result, even thinking about these thinks has been considered indicative of a biased upbringing and poor character. In the face of this attack on traditional moral values, more and more people have adopted an amoral shield from reality that allows them to act expediently without any regard for the future consequences of those actions.

This seems to be a degeneration from one of the basic differences that distinguish human from other animals. If this distinction diminishes, does that mean that we are reverting to our natural instincts? And if so, does that absolve us from any moral transgressions? Are we really made in God's image, or are we just a biological anomaly that will eventually recede into a vast pool of nucleic acids?

 

[Zincwarrior]

Humans are essentially selfish and greedy. That generally drives everything evil about us.

 

[Votto]

Are humans essentially good or evil? I am not posing this question in a Garden of Eden context, but in but in the context of societal evolution. What I am now witnessing is a growing indifference to whether something is morally good or evil. I understand that this is a normative concept but, in the past, people seemed more willing to express their moral opinions about actions taken by themselves and others.

For the past few years, it has been inculcated into our society that to have an opinion on such matters is evil. As a result, even thinking about these thinks has been considered indicative of a biased upbringing and poor character. In the face of this attack on traditional moral values, more and more people have adopted an amoral shield from reality that allows them to act expediently without any regard for the future consequences of those actions.

This seems to be a degeneration from one of the basic differences that distinguish human from other animals. If this distinction diminishes, does that mean that we are reverting to our natural instincts? And if so, does that absolve us from any moral transgressions? Are we really made in God's image, or are we just a biological anomaly that will eventually recede into a vast pool of nucleic acids?

This happens when society becomes secular and godless

Think about it, if the Bible is not correct, that is that man was made in the image of God, thus making mankind unique from the animal world, then man is just a glorified ape.

And look what we do to animals. We herd them around and then kill and eat them for food.

This is what socialism does, only, they have not started eating us...................yet.

 

[Foxfyre]

Are humans essentially good or evil? I am not posing this question in a Garden of Eden context, but in but in the context of societal evolution. What I am now witnessing is a growing indifference to whether something is morally good or evil. I understand that this is a normative concept but, in the past, people seemed more willing to express their moral opinions about actions taken by themselves and others.

For the past few years, it has been inculcated into our society that to have an opinion on such matters is evil. As a result, even thinking about these thinks has been considered indicative of a biased upbringing and poor character. In the face of this attack on traditional moral values, more and more people have adopted an amoral shield from reality that allows them to act expediently without any regard for the future consequences of those actions.

This seems to be a degeneration from one of the basic differences that distinguish human from other animals. If this distinction diminishes, does that mean that we are reverting to our natural instincts? And if so, does that absolve us from any moral transgressions? Are we really made in God's image, or are we just a biological anomaly that will eventually recede into a vast pool of nucleic acids?

I think it is a rare human who is not a mix of both. Anyone who thinks he/she has never had a sinful thought, who has never done anything they are ashamed of, is pretty much delusional.

But I do believe those cultures grounded in the JudeoChristian faith, values, traditions, customs will be far more moral and beneficial to their society and the world than those grounded in something else. One does not have to be a believer to benefit from that culture.

That most people are self serving is not selfish. When we take responsibility for ourselves and our families we do not burden others with that. And in providing for ourselves and our families we also contribute to the choices, options, opportunities for others to do the same. Also, those of the JudeoChristian cultures are generally the most benevolent and giving of themselves and their resoures for the benefit of the most helpless on Earth.

And yes, the more that God has been made unwelcome in any culture, the more harsh and uncaring that society will become.

 

[Papageorgio]

Humans are essentially selfish and greedy. That generally drives everything evil about us.

Explains a lot about you.

 

[Votto]

I think it is a rare human who is not a mix of both. Anyone who thinks he/she has never had a sinful thought, who has never done anything they are ashamed of, is pretty much delusional.

But I do believe those cultures grounded in the JudeoChristian faith, values, traditions, customs will be far more moral and beneficial to their society and the world than those grounded in something else. One does not have to be a believer to benefit from that culture.

That most people are self serving is not selfish. When we take responsibility for ourselves and our families we do not burden others with that. And in providing for ourselves and our families we also contribute to the choices, options, opportunities for others to do the same. Also, those of the JudeoChristian cultures are generally the most benevolent and giving of themselves and their resoures for the benefit of the most helpless on Earth.

