Has the devil harmed you?

[Cooky]

But i guess you at not talking physical reality but blaming a supernatural cause for misfortune. No, never. If i screw up i place the blame where it lives.

It's just odd, because one day at a certain time, an evil thought may cross my mind, while the next day, at a different time, I am appalled by such sin.

...So where does the blame live. Which me? Past, present, or...

 

[ChristineM]

It's just odd, because one day at a certain time, an evil thought may cross my mind, while the next day, at a different time, I am appalled by such sin.

...So where does the blame live. Which me? Past, present, or...

You had the thought, you also consider some thoughts appalling.

Who you blame for the "evil" thought is up to you

 

[Cooky]

You had the thought, you also consider some thoughts appalling.

Who you blame for the "evil" thought is up to you

It's just weird because it's like there are two me's.

...But of course there is only one. One that changes for some reason that can't be explained.

 

[ChristineM]

It's just weird because it's like there are two me's.

...But of course there is only one. One that changes for some reason that can't be explained.

Dont tell your psychiatrist about this... Only joking.

 

[shunyadragon]

It's just odd, because one day at a certain time, an evil thought may cross my mind, while the next day, at a different time, I am appalled by such sin.

...So where does the blame live. Which me? Past, present, or...

The blame lies with yourself for believing in the mythology of such superstitious foolishness

 

[Cooky]

The blame lies with yourself for believing in the mythology of such superstitious foolishness

But the mythology has nothing to do with the *reality* that me, and all people, including yourself, have done things that we later regret. And later, we may possibly do them again, and regret it again.

Surely this idea is a primary concept in all religions. No?

 

[EtuMalku]

But the mythology has nothing to do with the *reality* that me, and all people, including yourself, have done things that we later regret.

That sounds more like Karma.

And later, we may possibly do them again, and regret it again.

and this sounds like insanity. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results” - Einstein (maybe)

Surely this idea is a primary concept in all religions. No?

No, certainly not any LHP religions.

 

[Cooky]

That sounds more like Karma.
and this sounds like insanity. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results” - Einstein (maybe)
No, certainly not any LHP religions.

So, as far as addictions, habits, tendencies go, you have none, never have, and thus you have nothing to regret? Ever?

<EDIT> Also, expecting different results is not part of the equation. People sometimes change from previous tendencies and desires -then change their minds and commit immoral acts again. It's not insanity. It's life.

 

[EtuMalku]

So, as far as addictions, habits, tendencies go, you have none, never have, and thus you have nothing to regret? Ever?

Of course I have had them, but I don't scapegoat them onto some imaginary being, I take responsibility for my own actions. The game is NOT to do anything that you will regret later, but even doing so can be beneficial depending on what you do with the experience.

 

[Cooky]

Of course I have had them, but I don't scapegoat them onto some imaginary being, I take responsibility for my own actions. The game is NOT to do anything that you will regret later, but even doing so can be beneficial depending on what you do with the experience.

But sometimes we desire temporary enjoyment, knowing that in the long run it will just harm us. So we do it. And then wish we hadn't again. I don't think "blaming" ourselves, or anyone helps anything. Probably, it's best not to blame at all, but to just keep trying... That's where identification of evil becomes a concept. It's why it's useful.

 

[Cooky]

IOW, instead of placing blame, we're identifying temptation as a concept.

 

[EtuMalku]

But sometimes we desire temporary enjoyment, knowing that in the long run it will just harm us. So we do it. And then wish we hadn't again. I don't think "blaming" ourselves, or anyone helps anything. Probably, it's best not to blame at all, but to just keep trying... That's where identification of evil becomes a concept. It's why it's useful.

Then you're placing the blame on Evil as a . . . what?

 

[Cooky]

Then you're placing the blame on Evil as a . . . what?

I would say a force? Like anti-matter is to matter, evil is to good?

...Like with Newtons 3rd law, it actually fits. And maybe we're the first creatures to be able to not only identify it, but can actually 'bond' to it. Or the other.

 

[shunyadragon]

But the mythology has nothing to do with the *reality* that me, and all people, including yourself, have done things that we later regret. And later, we may possibly do them again, and regret it again.

That is because we are very fallible humans.

Surely this idea is a primary concept in all religions. No?

Actually No. It is an ancient concept based on mythology more in Christianity than Judaism. The Baha'i Faith, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism do not have the concept of an incarnate evil comparable to the devil/satan.

 

[EtuMalku]

I would say a force? Like anti-matter is to matter, evil is to good?

...Like with Newtons 3rd law, it actually fits. And maybe we're the first creatures to be able to not only identify it, but can actually 'bond' to it. Or the other.

But Good and Evil are subjective, one man's good is another man's evil. There really isn't any form of objective Evil . . . or Good.

 

[Cooky]

That is because we are very fallible humans.

What does the Baha'ai say of something that is not holy? What is it's source?

 

[shunyadragon]

I would say a force? Like anti-matter is to matter, evil is to good?

I seriously disagree. Matter and anti-matter are manifestation of the physical and very natural.

...Like with Newtons 3rd law, it actually fits. And maybe we're the first creatures to be able to not only identify it, but can actually 'bond' to it. Or the other.

Same as above.

 

[Cooky]

But Good and Evil are subjective, one man's good is another man's evil. There really isn't any form of objective Evil . . . or Good.

Yes. That is the Luciferian doctrine as I understand.

 

[shunyadragon]

What does the Baha'ai say of something that is not holy? What is it's source?

It is the absence of the Divine attributes of God. There is no such thing as an opposing evil.

Briefly, the intellectual realities, such as all the qualities and admirable perfections of man, are purely good, and exist. Evil is simply their nonexistence… In the same way, the sensible realities are absolutely good, and evil is due to their nonexistence—that is to say, blindness is the want of sight, deafness is the want of hearing, poverty is the want of wealth…

…all that God created He created good. This evil is nothingness; so death is the absence of life… all evils return to nonexistence. Good exists; evil is nonexistent.– Some Answered Questions, p. 263.

 

[Cooky]

It is the absence of the Divine attributes of God. There is no such thing as an opposing evil.

Briefly, the intellectual realities, such as all the qualities and admirable perfections of man, are purely good, and exist. Evil is simply their nonexistence… In the same way, the sensible realities are absolutely good, and evil is due to their nonexistence—that is to say, blindness is the want of sight, deafness is the want of hearing, poverty is the want of wealth…

…all that God created He created good. This evil is nothingness; so death is the absence of life… all evils return to nonexistence. Good exists; evil is nonexistent.– Some Answered Questions, p. 263.

Yes, that's very different from the Catholic stance.