Why People Believe in Evil

Hi Randy

What's real? Does a force exist? Can animals be either evil og good? I would deny the latter. Is misfortune or destructivity caused by a force?
Evil arise in language.
Some humans are evil or act evil we say.
Another line of thought is: things happen. An individusl or a society does something. The action has it's effect. We humans attach meaning to the actions based on the effects. One label is: it's evil. The label arise in language. Does evil exist in reality? What has objectivism to say about this matter?

Love and Respect - Pierre Leyssac, cph

I don't believe in evil as an entity, I do believe that some people do evil things. It doesn't mean they are evil people just people with a lot of imbalance in their life.

This post and all comments give me a real food for thought. It's fascinating to see fidderent opinions that come from different angles and to find out something new inside myself. Thank you all, for sharing! Randy, thanks for this opportunity!

As Always Randy Excellent Post!

I have a hard time to decide which I like better, your insights or the comments from all who read and dare to share, really both sides are one of a kind!

When we know that FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real, then is it safe to conclude
EVIL is Every Virtual Intelligence Lost?

Be me it works best when I stop thinking and start feeling, and from that passion within, take actions. The mind is a powerful tool, but like any other machine it only does what we allow it to, so be careful what you feed your machine!

Keep the Fire Burning:)

Cya,
Rock

Its funny how rich white new age males are always taling about there is no evil, let go of the past, you attract your bad conditions, etc.. Where evil white men have down most of the documented horrific things on theis planet past and present. Stop letting your peeps off the hook.

ao the Malcolm X's, Martin Luther Kings, Gandhi's or any fighter of injustice were wasting there time or full of meme's? Come on Randy get out of the New Age Bull crap and come back down to earth. I know your rich but come on brother!!!!

Randy who is that guy in that photo? A friend of yours? Anyway, I'm still not sure I entirely understood your post today, but it sure was fun to discuss!

PS. You said "And then you see good where now you see evil." What would Freud say? :) I think, and this may be the only thing I am right about today, that you meant to say "And then you see good where once you saw evil.". If I am incorrect you need to write a new post to explain this very ambiguous statement. Cheers.

I never thought of House as on a hero's journey, he knows he's a jerk sometimes, drove himself into a psych ward in season 5 because of it... and I don't think that billionaire plot line was anti-money, rich or whatever... just House wouldn't bow down to him and much hilarity ensued...

You know...I am not sure why but ever since I was a kid I have rejected the idea of evil or Satan.

I think I just inherently felt that whenever someone was talking to me about those things that they were trying to manipulate me.

I was never sure why someone would choose to use the concept of evil to try to move a person when the concept of LOVE is so much more appealing.

I totally disagree, if I am interpreting Randy properly, that evil does not exist, only the perception of evil. I could not disagree more. Evil is real. It walks and talks and is clearly defined in the bible. I don't know about you, but I choose to believe God on this one. I would agree that most victim minded people do manifest their own impressions of evil but let there be no mistake, the devil does exist and one of his favorite ways to get people is confusion by letting us think of an outcome in another way. Its how he got Eve, by manipulating the truth and presenting another scenario which offered Eve a different perspective. Wow, Randy, you really shocked me with this one.

Evil is simply the ABSENCE of light. You don't call the darkness "evil"...you just turn on the light. And guess where the light is? Jesus said it: "YOU are the light of the world." So to the degree you are the light that you are, you turn on the light of understanding, joy and peace. I'm sure the literalists...who haven't lack biblical depth will understand this; but it doesn't make it less true!

It's superego versus Id ; see hero's journey context at http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

BTW, anyone who believes they may be manifesting a hero's journey of additional challenges, you may find the video "Fighting Circumstances" helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cew6AKJKjuU

-RG

I was doing some thinking about this. As a former sailor and ship driver, this relates to an effect on water as the hull and keel pass through it. This is called “frictional wake.” It’s not just the ship that moves forward. There is an energy on the water that is created which starts the water, closest to the hull at the keel and aft of the keel, moving forward so that the water is moving with the ship, not against it. I believe that this “frictional wake” effect is true for us as well. If we keep moving forward and evolving, we create a frictional wake of energy that moves forward with us. If we sit and stagnate, we create no energy, thus leaving ourselves vulnerable to forces around us. Always move forward, evolve, and create a frictional wake for your own prosperity, happiness, and peace.

I was doing some thinking about this. As a former sailor and ship driver, this relates to an effect on water as the hull and keel pass through it. This is called "frictional wake." It's not just the ship that moves forward. There is an energy on the water that is created which starts the water, closest to the hull at the keel and aft of the keel, moving forward so that the water is moving with the ship, not against it. I believe that this "frictional wake" effect is true for us as well. If we keep moving forward and evolving, we create a frictional wake of energy that moves forward with us. If we sit and stagnate, we create no energy, thus leaving ourselves vulnerable to forces around us. Always move forward, evolve, and create a frictional wake for your own prosperity, happiness, and peace.

Ok since accepting or becoming aware of my Memes and studying and accepting abundance and prosperity. I really have to say the subject hit home I was blaming evil and fighting the forces, something occurred to me.