And yes, the more that God has been made unwelcome in any culture, the more harsh and uncaring that society will become.

What I like about the Bible is how truthful it is about their revered Patriarchs. Men like Moses and king David are put on full display, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This is the human state, and adds to the veracity of the Bible.

The only perfect soul in the Bible is Jesus himself, but only because he was born of a virgin and God in the flesh, thus escaping the passed down sinfulness.

Conversely, Islam treats Mohammad like Christians do Jesus, only, they don't believe Mo was God in the flesh. The problem is, they treat him as if he was. Not one word is spoken about how Mohammad was wrong about anything in word or deed.

 

[Foxfyre]

What I like about the Bible is how truthful it is about their revered Patriarchs. Men like Moses and king David are put on full display, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This is the human state, and adds to the veracity of the Bible.

The only perfect soul in the Bible is Jesus himself, but only because he was born of a virgin and God in the flesh, thus escaping the passed down sinfulness.

Conversely, Islam treats Mohammad like Christians do Jesus, only, they don't believe Mo was God in the flesh. The problem is, they treat him as if he was. Not one word is spoken about how Mohammad was wrong about anything in word or deed.

Yes the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments clearly illustrates again and again and again how God called seriously imperfect people for God's seriously perfect work.

And we can appreciate and bless those who answer that call despite their flaws and shortcomings, or we can focus on the flaws and shortcomings and miss the miracles God works through those people.

 

[Cassandro]

That most people are self serving is not selfish.

My point is that more people are willingly heedless of the consequences` of their actions. "If it makes you happy, it must be OK" and "Live for today" are no longer just song lyrics: They have increasingly become a philosophical standard.

 

[Leo123]

My point is that more people are willingly heedless of the consequences` of their actions. "If it makes you happy, it must be OK" and "Live for today" are no longer just song lyrics: They have increasingly become a philosophical standard.

That is secular humanist philosophy which is unhinged to any generally agreed upon higher power. Humans can be equally good and equally evil, the only thing that keeps us from sinking into evil is an agreed upon morality from a higher power.

 

[Foxfyre]

My point is that more people are willingly heedless of the consequences` of their actions. "If it makes you happy, it must be OK" and "Live for today" are no longer just song lyrics: They have increasingly become a philosophical standard.

There is something to say for that. For sure many have no clue about the consequences of this or that policy that they support and really don't care. What does matter to them is being true to the propaganda, assigned talking points, and group think however dishonest, unsupportable, indefensible it might be.

There is intentional sin when the person knows what he/she does is wrong or illegal. But it doesn't feel wrong to them so much because it feels good and therefore in their mind is justified.

And there is sin of commission or omission in which the person may not be aware of the consequences of his/her action.

But all sin is bad and (the consequences of it) will be visited upon the children for generations. Sin, in my definition, is that which harms us personally and/or harms others. All sin is bad which is why God is against it.

So we all have sinned and fallen short and none should feel proud in their 'virtue'. But honest basic JudeoChristian values will help any society sin less, do less harm, do more good, be more pleasing, in my opinion, in the eyes of God.

 

[TNHarley]

This happens when society becomes secular and godless

Think about it, if the Bible is not correct, that is that man was made in the image of God, thus making mankind unique from the animal world, then man is just a glorified ape.

And look what we do to animals. We herd them around and then kill and eat them for food.

This is what socialism does, only, they have not started eating us...................yet.

View attachment 1165432

Is Iran secular and godless?

 

[the watcher]

good or evil (not good) is just a human construct, probably invented to try and assign some reasoning for imposing rules. As long as we still have remnants of the ancient reptilian brain we will not be either, just like popeye says We yam what we yam. Our history of allowing ourselves to be led by psychopaths and not protesting tells you all you need to know about our makeup. We may evolve out of our genetics if we last long enough.

 

[buttercup]

I think there's a little of both.

C.S Lewis explains it really well in his classic book Mere Christianity. Our fallen human nature is not good. It's selfish, hypocritical, prone to missing the mark. But at the same time, we all have a conscience, which is God-given. It's basically God's moral law imprinted on the human heart. So human beings have an inherent understanding of right and wrong.

