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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Monkeyoga on November 4, 2005, at 11:43:28
I used to deny that there was such a thing as evil (except for the New Jersey Devils), but after battling depression for years, I am convinced that it is pure, unadulterated evil. The real tragedy is that, unlike with other "vices" that some people might call "not of God," you don't really have a choice in the matter.
Posted by Gee on November 4, 2005, at 16:22:18
In reply to Depression is pure evil, posted by Monkeyoga on November 4, 2005, at 11:43:28
That was the same idea that I had!!!
Posted by lynn971 on November 6, 2005, at 21:17:19
In reply to Depression is pure evil, posted by Monkeyoga on November 4, 2005, at 11:43:28
It is definitaly pure evil. Do you mind if I ask what vices are you talking about?
Posted by Monkeyoga on November 6, 2005, at 21:35:39
In reply to Re: Depression is pure evil » Monkeyoga, posted by lynn971 on November 6, 2005, at 21:17:19
By vices I really meant other forms of evil. The language I am using is influenced by this "Jesus for Dummies" discussion group I'm in, in which evil was defined as anything that "separates you from God." I agree with this in principle, but I think its more of a universal truth than the particular message of any one religion. To me, the divine is accessible in all of us, and different religions and/or philosophies simply offer different means to access it. Sorry to answer more than you asked -- I guess I feel the need to clarify my perspective a little :-)
-Jamie
> It is definitaly pure evil. Do you mind if I ask what vices are you talking about?
>
Posted by lynn971 on November 6, 2005, at 22:57:14
In reply to Re: Depression is pure evil » lynn971, posted by Monkeyoga on November 6, 2005, at 21:35:39
Ohhhhh!!! Lol I thought you meant that you would counter act depression with some type of destructive behavior.
Posted by Monkeyoga on November 6, 2005, at 23:16:58
In reply to Re: Depression is pure evil, posted by lynn971 on November 6, 2005, at 22:57:14
Well, no -- um, unless -- well, did you have anything in particular in mind?:-)
> Ohhhhh!!! Lol I thought you meant that you would counter act depression with some type of destructive behavior.
>
>
Posted by Spector on December 31, 2005, at 2:23:10
In reply to Depression is pure evil, posted by Monkeyoga on November 4, 2005, at 11:43:28
I am in a three year depression that has ground my life to a complete stop and filled it with unending crippling terror. I have thought about the evil question a lot. A very lot. As you wrote, it feels like "pure, unadulterated evil." I have described it as torture, pure unmitigated torture, many many times and I think accurately.
But then I wonder, does not evil have to be perpetrated by someone, some being, some entity? I suppose you might be implying that it is the Devil, either literally or figuritively. I did not grow up with a religious structure and do not know what I think of the existence of the Devil.
But it certainly feels like pure evil. And it certainly does a terribly good job of separating me from God. Or, at least, making me feel separated from God and alone in a way no other experience can.
Spector
Posted by Declan on January 13, 2006, at 1:52:31
In reply to Re: Depression is pure evil, posted by Spector on December 31, 2005, at 2:23:10
What about the problem of suffering in general? I really don't want to suggest anything in particular, and I don't know your circumstances, but suffering has been around for a bit, and as you would know it also means to allow. When my mother was depressed she was most concerned about good and evil, but naturally she thought she was evil rather than the depression. The shrinks kept trying to keep it value free, which didn't help her much. Nothing seemed to anyway, except the experience and time. Please accept these rambling thoughts in a forgiving spirit.
Declan
Posted by Spector on January 13, 2006, at 4:15:44
In reply to Re: Depression is pure evil, posted by Declan on January 13, 2006, at 1:52:31
Hi. Not sure what you mean by "it also means to allow." Maybe you could explain that. I hope it's not some obvious thing that I'm supposed to know . . . . . .
As far as the question of suffering in general, yes, of course, one could ask the same questions. I would guess, however, that depression is being singled out because the illness itself is an all out attack on one's very ability to feel good things -- joy, interest, motivation, calm, safety AND the presense of GOD. Certainly any kind of suffering if it is bad enough can do the same thing, but depression, severe depression, will inherently do these things and there is no way to "pull yourself out of it" as there potentially is with certain other kinds of suffering.
But I do not want to in any way make some hierarchy of suffering with depression being the king. As horrific as what I am suffering is, I know there is certainly worse in this world. That does lessen my pain at all -- knowing "it could be worse" rarely does -- but it is true nonetheless. But anyway they have yet to invent a sufferometer to really settle such matters.
Spector
Posted by Declan on January 13, 2006, at 13:21:15
In reply to Re: Depression is pure evil » Declan, posted by Spector on January 13, 2006, at 4:15:44
I was thinking of "suffer the little children to come unto me", which is how it read in the Revised Standard Version. There's probably some connection there I don't quite grasp. The opposite of wilfulness?? Rolling with the punches?? Not that I'm suggesting anything prescriptive. The amount of suffering in the world is certainly enough for me to feel that creation was a big mistake.
You'd all know this but it's so good you'll enjoy reading it again, the last Stanza of 'No worst, there is none'.
"O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall
Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed. Hold them cheap
May who ne'er hung there. Nor does our small
Durance deal with that steep or deep. Here! creep,
Wretch, under a comfort serves in a whirlwind: all
Life death does end and each day dies with sleep."Declan
This is the end of the thread.
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