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Does Goodness Exist?

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posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 12:59 PM
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This thread is addressed to those who conspire against religion and those who are religious.

This is not an attack, let that be clear.

I wish to further the understanding of these, by showing them my understanding, and acknowledging what they may think of religion and faith. I also encourage you to question me, my perspective, the universal perspective which shines through out my own perspective, and yourself.

After all, I would like to move forward in the evolution of the human spirit, so civility is necessary. I will hear what you have to say with open ears, I just hope that you will to the same for me. We are all human and we all have that in common. Imperfect as I am, bear with me, considering your own imperfections before you judge me, as we are all wont to do.

The Good Among Believers

What is thought of the common religious?

"They are hypocrites. They are the epitome of hatred. They are they cause of all evil and misfortune in the will. Being dumb and dull, they follow after a carefully plotted device made by the selfish, while it is so clear the malady and deformity of those they commune with.

They are blind."

But is it really so?

Because I feel that all people know in their hearts the truth, but would like to deny that there is merit in virtue, to sever themselves from their consciences. A vain effort to continue to live a life they live shamelessly.

It is said among many men that virtue is fake, that goodness is a ploy and facade to persuade or brainwash stupid people to make the rich richer.

But all know in their hearts that there is something beautiful about those who live virtuously. There is no denying that a virtuous man acts so and is fruitful. There is no denying so, at least in the heart of man, who knows that a man is genuinely happy who is inherently good. What is sad is that many think that that man is happy despite his goodness.

Is that man not an enigma who forgives the hand which harms him and even allows his heart to love that criminal out of pity?

Who is not capable of such calls the man a fool. But that man who cannot do the same cherishes his unhappiness in his heart, remaining in his own ignorance. That man denies that the good man grasps some sort of lofty truth. Why? Because the man who does not understand 'foolish' man's actions, does not grasp what the foolish man does.

It is something to be ashamed of, certainly. But it is reason to use that shame and go to the feet of God with it, asking your heart to be changed so that it may move and act with actual love and happiness, that of which, it has not been capable of so far.

O, deranged man, the truth only seems to be a bit scary. After all, to get to the truth one must cross an abyss where he must acknowledge his shortcomings and in a certain sense, die.

But you must have faith that you will be raised as the Christ has been raised. And you will live in a new and fruitful life.



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 01:13 PM
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Yup. dictionary.reference.com...

In English is is a real word. Perception of this does vary though.



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 01:16 PM
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a reply to: rickymouse

I mean it in a way so as to call those out who say with Pilate "What is Truth?"



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 01:19 PM
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a reply to: backcase


Most people do not want to believe the truth if it interferes with their beliefs or their economic or social status.



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 01:25 PM
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I subscribe to a non duel existence. Good and Evil exist as a subjective interpretation of an individual based on a personal code of honor/ethics.

My reasoning for this route are such concepts mutate organically within any given society and are subject to change over time. For example modern man no longer practices beheading to appease sky gods, where as 600 years ago in central/south america this act was considered both acceptable and prudent. Once you specify norms for a society, and see how much it morphs, you can conclude that good vs. evil is not innate.
edit on 2-6-2014 by Degradation33 because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 01:25 PM
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a reply to: rickymouse

this is the case for some, but not all.

What could possibly by a wider scope of reason, for those who choose only to see the truth they want to see?



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 01:27 PM
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a reply to: Degradation33

Your reasoning has validity, but it seems that all are able in modern times to understand at least a simple and human code of honor, which is in accord with virtue and reason, but most importantly with their conscience.



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 01:56 PM
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originally posted by: backcase
But you must have faith that you will be raised as the Christ has been raised. And you will live in a new and fruitful life.


I am sure if we all had three kings visiting us upon our birth, we would all be a whole lot "good."

But to answer the question of the thread title, goodness does exist, and it all begins with We the People. So what will it be? Continue to head down a broken road where more than half --more than half-- the world is needlessly suffering? That's not very good... but separated and divided, We the People cannot possibly make a difference.



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 02:02 PM
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a reply to: iosolomon

There is much good in suffering that you may not see. Christ suffered and was hated, yet look how he shines. Do not be so hopeless, o man, Christ gives living water to all who are thirsty.

Do you know what that living water is?



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 03:14 PM
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a reply to: backcase

I've frequently conspired against religion over the years: Catholicism, Hinduism, Protestantism, Evangelism, Islam etc. They've all taken a few hits and have thoroughly deserved it.

Being 'good' and aspiring to be virtuous are great ideals and qualities that enrich humanity. Nevertheless, I favour the probability that good, virtuous men, women and children existed in societies before the time of Christ. Even before the age of Abrahamic religions, some excellent humans lived and died in the Americas where they followed the pantheistic religions. Likewise could be presumed across China and other regions with populations who never (or rarely) got to the level of monotheism.

