Theos-Talk Archives (November 1999 Message tt00040)

In a message dated 11/14/99 1:16:11 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
RAMADOSS@eden.com writes:

<< I do not have any black and white clear cut definition or litmus test of
 what is cruelty. 
 
 It is something that each one of us should decide for ourselves as best as
 we can. 
 
 Cruelty could even be saying an unkind word to your wife or child or parent
 or friend or even a stranger which could be long lasting. 
  >>

Doss, 

I would like to add, that cruelty, or any other physical action is not 
defined by the behavior itself, but rather, the intent at the time of the 
action. Killing, in a genuine act of self defense is not cruelty, rather, an 
instinctual reaction rooted in our primal nature. The mental and emotional 
charge, at the time a specific behavior is generated, is what determines the 
quality of the action. 

It goes without saying, that intuitive wisdom is what is required to discern 
what the intent was at the time. Our problem is not that the world is filled 
with violent behaviors but that we lack the intuitive wisdom to know why.

Louis

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