Making Sense of Evil (Virginia Tech Massacre)

The worst tormentors of humankind usually see themselves as victims.Just an observation.

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ArcherAll species are transitional.

My point is that evil-doers might have something wrong with them, but does that mean people with something wrong with them are evil-doers? This is why we must be careful to not blame the illness, as you mention.I think one has to look at it by taking people who are equal in their problems, and seeing if any of them refrain from their compulsions.Psychopaths are a very clear bunch for example, but they're not all murderers. I agree that each pysche is unique, and that makes a unique person. One might have strange desires, another might not.I don't want to get into the freewill argument, but I think we can atleast agree that it is clear enough that the perpetrator is not forced to do what he does.Is he somewhat to blame? Well, yes, but I still believe he had a choice. I find it hard to believe that any desire forces one's will to be completely deminished in all instances.Are paedophiles blameless for example, if they act on their urges? I know that some have had their own areas cut in order to stop themselves.So logically, is the problem within the individual or the mental disorder? certainly it's the individual, pertaining to the direct act. For both were compelled to do it - but neither were forced. One didn't do it - the other did.I think the individual will always be accountable, by some measure. Others more accountable, others a lot less. I agree. We're all human. I think deep down people generally agree that some things are evil, and that choices can be made.And that's just from a human-perspective, not a religious one.

So I guess believing in God is irresponsible too? Believing in something, as long as there's no negating evidence, is not irresponsibility. Irresponsible actions resulting from the belief is irresponsibility.The belief in supernatural evil does NOT necessitate action as a result.Edited by One_Charred_Wing, : had to be precise as to what I was trying to say

Sure, to a great extent it is. Whether GOD exists or not is totally outside our control. Those Christians that look to GOD to solve their problems or help them win the Lotto are also acting irresponsible.But it is also irrelevant.You were talking about a belief that there is some outside force that actually does something in this universe. You were talking about Evil.The difference is when you attribute peoples actions to some outside force. That IMHO is irresponsible and a waste of time and energy.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

violence like the events we've seen recently are either caused by mental disturbance or by ignorance and hate. both of these are problems we can solve or at least mitigate. by blaming it on the supernatural, we obfuscate our responsibility as a society to reduce ignorance and to help those in need of psychological treatment. that's our job. he didn't fail us; we failed him.

sure, but i think even using the word is irresponsible because it carries the connotation that we can't do anything about it. we can and ought.

But neither of us said anything about blaming things that people do on supernatural evil until you did just now, and if that's what you meant from the start then you needed to be more explicit.Being open to the possibility of supernatural evil is believing something, not attributing it to anything per se.

Okay, but you just completely ignored what I said.

Sorry if I do not understand your point. You believe in SuperNatural Evil that has no activity in this world.Okay. Then why even bring it up? It is irrelevant to the topic or discussion.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

1.Whoa, me? I didn't say I believed in what we're talking about.
2.Let's say that somebody does. They believe that this evil, like God, works through people. If that were the case, then addressing the evil (that manifests itself through our own evils) would be to combat it with our own means: research into mental illnesses, therapy, biopsychotic drugs if necessary, and perhaps some TLC.That doesn't sound irresponsible at all, does it? Doesn't sound like much of a change from what you and I seem to believe, either. It was until I read you calling such a belief in supernatural evil irresponsible.

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I'm bent, bruised, broken, and a little lost. But you know what? I'm not so afraid as you are, who has never ventured away from the trail.

Sorry but none of the things you mention can have any effect on the SuperNatural. If we are dealing with perfectly normal methods of addressing perfectly normal issues then bringing the SuperNatural into the equation is irresponsible and irrelevant.Edited by jar, : appallin spallin

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Irrelevant? Yeah, I'd say so as long as we're not calling it
irresponsible'. It isn't as long as they're taking responsibility, as in this example. If anything, belief that these methods might be combating the work of some dark puppetiers(sp?) behind the scenes might motivate individuals to work harder.

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I'm bent, bruised, broken, and a little lost. But you know what? I'm not so afraid as you are, who has never ventured away from the trail.

the blame game is always irresponsible. it takes time out of your reaction and makes you feel better for something that is your fault. it was irresponsible in katrina and it's irresponsible now.

Sorry but imagining that you are combating the work of some dark puppeteer behind the scenes is usually considered psychotic.I still see it as irresponsible and irrelevant. That sounds nicer than insane.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

OY!!... okay, maybe my last post was a bad example. Either way, the 'your' is interesting because I personally did not have anything to do with either of these events, although I acknowledge that as a society we've all got something to do with Columbine and VT. (if you want to start a New Orleans thread that's fine, but from my limited knowledge of the event my sympathy is less with them than the victims of the school shooters.)So, how about we stop going 'your fault' when all I'm trying to say (albiet I may have done a poor job in the last post) is that the mere belief in supernatural evil is not irresponsibility, especially when people don't go pointing fingers at the devil when tragedies happen. Let's leave it at that so you don't get confused and start attacking me again.(Yes, I'm aware that the 'your' was hypothetical, and not me. But the way you're coming down on this isn't the least bit convincing.)

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I'm bent, bruised, broken, and a little lost. But you know what? I'm not so afraid as you are, who has never ventured away from the trail.