Humankind has the capacity to do great good,
but also the
potential to commit evil.
As a result of my extensive research and experience I have
discovered a troubling reality. There can be a thin line that
separates each of us from committing wrong doing or criminal
behavior. If we are exposed to certain negative conditions, we
all have the capacity to fail and falter.
There are two distinct forces at work in human
behavior that often times are dismissed by the social sciences. They
can simply be characterized as good and bad behaviors from our
personal "free will" to choose right or wrong.
I do not
disregard the valuable study and empirical research of
crime as poverty, lack of education, addictions, and mental
health are all valid issues that contribute to crime, but
they are mostly secondary to the primary cause which
concerns the deceitful condition human heart.
The history of
human kind and the actions of some criminals can only be
classified as "evil." The Bible makes it abundantly clear
that there are various forms of evil in our world. The
reality of personal sin is very real and active in our day
to day life, none of us are without sin. If we do not accept
these two truths of sin and evil, we will never understand
negative human behavior.
Five cases of deception and poor
choices in life:
- AIG (American International Group) - The
extreme greed of this organization and other Wall Street players
triggered the global collapse of 2008 and a world financial
crisis continues as economies struggle with staggering debt.
- Wealthy and popular Martha Stewart risked her financial empire
for a fraction of her riches and this greed cost her time in
jail.
- Legendary football player and movie star OJ Simpson,
convicted to 33 years in prison. He didn't learn anything from
the murder trial of his wife, Nicole Brown!
- A beloved and respected President Clinton
commits sexual indiscretions in the White House. Do we all have
weaknesses and times of poor judgment?
- Colonel Russell Williams
formally of the Canadian
Armed Forces was a highly respected rising star destined for
greater achievements in his illustrious career.
He shocked and bewildered everyone after he was charged with two
gruesome sexual murders. He also invaded a number of homes
and stole women's lingerie and then would video tape himself
modeling this apparel.
Comment: I never really understood my own
failures and could not find the answers or solutions. The practical
and acceptable reasons for my negative behavior left me unconvinced.
There had to be other explanations and motives beyond a financial
crisis. There was a "missing link" with my behavior and I found it!