There's even a rumour that many atheists lead blameless lives and 'forgive the hand which harms him and even allows his heart to love that criminal out of pity?' Not just the 'hims' either, women too.



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 03:25 PM
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originally posted by: Degradation33
I subscribe to a non duel existence. Good and Evil exist as a subjective interpretation of an individual based on a personal code of honor/ethics.

My reasoning for this route are such concepts mutate organically within any given society and are subject to change over time. For example modern man no longer practices beheading to appease sky gods, where as 600 years ago in central/south america this act was considered both acceptable and prudent. Once you specify norms for a society, and see how much it morphs, you can conclude that good vs. evil is not innate.


That evil can pass as good and good can pass as evil I am agreeing with you. But you can see the duality "service to all by all" vs "service to few by all" (divine vs ego-demonic). It is real and can be measured. One side creates harmony the other causes division and hate. Humanity is very prone to "service to few by all" and creating enslaving systems. "Real GOOD" was always good not matter the view of the observer and "Real EVIL"/predatory was always evil no matter the justifications and the white washing. One road cleans up karma and the other one creates karma. In Christian faith it would be the tree either creates good fruit or bad fruit depending on the health of the tree.
edit on 2-6-2014 by LittleByLittle because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 06:18 PM
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a reply to: backcase

There is much good in suffering that you may not see. Christ suffered and was hated, yet look how he shines. Do not be so hopeless, o man, Christ gives living water to all who are thirsty.

Do you know what that living water is?

Do you??

It's unfortunate that you are so dead set on condemning persons of non-Christian faith.
Unfortunate, unfair, and unbecoming a 'Christian'. So sad that you feel the need to shoot down ongoing knowledge...


edit on 6/2/2014 by BuzzyWigs because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 07:46 PM
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originally posted by: backcase
a reply to: iosolomon

There is much good in suffering that you may not see. Christ suffered and was hated, yet look how he shines. Do not be so hopeless, o man, Christ gives living water to all who are thirsty.

Do you know what that living water is?


Can you give me your definition of the living water?
What is your definition of Christ?
Is it Jesus or any ONE that have been anointed by god?
edit on 2-6-2014 by LittleByLittle because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 08:52 PM
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Good Exist!
but it has nothing at ALL to do with god or religion.

It is only true good when you Dont do it for god or a reward.



posted on Jun, 2 2014 @ 11:06 PM
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edit on 2-6-2014 by Cogito, Ergo Sum because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 3 2014 @ 02:17 PM
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a reply to: Kandinsky

I loved this post and agree totally. I just think you can only go so far with virtue without faith. Those who lived virtuously before Christ lived as friends of Christ, because any man of virtue is a man of the true religion.

A man follows the True Religion when he keeps a good conscience and love for his neighbor, consciously or unconsciously following the inclination of the spirit which goes to God.



posted on Jun, 3 2014 @ 02:19 PM
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a reply to: BuzzyWigs

Do you feel that I oppose you? Why do you aim to attack?

I now know that you cannot be civil.

I condemn no one, where is your evidence?



posted on Jun, 3 2014 @ 02:22 PM
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a reply to: LittleByLittle

The definition of the living water which Christ mentions in the gospel of John is this: Holiness.

The definition of Christ is the "Anointed One"

There is something different about the anointing of the Christ, as He is the One.

Christ is the Son of the Living God; God in the flesh.



posted on Jun, 3 2014 @ 03:14 PM
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a reply to: backcase



I loved this post and agree totally. I just think you can only go so far with virtue without faith. Those who lived virtuously before Christ lived as friends of Christ, because any man of virtue is a man of the true religion.


I'm open-minded to the possibility and have 'faith' that, if true, each soul is measured by its deeds and intentions regardless of the 'Faith' it followed in life.

As an agnostic, I also have 'faith' that 'goodness' is the default setting for most of human-kind. Then again, the definition and impetus of 'goodness' is hard for any of us to agree upon and I've no doubt we've all tried.

I applaud your reasonable approach to discussion.



posted on Jun, 4 2014 @ 01:52 PM
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originally posted by: Kandinsky

I'm open-minded to the possibility and have 'faith' that, if true, each soul is measured by its deeds and intentions regardless of the 'Faith' it followed in life.

As an agnostic, I also have 'faith' that 'goodness' is the default setting for most of human-kind. Then again, the definition and impetus of 'goodness' is hard for any of us to agree upon and I've no doubt we've all tried.

I applaud your reasonable approach to discussion.


I will include you on some information regarding the 'faith', I know.

The inclination to goodness, which is common among men and women, which you yourself believe, is the effect of having a soul, as each person does.

The soul is inclined to go towards its Creator which is Perfect Goodness whether the mind is privy to the mode or not.

If you think that the definition of goodness is heard to pinpoint, listen to the description of the fruits of wickedness and goodness, so that you may discern:

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Galatians 5: 16-22



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