Should I be offended when (A respectfully unnamed group) says all humans are immoral and corrupt from birth?

Question

A couple of answers say that if I don't believe it then I shouldn't be offended. Does that go for racial slurs too? If somebody of RaceX makes a negative statement against RaceY then I should not be offended by their statement if I don't believe the slur is true? Sorry but that doesn't make sense to me.

Answer 1

Should a (so respectfully) unnamed group be offended when they are chastised and called ignorant fools?

Why would you take offense if it is not something that you think is valid?

It is interesting in our time of enlightenment there is more war and death than ever.... and it's not religion that's doing that.

And try to see the goodness when there are two 18 month old kids and only one chocolate chip cookie left on the table!

That's not even the point of some respectfully unnamed groups' belief set, though... being born immoral and corrupt... The whole point is that there is a hope.

Things suck.

But there is a hope.

Who can justly criticize somebody for having hope? For believing in something better? For believing in something bigger than themselves?

EDIT.. edit.. edit....
I understand your reasoning about comparing this topic to racist remarks. I guess with the wording of "Should I..." does not correctly reflect the fact that you are indeed offended.

So you are not asking if you should be, but rather that you are, and want a better understanding or just want to rant.

So let's consider what it is that you find so offensive about a belief set that affirms that people tend to be selfish, and must exercise self-control to show kindness and goodness to others. Just the same, there are writings in a particular unnamed group's scriptures that state that even though people mess up, the codes and guidelines that lead to a good life are written on their hearts.

Even though people mess up, they know what is right. Through a life of ignoring those guidelines or a lifetime being trained otherwise, people do make choices about whether or not they do right or wrong.

Interesting question: .... actually I'll save it for myself!

Answer 2

It’s certainly not meant to be disrespectful or offensive; in fact, those that believe that include themselves in that statement. That belief comes from the Bible which teaches that “[b]ecause all people have sinned, they have fallen short of God's glory.” (Romans 3:23). One only has to be minimally observant to see that we all do things that are wrong from time to time. That is what the Bible calls sin. Before you get offended, figure out whether or not it could be true. C.S. Lewis said it well, “Here is a door, behind which, according to some people [said respectfully unnamed group], the secret of the universe is waiting for you. Either that’s true or it isn’t. And if it isn’t, then what the door really conceals is simply the greatest fraud, the most colossal “sell" on record. Isn’t it obviously the job of every man (that is a man and not a rabbit) to try to find out which, and then to devote his full energies either to serving this tremendous secret or to exposing and destroying this gigantic humbug?” I’d encourage you to find out why “A respectfully unnamed group” believes the way they do and don’t simply dismiss it because it’s offensive.

Answer 3

No, I don't think so, but then again, I belong to the group you've declined to name...

Think about it: don't young children lie? Although you may think you're a good person, haven't you ever stolen anything -- a pen from work or a few dollars from your mom's purse? Did you ever look at someone else's test answers? And who hasn't cursed when they whacked their thumb with a hammer?

Conversely, have you EVER met a person who literally NEVER did anything wrong? Sure you haven't.

What does this tell you? That ALL humans have the capacity to do what is wrong. Christians refer to this as "inherited sin" or "original sin." Call it whatever you like, but there's no use denying that even the "best" of us can do evil at times. Some of us do more evil than others; but we all have the capacity to do what is wrong.

Answer 4

You should only be offended if you are without sin. A perfect human would have to have been born perfect, then maintained perfection throughout life. Such a person would rightly be offended at that statement if applied to him/herself.

Given that you are adult enough to read, write, operate a computer and pose intelligent questions, I reckon you won't be offended when I quote from the Bible, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

The bit most people stumble over is the idea that we are born into such a sinful state. They look at a beautiful, perfect-looking baby and say, "How could ANYONE say that child is sinful - corrupt from birth?" It's due to what we inherit that the Bible says we are in that state. It's not our fault what we inherit, but it IS our fault what we choose to do with what we inherit as we grow up. Those who choose to blame God (via attacking Christian scapegoats) for pointing out truth make God out to be a liar. I reckon that's as immoral and corrupt as humans can get.

Answer 5

Name me one person who has never sinned...are you perfect? Have you ever told a lie? If you have you're a liar. Taken something that didn't belong to you? If you have you're a thief. Used God's name as a cussword? You're a blasphemer. Looked at another person with lust? You've committed adultery in your heart.

I don't understand your problem with this statement. Actually the Bible says it clearly: "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him (on Jesus) the iniquity (sins) of us all."

We're all in serious trouble with God; we have each broken many of His Ten Commandments. In certain ways, we are all corrupt in our actions, words, and thoughts. Your sins will be different from mine; but the truth remains we're guilty of breaking God's laws. But the good news: Jesus came to pay the penalty for our sin so that we could be forgiven.

Answer 6

why be offended? it,s a warning not an acusation.
you can heed the warning or ignore it.
a wise man would study to find the truth of this matter.
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would you be offended if i told you to step out of the way of a truck?

Answer 7

~~~Murazor,,,, Only if you're way too sensitive and allow others to dictate your feelings for you. You don't get "offended" when the whole world isn't unanimous with approval of some clothing you bought,,, and you insist on wearing it in public! ,,,,"To thine own self be true,,,"

Answer 8

If you don't believe it, than you don't have to be offended.

I am a Catholic, i believe in the rites of Baptism and the story of the original sin. But i also believe that Jesus' death on the cross saved me, by grace i am saved since fertilization, conception, birth and thru life,... ;-)

Answer 9

If the truth offends you then yes.

Answer 10

It's not a very nice thing to say.