Why does cruelty and greed rise to power in this world, while softness and kindness is oppressed?

a reply to: lightofgratitude

Many people in this world with careers and a desire to either contribute to society in some way or just want to make some money so they are not dependent on the state, get caught up in things they would rather not have anything to do with.

Kate Griggs tell the story of her husband who was colonel in the US milit-tree. She found his naked dead body on their front lawn on morning.

Kate's story is will worth listening to because it explains how many people start out good and end up bad. For those seeking an explanation to the OPs question, I strongly recommend they read her story or watch her video about her husband. It's very illuminating, informative and educational.

a reply to: lightofgratitude

Because, this is hell.

a reply to: whereislogic
The last thing I mentioned there is addressing more specifically the term “imposters” at 2 Timothy 3:12. Elsewhere in the Bible the term “schemers of what is harmful” (Romans 1:30) is also used. Although that also includes “inventors of injurious things” as the footnote in the online Bible I'm using mentions.

That would include those using propaganda to demean entire groups of people in order to stir up strife (which can possibly lead to war, terrorism or other acts of violence). Consider, for example, the lies that Martin Luther wrote in 1543 about the Jews in Europe: “They have poisoned wells, made assassinations, kidnaped children . . . They are venomous, bitter, vindictive, tricky serpents, assassins, and children of the devil who sting and work harm.” His exhortation to so-called Christians? “Set fire to their synagogues or schools . . . Their houses [should] also be razed and destroyed.”

Hatred is a strong emotion exploited by propagandists. Loaded language is particularly effective in triggering it. There seems to be a nearly endless supply of nasty words that promote and exploit hatred toward particular racial, ethnic, or religious groups. Some people insult those who disagree with them by questioning character or motives instead of focusing on the facts. Name-calling slaps a negative, easy-to-remember label onto a person, a group, or an idea. The name-caller hopes that the label will stick. If people reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative label instead of weighing the evidence for themselves, the name-caller’s strategy has worked.

Fear is another emotion exploited by propagandists and “schemers of what is harmful”, and it can becloud judgment. In writing about World War I, Winston Churchill observed: “Only a signal is needed to transform these multitudes of peaceful peasants and workmen into the mighty hosts which will tear each other to pieces.” He further observed that when told what to do, most people responded unthinkingly. Fear, hatred and pride were some of the main emotions being played on preceding WW I and the triggers for such violence and cruelty that followed, not to mention the greed associated with what happened during “The Depression of 1920–21”.

More info about the methodology of these “imposters”, can be found in the article linked in my signature (I didnt say much about pride yet in any of my comments so far).

That Thou Art.

a reply to: glend

The appearance is the art that you are.
This appearance is you.... eternally.

a reply to: Itisnowagain

Read my post again - I never said I had free will. Context is everything

a reply to: TheConstruKctionofLight

No one said you did.
It was a rhetorical question.

Not one man in a million can prove he or she would do otherwise
if placed in the same conditions. Unless they understand and practice
the philosophy of the Golden Rule for the Brotherhood of Man.

All moral degeneracy & decadence that produces dysfunction, division &
disunity that disintegrates to inevitable destruction is caused by failure to
understand and practice principles that emulate the Universal Law of Love.

Unfortunately man's insatiable preoccupation with partisan politics,
cultural entertainment, and secular humanistic tripe of moral relativism
will continue to influence a mentality of fear, greed & hatred.

If you seek to serve others, love, peace and kindness, you'll be one of
the few with an influence to stand against noxious conduct.

a reply to: lightofgratitude


For the same reason antelopes don't eat lions. Unfortunately, its the scheme of things. I know there are a lot of studies that show that psychopaths tend to rise to the top in the hierarchy of organizations because they are sociopaths, ruthless, and mask those qualities with a faux charisma. Add to that they are incapable of empathy towards others and as a result they have no problem using any means to get what they want, and it starts to make sense.

a reply to: openminded2011

Seems one would be hard pressed to find any type of leader, whom didn't show sociopathic behavior.
They have modeled the corporations, institutions, and organizations after themselves.