If you truly believe in OPPISITES up down, left right, light dark, then it isn't really good evil, it is substance or absetence or events or void it is how YOU precieve that event or substance.
Again it's not that there isn't bad events or hateful, ones but how you perceive it and what you attract to yourself.

Out of the park post, sweet.

Randy..

Wow what a post. Control what you can control and leave the rest to the people who live their lives in the riight or wrong world..

You live your life in the 100% self control world and things happen as they should...

Randy,
Keep digging and poking, asking the hard questions. Very few others will.
Thanks.

Okay, I still don't know if I get your post.

I think evil things do happen sometimes to people who are prosperous and good. Why? Who the hell knows.

I just watched "Roots", and I don't think the native Africans were asking to be slaves. And, I tell you what, that sure looked evil to me. I mean these people were put in shackles at gun point. What did the Africans do wrong? Were they all on a heroes journey gone wrong?

How about Ruben "Hurricane" Carter? That was an injustice he did not bring on himself. As it turns out, he sure wasn't going to buy into victimhood, but he was a true victim.

Evil doesn't always just eminate from within, and people who see the world as good definitly have bad things happen, but I guess they way they deal with can elevate good or evil. Is that what you are trying to say?

For instance even though Kunta Kinte became a slave, by another's doing, which is evil. Ultimately he elevated good because he remained true to himself and left a positve legacy for his family, and as it turns out the whole world?

By the way, don't you think Kunta Kinte was an impoverished slave but also very prosperous? I do.

How many people really see the universe as inherently evil?

I think in most of the hero journey stories in literature the hero overcomes his own challenges and outside challenges to become victorious. Which Characters on a heroes journey just see the world as Evil?

First of all, that picture is scary. Maybe instead of you in the pope hat, like that other post, you could have superimposed some devil horns on yourself(I would have really enjoyed that one good sir).

What? We believe in evil because of George Lucas and JK Rawlings? Are you sure? Maybe the heroes journey could also be one of those absolute truths. I think it is one of those primordial archetypes. We all have these archetypes within us, they can teach us or harm us I suppose. But, the reason those stories are so popular is not because of our lack programming, but because they are filled with so many universal truths.

If someone acts out the heroes journey as you say, then yes that is problematic. But is it possible, that one could act out a heroes journey in a positive way? What if a person ends up saving themselves in the end? I think it could happen.

Please don't disparage these lovely works of art without admitting some of the good mind viruses they spread as well. Star Wars has lots of wisdom to share with the world, so do some of the other stories. We can use our critical thinking, and not allow ourselves to be infected with mind viruses and still enjoy these stories. Stories, even ones with cultural themes that are better left behind, can teach us something. Mind Viruses are only contagious if you are a willing host, and besides these messages fall on everyone in a different way. Boy let me tell you. I was in a book club once with a group of ladies, and when we started talking about the book we read, I could swear some of them had read a whole different story than me. Perspective. Literature is meant to be analyzed and interpreted otherwise it doesn't mean all that much.

The church told me I had original sin, well I didn't believe it. You don't believe it. We need to think critically and find the truth for ourselves that's how to protect against mind viruses.

You are right though Randy, if you change your perspective from negative to positive, you view everything differently. You do see the justice, love and goodness. However, evil is still there, and it is still a force to be dealt with. I think the more positive and whole a person becomes, the more they work to undo evil and the real injustices. Because evil and injustice do exist, and so do real heroes. People without negative mind viruses can discern real evil and injustice, it does not mean they do not exist.

Turning your back on all things negative to avoid lack programming is avoidance behavior. I think when you are really healthy you can face these things and work to make the world a better place. Although there is a time and place for everything, if one isn't ready to deal with the negativity the should definitly limit it.

Are you not a hero Randy? Don't you think mind viruses are evil? You spend much of your time trying to debunk them, so there is more love in the world. Doesn't that make you a hero? I think so, someone who goes out and tries to bring love in the world is a hero. When you do this you are fighting something, what do you think it is? So, I think you are on a heroes journey, the way I like to look at heroes journeys. Heroes are people who combat evil and bring love into the world, lets all do that. Let's start a new kind of heroes journey.

Labeling the world as evil is not something I have ever done, even in my darkest days. But, I still get the idea of using the excuse that it is something outside of us that is responsible for our problems. But what do you think about people who blame themselves for everything? That happens too.

The post saying "When people have worthiness issues they continually create challenges to try and feel worthy" hit me deeply. I work very hard, and run myself ragged, that is why....because I am trying to prove myself worthy...and failing misreably because I am so overworked and overwhelmed. The harder I try, the worse I feel. I try to do it all, be it all, always there for everyone....because I have such a low self esteem, I feel if I can just do more for *family* they will appreciate me, will love me, will...on and on it goes. I try to buy their love not with money (have 0) but with doing things for them. Then feel worse because I can't always meet those demands. Wow, what a statement of why things go wrong....I create my own failure...then panic because I can't be or do enough to *earn* their caring. Don't getme wrong, they all do love and care for me,,,but I feel like such a failure...myself because I'm always letting someone down, or don't have this or that right. Wow,
Thanks,

I am not a man of faith, I see the world as it is, some is good, some is evil.
I made a choice to surround my self with the good and do whatever I can to fight evil (I am big on animal rights).
When I made bad choices, and I made a few, I did not try to blame anyone, and become a victim. I did one thing only and it's taking personal responsibility.
The mistake is defining the world as good or evil, we need to define ourselves as good and act accordingly.