So I think it kind of comes down to what do you listen to? One's selfish human nature, or one's conscience? Oh, and another thing is that the conscience can be damaged if one continually ignores it. The scriptures say that it can be "seared" as in seared by a hot iron. And when that happens, it's not good... Especially when the conscience does not work at all. That's likely the case for people like serial killers, etc.

 

[Zincwarrior]

Explains a lot about you.

I am a major connoisseur of the seven deadly sins.

 

[Papageorgio]

I am a major connoisseur of the seven deadly sins.

Already knew that.

 

[Votto]

Is Iran secular and godless?

First of all, governments are not representatives of God on earth. This is why theocracies fail. The politics of man is mainly, if not exclusively, only interested in enhancing the powers of man. This is why to this day, people refer to Christians in the Middle East as "Crusaders". The Crusades basically were a way for Europeans to loot the Holy Land, nothing more. Therefore, their views of what Christianity is really all about is warped to say the least.

This then moves us to "culture". What religion has the most influence within a culture? Early American immigrants were mainly people coming to America looking for religious freedom, which heavily influenced the culture, which produced the Founding Fathers.

As for Islam, I don't view the Koran as the word of God, I view it as a cult. I define cults as anything that prioritizes anything over the one true God. Look at culture dominated by Islam today, they are a hot bed of terrorism as they lead the world in it.

The Founding Fathers were wise enough to distance themselves from the theocracy of England, where the state preached from the pulpit, but also wise enough to understand the value of a free religion to help maintain the freedoms within that society, because they knew that only a moral society could be free. People can either regulate their own moral compass, or the state must do it for them.

 

[eagle7-31]

Are humans essentially good or evil? I am not posing this question in a Garden of Eden context, but in the context of societal evolution. What I am now witnessing is a growing indifference to whether something is morally good or evil. I understand that this is a normative concept but, in the past, people seemed more willing to express their moral opinions about actions taken by themselves and others.

For the past few years, it has been inculcated into our society that to have an opinion on such matters is evil. As a result, even thinking about these thinks has been considered indicative of a biased upbringing and poor character. In the face of this attack on traditional moral values, more and more people have adopted an amoral shield from reality that allows them to act expediently without any regard for the future consequences of those actions.

This seems to be a degeneration from one of the basic differences that distinguish human from other animals. If this distinction diminishes, does that mean that we are reverting to our natural instincts? And if so, does that absolve us from any moral transgressions? Are we really made in God's image, or are we just a biological anomaly that will eventually recede into a vast pool of nucleic acids?

Short answer I would go back and say ALL humans are afflicted with original sin.

 

[Invisibleflash]

Are humans essentially good or evil? I am not posing this question in a Garden of Eden context, but in the context of societal evolution. What I am now witnessing is a growing indifference to whether something is morally good or evil. I understand that this is a normative concept but, in the past, people seemed more willing to express their moral opinions about actions taken by themselves and others.

For the past few years, it has been inculcated into our society that to have an opinion on such matters is evil. As a result, even thinking about these thinks has been considered indicative of a biased upbringing and poor character. In the face of this attack on traditional moral values, more and more people have adopted an amoral shield from reality that allows them to act expediently without any regard for the future consequences of those actions.

This seems to be a degeneration from one of the basic differences that distinguish human from other animals. If this distinction diminishes, does that mean that we are reverting to our natural instincts? And if so, does that absolve us from any moral transgressions? Are we really made in God's image, or are we just a biological anomaly that will eventually recede into a vast pool of nucleic acids?

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Zincwarrior​

Diamond Member​

Humans are essentially selfish and greedy. That generally drives everything evil about us.

This sums it up.

It is also why humans can't be good commies like ants or bees. Too greedy and egomaniacal.

 

[Unkotare]

Are humans essentially good or evil? ...

Yes.

 

[BackAgain]

There a no one correct answer to the OP question.

Some people are basically very good people. They are nonetheless sometimes prone to engaging in “bad” behavior or thought.

The flip side is that some people are, sadly, obviously bad people for the most part. They are occasionally able to do some right or moral things, just he same.

With the possible exception of someone like Jesus, there aren’t any examples I can think of who are all good. By contrast, even the most horrible person we can think of, say someone like Hitler or Stalin or Mao, may have done some art or been kind to someone in need.