Personally avoid them like the plague.

Asked a wise man about that once. His answer:
"It is not necessary to ask why there are foxes and wolves in the forest. One must merely prepare oneself in consequence."

originally posted by: openminded2011
a reply to: lightofgratitude


For the same reason antelopes don't eat lions.

I didn't really notice a reason in the OP. What reason for cruelty and greed, or violence, were you referring to? Was it in order to be "succesful" and to "rise to power", using the the terms in the OP? That could be a reason or motivation for someone to become cruel, be greedy and/or act with violence towards others. At least they might see it as 'being succesful' (things such as the accumulation of material possessions, wealth and/or power or influence over others).

One dictionary defines materialism as “a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things.” Would you agree that materialism involves much more than simply having abundant wealth or possessions? Materialism is rooted in our desires, our priorities, and our focus in life. Two Bible examples at Jeremiah 45:4, 5 and Luke 12:16-21 help us to see that an individual is materialistic, not because of how much he has, but because of putting a priority on material things. The apostle Paul stated: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) It is the determination to be rich and the love of material things that cause problems.

This affects the so-called “elite” or “establishment” or those deemed to be succesful and powerful by many as much as it does those who vote for them, work for them, or otherwise serve their needs or perhaps even look up at them wanting to be as 'succesful' (the masses, by some people referred to as the 99%).

Oh, I just realized, the reason you probably meant to refer to as an answer to the "why" question in the thread title is 'because that's just the way it is'. But that's not a very satisfying answer, more like the type of answer a parent might give a child that asks why something is a certain way, and after the parent gets tired answering all the questions of the child, they just answer with: "because." (not even spelling out "because that's the way it is" anymore, even though that's not an answer but a mere repetition of the observational part of the question, the reason the child asks "why", or if necessary, repeats, "but WHY" with emphasis, indicating the 'why' was never given with the first answer).

Because we are still a lower form of animal, with the mentality of Survival of the Fittest - - both physical and power/wealth.

Emotions without logic - - are also a lower form. Emotional compassion (and religious belief) without realism/logic do not create an evolving society.

There does seem to be a consciousness movement of human evolvement - - but, its still kind of underlying.

Give it another hundred years.

originally posted by: whereislogic
...
Can violent people change?

What people say:

Violence is simply a reflection of human nature, which does not change.

What the Bible says:

Put away “wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk.” It also says: “Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality.” (Colossians 3:8-10) Is God asking too much of us? No. People can change. ...
...
Will violence ever end?

What people say:

Violence has always been with us and always will be.

What the Bible says:

“Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more . . . But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:10, 11) ...

Isn't it curious how well so many comments in this thread match the bolded parts above as to "what people say" and every time it's the opposite of what the Bible says. Almost as if it is by design that people have been led to think and argue that way (compare Isaiah 5:20,21, see quotation in the whole comment partially quoted above).

Revelation 12:9

9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.

Which brings us to the 'why'-question in the OP as well as why people think and talk the way they do about violence as described in the bolded parts. Because “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” (1Jo 5:19) his traits are reflected in popular attitudes toward violence, but also the opinions and ideas about violence he wants people to have are reflected in human society, as described in the bolded parts. This in turn affects human behaviour and results in the situation described in the thread title and OP with the approval and help from “the god of this system of things” (2Cor 4:4), referring to this same “wicked one” who is pulling the strings behind the scene. So that's why, that's the cause of the effect inquired about in the thread title and desribed in the OP. But as discussed earlier, the situation can be changed on a personal level and it will be changed on a global scale.

I would like to reiterate that any variation of the type of answers such as: 'that's just the way it is, that's just the way nature operates, it is simply a reflection of human nature, it's just nature', etc.; is not a very satisfying answer to the 'why (is it that way)' question.

I think it's an excellent question to discuss and its related question at the end of the OP. Such a short unsatisfying answer as described above (or those that invoke animal behaviour without seemingly considering the differences with human behaviour and nuances in the meaning of words such as "cruelty" and "greed", which do not apply to animals acting on instinct), is also unsatisfying in that sense, regarding further discussion. It's the type of answer that shows the 2 questions haven't been given much thought.

