Friday
Moderator
Following that logic…
People who commit good acts are good people?
People who commit bad acts are bad people?
…I might re-examine that one.
Accepting that they hurt you
- Thread starter OliveJewel
- Start date
People who commit good acts are good people?
People who commit bad acts are bad people?
…I might re-examine that one.
Freddyt
Sponsor
Yeah oversimplified a lot. How about Evil people commit evil acts purposefully and with intent.
Friday
Moderator
I’d agree. Coming down to the choices one makes. And being responsible for those choices.
Also? Along the same lines, anyway. One of my hardlines:
“Never accept the blame for evils others do.”
LOL. Yes. Figured as much. Still needed to throw a flag on that play. “That way be dragons!”
- Thread starter
- #17
OliveJewel
MyPTSD Pro
Been continuing down this line of inquiry all weekend and another distinction has come into my awareness. That sometimes evil (people/acts) are present in passivity and doing nothing in the face of some crisis or event. This one is harder to wrap my mind around: on some level I understand it but it slips away because I start projecting myself onto the person doing nothing, and that’s not helpful.
Don't most of us do that though? For example, turning a blind eye to solving world hunger, purchasing from countries using child labour, local homelessness and poverty, etc..? I often think those people may think, ~Where are (we)? Does no one care to help or stop this? (Of course, that is a broad generalization.) But perhaps it's easier to see how insidious it can be.
Aprilshowers
MyPTSD Pro
I have a friend who single-handledly tries to take on the Big Bads of the World. She boycotts
manufacturers and retailers. She signs online petitions. She donates to her "causes." She votes for those who thinks like she does. Occasionally she might even donate food to a food pantry. And she makes sure people know she does it. But she and her family are rich, drive expensive cars, take several luxury vacations a year, vocally look down on those she considers beneath her, and her husband and kids buy from all those baddies she boycotts. Even people that think they are NOT turning a blind eye, really aren't helping much if you look at the big picture. In reality, what can one person do to combat the entirety of evil and suffering in the world? We need to focus on what we can do in our little corner of the world. We can be compassionate and loving to those in our life and those we encounter. Like my friend, many of us donate, volunteer, pray, sign, and vote, but I know the biggest, most effective good I can do is within my own family, my own circle of "people", my own community. I work one-on-one with victims of all kinds of horrendous abuse and suffering. No, I am not doing anything to combat the Big Bad in the world, but I do my best to listen, to be compassionate, and to offer what I can. In my little corner of the world. Many of us are not turning a blind eye on the suffering in the world although it may look like it. We're just doing what we can.
Oh I'm sorry @Aprilshowers , I actually came back because I didn't have the words to express it well. I thoroughly agree. What I suppose I meant was, the moment when we start to feel indifferent, or don't know what to do, may be similar to what others did. (Not that I'm saying at all it's right or ok to turn a blind eye to abuse within our own circles or families. The ones that do usually end up resented as much or more than the abuser.)
There are very bad things that happen and are perpetrated. I can only think, as you do, to add kind and compassionate acts is very much needed as we can't unwind the clock. But I very much believe in the starfish analogy. If every person had at least one person or one advocate on their side I think things would be far less painful, even if not preventable.
Ugh. Hope that makes sense. It reeks of postulating to me (I mean of myself). I just know there were a couple of times I didn't know- would have sworn- I didn't have it in me to consider some things I considered. Might not be the same for others. (And yes most were in response, not abusing but then again I had advantages some (many) others don't and a different history. Not to excuse it, of course. So many things are grave and life-altering if not life-destroying).
Am glad you have the heart you do.
There are very bad things that happen and are perpetrated. I can only think, as you do, to add kind and compassionate acts is very much needed as we can't unwind the clock. But I very much believe in the starfish analogy. If every person had at least one person or one advocate on their side I think things would be far less painful, even if not preventable.
Ugh. Hope that makes sense. It reeks of postulating to me (I mean of myself). I just know there were a couple of times I didn't know- would have sworn- I didn't have it in me to consider some things I considered. Might not be the same for others. (And yes most were in response, not abusing but then again I had advantages some (many) others don't and a different history. Not to excuse it, of course. So many things are grave and life-altering if not life-destroying).
Am glad you have the heart you do.
