Is it possible for a brutal serial killer like Ted Bundy to be concerned and compassionate to the poor?

Question

Ted Bundy is just an example of a brutal, unethical, serial killer - this question isn't restricted to him

My question is can cold blooded killers have compassion, have a care for others, engage in charitable works, or have a deep concern for social justice.
Can they be merciless when they brutally kill a woman and yet be compassionate and emphatic when they see an old beggar woman who needs something to eat?

Can they paradoxically both be very bad and very good simultaneously? Or would it be against their character or nature?

Answer 1

LIKE THE FINE LINE BETWEEN GENIUS & NUTS? JUST
A PARADOX...hmmm

Answer 2

Often Serial Killers suffer from antisocial personality disorder. Many serial killers prey on a particular characteristic their victims have. Take Bundy for instance, if I'm not mistaking... all his victims shared characteristics of his ex girlfriend. I think it is possible for serial killers to have some compassion, care, ect... The BTK Killer was leading a double life. He was an avid church goer and many felt that he was a good christian man only to find out that he had brutally tortured many victims. Eileen Wournos suffered from dissociative personality disorder aka split personality disorder aka Sybil. Her victims were men who were excessively forceful in their sexual interactions w prostitutes (her profession) which had triggered her suppressed memories of youthful sexual abuse and rape. However she was kind to many people who were kind to her and loved several people in her lifetime. Serial killers often severely suffer from a multitude of mental disorders.

I believe that there is good and bad in everyone rather they be christian, pagan, black white green jewish or buddist or whatever they are. I think that even serial killers have some good somewhere inside them but they suppress they tenderness, love and mercy so they can do what it is that they feel they are compelled to do. Some serial killers are impulsive while others are more selective of their victims. Although a serial killer is a muderer, i think they still are capable of good inner qualities, people just have to know them more indepth and seperate the serial killers behavior of murder from the serial killer as a person who is still a fellow human being.

Answer 3

Ted Bundy was a volunteer at a rape crisis center. He worked with a woman named Anne Rule, who authored the book The Stranger Beside Me. She had been a writer of detective stories for years before the Bundy book. She was also the daughter of a cop, and a policewoman herself. If something had seemed amiss, she would have noticed it.

Oftentimes, Bundy would help out Anne and her family, as he was very sympathetic to their problems. I know it goes against all logic, but that's what makes serial murderers and sociopaths all the more frightening --they appear normal to nearly everyone they know.

The BTK Killer was a respected church member and Boy Scout leader.

John Wayne Gacy was a beloved children's entertainer.

Answer 4

Ted Bundy is an example of a psychopath. Psychopaths are *incapable* of any feeling for anyone or anything. That's a part of the mental illness they have. That's what makes them a psychopath. They might DO things to make themselves appear to be compassionate and loving, but they do it as an act. They also do things like that to get attention. ("Look at me, everyone, aren't I just the best, kindest, most thoughtful person you know?") It's a manipulative behavior, not a behavior done out of love or compassion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy

Answer 5

It is possible for a serial killer like Bunday to behave in a normal manner. It however can only come to be by One source. First he must admitt to his guilt. Then realize what he has done. Then if if he is willing and able, go to the only One True Holy Apostolic a Catholic Apostolic Church and have his confession heard be a true Priest. Once he has done this it would be very much advisable that he seek out a group of people who are interested and trying to learn all they can about Christ, His Forgiveness and the way He wants us all to live. The worst person in the world can change if he so desires. He can be forgiven by the Only One Whom has the power to forgive, Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Saviour!!!

Answer 6

I think all things are possible.

I think it more likely that they are sociopaths...meaning they mentally have no compassion or normal emotions due to mental illness. Not that mental illness justifies their actions-they obviously need to be removed from society, but it is the reason. A glitch in the programming results in what we would consider monsters.

Unfortunately, some can be very good at doing day to day things and seeming compassionate-like the BTK guy.

Answer 7

I would say yes. People like Bundy can be very clever and have two separate lives in that regard. But I will tell you, I am not a psychology major, so maybe some one with more knowledge in that area can give you a better answer than I.

Answer 8

There is no such thing as good or bad people, just good or bad acts.
You can't make assumptions on someone's character based on the fact that he/she was a killer. Now I say this and at the same time shutter at the idea of being in the same room as Charlie Manson, but of course bad people can do good things.
Think about someone who normally does good acts doing a bad act. I think we can all picture Oprah killing someone.

Answer 9

No cold blooded killers can not do anything good to society,as a principal ,

But we may not eliminate the possibilities of "real repentance",
we can not measure if one really regrets and want to be a positive person,

it might happen but it is rare.

Answer 10

Bonnie & Clyde were seen as modern day Robin Hood because they gave to the people at times in the Depression, also they robbed the banks that had money while people starved in the streets.

Answer 11

Most likely not. The psychopath does not share the common human trait of compassion. Their psychology is truly monstrous, but very fascinating to study.