December 30, 2008
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from the “Narcissists Suck” blog
in comments:
A teacher says to his pupil-
“I have a stick, and if you stand there, I’m going to beat you with it. And if you run, I’m going to chase you and hit you with the stick. So are you going to stand there or are you going to run?”And the pupil replies, “I’m going to take the stick away.”
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do you believe in the existence of evil? if not, do you believe in the possibility of the existence of evil even though it clashes with your personal beliefs? does it matter to you that I have not defined “evil” in the context of this question? are you comfortable just answering it from your own understanding of “evil”?
Comments (15)
I’ve lived and seen enough to know that my own understanding of ‘evil’ is the only way I can see it defined. And yes, I believe in its existence. And yes, it is there to be battled whether there is a chance of winning against it or even surviving.
Shane dies at the end of the movie. Of this I am certain. And knowing this was his ultimate end, he (we) would still make the choice if faced with it again. And I’m okay with that.
Always, always always take the stick away.
thanks for addressing the question I hadn’t even known to ask: what do you do if you’ve been trained to believe that if you take the stick away you will die?
@Timantec_II -
I love it when you outsmart me, Timmy.
@satori - Dearheart, while I may be clever, I could never outsmart you. That’s pure David Gemmell. He has many characters, one or two of which live by an iron code: “Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.” – Other doomed characters are known by their enemies because, “He’ll come because he has to. He’ll come because that’s what heroes do. They fight for what is right, no matter what the cost.” I really miss David Gemmell.
@Timantec_II -
I find it hard to be a hero for myself.
@satori - That’s because you can’t be a hero for yourself. You can only ever be a hero to someone else. But you don’t start off being a hero. That’s just a name someone else uses. What I try to be is simply a decent human being. That’s work enough in and of itself. (You’re my hero, should you have wondered, btw)
I just don’t know about evil itself as an entity to exist. Things and people may seem evil but a large part of that can be explained with mental problems or a simple desire to survive no matter the cost. Which isn’t really evil, it’s natural selection in a way. That doesn’t mean it shoudln’t be fought against, mind you.
I believe in balance. Since a perfect state of continuous balance is impossible, there must be sways and spikes on both sides of the line. Where there is joy, sadness. Where there is light, dark. Where there is life, death. Where there is good, evil. Can one ever prevail? No. For without the other, the one would cease to be.
Clearly I need more coffee before I wander into this place
Oh, short version? Yep, I believe in it. I’m pretty sure it’s out there.
i think evil exists, but you have to work to figure out why.
when a girl walks by a boy might feel the urge to trip her. but where does the need to make a girl fall over come from?
darkness is simply the absence of light. evil cannot exist on it’s own as a “thing”, it only exists in the absence of love. it’s a vaccum.
yes, I definitely believe in the existence of evil, and I’m comfortable answering based on my own understanding of evil. I also think something that could be considered natural selection could also still be considered evil.
Yes, I believe in the existence of evil. I believe it is the opposite of love. Gotta have one with the other to appreciate both.
I’m not sure if true evil exists for me. I think malice exists but I’m not sure about evil.
Evil exists as much as good. We all have both in ourselves and we all, hopefully, have a moral compass that helps us define whom we want to be; problem is that sometimes evil deeds can be justified in some people therefore the need for things such as religion and laws.