Knowing what is Evil...

[Xest]

I think it would be wrong for anyone to suggest that evil and good are concepts that are forced upon people solely by religion.

Yes, religions do influence people in this area, but if there were no religion, I still think that people would develop a sense of what is evil and good.

However, let's assume for one moment that there is no god, that there is no "hereafter" and that when we die, that is the end, you cease to exist, end of story. So, if this is the case then we must assume that religion was invented by man. If man has evolved, then we must conclude that his thought processes are a result of evolution. If you don't accept that, then you are saying that there is a higher power at work that gave us a sense of what is evil and good. So, if evil and good do exist and if there is no god, then they are surely a result of evolution, because no higher power exists to influence our thought processes.

So, what I'm saying is that if you want to say that the concept of what is evil and good is down to religion, then you need to be sure who (or what) you're pinpointing the blame upon. If you say it is religion and there is a god, then you would have to blame god. If there is no god, then you have to blame evolution.

I'm not saying by the way, that anyone is blaming anyone/anything. It's just a point of view I thought was worthy of consideration for the benefit of genuine discussion.

I voted that there is a good and evil but it's down to personal perception, essentially the reason I voted that I think there is is because I don't see evil as being something spiritual, magical or whatever - I just see it as a term used to describe say, someone who's lost all concept of what is right as opposed to what is wrong - any serial killer I would say is evil but only in the same sense as saying "he's a really really bad/cruel/mean/wicked/<insert other relevant term here> man".

[Gandelf]

I voted that there is a good and evil but it's down to personal perception, essentially the reason I voted that I think there is is because I don't see evil as being something spiritual, magical or whatever - I just see it as a term used to describe say, someone who's lost all concept of what is right as opposed to what is wrong - any serial killer I would say is evil but only in the same sense as saying "he's a really really bad/cruel/mean/wicked/<insert other relevant term here> man".

Yes, I understand where you're coming from and I agree with you entirely. If you believe in the concept of good and evil, then wherever they originate, there's no denying that they exist in the world.

The other question that troubles my mind is when does "right" become "good" and when does "wrong" become "evil"? (If that question is permitted).

[Lieva]

I havent voted mine isnt up there

[Satyn]

rape actually isnt evil.
Its just a persons way of compensating for the actual lack of power

had to calm down a bit after reading this but think i'm calm enough atm to voice my opinion about what you just said.
Rape is one of the most fucked up things that you can do to someone. I would even say its easier to kill them at the time so they wouldnt have to suffer for the rest of their lives. If you kill someone it ends then and there. If you rape someone it lives on in that person for the rest of their lives. Day after day.
Same with incest or pedofelia. Those people arent evil. They are mentally fucked up, cos calling them ill is an understatement. People like that should be locked up for the rest of their lives and even be sentenced to death so sociaty gets rid of them.

[Lieva]

had to calm down a bit after reading this but think i'm calm enough atm to voice my opinion about what you just said.
Rape is one of the most fucked up things that you can do to someone. I would even say its easier to kill them at the time so they wouldnt have to suffer for the rest of their lives. If you kill someone it ends then and there. If you rape someone it lives on in that person for the rest of their lives. Day after day.
Same with incest or pedofelia. Those people arent evil. They are mentally fucked up, cos calling them ill is an understatement. People like that should be locked up for the rest of their lives and even be sentenced to death so sociaty gets rid of them.

I was replying to Ankh on that actually.
by what i have been saying rape isnt evil.

Of cause its messed up and you would have to be a complete moron not to realise that but there are reasons why they do it.

Heck you even agreed its not evil...
why be so angry over it

[Satyn]

I was replying to Ankh on that actually.
by what i have been saying rape isnt evil.

Of cause its messed up and you would have to be a complete moron not to realise that but there are reasons why they do it.

Heck you even agreed its not evil...
why be so angry over it

you made it sound as if it was trivial. But i dont think you ment it that way, hence i left it for a day and then replied to it. (you see i do learn not to type when my head is spinning)
I have my reasons for feeling that way and you dont need to be einstein to figure them out. But everyone has a reason for doing what they are doing. Is it cos its fun in their eyes or cos it gives them a buzz ... every reason is good enough.