to fear the lord is to hate evil - Page 4

DanaC · 08-16-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

What she said. That, and not having your dogma handed to you in a package.

I think monotheism is lazy.

........or do away with dogma altogether.

Flint · 08-22-2006, 04:02 PM

That's a good definition. It reminds me of the one "rule" of Paganism: simply to "do no harm" . . .

Shawnee123 · 08-22-2006, 04:12 PM

Attachment 9534

Flint · 08-22-2006, 04:15 PM

One problem with defining "evil" is this: everything that is good for somebody is bad for somebody else. There is a see-saw of karma in the universe that intertwines everything - even things we don't know about or understand. But defining "evil" requires us to claim an understanding of this fantastically complex web of interactions. That is why "evil" can't be pinned down by one subjective observer. Thusly, alot of the definitions of "evil" we have are claimed to be handed down from an omnipotent deity - in effect, claiming a loophole to the subjective nature of the idea. However, the problem with that is: every group has a dogma that is biased to define "evil" as the actions of a group of outsiders. Consequently, the three major monotheistic religions can't get past their differences for long enough to realize that the core of their beliefs are identical. Because of man's need to define "evil" the world is plagued by "justified" violence. The "us vs. them" system never allows any group to recognize the "evil" of their own actions.

Edit: And if "evil" can't be properly defined, then what can be insisted upon as existing? What doesn't exist is, specifically, an objective evil.

glatt · 08-22-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

One problem with defining "evil" is this: everything that is good for somebody is bad for somebody else.

Everything? I can think of lots of examples that would prove this statement to be false. I think it's sometimes the case that things that are good for one person are bad for another, but it's not always the case. Probably not even usually the case.

Flint · 08-22-2006, 08:38 PM

You're right. I should have said "something can be good for somebody, and bad for somebody else."
This narrow statement alone demonstrates that objective "evil' is a logical contradiction.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-23-2006, 07:43 AM

Evil will vary with the eye of the beholder.

Evil is what I think is bad. I'm not required to explain why because it doesn't matter why. It only matters you understand what I mean, not why I feel that way, unless I wish to expound. If I say all snakes are evil, you know I'm not fond of snakes but it's not a complete description of the critter.

Evil, like any other word, is used for communicating a thought. It's legitimate because it conveys my opinion or feeling about what I'm calling evil. Evil doesn't have to have an exact definition like mile or apple. Evil is descriptive like high or big.

Everyone can make a list of what they feel is evil, but everyones list will be different. You could substitute the word bad for evil, but I'd put it on a different rung of the ladder.....badder than bad.

Oh...wait...these days bad might be good.....or bad.

skysidhe · 08-23-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Evil will vary with the eye of the beholder.

Evil is what I think is bad. I'm not required to explain why because it doesn't matter why. It only matters you understand what I mean, not why I feel that way, unless I wish to expound. If I say all snakes are evil, you know I'm not fond of snakes but it's not a complete description of the critter.

Evil, like any other word, is used for communicating a thought. It's legitimate because it conveys my opinion or feeling about what I'm calling evil. Evil doesn't have to have an exact definition like mile or apple. Evil is descriptive like high or big.

Everyone can make a list of what they feel is evil, but everyones list will be different. You could substitute the word bad for evil, but I'd put it on a different rung of the ladder.....badder than bad.

Oh...wait...these days bad might be good.....or bad.

I like it when smart people talk simple so much that it illuminates the mind. ( well my cob dusty dim mind anyway-dosn't take much)

xoxoxoBruce · 08-24-2006, 07:55 PM

Does it make you...wet, skysidhe?

skysidhe · 08-26-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Does it make you...wet, skysidhe?

I read this a couple days ago. A half a dozen emoticons came to mind. Too risky to be left up to an individuals interpretation I left it alone.

It begs for a response so I chose a quote from my other favorite pervert. I changed IS to IT of course.

"That depends on what your definition of "IT" is"

Now as I look and think about it I am quite sure that it is Fint who has ejaculations of the brain and not me. Mine only quivers like jello :p

Flint · 08-23-2006, 10:26 AM

I agree, Bruce, there is no such thing as objective "evil" . . .

