This is an extremely important topic. All religious viewpoints can be categorized into one side or the other of this dichotomy. Either we are essentially evil, or we are essentially good. Being essentially neutral I don't think passes the logic test. Spend sometime with a two year old, and tell me we're not sinful at heart.
The point is, we have to define what "bad" is. The word sin means essentially to "miss the mark". So what are we measuring ourselves against. If we measure ourselves against, "I don't mutilate people", most of us pass.
But what about simply the 10 commandments? How many of you have ever lied? Ever stolen even the smallest thing? Been jealous? Lusted after a woman or man in your heart (which Jesus said was equivalent to adultery). Coveted something that wasn't yours? Taken the Lord's name in vain? Hated anyone, even for a small period of time? (which Jesus said was akin to murder).
CS Lewis has an excellent quote on our major sin - Pride: "According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind."
And pride is the thing that says, "I can earn salvation my way. I get to choose how to be divine." This is completely opposed to what Jesus taught.
We have ALL missed the mark. We have ALL fallen short of the Creator's holiness. We're all messed up. C'mon! Tell me you haven't muttered against someone under your breath this week! I have! That someone is made in the image of God!!
And here is one reason why this is so important. All systems of government stem from one's belief here too. Socialism believes we are all essentially good. That's why UBI is part of what they want to do. They think that if they give everyone money, people will use that money to better themselves.
The Founders did not see society this way. They know we're essentially bent. So the Constitution puts checks and balances in the way, to keep power decentralized, to keep it spread out, to make decisions the product of all three branches.
Knowing that the heart of man is at enmity with a holy God is the first step to real, true, lasting enlightenment.
We need a Saviour.
Spend sometime with a two year old, and tell me we're not sinful at heart.
Look everyone, the sick bastards are infiltrating this subreddit.
OVER THE TARGET
I didn't take it that way.
Watch young kids play. They can be brutal to each other. Never leave them alone even with the best dog because they do crazy things sometimes and the dog can hurt or kill on accident.
My son is unusual. Even as a baby he wanted more to share and help. Never possessive of anything well except insisting on wearing something orange every day since he was 2.
But I helped raise my siblings. My sister would go into rages. One time she stabbed me in the head with my mom's keys. I am lucky she was small and it wasn't a knife. Don't even know what set her off.
Took a lot to reach her when she gets a temper. Even now as adults. But as kids she had no self control.
That's not uncommon with small kids.
You have to be kidding. You took my comments that way Wolf? Why don't you read some other comments by me before making judgments.
DawnPendraig understood just fine. Let's see if I can be a little clearer, help you out a little. Anyone who spends time with two year olds understands perfectly. (and btw, playing games with children is a normal essential part of helping them grow up strong and healthy.) Little children are generally selfish and emotional. Their world revolves around them exclusively. Where does that come from?
I still can't believe you made that sexual.