Is man inherently good or inherently evil?

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Most if not all animals have the ability to adapt. Evo? lol

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Yes, but humans do it very, very well.You also ignored the more important part of what I said, which is that we are very good at altering our environment to suit our needs.

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I say that humans do not fit into the animal kingdom quite nicely.

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Um, we have nearly identical DNA with other primate species, we can use animal tissues to heal our injuries and illnesses, we are made of exactly the same stuff as the rest of the animal world, our bodies are of the same basic body plan, our metabloism and reproduction is basically the same as any other mammals'...You assert the existence of a soul, but that is just your belief and not demonstrated.

The original question was:

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Is man inherently good or evil?

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Schraf then asked us to define good and evil. In the previous post, Schraf points out the similarities between humans and animals. This brings up the question of whether Scraf believes that humans are superior/inferior to animals. Lets use the Rolls Royce or Lamborghini analogy. Both of these fine automobiles are constructed in a far superior method from the average car, yet to say that they are not cars is ludicrous. They are cars. Well, in one respect, humans are animals. What sets us apart? Are Great White Sharks "evil" for tearing swimmers to shreds? What about Jeffrey Dahmer? Was he a mere predatory animal? At what level does our awareness of our instincts and intrinsic nature make us responsible for our actions? What standard do we use? What is our moral law based upon? Human agreement? Note that the Bible differentiates between "men" and animals.
Animals are never subjected to any sort of judgement. If, however, humans are viewed as highly evolved animals, the concept of good and evil is very much internal and always subject to change of interpretation vs external and absolute.

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Lets use the Rolls Royce or Lamborghini analogy. Both of these fine automobiles are constructed in a far superior method from the average car

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I have a bust-up old 4x4 and want to pull a trailer up a hill in a muddy field - which is best? Mine or the rolls Royce. How does one measure superior construct in such a situation?This message has been edited by Charles Knight, 09-15-2004 04:23 AM

double post.This message has been edited by Charles Knight, 09-14-2004 03:51 PM

A human being is far more than they're worst act. That was one of the messages of Christ. A Great white shark is motivated by the desire to survive. In most cases attacks are cases of mistaken identity. The shark is not evil for mistaking a surfer for a seal. People that think sharks are evil simply do not understand sharks. Dahmer was psycotic, yet the courts found he knew the difference between right and wrong. Therefore he was found guilty and held responsible for his heinous crimes. Saying something is evil suggest in my opinion that the perpertrator had no choice, evil prevailed and somehow evil is to blame. I believe Dahmer made the choice to behave in a way that could be described as evil. Was he evil? evil is as evil does.This message has been edited by 1.61803, 09-14-2004 03:52 PM

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"One is punished most for ones virtues" Fredrick Neitzche

double post.This message has been edited by 1.61803, 09-14-2004 03:51 PM

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"One is punished most for ones virtues" Fredrick Neitzche

We have had several threads on whether or not there was absolute evil and so far, in every case, no one has been able to give an example of something that is absolutely evil. They can point to examples of horrific acts, but the have not been able to set any absolute standards that have stood up to analysis.The concept of good and evil is very much subjective and subject to change.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

prophex avoids my question:

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We are set apart from the rest

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Then where do they fit? Plantae? Fungi? Monera? Protista?Are you claiming humans are minerals?If humans aren't animals, what are they?

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Rrhain
WWJD? JWRTFM!

prophex responds to me:

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I want you to provide the actual reference guy.

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You mean you haven't read your own holy book?1 Peter 1:17: And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:1:18: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;1:19: But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Compare this to Paul:Romans 3:20: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.3:21: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;3:26: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.3:27: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.Notice you pick up two contradictions, but they're essentially variations of the same problem: What is the nature of man. One is saying we're born that way, another is saying we have to do it. One says we are saved by faith. The other says we are saved by deeds.Shall I go on? Peter is a big believer in the pre-destination schtick. Kings rule by divine right (1 Peter 2:17). God wants some people to suffer (1 Peter 4:19) He even goes so far as to directly contradict Jesus (1 Peter 2:18 compared to Matthew 4:10, 23:10).Paul, who has a big bug up his ass about pretty much everything, still thinks that you can get out of it if only you straighten up and fly right.

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Rrhain
WWJD? JWRTFM!

I want to make it clear that I do think, for the reasons I mentioned, that humans are pretty special.Of course, there is something interesting and special about every animal.

And IF we can properly and totally be classified as such, we are the only animal capable of making any sort of an observation.

I'm not quite sure how you can support such a statement. Can you expand on what you mean by that?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

I just mean that SOME people differentiate between Humans and Animals while most biologists see humans as animals. Grrrrrrrr. My Altar Ego is a selfish Dawg. Take his bone and he bites! I have to keep him in check, but he is allowed out every now and again.This message has been edited by Mutt Jeffries, 09-15-2004 01:04 PM

I don't understand how you draw this conclusion.From your quotes, we have Peter saying: I interpret this to mean that Peter is saying we are saved with the blood of Christ.In your quotes above, Paul says:and How are these in contradiction to each other?

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You mean you haven't read your own holy book?

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Please, asking for a specific reference that you were talking about yet not revealing does not imply that I do not read the bible.

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Notice you pick up two contradictions, but they're essentially variations of the same problem: What is the nature of man. One is saying we're born that way, another is saying we have to do it. One says we are saved by faith. The other says we are saved by deeds.

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I picked up what I thought you would say would be the contradictions at least.I also noticed how living a life of sin yet claiming to be saved by the Christ is wrong, I think that these are not contradictions, and when read and followed, will make a life holy.

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Shall I go on?

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Feel free but don't expect a quick reply, school work has been keeping me busy especially when coupled with sports, and guitar. (not trying to complain, sry in advance is this rubs you the wrong way)

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"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."Ephesians 5:14