...and further, this is despite our constant attempts to establish a concrete definition. Look at the history of mankind. Every culture, even ones that commit horrible atrocities, consider themselves to be the "good guys" - nobody ever thinks they are in the wrong. Nobody. This can't possibly be accurate. Every culture tries to define "evil" and fails because of their own skewed persepctive. Occam's Razor dictates that our culture is no different. On the basis of pure logic, I can't possibly believe that right now, in the country where I live, in the century that I live in, we have finally, after all of history, achieved the one true knowledge of good and evil, and can now point our finger in any direction and say, with 100% accuracy "this is evil" or "this isn't evil" . . . The very idea is ludicrous. I won't delude myself that way.

headsplice · 09-01-2006, 09:16 AM

Hehe

08-22-2006, 04:02 PM	#2
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	That's a good definition. It reminds me of the one "rule" of Paganism: simply to "do no harm" . . . __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-22-2006, 04:12 PM	#3
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Attachment 9534 __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby Last edited by Shawnee123; 07-30-2007 at 01:06 PM.

08-22-2006, 04:15 PM	#4
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	One problem with defining "evil" is this: everything that is good for somebody is bad for somebody else. There is a see-saw of karma in the universe that intertwines everything - even things we don't know about or understand. But defining "evil" requires us to claim an understanding of this fantastically complex web of interactions. That is why "evil" can't be pinned down by one subjective observer. Thusly, alot of the definitions of "evil" we have are claimed to be handed down from an omnipotent deity - in effect, claiming a loophole to the subjective nature of the idea. However, the problem with that is: every group has a dogma that is biased to define "evil" as the actions of a group of outsiders. Consequently, the three major monotheistic religions can't get past their differences for long enough to realize that the core of their beliefs are identical. Because of man's need to define "evil" the world is plagued by "justified" violence. The "us vs. them" system never allows any group to recognize the "evil" of their own actions. Edit: And if "evil" can't be properly defined, then what can be insisted upon as existing? What doesn't exist is, specifically, an objective evil. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio** Last edited by Flint; 08-22-2006 at 09:58 PM.

08-22-2006, 08:38 PM	#6
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	You're right. I should have said "something can be good for somebody, and bad for somebody else." This narrow statement alone demonstrates that objective "evil' is a logical contradiction. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-23-2006, 07:43 AM	#7
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Evil will vary with the eye of the beholder. Evil is what I think is bad. I'm not required to explain why because it doesn't matter why. It only matters you understand what I mean, not why I feel that way, unless I wish to expound. If I say all snakes are evil, you know I'm not fond of snakes but it's not a complete description of the critter. Evil, like any other word, is used for communicating a thought. It's legitimate because it conveys my opinion or feeling about what I'm calling evil. Evil doesn't have to have an exact definition like mile or apple. Evil is descriptive like high or big. Everyone can make a list of what they feel is evil, but everyones list will be different. You could substitute the word bad for evil, but I'd put it on a different rung of the ladder.....badder than bad. Oh...wait...these days bad might be good.....or bad. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-24-2006, 07:55 PM	#9
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Does it make you...wet, skysidhe? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-23-2006, 10:26 AM	#11
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I agree, Bruce, there is no such thing as objective "evil" . . . ...and further, this is despite our constant attempts to establish a concrete definition. Look at the history of mankind. Every culture, even ones that commit horrible atrocities, consider themselves to be the "good guys" - nobody ever thinks they are in the wrong. Nobody. This can't possibly be accurate. Every culture tries to define "evil" and fails because of their own skewed persepctive. Occam's Razor dictates that our culture is no different. On the basis of pure logic, I can't possibly believe that right now, in the country where I live, in the century that I live in, we have finally, after all of history, achieved the one true knowledge of good and evil, and can now point our finger in any direction and say, with 100% accuracy "this is evil" or "this isn't evil" . . . The very idea is ludicrous. I won't delude myself that way. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

09-01-2006, 09:16 AM	#12
headsplice Relaxed Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 676	Hehe Attached Images __________________ Don't Panic

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