Nothing is bad in itself. For example, if I don't do yoga with other people or with others watching I don't do yoga much or at all. Then I can be called competative ( immature according to Eric Fromm) and an exhibitionist (vain), but how can these two be weaknesses when they actually make me improve my effort? They are actually qualities, used in the right way. If people get annoyed because I show off my flexibility at a yoga class they are competative too, as well as envious. And it's nothing wrong with that as long as they don't express hateful comments or actions, because envy an competition can make them improve themselves.
Nobody is either a coward or brave. Everybody has every quality within them. Everybody has fear too, but everybody can act despite it.
In the Bahai faith we are taught that evil is a lack of goodness. Yes, that is right, appearantly, but inside every person who made an evil act there is goodness. So it is not a lack inside the person, it is a lack in a situation. Unwillingness to answer a call for help.
So, is it unwillingness/uncaring that is the lack of goodness, then? No, one person are not able to help everywhere help is needed. One have to choose where ones qualities are best suited and what needs are most urgent and important. Besides, people are always willing to do something. That is how life is. Even when we go to sleep we answer a need the body has. We care all the time we use our attention. Attention is light. Sometimes the use of light is superficial, sometimes analytical, sometimes deep or embracing. It depends on what the persons mindset is or what he think suits the situation best.
Nothing and noone is evil in itself, but things and people can be abused and misused.
What about sloth? That can't be of any good. Yes. Why do something if there is no motivation for doing it? If it doesn't bear fruit? People can call you lazy because you say no to them, but that is just how it looks like superficially. It can be many reasons for saying no. Sloth is a lack of love, but again: you can't love everything, and must choose.
Vanity then? That is what collects cardinal sins like pride (lack of knowledge and humility , wrath and envy. I think vanity/pride is a substitute for love. It make the person feel valuable when there is no love that can do it. Is that bad then? When perhaps it can prevent depression and suicide? No, in it self pride is a resource. It is not good to shame someone, but then I would criticise the action and motivation for that only. Hubris that is to cause shame on others is the worst act of pride. Pride is self love. No love can be bad.
I really don't believe God created evil. We are influenced by the animal nature and we have fear. Nothing wrong with fear and animals, but a call for love will not be answered by us when we are fearful and proud, as well as unable to put our little self aside. The best distraction when having panick attacks is when someone demands your attention.
Jesus says we should put others first. We all have pride and fear, as well as the other cardinal sins. We must all chose love. Chose to put others needs before our own. God has helped us: When we get children we are forced to put the childs needs before our own. That way we can experience the freedom that comes from forgetting ourselves, the little self, and become a bigger person. We can also experience the satisfaction we get from taking care of others needs and the happiness it may result in and that we can partake in.
Nothing is bad, but something may be better.
Interesting article about the the sins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins#Sloth
Nobody is either a coward or brave. Everybody has every quality within them. Everybody has fear too, but everybody can act despite it.
In the Bahai faith we are taught that evil is a lack of goodness. Yes, that is right, appearantly, but inside every person who made an evil act there is goodness. So it is not a lack inside the person, it is a lack in a situation. Unwillingness to answer a call for help.
So, is it unwillingness/uncaring that is the lack of goodness, then? No, one person are not able to help everywhere help is needed. One have to choose where ones qualities are best suited and what needs are most urgent and important. Besides, people are always willing to do something. That is how life is. Even when we go to sleep we answer a need the body has. We care all the time we use our attention. Attention is light. Sometimes the use of light is superficial, sometimes analytical, sometimes deep or embracing. It depends on what the persons mindset is or what he think suits the situation best.
Nothing and noone is evil in itself, but things and people can be abused and misused.
What about sloth? That can't be of any good. Yes. Why do something if there is no motivation for doing it? If it doesn't bear fruit? People can call you lazy because you say no to them, but that is just how it looks like superficially. It can be many reasons for saying no. Sloth is a lack of love, but again: you can't love everything, and must choose.
Vanity then? That is what collects cardinal sins like pride (lack of knowledge and humility , wrath and envy. I think vanity/pride is a substitute for love. It make the person feel valuable when there is no love that can do it. Is that bad then? When perhaps it can prevent depression and suicide? No, in it self pride is a resource. It is not good to shame someone, but then I would criticise the action and motivation for that only. Hubris that is to cause shame on others is the worst act of pride. Pride is self love. No love can be bad.
I really don't believe God created evil. We are influenced by the animal nature and we have fear. Nothing wrong with fear and animals, but a call for love will not be answered by us when we are fearful and proud, as well as unable to put our little self aside. The best distraction when having panick attacks is when someone demands your attention.
Jesus says we should put others first. We all have pride and fear, as well as the other cardinal sins. We must all chose love. Chose to put others needs before our own. God has helped us: When we get children we are forced to put the childs needs before our own. That way we can experience the freedom that comes from forgetting ourselves, the little self, and become a bigger person. We can also experience the satisfaction we get from taking care of others needs and the happiness it may result in and that we can partake in.
Nothing is bad, but something may be better.
Interesting article about the the sins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins#Sloth
