what is the "real" "BS free" root of all evil?

Claiming possession of things & land?

Assuming that we share the same definition of evil, I would say that desire is its root.

Imagine a spirit or an apparition roaming through the world who had no desires. They were on CNN, they were interviewed by Larry King and Opra. They look mostly transparent and their voice sounds like it's coming from a tunnel.

They don't eat or sleep. They have no possessions. They carry nothing and cannot move any solid object. They can only affect change through others and the perceptions of themselves as they appear and talk to people.

This being would be considered evil or good based on what they said, right?

But stop right there.

How are YOU feeling about this being?

Based on everything I have described, don't you assume that they are good? When your intellect is confronted with a being who does not need anything in this world, don't you naturally assume they are good?

I think its because deep down inside we understand our own desires and the temptation of committing acts of evil to satisfy them, and a person with no desires wouldn't be evil.

This exercise has been about our unconscious perception of ourselves. We know we are evil or have the capacity for evil because of our needs and desires.

I just heard john lennon's imagine on a commercial. i really think it's desire. desire for status, power, some material possession. in the animal world, it's dog eat dog; that's just the way it is. but as humans, we have reason and a host of complex emotions that allow us to be more than just desire satsifiers, so to speak, and act like lower animals. what i'm overlooking though is that some peoples' base desires--like food, clothing, and shelter aren't satisfied, so in that sense, these people are beyond this moral judgment we're making and not in a position to make the world a better place or even to think in terms of good and evil.

I tend to agree with you especially when I think of a song that says the root of all evil is the almighty dollar but, in God we trust all others pay cash.

as the saying goes.."the love of money is the root of all evil", i dont agree!

I believe it is selfishness that is the root of all evil....

loving money doesn't cover

~lies of various nature (attempting to improve ones odds at any given thing)

~cheating spouses (caring about only their own emotional fulfillment)

~senseless murders (attempting to look kewl in the eyes of a gang, trying to fit in, etc..)

~gossip (spreading rumors to make someone look bad for no real given reason)

~as well as money (any various act that is done without morals for personal monetary gain)

~etc.. the list goes on and on (think of a few on your own)

selfishness on the other hand can cover any act of true evil there is, whether it be major or minor.

edit: i like the simple answer above (fear) fear is a root of selfishness but not necessarily in all cases. (i.e: money,power,etc....some people are just naturally selfish whether it be a mental disorder or raised that way)

Religion.

"Evil" only exists in the context of religion, and is subjective based on religious beliefs. Get rid of religion and people will not reach a consensus on what is "evil." But religion defines "evil" for all practical purposes.

what is the "real" "BS free" root of all evil?

~~~ 'Thought'!

It is as 'thought', alone, that 'good' and 'evil', 'life' and 'death'... exist!

Sans 'thought', there can be no 'evil' perceived. (Hence, eye of the beholder/perceiver...)

There is no 'judgmental-thought', there simply is what is!

"We Are That We Are!" - 'Self!'

tat tvam asi

Justin Beiber

The little prick is tearing down the fabric of our society.

The desire to eradicate evil.

Hamish is correct its Religion! Religion in the hands of stupid people.