Yesterday Amy and I were having a conversation about "evil." More precisely, are some people born evil? During my years of teaching we would sometimes refer to a student as having "empty eyes." A student with empty eyes would engage in behaviors that were evil. He/she would search for another's weakness, then "play" on that weakness as often as possible. Such a student would often "start fires" between others then sit back and watch them burn.
Ultimately the conversation would become about whether this student was evil.
Having spent my elementary school days at a Catholic School "evil" was often discussed. The nuns or laypeople would describe evil as people with black, or empty eyes. Sin was evil. Since we all committed sins we were all evil. Probably from the first grade on I have wrestled with "evil." Is it an adjective or a verb? Does evil describe a person or a person's behavior?
I firmly believe, within each of us the ability to commit evil acts exists. For me, evil is a behavior. It is an action verb. A person can commit behaviors we would say are evil. Does that make the person evil? These evil behaviors are not inherent in personality. Rather they are choices people make. The Catholic faith puts a lot on your shoulders - a lot of blame, a lot of responsibility, a lot of choices - Catholicism has us born already a sinner. The faith lets you know, right away, that you are born with sin and in need of forgiveness. 5 minutes old you must receive absolution for sins you were born with. That is not right. I cannot believe such a thing. In my case, my mother dying minutes after I was born - well gosh darn it, what is a girl to do.
A man kills 14 people. He is tried and sentenced to death - (by the way, we are all sentenced to death." This man goes to prison where he "finds Jesus." Then he works to gain forgiveness and peace - He does not want to burn to death. Makes me wonder if such a man is truly remorsefully? Or is he just looking for something to occupy his time? Is he a "ghost" just trying to make his time? The recidism (sp) rate for prisoners is rather high. A prisoner learns what he must do or say the "right things" if he wants hope for parole. Or maybe he really has hit bottom and Found God sitting there waiting for him.
It is a difficult question. There is no correct answer. We (Catholics) are born with sins already committed. To me that concept is incorrect. Jesus's execution we are told saves us from original sin.
If I believed in evil the world would be sad, rotten, hard concrete. The world is not sad, rotten, concrete prison cell. A newborn child is joy, wonder, miraculous - not evil. I just can't buy into evil, lying dormant until a person is old enough to find ways to act on his/her evil behaviors. We can see love. We can see hate. With evil though, we see behavior.
What is the phrase; God hangs then waits to see if you choose evil behaviors or kind behaviors. (remembering quotes, this is a flaw within me)
If evil exists then floods, bomb blasts, flying planes into buildings, all of these acts are planned. They are well thought out, planned, and executed by human beings. The action of victims, responders, committers, makes the behavior a sin. Tsunamis are payback for the sins of many - many who are not effected by tsunamis. See that doesn't make any sense. That tornado which went through a school of children - which one should be arrested? Which sinner at that school brought upon such devastation?
Each person has the choice of good or bad. Freewill, God speaks of it often. The gift of freewill used to commit acts of evil behavior. Still the question remains; are there people born or bred to become "evil?" I think if I believed evil exists in a person's DNA; Well we might as well pack our bags go see the world.
Religion and politics, 2 things you should not discuss with friends; Philosophically speaking it is an interesting topic. It can be come a boring load of BS. Rhetoric and flashes, quite contemplation. Ya' do have to pre-think this one. Not too long though. Are people born evil or has life made them engage in behaviors that are evil.
If forgiveness and absolution of sin takes ten minutes on a Saturday after noon, then why not go buck wild the rest of the week? Take your weekly confession. Your good to go. Confession a topic for another time.
No, I do not believe evil is an adjective you can use to describe people. It is an adverb you can use to describe behavior. All of us running in this human race may engage in "evil" behaviors. Head to confession on Saturday. Say their ten Hail Mary's', commit an act of kindness; then they are free to go on with their evil selves and do whatever they choose. Upon the time of their death a priest can forgive the dead person making the gates of heaven within reach? Really?
Behaviors are evil. A person can commit evil behaviors, People though, all of us in this marathon of life - there is more good than bad, more acts of kindness than bullying - There has to be. I have seen it. I have been blessed many times. I choose to think these thoughts. I choose to look for kindness. I choose to act in kindness. In fact I believe if we all looked for "goodness" then all we would find is God's children sharing the swings on life's playground. What do you think?
No comments:
Post a Comment