What Is Evil And Is There Such A Thing As Pure Evil? (Buddhists, America)

[spunky1]

A person that would drive off the road to purposely kill an animal is not normal!

[arguy1973]

Originally Posted by spunky1

A person that would drive off the road to purposely kill an animal is not normal!

I agree!!! I sure get alot of weird looks when I get out to save a turtle from being hit too, just had to say that, oh and bullfrogs, they love wet highways...just had to lighten the mood

[weatherologist]

Originally Posted by spunky1

A person that would drive off the road to purposely kill an animal is not normal!

I agree entirely. I am just stating that I know of this happening and is this evil? And what about children mutilating animals? I just think that posiblly people can be born with a predisposition to do bad things.

[arguy1973]

Originally Posted by weatherologist

I agree entirely. I am just stating that I know of this happening and is this evil? And what about children mutilating animals? I just think that posiblly people can be born with a predisposition to do bad things.

i think we all are born with a predisposition, whether we act on them is an entirely diff nature.

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by arguy1973

I agree!!! I sure get alot of weird looks when I get out to save a turtle from being hit too, just had to say that, oh and bullfrogs, they love wet highways...just had to lighten the mood

I do the same thing!

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by weatherologist

I agree entirely. I am just stating that I know of this happening and is this evil? And what about children mutilating animals? I just think that posiblly people can be born with a predisposition to do bad things.

To rephrase your post I think people are born with the capacity to do bad things (due to original sin) but we also have the capability to choose to do the right thing.
The Bible says God will not allow us to be tempted with more than we can handle. This is comforting to me.

[weatherologist]

Originally Posted by arguy1973

i think we all are born with a predisposition, whether we act on them is an entirely diff nature.

hmmmm...then maybe we need to further define "evil". There is bad and then there is evil. Where is the line drawn? I can agree that we are all born with a predispostion to do wrong. I child will always "push their limits". Like stealing a cookie when Mom isn't looking. Heck, I had to have my 2 yo spit oute 5 gumballs today. But, do you think that we are all tempted to mutilate animals as young children, just for the curiousity of it? I don't think that I ever hurt any creature on purpose. To this day, I can remember running over a squirrel when I was a teenager and feeling some really great remorse.

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by weatherologist

hmmmm...then maybe we need to further define "evil". There is bad and then there is evil. Where is the line drawn? I can agree that we are all born with a predispostion to do wrong. I child will always "push their limits". Like stealing a cookie when Mom isn't looking. Heck, I had to have my 2 yo spit oute 5 gumballs today. But, do you think that we are all tempted to mutilate animals as young children, just for the curiousity of it? I don't think that I ever hurt any creature on purpose. To this day, I can remember running over a squirrel when I was a teenager and feeling some really great remorse.

Well, I am right with you there with the animal thing. I have never harmed a living creature and would/have gone to great lenghts to protect them. But, this is NOT my weakness. I have many other areas that are my weaknessess that I have to fight. Am I any better than an animal abuser? Well, I would like to think so. . but sin is sin according to God.

[MontanaGuy]

weatherologist wrote:

And what about children mutilating animals? I just think that posiblly people can be born with a predisposition to do bad things.

This type of behavior is specifically noted as common among people who later turn into serial killers. I think you have a valid point that certain people just seem to be born with this tendency.
Also, regarding pornography, killers and sadists have existed since mankind has existed but photography and pornography are relatively new. I don't think it has much influence one way or the other. People who have deviant thoughts will just use their imaginations to stimulate their desires.

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by MontanaGuy

weatherologist wrote:

This type of behavior is specifically noted as common among people who later turn into serial killers. I think you have a valid point that certain people just seem to be born with this tendency.
Also, regarding pornography, killers and sadists have existed since mankind has existed but photography and pornography are relatively new. I don't think it has much influence one way or the other. People who have deviant thoughts will just use their imaginations to stimulate their desires.

Yes, there is apparently a triad of signs that most serial killers tend to follow. It's actually named after someone but I forget who. Anyway, I think the three signs are Wetting the Bed at an older age (12,13,14); Killing and torturing animals for fun and not for amusement in front of friends; I believe setting fires was another one. I also believe it mentioned something in there that it was critical to understand the fact that a lot of young boys set fires and catch frogs. It is the person who specifically sets out to torture animals and laughs about it or sees nothing wrong with it that is cause for concern.