Are You Born That Way?
Yesterday as we sat around the dinner table, we talked about the talks that were given during church. As most conversations do, it took a slight turn. Kristin was talking about how one of her friends at school was asking questions about the church. Baptism came into the discussion, and she was able to tell the story of her baptism. She had to go under three times. Yes three! We believe the prayer should be said perfectly, and that the person should be immersed entirely. Long story short, it took three attempts. This moved the conversation to the Catholic faith--which Rich grew up Catholic--and how in their faith you are baptized as a baby. This in turn led to another conversation.
In one of her classes, Kristin's teacher asked the class if people are born good, neutral, or evil. She had them stand at certain points in the room according to their opinion. Kristin, being young, and seeing good in everyone chose "neutral." I didn't. I am of the opinion that there are some people who are born with evil in them. I don't like that I feel that way, but I seen too much, and I know I have yet to see more.
When I was about my daughter's age, there was a scary man loose in my area. He was raping and murdering women. Women of all ages. He was evil. He was dubbed, "The Night Stalker." It was the middle of summer, we had no air conditioning and we slept with our windows shut. I slept with a bat by my bed. A wooden bat. Old and splintered. Additionally my softball trophy with the marble base was within my grasp--and I was well practiced. I was not going down without a fight. I was scared, but he was not going to "get me." He was caught in a neighboring city and beat by the neighborhood watch crew. He is on death row. Despite that, he still strikes me as evil. In a court room stock footage, he looked at the camera and grinned. He was quoted as saying he was going to "Disneyland." He gives me the eeebie jeebies. There are others: Ted Bundy and Jeffrey R. MacDonald who were seemingly "normal" well liked individuals. When in reality they were calculating, and "monsters."
What is your opinion? Are people born evil? Or are we born neutral, and then grown into good or evil?
Comments
I personally don't think people are born with evil in them.
Though, I believe some people are more inclined than others to make poor choices because of personality traits they are born with. Then, abuse or mental illness can also add to that. But I think letting evil take hold of you is a choice.
Well being a former therapist, I'd say that many factors go into what people turn into, even if they were born with certain "traits". A combo of their personality, coping skills, upbringing, experiences and society shape who they become. I mean look, even serial killer "Dexter" now only kills the "baddies." :-)))