Why do humans do wrong? (And why do we turn away from God?)

[mithrandir2001]

Some people kill, others dump motor oil down the sewer. Some people rob, others run traffic lights. Some people pollute our childrens' minds, others cook the books. No matter how much evil or benevolence resides within our hearts it seems we all do wrong. When I was walking to my office building this morning I noticed a pile of trash in an empty parking space: a McDonald's bag, crumpled food wrappers and an empty soda cup. In another space, a stack of spent cigarette butts. It's just litter, right? But what motivated the owners of the trash to leave the remains in the parking lot rather than in a trash can? Clearly these people can discern between right and wrong, but yet they choose wrong. Why? Are we too busy? Are we selfish? Do we determine that the chance of getting caught is low? Do we just don't care?

I do wrong. I'll pass cars on the right on the highway, speed, drive aggressively. I'll be rude to the store cashier if I don't like how fast they work. I won't return phone calls that I should. I'll complain about the litter in the parking lot but I won't actually clean it up. I'll make excuses but I know they are just excuses. Wrong is wrong. We are aware, but we still do it.

I guess some will say that Adam is to fault. You can't avoid religious undertones when it comes to right and wrong. God gave us free will but the only way to find true unequaled happiness is to obey God's will. "Nothing hath separated us from God but our own will, or rather our own will is our separation from God." But why is it so damn difficult to be righteous? What makes Mammon look more appealing than God when we know that only God offers happiness and joy beyond our comprehension?

I consider atheists to be people who have chosen to separate themselves from God for whatever reason. This separation may lead to great pain, suffering and despair, emotions that I experienced when I was a committed atheist (of course I didn't realize at the time that my atheism was the primary source of my suffering). I'm not interested in debating atheism-theism but rather why do we do wrong when wrong means distancing ourselves further away from God?

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
Some people kill, others dump motor oil down the sewer. Some people rob, others run traffic lights. Some people pollute our childrens' minds, others cook the books. No matter how much evil or benevolence resides within our hearts it seems we all do wrong. When I was walking to my office building this morning I noticed a pile of trash in an empty parking space: a McDonald's bag, crumpled food wrappers and an empty soda cup. In another space, a stack of spent cigarette butts. It's just litter, right? But what motivated the owners of the trash to leave the remains in the parking lot rather than in a trash can? Clearly these people can discern between right and wrong, but yet they choose wrong. Why? Are we too busy? Are we selfish? Do we determine that the chance of getting caught is low? Do we just don't care?

I do wrong. I'll pass cars on the right on the highway, speed, drive aggressively. I'll be rude to the store cashier if I don't like how fast they work. I won't return phone calls that I should. I'll complain about the litter in the parking lot but I won't actually clean it up. I'll make excuses but I know they are just excuses. Wrong is wrong. We are aware, but we still do it.

I guess some will say that Adam is to fault. You can't avoid religious undertones when it comes to right and wrong. God gave us free will but the only way to find true unequaled happiness is to obey God's will. "Nothing hath separated us from God but our own will, or rather our own will is our separation from God." But why is it so damn difficult to be righteous? What makes Mammon look more appealing than God when we know that only God offers happiness and joy beyond our comprehension?

I consider atheists to be people who have chosen to separate themselves from God for whatever reason. This separation may lead to great pain, suffering and despair, emotions that I experienced when I was a committed atheist (of course I didn't realize at the time that my atheism was the primary source of my suffering). I'm not interested in debating atheism-theism but rather why do we do wrong when wrong means distancing ourselves further away from God?

Take you evangelistic Bullsh!t elsewhere Jesus Boy!
Behave Red

 

[StageLeft]

People do wrong because they have no sense of being punished for doing it. If nobody is around, you can drop your oil down the drain and you won't get in trouble by the law or anybody else, so why not? Such actions are self-centered and understandable if there is no overlying sense of morality from a higher being. Anybody who says that "That's just not right." and yet doesn't believe in something bigger than them has some hypocricies to rid themselves of.

 

[Mr N8]

Doing wrong is fun. That's why.

