Knowledge of Good and Evil

[Traveler]

Recently I had a talk with an individual that was once a member of the Church but has decided to follow a rather different course in life.  We were talking about choices and the right each person has to make choices for themselves.  We agreed on this point but when we got into the concept of good verses evil choices my friend was somewhat upset and voiced that this is the primary problem he has with the church.  He said it was "hateful" to judge others; especially to judge what they are doing as good or evil.  Because my friend is very logical - I challenged his logic.  I pointed out that his matter of judgement that others are likewise "hateful" is, in reality, the same kind of logic that someone employs  in judging something as evil rather than good.  That to call something hateful is logically the same as calling something evil.  I also suggested that in essence it is even worse - because calling something hateful implies a deliberate choice.  Whereas seeing something as evil implies the possibility that the choice was not deliberate but inspired by a lack of understanding or being deceived.   My friend responded that thinking something is evil is also a choice - the same as deciding something is hateful.

I respond to this - that in essence we agree.  That some choices are more beneficial (productive) than others.  I then pointed out that in reality all choices take us in one of two directions.  One direction being liberation and the other, into bondage.  I used the example of money.  That the core purpose of our financial decisions will either liberate us or cause us to become bonded or controlled.  In essence we become a master or our finances or a slave to our finances.  I used this example because my friend is very much into investing so that someday (hopefully soon) will not have to work for anyone else but will have the means to live completely on his investments. 

My friend used the idea of getting a tattoo.  He said that the Church teaches against tattoos but that there really is nothing wrong with getting a tattoo.  My friend is also into saving the environment and not being wasteful.   So I asked how is the choice to get a tattoo any different than plowing a road through a wilderness area?  Some think the road does not take away the beauty of the wilderness but others say it leaves a scar and brings other things into the environment that are not helpful.

 

Why am I posting this to the forum?  The main reason is that both myself and my friend left our discussion thinking we are right and that the other has an opinion that is not consistent with their logic.    I have thought more of this discussion and others that I have had with this person.  They like to believe that G-d loves them the way that they are.  I responded to that with the concept that the only reason to bring G-d into the equation of our view of ourselves is if we desire or intend to improve ourselves - which can only happen if we choose to become free and encourage others to be liberated and free.   Which is an improvement.  But he counters that we must be pleased with ourselves to be free and if we are pleased we do not have to believe we must be better to be free.  To which I respond that nothing is ever accomplished without discipline and there is no discipline without sacrifice.

I think I frustrate my friend - but he keeps coming back for more discussions.  

 

The Traveler