Are people born good or bad?

Question

do u think that peole are born good or bad or that societ changes them give examples and concrete evidence on why u think so

Answer 1

some people try to argue that there is genetic traits that can lead a person to commit crimes, that there is some predisposition, but any evidence leading in that direction is really limited and there isn't much support for it.
No matter if people are born that way or not, our family and society does play an important part in shaping our lives, some people witness violence at home -maybe the father hitting their mum and boys might grow up thinking that is ok, where as others would know that is wrong and do all they can to not be like that - so chances are there is a bit of both, that there is some part of our brain that knows when a behavior is wrong and for people who are bad that part doesn't work too well.

Answer 2

Depends on what you believe about the source of good and evil. Biblically speaking, all people are born sinners and will seek only their own desires unless taught how to control pride.

The musical WICKED, based on the book by that name which tells the life story of the Witch of the West in Oz, specifically attempts to find an answer to this question. When asked by a Munchkin why people are wicked, Glinda responds, "That's a good question. Are people born wicked, or do people have wickedness thrust upon them? After all [the witch] had a father. She had a mother. As so many do. And from the moment she was born, she was, well... different. And so you see, it couldn't have been easy."

Jesus, I think, summed up the matter when He said, "Only God is good." And the Old Testament, in echo of this, says with conviction, "Shall mortal man be more pure than his Maker?" True, people can do good DEEDS, but that doesn't make a person inherently good. I'm sure even Hitler did a few good deeds. So, if only God is good, the only way for mankind to attain true goodness is to be made one with God. But how can pure goodness join with anything less than perfection. Ahhh, now THAT'S what the gospel is all about.

Answer 3

Personally I think all people are born good, even people who end up doing terrible things in their lives.
Hitler was a normal child with a somewhat normal upbringing in Austria. Only when he was in High School did he start reading anti-semitic philosophers and start getting influenced by the current ideas in Eugenics that he became influenced to join the German Army and move up the ranks to eventually become the leader of the Nazi Party. he was deeply influenced by writers, societal trends, and many of the people he had in constant company around him to do the things he would do later in life. I don't think it was a matter of his being born evil at all-- it's got everything to do with how nutured you are, what kind of ideas you fall prey too, and how vulnerable you are to negative influence and any mental defects that may cause you to do awful things.

Answer 4

I believe at any age you can be influenced, 'N' teens ten to get influenced most 'N' so society changes them, but in the end, it was there choice. Plus parents raise their children, whether a good way, a bad way. or even just so little or even so much, that it affects the child.

If people were born bad or good, then it would be in their destiny. So that can only be answered if you believe in destiny or not and you whether you think it's set in stone or not.

Example: I know one girl who changed a young mans life around. She was there for him, she talked to him, she didn't turn away from him. she didn't shun him and she didn't care about his past. Not, all too much anyways... She knew 'N' knows that it's his future that she should really be concerned about. Plus she didn't say "oh you poor dear!" every time he told her about this past.

I don't have 'evidence' to give, but even if I did, I wouldn't give. Not to sound rude, just being honest. So, there you have it.

Answer 5

A better question is why you (or more probable; Yahoo! Answers) grouped this as a Gay/Lesbian/etc issue. Maybe it's the "people born.." and it sparked that. Next time check the topic (you can change it).

But anywayz I think people are born good, but we each make conscious decisions to do evil. It all depends on what society considers evil though. And from a Christian perspective, people sin because of temptation, but I'd imagine they're born good.

Hope this answers your question, maybe not the most concrete evidence though.

Answer 6

Interesting question. I think people are born neutral, neither good nor bad until they start actually doing good or bad things.

Such as, how is it fair to call a baby a "good" or "bad" person when it has done nothing? A newborn baby cannot distinguish good or bad, therefore it cannot do any good or bad things until it reaches a cognitive level to be able to distinguish between the two.

Also, I dont think people are necessarily all "good" or all "bad". It seems to me that people tend to be just a mix of each.

Answer 7

For the most part, people's experiences make them good or bad.

But remember that "good" and "bad" can be relevant terms. If you saw life was others see it, you might interpret things differently.

Also, some people have brain damage and either lack any inhibitions at all, even though they do know right from wrong, they simply act out on impulse.

Answer 8

I believe people are naturally prone to be selfish, therefore people have an inborn tendendancy to be bad. People have to choose to be good.

I have always been amazed by the curious similarity between the biblical description of the natural man, and the nature of man according to evolutionary principles. Both perceive man as a selfish creature at heart, looking out for his own interests. It is not "natural" for a man to be concerned for the welfare of others unless there is something in it for him.

I have wondered if our sin nature is somehow enveloped by biology, or, to be more specific, genetics. Could it be that some genetic connection to our sin nature at least partially explains why "there is none righteous, there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God"

Answer 9

They aren't born good or bad, they are born with a 'clean slate' in terms of their subconscious (where they will later put their beliefs and habits). Once they are born they will acquire the beliefs of the parent figures in their lives. These rudimentary beliefs will help mold their personality, and will make up the large part of their dominant persona later in life. Of course as they grow older they will be approached with many beliefs which they will weigh using the beliefs they got from their parents/guardians. Most of this has been scientifically tested, and is a very common belief for legitimate psychologists, even though I don't care to look for a source. Toodles!

Answer 10

I think they are born good with a tendency toward bad because of the influences of the people around them.