"Evil"
As a devout agnostic, I find the word “evil” ambiguous. It has too often been used, for perhaps thousands of years, in a religious sense, to describe those who did not buy into some specific dogma.
My personal belief is that, what many think of as “evil,” can exist in a non-religious sense. I believe that human beings, and their acts, can cross some line that most of us would call “moral,” or, “decent.” I believe that such people can commit acts, and live their lives, in which the only word sufficient to describe them would be “evil.”
I suppose this is where I’m supposed to list those "evil" historic figures from ancient Egypt, to ancient Greece, to Ancient Rome, to, … well, you get the idea. But to recognize “evil,” I don't believe it’s necessary to state the despicable acts of the usual suspects.
All we have to do is look at the human-on-human inhumanity that is taking place now, in today’s world. And, yes. It exists worldwide. But let’s stick with America for now.
What kind of people would put an obviously incompetent, ignorant, mean-spirited man in charge of their country?
What kind of “leaders” would deny basic human health care to the vast majority of their own citizens?
What kind of “leaders” would single out women as human beings with limited rights?
What kind of “leaders” and people would discriminate against other human beings because of their race, religion, country of origin, or even the accent with which they speak English?
What kind of leaders would lie to their citizens every hour of every day and tell them that what is not so is so?
What kind of society would put people in charge, who cared only about the wealthy, while letting others, from babies to the elderly, starve?
What kind of people would tell people from another part of this planet to just go away and die elsewhere?
What kind of “leaders” would use their positions to benefit themselves at the expense of those they "lead?
I could continue, but I think you get it. “Evil.” You’ve read some of my beliefs/thoughts/concepts. I’d like to hear yours.
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But I personally believe that there is something (yes I have a very spiritual, but not religious side) that is inherently good in this universe that I can tap into that relieves me of my selfishness - self contentedness. I think fulfilled people, however they get there, are those who abide more with the inherently good than the inherently bad. Love is boundless as long as we don't bind it.
Republicans do believe they are good, but they have a narrower view of those who deserve help (mostly just people like them - their families and their "tribe"
and don't seem to believe greed, or placing self interests first is evil. Some of them are capable of altruistic acts, but on a smaller scale and in a more tribalistic way. I think they also have a more dogmatic approach to what is good, depending not so much on their their own altruistic instincts, but on what they read or are told even if it doesn't feel right to a well heeled conscience.
But these are matters way beyond the reach of my simple philosophy..
