runner: "Without absolutes 'who is evil' is only a matter of opinion. We all have the potential in us to do evil. Actually we all commit evil acts to a certain degree. A harder question to answer is who is good. There is only One I know of who walked the earth and was perfectly good by nature and action."

Yes. Steve Irwin was indeed a great man.

I've sometimes wondered what life would be like if children up to the age of about 17, weren't taught anything about any ideology, then when they were able to think for themselves, were offered the facts about ...............
TRTL, because this won't happen I'll not even reply to academic hypothesis. I am concerned about reality & finding a method to get reality recognised in the education system as quickly as possible. Far too many "educated" people are in actual fact very ignorant. Because their just as ignorant teachers are perpetuating the myth that only education makes you smart they stop thinking after graduation. Education is only of use when you have a student who thinks rather than just believes. Age doesn't bring wisdom, experience & thinking are the basis of wisdom. Why is it so easy for young people being sucked into Hitler youth, suicide bombing etc. ? They're being "taught" to be mindless by just as mindless authorities, business people, political & religous fanatics. The poor concerned parent can't compete because of so much outside interference. A loving parent or a concerned teacher who disciplines a child gets cruzified so the child then sees discipline as wrong & acts accordingly. surprised ? when all this childrens' rights bizo started a lot of evil got it's foot in the door.

THANKYOU Stephen....for a frank admission (speaking for us all by the way).. and a good account of:

"original sin"

I cannot resist quoting Paul here "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

If we look at that verse in isolation, it won't mean much, but for those interested I recommend a read of Pauls letter to the Romans from chapter 1 to 3 (at least)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=1&version=31

Paul develops this concept very carefully and systematically.

His next statement after the 'bad news' of 3:23 is this, in 24 :

"and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

It might be 'free' in that we cannot 'earn' it... it is offered, but let there be no confusion...it will cost us our lives. "If any man will follow me.....let him deny himself, take up his cross, and come after me" said Jesus.

The solution to "would i be an SS member" (a question with the answer 'quite possibly') is for the righteousness of God to be proclaimed regularly in a community.

When we HAVE a standard... we can reflect and compare our own behavior and take corrective action.

"Amen" :)

Individual - no offence but the comment "do-gooders are not evil, they're just plain ignorant and foster evil" has to be about the dumbest generalisation I've heard in quite some time.

Do gooders are evil? People who do good... are evil?

Crikey. I don't think I'd like to encounter your concept of good...

I don't think things are quite as bad as you make out, and I think parents still have plenty of avenues for discipline.

I guess the issue I have there in your posts, is that you're grouping matters opposed to your own lone opinion as 'evil.' Believe it or not, that's an aspect of fundamentalism.

Here's a more up-to-date comment for you: out of touch old cynics sitting behind a keyboard, railing at a society that isn't as bad as they seem to think aren't evil, just ignorant and hostile.

Boaz

How does your call for individual spiritual change differ from demos' call for secular controls which limit the individual's ability to commit evil acts? Do they have a common aim?

TRTL,
You simply don't understand. But don't feel targeted too much. That's a very common trait among those with no vision or any kind of foresight.
I didn't imply that do-gooders ARE evil. They FOSTER evil via the same ignorance that you so unashamedly portray. For example, look how hysterically Whitlam's social reform was trumpeted thoughout the land. Look at the outcome of those "reforms" now. We have a whole generation that is so listless that they totally rely on our tax money funded hand-outs. TRTL, you have to understand that whatever momentary politically convenient policy or fad is introduced now will not be apparent until it's too late. Just look at big Goaf's legacy. I am getting told by Indigenous people every day how frustrated they are because good, bright kids get sent to boarding school & return devious & useless. Have a yarn with Huffnpuff about his experiences.