James,
There are some 4 billion people in the world. Are there some that are born that have greater amounts of inherently "bad" or "good" qualities? Of course there are. Just as some are born tall or short, there are some who are extremely tall(over 7 feet) and there are some who are extremely short (under 4 3/4 feet). The reality is that the vast majority fall into a grouping of one-two standard deviations on the bell curve.
Just as in the example of height, the majority of people have both positive and negative aspects to their personalities. Some more of one side than another, but most fall into the one-two standard deviations on that same bell curve.
Of the vast majority of people within those two standard deviations (which if I remember correctly is 95%) the vast majority of those will be positively effected by a strong and deep sense of self respect and love for themselves and for others.
To view those 3.8 billion people (95% of 4 billion) as inherently evil, or predisposed to being evil, is a view of life that is not only wrong in my opinion, but is one based on extreme levels of fear.
To view those people as individuals, with varying degres of good and bad, but certainly capable of being good is not being a dreamer or unrealistic. On the other hand I think it is a very rational and realistic view that acocunts for both the varying degrees of qualities in different individuals, and also the inherent desire within all people to love and be loved.
Mark
Obviously these are only my opinions, but they are opinioons that I hold a very deep conviction in. |