 

[Vortex22]

But what motivated the owners of the trash to leave the remains in the parking lot rather than in a trash can?

Laziness.

I'm not interested in debating atheism-theism but rather why do we do wrong when wrong means distancing ourselves further away from God?

So you only want theists' opinions on the matter?

 

[Chiropteran]

Turn away from god? You can't turn away from something that doesn't exist.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
Some people kill, others dump motor oil down the sewer. Some people rob, others run traffic lights. Some people pollute our childrens' minds, others cook the books. No matter how much evil or benevolence resides within our hearts it seems we all do wrong. When I was walking to my office building this morning I noticed a pile of trash in an empty parking space: a McDonald's bag, crumpled food wrappers and an empty soda cup. In another space, a stack of spent cigarette butts. It's just litter, right? But what motivated the owners of the trash to leave the remains in the parking lot rather than in a trash can? Clearly these people can discern between right and wrong, but yet they choose wrong. Why? Are we too busy? Are we selfish? Do we determine that the chance of getting caught is low? Do we just don't care?

I do wrong. I'll pass cars on the right on the highway, speed, drive aggressively. I'll be rude to the store cashier if I don't like how fast they work. I won't return phone calls that I should. I'll complain about the litter in the parking lot but I won't actually clean it up. I'll make excuses but I know they are just excuses. Wrong is wrong. We are aware, but we still do it.

I guess some will say that Adam is to fault. You can't avoid religious undertones when it comes to right and wrong. God gave us free will but the only way to find true unequaled happiness is to obey God's will. "Nothing hath separated us from God but our own will, or rather our own will is our separation from God." But why is it so damn difficult to be righteous? What makes Mammon look more appealing than God when we know that only God offers happiness and joy beyond our comprehension?

I consider atheists to be people who have chosen to separate themselves from God for whatever reason. This separation may lead to great pain, suffering and despair, emotions that I experienced when I was a committed atheist (of course I didn't realize at the time that my atheism was the primary source of my suffering). I'm not interested in debating atheism-theism but rather why do we do wrong when wrong means distancing ourselves further away from God?

Take you evangelistic Bullsh!t elsewhere Jesus Boy!

Hmm, someone hit a nerve

 

[VictorLazlo]

I'm not going to make any religious comments this time. Just a few remarks about society.

It seems to me that many people think alike. For example, if YOU go to see an obscure movie, then tomorrows news will report that this obscure movie did better than expected. If YOU skip a movie that was supposed to be huge, then the next day they are reporting disappointing results. Whenever you choose to do something, there are always millions of people out there thinking the exact same thing. We are more alike than we care to admit. Consequently, we all walk around wondering why there is litter in the streets, but no one takes personal responsibility to change their behavior. No one takes personal responsibility because deep down you think it won't make a difference what you do. But you are a part of this society and everyone else is thinking the same thing. If YOU made up your mind to change, you might be surprised by what happens around you.

Pay it forward, baby

 

[IBuyUFO]

Some people kill in the name of god.

 

[Arkitech]

short answer - sin and selfish motivations I guess



MODS - just out of curiosity why did my post get locked? there was'nt any flaming going on

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Vortex22

But what motivated the owners of the trash to leave the remains in the parking lot rather than in a trash can?

Laziness.

And I'll add in selfishness. Saw some asshat toss a cigarette butt out of their sunroof and onto the pavement. I mean, what's the point of having an ashtray? Just wait until you get home and empty the ashtray into the garbage.


As for why do we turn away from God? Easy...he doesn't exist.

You should ask why do people behave rudely and selfishly?

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Turn away from god? You can't turn away from something that doesn't exist.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Vortex22

But what motivated the owners of the trash to leave the remains in the parking lot rather than in a trash can?

Laziness.

And I'll add in selfishness. Saw some asshat toss a cigarette butt out of their sunroof and onto the pavement. I mean, what's the point of having an ashtray? Just wait until you get home and empty the ashtray into the garbage.


As for why do we turn away from God? Easy...he doesn't exist.

You should ask why do people behave rudely and selfishly?

