Are People Basically Good or Basically Evil?

[n4rfzoink]

The concept of good and evil is of the ego. Only the profane pass such judgement to elevate themselves above others. We are all God's children and must all be treated as such.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

The concept of good and evil is of the ego. Only the profane pass such judgement to elevate themselves above others. We are all God's children and must all be treated as such.

Did you just pass judgement?

 

[n4rfzoink]

Did you just pass judgement?

I did not judge anyone good or evil

 

[dreadnought]

Are People Basically Good or Basically Evil?

Well, Jesus did tell us that only the Father is good.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I did not judge anyone good or evil

I think you just called me profane.

 

[Wolfe]

People are basically people.

 

[n4rfzoink]

I think you just called me profane.

I am not targeting you Brother, don't let your ego drive you please.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I am not targeting you Brother, don't let your ego drive you please.

Now you are judging me further. Shall I quote your post a few back?

 

[n4rfzoink]

Now you are judging me further. Shall I quote your post a few back?

Please do

 

[Tutorman]

Are People Basically Good or Basically Evil?

No matter what Calvinist think man is basically good

 

[jimmyjimmy]

No matter what Calvinist think man is basically good

Jesus could have saved Himself a bloody mess of a death, if He only knew what you do.

 

[Tutorman]

Christ did not die because all man are evil, that is a calvinistic misinterpretation, in fact you'll never see that He died because all man are evil.

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

All of the above. What perfect meal can be topped by a spoonful of rotten mold?

That was the best answer of the thread, so far. I like to tell people that their lives are like brownies, made with 95% sweet chocolaty goodness...and 5% turd. They judge themselves as basically good, because they are far more good than evil, but who wants a brownie made with any turd?

People are instriscially oriented toward the good. People that believe otherwise are projecting some form of psychological abuse or perverted religious indoctrination.

Oh, no. People are basically good (see above).

Here's your verse:

Matthew 7:11

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

If calling people evil is abuse, then you just called Jesus abusive. I strive to be like Jesus. That's what it means to be a Christian.

Christ did not die because all man are evil, that is a calvinistic misinterpretation, in fact you'll never see that He died because all man are evil.

No, he just took those lashes because he had a very itchy back.

Here's your verse:
Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

You have sinned. You fall short of the glory of God.

 

[LaSorcia]

Are People Basically Good or Basically Evil?

It's not the correct question. The correct question is, "are people as they were intended to be by the Creator, or are they broken"?

 

[fhansen]

Are People Basically Good or Basically Evil?

As with all creation, people were created good. Through Adam's sin we fell to a lower position, resulting from loss of communion with God through whom our righteousness, wholeness, and moral integrity flow. Man didn't become evil; only wounded, disadvantaged, lost, weakened, living in darkness and ignorance, inclined to sin. Man still retains a spark of the divine in himself, Whose image man was made in. He still has the law of God written in his heart although it's obscured, dimmed, often overridden. At times man is capable of great acts of kindness and compassion, also great acts of inhumanity. In trying to become God, man failed miserably in any case.

 

[ubicaritas]

I think people are more psychologically complicated than labels such as "good" and "evil" can suffice.

Some modern christians like to use the term "broken", and I think that is more apt. A broken thing can potentially be fixed, without necessarily judging its worth.

 

[SkyWriting]

It's not the correct question. The correct question is, "are people as they were intended to be by the Creator, or are they broken"?

They are both. Freedom from God is death.
But a real bird has got to really fly.
So God also created a way for men to return to God if they choose.

 

[SkyWriting]

I think you just called me profane.

 

[Tutorman]

Here's your verse:
Romans 3:23
You have sinned. You fall short of the glory of God.

Doesn't say anything about completely evil, try again

 

[Open Heart]

Are People Basically Good or Basically Evil?

I couldn't answer you poll because none of your options were correct.

Human beings have a dual nature. We have a yetzer hara, evil inclination (sinful nature) and a yetzer tov , or good inclination (image of God). Basically, our animal instincts war it out with our moral conscience.