The essence of man

[seeker]

My friend and I were having a discussion, one we have often actually. He is a staunch Christian who believes that man is inherently sinful and corrupt and one day God will come and save us all from our ourselves. He often compares us to pigs in the mud, we cant get out of the mud, will always be drawn back to the mud, because we dont know any better. Best we can do is try our best to follow Gods laws and hope that he saves us in the end.

I, on the other hand believe that the majority of people are good, or at least want to be, that we have it within to be more than we are. I hold a more Taoist view, believing that problems in people and the world are caused by imbalance of some aspect of their soul.

So I asked Yi, what is the essence of man and got 11.2 to 36. I thought it was a very interesting response, especially if you read Wilhelms translation and was wondering what you guys take on this is.

 

[bruce]

Once before something like this was discussed here, or at least half of it. Something along the lines of "what are we?" I remember that Kevin received 36 (forgot change lines). His answer always stuck with me - a light within a shell or body.

I'm thinking that Yi's answer was directed more toward how to see and deal with your friend's perspective. 11.2 surely is a good response to that.

The gang I work with at the studio are all Christian, too. Being I?m no stranger to the faith, having professed Christ for 20 years in my past, I learn to walk the middle path. They don?t really know what I believe. Much like 36.