Obviously this is a thread having to do with religion, so why do you have to bring your agnostic thoughts into it?

Do you like it when people bring religion into your evolution threads?

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Turn away from god? You can't turn away from something that doesn't exist.

 

[mithrandir2001]

My thoughts about faith:
God exists, everything we see and touch was created by Him but how He did it, I have no idea. God may have set forth the Big Bang or maybe it was something else. "How" probably doesn't matter. What does matter is: God resides within every single person and creature. We can search or we can ignore, it's our choice. Spirituality is far more critical than religion. Religion, with its rules, creeds and proceedings, actually distances us from God, for what we seek can be found from within. Compassion for other humans and living things and good stewardship of our planet is how we can practice our love for God and recognize His love for us.

I think it really is that simple.

When we shout insults at each other, are we really seeking happiness or are we being distracted by wrong?

 

[DougK62]

Doing the wrong thing is generally easier than doing the right thing.

I don't know how to answer the rest of your question because I don't care about distancing myself from your god.

Why is it that religious folk can't seperate good and bad from the church? People do not need a Bible to tell them what is right and what is wrong.

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Turn away from god? You can't turn away from something that doesn't exist.

are there any concrete proof that god exists? if your god exists, what about those from other religions? what makes your god better than theirs?

 

[ScoobMaster]

<-------Agrees with what conjur said

 

[TheBDB]

People do not need a Bible to tell them what is right and what is wrong.

 

[ucdnam]

What is wrong in your mind may not be wrong to someone else. You defined what is wrong to you and what is wrong in our society, but it may be ok or even right elsewhere.

What is wrong in your theistic belief may be right for someone else, so you need to rephrase your topic and message.

 

[apoppin]

What is wrong . . .

. . . are . .

your ridiculous assumptions.

This thread is wrong . . . or at least in the wrong place . . . there needs to be a special forum for these topics (next to Politics and News).

 

[slightlyhuman]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
My thoughts about faith:
God exists, everything we see and touch was created by Him but how He did it, I have no idea. God may have set forth the Big Bang or maybe it was something else. "How" probably doesn't matter. What does matter is: God resides within every single person and creature. We can search or we can ignore, it's our choice. Spirituality is far more critical than religion. Religion, with its rules, creeds and proceedings, actually distances us from God, for what we seek can be found from within. Compassion for other humans and living things and good stewardship of our planet is how we can practice our love for God and recognize His love for us.

I think it really is that simple.

When we shout insults at each other, are we really seeking happiness or are we being distracted by wrong?

:gift::heart:

 

[cyclistca]

I like pie

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: ucdnam

What is wrong in your theistic belief may be right for someone else, so you need to rephrase your topic and message.

Nobody would say that littering mcdonalds is "right". It's just lazy. There is no intelligible reason why it would not be "wrong".

 

[Booster]

I consider atheists to be people who have chosen to separate themselves from God for whatever reason. This separation may lead to great pain, suffering and despair, emotions that I experienced when I was a committed atheist (of course I didn't realize at the time that my atheism was the primary source of my suffering).

I guess most of wrong-doers don't ever think of being atheistic. Not everybody is a philosopher, so to speak, and if you take some Joe Sixpack he probably wouldn't care less about God and what's right and wrong and just do what his primal instincts tell him to do. Of course, those people who had some morals created all these laws and stuff we see now, and Joe Sixpack has to obey to it or what we'd see would be just a never ending massacre and annihilation of physically weaker by stronger ones.

Those questions you raised... I too think about them sometimes and I see that other people just aren't what I thought them to be. People would kill you for a dime, for some piece of crap, and en mass they're dark and low and life is overall quite disgusting and dirty, that's a fact. Of course, there are good people, but they're in the minority and you see them very rarely (if ever). However, it's not that simple I guess. You can't brand this or that person as completely good or bad - there is good and evil in every person, it just depends on what prevails and how much of this and that is present. IMO life is an insanely complicated thing, faith in God may help you find your way but you aren't guaranteed against your primal instincts taking control over you some day I think.