I think the supporters vary, and that some could become disabused of their folly. I think the architects of the big lies and treachery are legitimately evil.
I don't buy the notion that evil is somehow connect to a devil with goat horns and a tail; but personally, when I think of behavior that could be called "evil" I could also label it aggressively sociopathic, when only one's own whims are sovereign even when one actions harm others. The extreme and self -congratulatory tortures inflicted by WWII Nazis could be, in my opinion, be assigned either label.
We all "pursue" happiness and we all possess self-interest, even in heroic behaviors. But who and what else do we care about? That sphere of concern and action makes all the difference between an adult said to be emotionally "really small" and one described as having a "big heart". We tend to leave that to theologians and philosophers to puzzle out; but our survival as a species may require a better and clearer personal understanding of our own human nature.
I don't disagree, but too often their "folly" is analogous to "pushing a rope"! I'm weary of the energy, airtime, and "hope" that they might eventually get it . . .
So true JL and some were legitimately pardoned by manbaby massmurderer. Some people are just hateful bullies who believe they are better than everyone else. But "Conservative Christians" are a phenomenon I cannot understand or explain.
I detect two salient themes in religions, one hubrisitic and cruel and the other humble and compassionate. We call them both by the same name, but they are diametrically opposed. Some of the most sociopathic events in history wear a religious cover story, and there are also religiously motivated acts of kindness and sacrifice. One seeks to subjugate and the other to liberate. One to ideologically and ethnically "cleanse" and the other to bond. It's easy to find examples of both.
Excellent point!!! It does boggle the mind how opposite sides of the coin are both called religion. Glad I never dipped my toe in that world; neither did those on my family tree going back 5 generationsтАжhow they sidestepped it I never thought to ask my elders (those of my generation are the elders now) before they passed.
Evil.
I think the supporters vary, and that some could become disabused of their folly. I think the architects of the big lies and treachery are legitimately evil.
not evil, self serving and greedy
And add "willfully ignorant".
I don't buy the notion that evil is somehow connect to a devil with goat horns and a tail; but personally, when I think of behavior that could be called "evil" I could also label it aggressively sociopathic, when only one's own whims are sovereign even when one actions harm others. The extreme and self -congratulatory tortures inflicted by WWII Nazis could be, in my opinion, be assigned either label.
We all "pursue" happiness and we all possess self-interest, even in heroic behaviors. But who and what else do we care about? That sphere of concern and action makes all the difference between an adult said to be emotionally "really small" and one described as having a "big heart". We tend to leave that to theologians and philosophers to puzzle out; but our survival as a species may require a better and clearer personal understanding of our own human nature.
I don't disagree, but too often their "folly" is analogous to "pushing a rope"! I'm weary of the energy, airtime, and "hope" that they might eventually get it . . .
So true JL and some were legitimately pardoned by manbaby massmurderer. Some people are just hateful bullies who believe they are better than everyone else. But "Conservative Christians" are a phenomenon I cannot understand or explain.
I detect two salient themes in religions, one hubrisitic and cruel and the other humble and compassionate. We call them both by the same name, but they are diametrically opposed. Some of the most sociopathic events in history wear a religious cover story, and there are also religiously motivated acts of kindness and sacrifice. One seeks to subjugate and the other to liberate. One to ideologically and ethnically "cleanse" and the other to bond. It's easy to find examples of both.
Excellent point!!! It does boggle the mind how opposite sides of the coin are both called religion. Glad I never dipped my toe in that world; neither did those on my family tree going back 5 generationsтАжhow they sidestepped it I never thought to ask my elders (those of my generation are the elders now) before they passed.