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Let's say someone commits murder and gets away with it. It is possible that person can just resume their lives as the same person they were before? Or would that fundamentally change you as a person?
I'm not referring to killing someone out of self defense, as a soldier or anything like that. I'm referring to plain old murder; like killing someone you don't like.
Could that person realistically just return to their life as normal? Or have they crossed a point of no return?
I'm specifically referring to someone who has not been punished for murder. Criminals who have served time at least have some sort of redemption through paying for their crimes.
@vivify saidOur actions, words, inactions all shape us into who we are. Lying makes us liars, murders make us murders; it doesn't matter that other people are aware of our deeds; in reality, these are the things we have done.
Let's say someone commits murder and gets away with it. It is possible that person can just resume their lives as the same person they were before? Or would that fundamentally change you as a person?
I'm not referring to killing someone out of self defense, as a soldier or anything like that. I'm referring to plain old murder; like killing someone you don't like.
Co ...[text shortened]... riminals who have served time at least have some sort of redemption through paying for their crimes.
Biblically speaking, everything done and said all matters, and all the secret things done by us on the day of judgment would be on full display for God and everyone to see nothing will remain secret. So there isn't going to be its all water under the bridge; we will stand in front of the timeless one to give an account for what we did in all the time we were given.
@vivify said“Out damned spot,” Lady MacBeth.
Let's say someone commits murder and gets away with it. It is possible that person can just resume their lives as the same person they were before? Or would that fundamentally change you as a person?
I'm not referring to killing someone out of self defense, as a soldier or anything like that. I'm referring to plain old murder; like killing someone you don't like.
Co ...[text shortened]... riminals who have served time at least have some sort of redemption through paying for their crimes.
I think it would change any sane person, and I have known soldiers who were changed by killing (in the line of duty, not murder), though it might not change a psychopathic killer.
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@vivify saidWell, the Apostle Paul murdered, Moses murdered someone, King David murdered someone, and, he killed many in battle; and, none of them went to prison for the murders they committed. So, there is no such thing as a "point of no return;" not on this earth anyway.
Let's say someone commits murder and gets away with it. It is possible that person can just resume their lives as the same person they were before? Or would that fundamentally change you as a person?
I'm not referring to killing someone out of self defense, as a soldier or anything like that. I'm referring to plain old murder; like killing someone you don't like.
Co ...[text shortened]... riminals who have served time at least have some sort of redemption through paying for their crimes.
All above repented and turned to God for the rest of their lives soon after the murders they committed. However, God did hold them accountable with consequences for their murders in other ways. Other than that, I really could not say.
@fmf saidYes, the human condition is broken; it isn't what should be; now you may think this is all normal, no big deal, you can accept it as just life.
Telling yourself this no doubt gives you solace and helps you make sense of the human condition.
@kellyjay saidOr I could just convince myself that some kind of supernatural being ~ who thinks the same as you do about how things should be ~ is simply going to make everything OK someday, and he will have all the bad people "stand before him" as he decides who/who not to torture, and THAT is normal, right?
Yes, the human condition is broken; it isn't what should be; now you may think this is all normal, no big deal, you can accept it as just life.
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@kellyjay saidWhat is it that makes you claim that I think evil is "no big deal"? Or that I "accept it"? What makes you feel the need to project such things onto me when you know, full well, from our long conversations about morality that I do NOT think evil is "no big deal"?
Yes, the human condition is broken; it isn't what should be; now you may think this is all normal, no big deal, you can accept it as just life.
@vivify saidThis is an interesting question. Personally, I think everything we do and experience changes us ~ maybe in a massive way, maybe in a minuscule way, or maybe it's a subtle "change" like reaffirming a perspective or undermining it slightly.
Let's say someone commits murder and gets away with it. It is possible that person can just resume their lives as the same person they were before? Or would that fundamentally change you as a person?
I'd say whenever someone does something "bad" and "gets away with it", that experience gets fed into their moral compass and it might cause regret or it might embolden someone. But the change, such as it is, might be imperceptible. It will depend on the conscience of each person.
You are talking, though, about "fundamental change". It would be interesting to hear what kind of "change" you have in mind and what it is about it that makes it "fundamental".
@fmf saidThe only way a should be could hold the whole human race to it if the authority were above us, greater than us. We all acknowledge things done unfairly or not in a good way; we complain to the one who wronged us, which shows we expect them to be aware they did something wrong. Just as when we are accused of doing someone wrong, we come up with excuses or rationale that justifies our actions; if it didn't matter, why would anyone complain or excuse themselves for a cause?
Or I could just convince myself that some kind of supernatural being ~ who thinks the same as you do about how things should be ~ is simply going to make everything OK someday, and he will have all the bad people "stand before him" as he decides who/who not to torture, and THAT is normal, right?
Why would everyone anywhere feel the need to be treated correctly or justify themselves when they do something that others perceive as wrong. It has been going on forever in the human race without exception, regardless of time, location, or culture, so it is a truth we all are aware of this human rule of proper behavior. If this were purely a cultural thing, we have had different cultures throughout history, and we judge them as if they should know better; we don't make those rules if we did; how could we judge when those rules change from person to person?
@vivify saidI have a twist I'd like you to ponder, MMO games where we are acting out in a virtual world. Do you think behaving in those games could alter a personality, maybe not as dramatically as killing someone in real life, but if done enough times in a virtual world, could that affect a person. Taking on a good or evil character's persona, would doing evil things touch your real life?
Let's say someone commits murder and gets away with it. It is possible that person can just resume their lives as the same person they were before? Or would that fundamentally change you as a person?
I'm not referring to killing someone out of self defense, as a soldier or anything like that. I'm referring to plain old murder; like killing someone you don't like.
Co ...[text shortened]... riminals who have served time at least have some sort of redemption through paying for their crimes.
@kellyjay saidThen, be my guest, if it helps you cope with the bad stuff going on around us, tell yourself that there definitely is a "greater authority than us" that is "above us".
The only way a should be could hold the whole human race to it if the authority were above us, greater than us.
@kellyjay saidIf you would not feel the need to conduct yourself in a morally sound way ~ like murdering someone ~ without your belief in supernatural causality and a divine lawgiver ~ then I understand.
Why would everyone anywhere feel the need to be treated correctly or justify themselves when they do something that others perceive as wrong?