NFB - The existance of evil

[NJSpeed]

Money is the root of happiness you didnt buy your nice f-bodys with smiles

[markd79ta]

Originally posted by NJSpeed
Money is the root of happiness you didnt buy your nice f-bodys with smiles

Money, or any type of currency, is not in of itself bad; it is the love or coveting of money that appeals to "man's" worldly senses and corrupts. ...such as money or wealth equals power or creates an image of power or superiority. If one is going for the image that piling up money provides, he may be headed down a dark and dreary road. In other words, it is the love of wealth that promotes evil in one's life, and sometimes tyranny for others.

[N20LT4Bird]

Originally posted by TraceZ
I dont think there is a standard set by a diety. I do think common sense and kindness go a long way to define it. I think any intelligent being would be able to figure this out.. On earth or any other panet. It is really pretty simple:

If a civilization is to succed, it's members cannot commit hatefull or hurtfull acts twards their neighbors. Thus the base of the word "civil"

My phrase above pretty much defines evil to me. The phrase would be true, even if no intelligent life existed anywhere.

Maybe I should rephrase myself... I think the *potential* for evil would still exist even if mankind, or any other intelligent life did not exist.

This is an interesting arguement. The only thing is that your definition of good and evil doesnt hold up (philisophically), because there are many societies (present and past) who have survived for a long time, even while doing what we would consider wrong or evil. So, I think your defintion of good (being what allows a civilization to flourish), is flawed.

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by N20LT4Bird
there are many societies (present and past) who have survived for a long time, even while doing what we would consider wrong or evil.

Evil comes in different degrees.

A society built on slavery may be tinted with evil and still survive.

A society where everybody wanders around in droves every night and murders a dozen of their neighbors as a good time will not likely last too long.

See my view more clearly now?

[N20LT4Bird]

What about a society that conquers, rapes and pillages other societies? Thats pretty evil.

[NJSpeed]

Who can really define Evil whats evil to me might not be to you for example some people thing that war or killing of any kind if evil, which is somewhat true but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire, 911 is a great example sending the Taliban (forgive spelling) a fruit basket isnt going to solve anything but sending them a few thousand pounds explosives might.

Is it evil to take advantage of another person if it is then just about every Mechanic or Car Dealership is pure evil. (ok car dealerships are evil )

IMHO dont think about whats good and whats evil just live your life the way you want to live it. though good vs evil does make for some intresting conversations

[N20LT4Bird]

Originally posted by NJSpeed
Who can really define Evil whats evil to me might not be to you for example some people thing that war or killing of any kind if evil, which is somewhat true but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire, 911 is a great example sending the Taliban (forgive spelling) a fruit basket isnt going to solve anything but sending them a few thousand pounds explosives might.

Is it evil to take advantage of another person if it is then just about every Mechanic or Car Dealership is pure evil. (ok car dealerships are evil )

IMHO dont think about whats good and whats evil just live your life the way you want to live it. though good vs evil does make for some intresting conversations

THe only problem is that there IS a standard of good/evil or right/wrong. The terrorist on 9/11 THOUGHT that what they were doing was good. So, with your rationale, the act wasnt evil because they thought it was good. NO! It WAS an evil act - we all KNOW that. Was it OK for them to live their life the way thaey wanted to? NO! What they thought was wrong. Theres a standard there. Agreed?

I use this extreme example to illustrate a point. THis can be applied to most any scenario. Is (fill in the blank) right or wrong? Theres a standard.

P.S. THere are many good mechanics out there that DO NOT take advantage of people.

[Camaro4-2]

Originally posted by NJSpeed
Money is the root of happiness you didnt buy your nice f-bodys with smiles

If A=B and B=C then A=C so um...I guess my car is pretty evil....which seems true cause everyone says is have a baddd car...

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Originally posted by N20LT4Bird
What about a society that conquers, rapes and pillages other societies? Thats pretty evil.

Like what happenned to the native Americans? I'm not sure about rape, but throw in destroying the buffalo herds for fun, not honoring the treaties, and giving them blankets infected with smallpox.

Of course, the Indians, also dealt out their own brand of evil like when they captured a missionary and skinned them alive, let the kids & women torture them for a day, then cut out their tongues, and finally burned them alive.

Evil? There's plenty to go around... Who knows, some beings from another planet might be horrified that we raise cattle, pigs, & chickens, and have whole factories to render them automatically just so we can have barbecue.

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by Kevin - Blown 95 TA
Evil? There's plenty to go around... Who knows, some beings from another planet might be horrified that we raise cattle, pigs, & chickens, and have whole factories to render them automatically just so we can have barbecue.

MMmmmm Barbecue. I think i'm going to get a rack of ribs for lunch today!