a reply to:
knowledgehunter0986
I gathered that from the OP already. Apparently that idea was quite tricky for you to put in words without claiming or implying both the existence and
non-existence of good and evil as was done in the OP (or somewhat leaving it in the middle, vague and unclear). Of course, someone who may want to
deny or is reluctant to face the existence of their own evil actions and thoughts, ideas, philosophies, etc., may be prepared or even desire to jump
through such hoops (moving past the contradiction without seeing an issue with it in their reasoning). The same counts for those whose conscience is
seared as with a branding iron and who do not want to put in any effort to determin whether their choices in life and their behaviour is good or evil
and possibly make changes, improvements, where they deem it necessary.
Not saying that's you of course.
1 Timothy 4:1,2
However, the inspired word* [Lit., “the spirit.”] clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to
misleading inspired statements* [Lit., “misleading spirits.”] and teachings of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose
conscience is seared as with a branding iron.
The conscience of the people described there at the end has grown numb. Their ability to identify evil actions or teachings (or demonic teachings) is
desensitized like a piece of skin seared with a branding iron. It's the same situation with recognizing certain good and beneficial teachings or
actions (in particular those incompatible with their own desires, see 2 Timothy 4:3,4 again as quoted in my previous comment).
Paul also wrote to Timothy: “O Timothy, guard what is laid up in trust with you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and
from the
contradictions of the falsely called ‘knowledge.’ For making a show of such knowledge some have deviated from the faith.” (1
Timothy 6:20, 21) That “knowledge” also represents the teachings of demons.
In the end, your question at the start of your OP:
Does good and evil even exist?
Only has 2 possible answers, either they exist or they don't. You gave your answer or opinion about it:
In my opinion, I don't think so.
Which is in contradiction with your statement that:
I believe they only exist by virtue of one another, products of relativity.
i.e. "I believe they ... exist...". That's what you're saying there now. Like I mentioned before:
You seem to be unable to make up your mind whether or not good and evil exist...
Of course I understand you can't edit the OP even if my commentary did change your original opinion about the matter that you started the OP with. But
would you agree that your opinion there might be rather poorly phrased compared to what you are saying now?
And we aren't even talking yet about the way you phrased the thread title: "Good
= Evil". I.e. "good is evil" or "good is bad" (a rather
blatant contradiction). But just to touch on that, Isaiah 5:20,21:
20 Woe to those who say that good is bad and bad is good,
Those who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness,
Those who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those wise in their own eyes
And discreet in their own sight!
Proverbs 17:15
15 Anyone who acquits the wicked one and anyone who condemns the righteous one
—Both of them are detestable to Jehovah.
Malachi 2:17
17 “You have made Jehovah weary with your words. But you say, ‘How have we made him weary?’ By saying, ‘Everyone who does bad is good in
the eyes of Jehovah, and he finds pleasure in him,’ or by saying, ‘Where is the God of justice?’”
Ezekiel 18:21-32
21 “‘Now if someone wicked turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps my statutes and does what is just and righteous, he will
surely keep living. He will not die. 22 None of the transgressions that he has committed will be held* [Lit., “remembered.”] against him. He will
keep living for doing what is righteous.’
23 “‘Do I take any pleasure at all in the death of a wicked person?’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘Do I not prefer that he turn away
from his ways and keep living?’
24 “‘But when someone righteous abandons his righteousness and does what is wrong,* [Or “does injustice.”] doing all the detestable things the
wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts that he did will be remembered. For his unfaithfulness and the sin he has committed, he will
die.
25 “‘But you will say: “The way of Jehovah is unjust.” Please listen, O house of Israel! Is it my way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that
are unjust?
26 “‘When someone righteous abandons his righteousness and does what is wrong and dies because of it, he will die for his own wrongdoing.
27 “‘And when someone wicked turns away from the wickedness that he has committed and begins to do what is just and righteous, he will preserve
his own life.* [Or “soul.” See Glossary.] 28 When he realizes and turns away from
all the transgressions that he has committed, he will surely keep living. He will not die.
29 “‘But the house of Israel will say: “The way of Jehovah is unjust.” Is it really my ways that are unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your
ways that are unjust?’
30 “‘Therefore, I will judge each one of you according to his ways, O house of Israel,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘Turn away, yes,
turn completely away from all your transgressions, so that they will not be a stumbling block bringing guilt upon you. 31 Rid yourselves of all the
transgressions you have committed and acquire* [Lit., “make for yourselves.”] a new heart and a new spirit, for why should you die, O house of
Israel?’
32 “‘I do not take any pleasure in the death of anyone,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘So turn back and live.’”
Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But in the end it leads to death.edit on 20-5-2019 by whereislogic because: (no reason given)