Man, inherently evil?
Genesis 1:31
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day
I don't understand the idea that men are inherently evil. I don't feel like researching the scripture references, so if someone wants to share their views on the subject feel free, although I might disagree 😛
Re: Man, inherently evil?
Originally posted by Regret
Genesis 1:3131 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day
I don't understand the idea that men are inherently evil. I don't feel like researching the scripture references, so if someone wants to share their views on the subject feel free, although I might disagree 😛
It was good...until sin entered into the equation by the free will of the first man.
Re: Re: Man, inherently evil?
Originally posted by Justbyfaith
It was good...until sin entered into the equation by the free will of the first man.
But how does Adam's sin make all his descendants inherently evil, I have never understood this concept in mainstream Christianity.
(BBL, have to run for a couple hours)
Re: Re: Re: Man, inherently evil?
Originally posted by Regret
But how does Adam's sin make all his descendants inherently evil, I have never understood this concept in mainstream Christianity.(BBL, have to run for a couple hours)
Great question Regret! Here is your answer from the God we both love.
"For by one man's (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one man's (Christ-God incarnate) many will be made righteous."
Romans 5:19
This again is why Jesus is needed by all! Because only He can and has made the attonement for the sin that was transfered to all of us by Adam.
Again, only God can be without sin and this is why Jesus came and died for us.
Originally posted by Cyric Blackstar✅
Read Lord of the Flies...Personally evil or good aside I think deep down were all savage beasts.
We all have animal instincts, but as for morality...When you're born you're a clean slate, a la "Tabula Rosa"....It's your choices that decide if you're good or evil.
Thank you everyone that has posted.
My personal belief is that by partaking of the fruit, which violated the commandment of God in the statement:
Genesis 2:16-1816 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Adam and Eve transgressed. I believe that this made man capable of sin by giving man the knowledge of good and evil. Before that he did not know better. So man entered a state where evil was possible for him because he now had knowledge of good and evil. I do not believe in original sin.
Mormons believe that until the age of eight parents are responsible for teaching their children to choose "good" over "evil." By the age of eight a child should have learned enough to make decisions about right and wrong, given proper parental instruction. As such at eight we believe baptism should occur, this to wash away the sins committed in ignorance as they learned. Although a child younger than eight would not be held accountable for those sins, his/her parents would be. The verses I believe support the age are:
1 Peter 3:20-21
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The term figure I believe refers to the number. Which could also refer to a time frame other than eight years (i.e. days could be an interpretation, but I do not believe an eight day old would be able to show "good conscience toward God" and so infant baptism does not seem to fit this requirement.) This reference and interpretation is solely based on my readings, and is not LDS church doctrine, I have never heard such spoken anywhere.
I am not arguing the point merely stating my opinion, I hope that people will argue the point, I always find it interesting, but to tell the truth I do not know of Biblical verses that necessarily contradict the original sin concept, and don't really feel like researching it at the moment. I would like to hear the verses if Peejayd has them to support a stance against original sin. If the argument comes up at some other time it would be nice to know the references.
Alliance, you are right, I did have my answer to the question. I did pose the question only with the intent to learn the reason they believed this, and to see if there was any support for the concept since I knew of none. I had hoped there would be more debate on the subject, but I myself am ill equipped to debate the concept.
"Original Sin" is that whole idea that we inheritted Adam and Eve's evil, and therefore are all born with a taint on our souls....therefore the sacrament of Baptism was brought up as a way to "cleanse" ourselves and enter God's church.
I don't buy into the whole idea that MANKIND is born evil...but I do not think mankind of born good either. However, i do not think that mankind as a whole is born neutral either......
I think every individual is different....
Many people beleive that "evil" or "immorality" is developed through nurture and influences.
I can agree, except for the fact that I beleive "evil" or "cruelty" for a better word, can be nature/genetically given as well.
Why do some loving parents give birth to such a cruel child? Sometimes this happens.....
Why do some hateful and abusive parents give birth to loving and tender children? And i am not counting classroom influences, i am only counting the child's personality on its own......
I wondor....can Cruelty actually be genetic as well as taught?.....not spiritually given, but physiologically?
Originally posted by LizzyT123
um, my english teacher once told me we were litterally parasites. Others life forms do not benefit from us, yet we benefit from those life forms. I kinda feel hopeless......but oh well.
All creatures that eat are parasites in the same manner man is. Lifeforms benefit from us, we are a large waste producer, many creatures survive on our waste. There are other benefits man provides, the issue at the moment is that we do not die often enough to maintain the balance that may have existed in the past, so it looks like nothing is benefiting from our existence.