Quote from OPTIONAL777:
You can stray from the proper methods of debate, by the use of strawman arguments, ad hominess attacks, exaggeration, changing the point etc., but the fact remains that you refused to address many of the points, valid points, of my last post.
The more evolved person, can discern the difference between an evil act, and evil itself.
Killing is not evil, as killing in self defense is not considered evil.
It is in the intent that evil is characterized and judged. It is the mind that kills, as the body is a slave to the mind. So, it is essentially the thinking, which rules the mind that leads to action, deemed either good or evil action.
You have claimed that some people are evil, yet provide no explanation for that belief. When I ask for proof, you retort like a child "prove it doesn't."
The responsibility is not on my side to prove that people aren't evil. People can act with evil intent, but people can also, and have also reformed from their evil intents of the past.
St. Paul is a famous individual who was able to reform, able to change, able to see things differently.
There are many who try to explain his conversion process, from both spiritual and scientific perspectives, but the fact which remains is that he did in fact change his point of view.
The human mind is capable of change.
The mind is still mysterious to most of us. No doubt, we are just in the primitive stages of understanding brain chemistry and human psychology, and those "demons" that cause man to act in an evil manner.
My point is, that if it not necessary to kill to protect others, if redemption is possible, from both a scientific and religious perspective (I am speaking New Testament here, as Jesus taught forgiveness and redemption), they why on earth would a peace loving, evolved, religious, compassionate, and scientific person not give science or religion an opportunity to reform a soul?
You would kill that person who committed acts of evil, without even having an explanation as to the cause of the evil actions.
You would deny a soul their chance for redemption, rehabilitation, by unnecessary termination of their life for the sake of vengeance, which isn't your God granted right to act upon.
Should we give scientists and theologians every possible chance to discover and heal the minds of men who are compelled to take the life of another man?
Yes, by all means.
(sigh)
Optional, normally a post from you as insulting as this (i.e. "more evolved person," "like a child") would elicit a response of equal measure. You talk about St. Paul, I can bring in St. Thomas Aquinas. We could debate "evil" forever, etc., etc. Perhaps that's what you want, a sequel to our previous encounter, which, to put mildly, went very badly for you.
Regardless, as tempted as I am to continue arguing with you, especially with the holes in your argument and reality that are IMHO the size of the Titanic, I think you must agree that we are just going in circles, repeating the same things over and over ad nauseum and getting nowhere.
Clearly, we are never going to agree on this issue. So, before I give in to temptation and make this the full-on flame war it is gradually becoming, I will simply say that I disagree vehemently with your opinion but respect your right to have it.