Good and Evil.

How can we determine what is good and what is evil?  Some of the things that were deemed evil a hundred years ago are pronounced OK today and vice versa.  Is the notion of evil something that is determined by culture and social standards?

One of the things that has puzzled me is when Christians tell me that a certain historic figure was a product of his time.  The so called great Oliver Cromwell, leader of the pilgrim movement, is seen by many as a great man of God.  Others see him as a blood thirsty criminal who began the hatred that has continued in Ireland today.  

There was a time when it was OK to kill Australian aboriginal people.  Thankfully, we have progressed a bit and now, rightfully, view them as fully functioning human beings.  It wasn't that long ago that we did not permit them to vote or to keep their own children because they were deemed as, somehow, less than white people.

Yes it does seem like some things are really evil, but I could be wrong.  What I do question are the pronouncements against certain things we do as evil.  What we as Westerners view as wrong or inappropriate can be viewed as courteous and virtuous in another culture.  Think about some examples yourself.

One of the ultimate forms of evil, according to Christians, are the demonic forces.  Apparently, these diabolical forces were manifested in the Pokemon cards our children used to collect.  There were times when we had to literally hide these forms of evil from children who visited our home.  Even more tragic is when a friend who has since completed his PhD told me that the Pokemon characters were manifestations of evil spirits.  

Well it doesn't stop there either.  Harry Potter is apparently another terrible influence on our children.  Who knows where this evil influence will stop.  Maybe my own children will pick up a broom as a result of this terrible influence.  Or is that a bad thing!

The truth is, that one person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter.  What I consider to be a simple pleasure others deem as evil.  Alcohol, smoking, sex are a few that wear the Jeckle and Hide tags depending on who you are, where you come from and what you believe. 

The pathetic pronouncements of 'religious know it alls' leaves me cold and reeks of a desire for a modern dark age.

[In 1924], J. Frank Norris painted a garish picture of the fate of a girl who took her “first step on the dance floor” and “finds herself in the lustful embrace of a man that is no kin to her.” She “abhors” the experience, but goes “on and on until she, at last can dance her way into hell..., and wreck and ruin of a once fair and beautiful girl is cast out to be trodden under foot of men.”

This is an example how time changes the opinion of whether something is a sin or not.  Few Christians would agree with the all too common attitude of Frank Norris.

What do you think?