PORTRAITS OF EVIL- INTRODUCTION.
This is a New Topic, that will be discussed on a fairly regular basis. However, I want to make clear the Parameters of the Subject Matter, so you will know what to expect.
First, this is not going to be a History Lesson that revolves around a Debate about the Most Infamous World Leaders of all time. Yes, I know that Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot Etc., Killed Millions of People, and had little regard for Human Life in General. However, since their Actions often Represented Official Domestic and Foreign Policy of the Governments they lead, I place such Analysis in the Realm of Political Science.
The Stories that will be featured in this Section, are of Individuals and Small Groups whose Deeds were considered so Monstrous, that whatever Country or Nation they called Home,would have welcomed Their Immediate Destruction.
Although, they may have started with a Certain Political or Social Agenda, those featured on this page soon Degenerated into the Wanton Bringers of Death, Destruction and Misery that had no Political or Practical Motivations.
What will be Most Shocking, is the Degree of Sympathy and Admiration some of these Ruthless and Murderous Individuals had among sections of the General Population. In Fact, this was often given by Certain Citizens, who as a Recognizable Segment of Society, were the must Victimized.
As an American, I grew up watching T.V. Shows and Movies that would Romanticize some of the Worst Human Beings Imaginable, because of a Pitiful Admiration of the "BAD BOY" Image that seemed to Captivate a Somewhat Disturbed Portion of the Viewing Audience.
My Goal is to Rip Away the Pretense of Respectability that was, and sometimes still is, being spread by those who Look at History Through Rose Colored Glasses.
THE TRUTH HURTS.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
PORTRAITS OF EVIL- WHAT DOES IT MEAN
TO BE EVIL? PT 1.
Quite a Question, isn't it? I can imagine asking a Dozen different people, and getting Twelve separate answers. However, lets try and come up with a Satisfactory Definition that could satisfy Social, Cultural and Ethical Guidelines, while at the same time Satisfying the Rules of Logic and Critical Thinking.
You may have noticed that I Didn't include "Religion'', as a Term that needed to be included in a Universal Definition of Evil.
WHY?
RELIGION, BY ITS VERY NATURE, IS A SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES FAITH AND ADHERENCE TO SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS THAT EXIST OUTSIDE THE REALM OF THE NATURAL WORLD. THEREFORE, ANY SYSTEM OF PROPER MORAL BEHAVIOR THAT IS FOUNDED ON HUMAN REASON AND RATIONAL THOUGHT, CANNOT BE DERIVED FROM RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE. SO ANY DEFINITION OF "EVIL", BEING APPLIED TO HUMAN BEHAVIOR, MUST COME FROM ELSEWHERE.
This is not a Judgment on whether or not Religion is the proper source for finding the Truth about Evil, either the Definition or the Source. However, Since Ethical and Criminal Behavior, in Practical Terms, must be Judged by Legal Systems grounded in the Physical World, THE "SPIRITUAL WORLD" is not a VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.
You have to remember Religious Faith, and any Teachings that stem from such Beliefs, which include Any and All Doctrines about Moral Behavior, are not Revelations to be Denied as Untrue, or even Questioned outside the Realm of a Churches Hierarchy.
The Hierarchy is the Established Authority, within the Particular, Recognizable, and Unique Body of Faith Itself, that Interprets Doctrine from Sources considered to be Divinely Inspired. Decisions are then made, and become Part of Established and Recognized Church Law.
LOOK FOR PART 2.
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