35 Conversation Starters and Challenge Questions about Good and Evil

Conversation Starters and Challenge Questions about Good and Evil

There are many conversations that have taken place about the nature of ethics, morality, and the nature of Good and Evil themselves. Here is a list that will hopefully lead to constructive debates and discussions on the issues.

These questions are meant to be challenged and explored. They do not come from the omniscient or a place of absolute knowledge. They are waiting for  your answers.


1. What is the difference between Morality and Ethics?
2. How do you define Sin?
3. How do you define Love?
4. Was morality created by humans or by another metaphysical source? (Why/why not?)
5. Is Morality relative? why or why not?
6. Is there a single definition of goodness that most major religions strive toward?
7. Do secularists have belief systems?
8. If someone asks the question, can we have....without God? Are they trying to play the part of God?
9. How do you define Mysticism?
10. Does the devil exist?
11. How does one obtain certainty that something exists or does not exist?
12. Can one use rules of logic to explain good and evil? (why or why not?)
13. Is "Peace" a good thing? Why or why not?
14. Should we all try to become Utopians? (why or why not?)
15. Should one evangelize one's own belief system? (why or why not?)
16. What is an example of a time when someone should employ civil disobedience? (e.g.If you believe that a law is morally wrong, it should not be followed).
17. Are there bad people in the world?
18. If possible, what does it take for someone to be good?
19. Is cruelty something that is universally condemned? Why or why not?
20. How do you respond to the following statement, "drinking battery acid corrodes your organs and destroys your body. Therefore, drinking battery acid is bad for you. Thus, we have proven the existence of good and bad as a solid fact."
21. Even if someone is not spiritual, should someone still follow the ten commandments in their daily life because society would function better that way?
22. Is happiness the end goal of all belief systems? (why or why not?)
23. How do you respond to the following statement: "There is no good and evil. There is no right and wrong. There might be things in life that I choose not to do, but I cannot say that they are evil. I can only say that I want or do not want something."
24. Is romantic love only emotions, attachment, and shared experiences? Why or why not?
25. Do men and women view the concept of "trust" differently? (Why or why not?)
26. Should those who are ignorant receive different standards than those who should know better? Why or why not?
27. If someone believes in Good and Evil, can they demonstrate it using empiricism?
28. Are things such as child abuse, torture, pedophilia, the holocaust, and the September 11th attacks instantly wrong?
29. What is the difference between moral, immoral, and amoral?
30. Can science provide absolute certainty as to why humans refer to things as Good and Evil?
31. True or False: "Destructive people will do destructive things no matter what influence they have received in life." Why or why not?
32. Is "peace" a realistic goal for humanity? Why or why not?
33. Is the current worldly definition of evil synonymous with "destruction without warrant?" Why or why not?
34. How do you respond to the following statement: "There are 100 people in the city. 99 of the residents want person #100 executed. Person #100 has not committed any crimes of any kind. The 99 other residents have simply chosen that they want to execute person #100 because they no longer like person #100, and killing this person will improve the collective happiness of their society and allow it to function better"  ? Do you agree why or why not?
35. If not love, then what?

Spiritual Ramblings: The Destiny of Love and the Future for Us All

Virginia Beach, VA, USA

The love of one human rarely reaches another. It almost feels as if love is projected from one person, but it does not land anywhere. It is lost in the wind. It is lost in the far corner of space. It is lost in a way that not even poetry can save. Maybe when love is projected, it was never projected outward. Perhaps too many of us on Earth, myself included, have only been projecting love inward. The love of one's self, has triumphed the love of any other.

When caressing the fur of a kitten or gazing upon the expansion of a growing leaf, there is a growing sign of love. Albert Einstein often spoke and wrote of a relentless sense of awe and amazement when looking upon the cosmos. Even to the point, that he proclaimed it as spiritual. Well, where is that that awe and amazement for the betterment of humanity and the betterment of the Earth? When we project love, let us also think of the purr of a kitten, the growing of a leaf, and the far side of the Universe. 

It is up to us as humanity to project our own love outward. One can love oneself with ease, and perhaps also with comfort, yet to find a love for both the internal and the external requires a much larger plan in mind. The small acts of kindness can allow for a larger effect to take place. The small acts of tenderness might allow for the tiny plant to grow. If they are going to remind us that the mighty oak tree came from a small acorn. Then, we should always remind ourselves that within each one of us there is the power and capability to protect life. 

As human beings we do not want to destroy, we want to extend care, compassion, and kindness. As human beings, we do not need to reserve love for only ourselves, we want love to be shared with as many as possible. As human beings we do not want to live in fear of betrayal, but we to live in our journey to success. Where is the destruction in success? It is a characteristic that can be avoided. 

In the 21st Century, we no longer live in a world of mankind, but in humankind. We do not live under the law of All Men are Created Equal, but All Humans are Equal. 

With each day forward, there is a new opportunity to share love, to show respect for the Earth and for all living things, plant, animal, microbe, and of course for other humans as well. One must love oneself to continue on the journey to success and prosperity, but success and prosperity must be achieved by projecting love outward to the others along the way.