To touch on just one thing you said in this post and something I am starting to notice more and more about the "victim mindset".

Many times, many of us, myself included, when we talk about something that we don't do well, something we would like to improve on, we often will say "you do this because..." instead of "I do this because..." We find ourselves, as I heard it called, in the "teachers mindset" (and I truly believe we are all teachers whether directly or not). And this is where the issue lies. We don't own up for our crap. We don't say "I". We know it but we don't say it. Even at times, we will hide it and go into what is called the "no man land" where we say "we are not that fat" or "it wasn't that bad".

Sometime that victim mindset is not blaming people or society but rather deflecting it or minimizing it.

Evil may very much exist somewhere out there. Or perhaps it what people call evil. Whatever it is. End of the day, it is our character, our very being, not where we come from, that defines.

Rock on!

HELLOW SIR,
THANKYOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE INFORMATION..THE HILIGHT OF YOUR MESSAG..

"You don’t see things as they are. You see them as you are."

EVERY DAY FOR HALF AN HOUR ATLEAST IF WE PRACTICE FORGIVENESS AND BLESSINGS TO EVERY ONE INCLUDING SELF,WILL DO WONDERS..

I used to like being in victimhood and looking like a "hero" sometimes. I even can say that victimhood was equal to childhood in my mind. I felt powerless, not loveable, not worthy. I just didn't realize that on a conschous level. I saw a difference when I grew out of this state of mind, and I never want to go back. However, I must admit, that being a victim had its own "sweet bonuses". You could feel cozy, surrounded by caring people, who felt bad for you and wanted to help. being a vicitim, you feel powerless, and wait, just wait for someone strong to come and lead you into your "brighter" future. That's because "victims" are afraid to make mistakes and to take responsibility. When you are in a state of victimhood, you don't feel worthy and can't forgive yourself when the choices you make are not perfect. While others can make a mistake, and you don't mind. Victims believe that others can make things better, so they let them take charge.

yes i was getting into this habit of thinking the world is inherently bad and I caught myself before it got out of hand. I would seek out and read bad news, conspiracies, doomsday articles. but i realise if i just know about them, i cant do much, and its not going to make me a better person. i realised i have to focus on being a strong person, so i can help myself and then if i wanted help the world, if the world needed helping anyway. sometimes trying to 'save the world' was just distracting myself and proscastinating on the issue of me and my problems. better to solve the world problems than my own i would say. the world needs me more than i need myself i would think. this was hiding from the truth. now i try hard to tackle my problems head on and stay true.

Randy...hmm...I believe in evil because I DO think it's real, just as I believe GOOD is real. They are forces that oppose each other, equal at times and very unequal at others. People choose evil and inflict it on others. People choose to prey upon others. I believe there is a concept of justice that as a society we should embrace. Evil must be opposed. I do concur that much of the victory comes from how you live your own life. But the evil choices and actions many take require opposition. And I think one of the messages of the Bible says it best, overcome evil with good. That's a really good virus to spread to a lot of minds.

Randy,
Great post!!!

You mix guilt, fear, worthlessness, absence of intellect, and you got yourself a recipe for evil.
The story of Adam and Eve is a great example. So they ate the apple from the tree of knowledge and gained understanding of good and bad, and that, according to organized religion was evil. Apparently men are not supposed to use their mind but simply be obedient mindless sheep.
It goes further, to punish the men for such act, God made them get out there and support themselves, which apparently means that productivity is an evil thing as well. Does it mean that living of someone else's efforts is a good thing?
Sex apparently is also evil, well, enjoyment of it is...Yet, somehow men are supposed to multiply.
Later, Christ was murdered, and people were told that he died for their sins, for the sins of the evil people. Therefore, giving people some guilt and the motivator for blind obedience.
Organized religion teaches that humans must suffer here on Earth for the promise of after death eternal bliss. To add a little dose of fear, people are taught that if they do not believe in a certain religious theory, then they will go to Hell. And ironically every religion has the same story - their beliefs are the truth...
People are taught that they are not worthy of things they have. People are taught not to question the most idiotic theories, by calling them the Truth.
To that, let's add TV News and movies filled with rape, rage, murder, robbery, natural and man-made disasters, and other mind destructive stuff. And in intermissions, which are getting longer and longer, let's have commercials offering all kinds of medicines for the diseases you don't have, but after watching the symptoms, chances are that you will develop them.

When people are taught that they are born evil, and if they refuse to analyze and question that statement, then they will be evil. It's easy to accept things without questioning, laziness of the mind seems to be popular. It takes great effort to think and grow.

Evil is not a mystical entity, it's man-made. Actions taken without any thought process, believing without questioning, lack of intellectual effort, beliving in having something for nothing, expecting something for nothing, lack of will power are the causes of evil mind set.