On 03-May-99, Ranma Al'Thor wrote:
On Mon, 3 May 1999, David Johnston wrote:
[snip David's Story]
Well done, David. That's basically the line of thought I followed when
constructing the history of Crystal Tokyo in my Black Moon Rising
Universe. The Sailor Moon Universe is one in which evil magic is real and
evil is a metaphysical force. This means that certain real world
philosophical questions have to be looked at in another light, in a world
where one can be forced to become evil against your will or corrupted by
dark energies.
Do I have to do so, John?
Many religions see evil as a metaphysical force or personification
(i.e. Satan in Christianity), but evil is primarily within us. The
forces in our souls that can corrupt us, such as lust, greed, envy,
and the will to power, are *not* externally imposed forces, but a
part of our internal makeup! It is how we harness those forces in the
choices we make that decide how good or evil we are.
Even in the everyday universe, people are forced to perform evil
deeds by those who have power over them. A secret policeman can
capture you and try to force you to confess to subversion, and turn
in those you agree with you. A soldier can capture you and make you
assist him in killing your fellow troopmates, or your family, or even
try to force you to dig other's graves. Many succumb to this and do
the deed.
In this situation, one can acceed to the demand, or resist and take
the consequence of the refusal. That's still a decision on the part
of the person in that situation. Evil is still internal to him.
So simply because there are big bad metaphysical forces that can
apply more pressure does *not* negate the fundimental choice: Do I
do the right thing.
Or more basicly: What shall I do?
John Walter Biles : MA-History, Ph.D Wannabe at U. Kansas
ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu
rhea@tass.org http://www.tass.org/~rhea/falcon.html
rhea@maison-otaku.net http://www.maison-otaku.net/~rhea/
Steven P. Cornett
cornetts@gemair.com