The “understanding heart is one that searches for knowledge”; it is not satisfied with a mere superficial view but seeks to get the full picture. (Pr 15:14)

Not exactly the type of attitude that Satan wants his (potential) slaves and victims of brainwashing, conditioning and indoctrination to have. He prefers his (potential) victims (“the whole world”) to have a short attention span that favors a mere superficial view of such subjects. Especially those subjects that draw any attention to the evidence for his existence (cause and effect, an effect is evidence of a cause).

Watch this from 1:13:00

It explains how Egypt went wrong and the wise lessons with it which apply's on the world we live in today:

originally posted by: whereislogic

originally posted by: openminded2011
a reply to: lightofgratitude


For the same reason antelopes don't eat lions.

I didn't really notice a reason in the OP. What reason for cruelty and greed, or violence, were you referring to? Was it in order to be "succesful" and to "rise to power", using the the terms in the OP? That could be a reason or motivation for someone to become cruel, be greedy and/or act with violence towards others. At least they might see it as 'being succesful' (things such as the accumulation of material possessions, wealth and/or power or influence over others).

One dictionary defines materialism as “a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things.” Would you agree that materialism involves much more than simply having abundant wealth or possessions? Materialism is rooted in our desires, our priorities, and our focus in life. Two Bible examples at Jeremiah 45:4, 5 and Luke 12:16-21 help us to see that an individual is materialistic, not because of how much he has, but because of putting a priority on material things. The apostle Paul stated: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) It is the determination to be rich and the love of material things that cause problems.

This affects the so-called “elite” or “establishment” or those deemed to be succesful and powerful by many as much as it does those who vote for them, work for them, or otherwise serve their needs or perhaps even look up at them wanting to be as 'succesful' (the masses, by some people referred to as the 99%).

Oh, I just realized, the reason you probably meant to refer to as an answer to the "why" question in the thread title is 'because that's just the way it is'. But that's not a very satisfying answer, more like the type of answer a parent might give a child that asks why something is a certain way, and after the parent gets tired answering all the questions of the child, they just answer with: "because." (not even spelling out "because that's the way it is" anymore, even though that's not an answer but a mere repetition of the observational part of the question, the reason the child asks "why", or if necessary, repeats, "but WHY" with emphasis, indicating the 'why' was never given with the first answer).

I think cruelty occurs for one of two reasons: Either the person initiating it is emotionally damaged to the point where they feel no empathy for others, or people are cruel to gain power in some fashion. Some things just don't have a concise answer. Sort of like trying to quantify why the Earth formed. It did and we are here, now we just have to deal with being here.

a reply to: lightofgratitude

The answer is selfless, compassionate suffering is the most perfect tool to cleanse your spirit from worldly attachments, by voluntarily setting your mind and will solely towards God.

originally posted by: lightofgratitude
The most victorious in violence, rise to power and have huge influence.
The most greedy gain the most money and have the most influence.
It takes 9 months to bring a human into this world but they can die in 1 instant.
Something built for years can be destroyed in an instant.
The free-will of the master does away with the free-will of the slave.


Why would A Good God or Metaphysical Laws allow this?

Here those you speak of thrive beyond here it may be more complex then fame, popularity and financial status.
Many of them doubt a afterlife that would reflect back upon their spirits in the
meta-realms the ignorance they projected upon others here in the physical. So to them they are doing what they feel they must to survive and provide for their families and or love ones, even if it involves stepping on the next man/woman to do it. They feel and hope oddly that once they die that that is it and what they did during life won't matter.
I guess the energy they projected during life if malevolent begins to shed and then mirror back upon them as they realize it actually is just beginning again as the Archons or similar conscious entities prevalent wherever such souls attract/attach to greet them directly to ask of their actions during life.

So there to me is a point of balance. It is just not fully perceived by or considered by many of those currently living who may be the source of the issues in your Op.