Something about Evil
[thoughts from a ~burning woman~ ]
Call me naοve but until recently I had not realized how much personal "hidden" evil people indulge in. Usually we think of evil as something done openly, publicly, something all can see. But that isn't really the case, is it. Evil is not what provides front-page news.
Well maybe I should back up and look at that statement above. Yes, evil could be the public nasty stuff. But what is its source? If empathy comes from compassion, then evil must come from sin. Sin: the personal aspect of evil.
Sin? What an archaic concept. Nobody talks about sin anymore! Nobody sins anymore: they just obey their lusts! What could be more natural than that? Personal corruption is what drives modern civilization and makes it the wonderful and great thing it is. If there is a lust out there you can be sure that somebody is finding a way to feed it, for Power, Profit and Pleasure - feeding sacrificial material to the Great "P" Trinity. (The hidden aspect of that trinity is, of course, Pain. Make the connection!)
I've always seen "sin" as basic immorality. Of course the way I was taught this concept was that people just naturally know when they are being immoral and consequently are riddled with guilt for their weakness. To atone for this they go to their priests or their gods and they seek forgiveness and forego something or "pay something" to get that forgiveness.
Yes, well, that was then, this is now. I've finally realized that people no longer feel guilt for being immoral. In fact they mostly brag about it. Why should they care? There are drugs to control the side-effects of indulging their lusts: that's one thing.
Also as the power of religion dwindles (even if it claims rising numbers its real power is falling exponentially) more people believe they are here "for a good time, not for a long time" and therefore why should they care? There is no future, just this one life, case closed.
Then there are the religious people who are certain of a wonderful future for themselves in the sweet by and by. They have a guarantee, an insurance card given by their church upon becoming "born again" or whatever the religion demands before it issues the heavenly air-miles. These people can't feel any guilt either because that would be admitting they don't trust their religion's guarantees.
So go out there people and "sin boldly" and openly. Show the world how much faith you have; how much you trust your God to deliver on his promises. The more abundant the sin, the more rejoicing there will be at the super-abundance of divine grace!
Personal sin has been made much easier with modern technology. Not just the breaking of rules driving a car... or making out in one. Now you have cellular technology, telephones for phone sex complete with pictures. And there's the ubiquitous Internet ... and I won't even attempt to describe what is done there; what I've been shown can be done there.
The problem with personal sin; personal immorality, is that it creates a fertile bed for growth and nurture of public evil. How many times have we heard people declare that what they do in private has nothing to do with their public performance. Politicians and preachers come to mind here. But if we look at the general decadence in our public institutions, and we are intelligent enough to realize that "institutions" cannot sin -- they are not intelligent, sentient nor self-aware beings as are humans -- then the so blatant evil we observe can only come from the hidden sin within those who operate, or are a part of, these institutions.
So it all comes back to "me" again. If I want a moral, a good world, then all I have to do is make sure I am such a being. If I am of a clean mind, of a pure heart when I am all alone, in the privacy of my own thoughts, the chances are pretty good that when I interact with "you" -- the public -- I will demonstrate such.
One could ask, but why would anyone want to bother at this late date?
I guess my answer would be, "It's never too late to be good or to do good. As to why, well, I think that a good person carries a healing aura, an energy field that has the potential to help others get out of their sin-full choices, even to the potential of miraculous physical cures."
Everyday I encounter individuals who, to some degree, carry such an aura. I can tell as I am drawn to them and I want to emulate them. But of course, for that to happen, I had to make a choice long ago that I would forsake "sin" and seek goodness instead. I had to re-direct my own nature's choices.
It has been a very difficult process and remains so. But it has had some little interesting side-effects. I have enjoyed amazing physical health since the time of choice. I've been able to switch my diet to vegetarian (yes, some will remind me that Hitler was a vegetarian, but I'm speaking for myself only) and the best part: I've learned about detachment.
More to come as this is the infinite path of the Avatar.
Sheila
--I read somewhere that that is just a myth about Hitler being vegetarian, so I wouldn't worry about it (I am also vegetarian).
I liked your article. Keep 'em coming.
John
Micke
Well put! Evil thrives, every time goodness ignores it. Inactivity, silence, and apathy by good people, when they don't denounce evil, in effect condones it.
As Christ said: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' This was merely an acknowledgement that we all have sinned, and should have compassion when it is warranted.
"Judge not, lest ye be judged!" Another admonition for compassion, understanding, and forgiveness - not an approval for indiscretion, rather - a reminder that we are all human.
Temperance - Moderation - Compromise - Compassion -- these are the keys to a peaceful co-existance.
"Vengeance is Mine, sayeth The Lord!" Suitable punishment for suitable crimes is a matter and a question of degree.
Someone much wiser than I once wrote: "Thy Actions Alone Determine thy Worth." This says to me that - we can be as precious as diamonds - or, as worthless as coal - each nanosecond each individual CHOOSES!
Peace! Tom.
Noting evil about it, just the strong will to use a hammer on anything.
Georg
Take Care,
Pierre
Regards, Tom