The Laughing Wolf

Yes, I Do Believe In Right And Wrong

I simply do not think they are the sole province and determination of any one sect of Christianity. It never ceases to amaze me how some people can twist things around. The fact that I refuse to label myself a Christian seems to really set some people off, and to others it also means that I can have no concept of right and wrong, or morality in general.

For what it is worth, I do believe in right and wrong. I think there are certain moral precepts that transcend religions and most definitely political posturing by those claiming to or actually practicing a given religion. I think there are certain things that almost all religious and spiritual practices can agree are wrong. In fact, I will go so far as to say that it can be very simple.

The fact is, what lies at the root of sin or evil, is fairly easy to determine. I feel that it boils down to two concepts: force and harm. If we force something on another, and it harms them, then it is wrong. Murder is wrong. Rape is wrong. Stealing is wrong. It is not a hard concept. This has been around for ages, and is the base of many laws and legal systems.

Where the problems almost always come in is with those who want to add their own fears, or rampant grabs for power, to the equation. Somehow, the idea that someone may have fun somewhere, sometime is a real problem for some. What this boils down to, however, is that it means that you want power over others.

What harm does it do you if someone drinks? Smokes? Is nude in their home or on private property? Looks at a dirty photograph? Is not individual choice the root of Christianity and most other religions? Does the phrase “This choice is given unto you…” ring any bells? Demonstrate to me the harm that is done unto you, and I will begin to consider your arguments.

Is war bad? Yes, and anyone who has been there will tell you that. Is it evil? It can be. Is any defense of your home, hearth, and ideals wrong? No. What is wrong? Attempting by force of arms to force your way onto others. The war on the terrorists seeking to destroy our way of life, our culture, our civilization is not wrong. We were not the ones who attacked innocents in pursuit of our cause. We were not the ones who declared war. We are defending our hearths and our homes. Deal with it.

Are guns evil? No. Is a given use of a gun bad? That depends on the use. If I take a gun out and rob someone with it, that is wrong. If I use my gun to defend myself or others against a robber, that is not wrong. It is, in fact, a good act.

People, guns are not evil or a sin. Nudity is not evil or a sin. The giving of compassion is not a sin. It is the use to which it is put that determines if it was for good or evil. To attempt to use any one thing to control, coerce, or manipulate another against their will simply to have secular power is wrong, and a sin. Don’t like alcohol? Don’t buy it. Think a book is evil, sexy, whatever? Don’t buy it. Don’t like a commercial, think it sets a bad tone? Don’t watch it. Hate what an artist stands for? Don’t support them in any way, shape, or form. That is your right and your duty to your beliefs and your faith.

If you truly do live right, then what others do has no effect upon you. If you feel strongly about it, talk to them, attempt to convert them to your way of thinking. To demand that others live as you wish you could/would live, but are not strong enough to live, is wrong. What faith have you if you can tolerate no temptation? If the mere fact that someone else is looking at, drinking, smoking, or otherwise doing something you feel to be wrong is enough to send you off your nut, then you have a real problem and no faith.

Do unto others, but for heaven’s sake don’t force your weaknesses and your lapses unto them. Have the strength, the moral fiber, to stand up for your beliefs all on your own. Don’t demand laws to give you a crutch, or an entire scaffold for your existence. That is no service to others, or to yourself. There is enough true evil in the world that needs to be fought, so let’s concentrate on that.

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