Ego, the root of all Evil?

Question

Bottle rocket, Why is someone selfish in the first place. Isn't being selfish due to a fear of loss or lack. Isn't it about holding on to things so that the self can feel valued? Isn't that the Ego speaking?

How can money be evil? By itself it is nothing. But put in the hands and the minds of men, then and only then does it become more. How much more depends on the Ego of who is holding the money.

Answer 1

Not necessarily.   A craving for unearned money causes more harm.

Answer 2

For the short answer, I'll say "No".

Ego doesn't necessarily lead to evil (if you can really define "evil").  One could argue that doctors have a large ego and perform acts that many would consider to be "good" (again, can you define "good"....is killing a virus "good", not if your the virus).  You can also find an example of a child that is uncontrollable and people will make remarks like "that kid is evil" (or a similar negative remark).

Answer 3

yes it is..... it ruined my relationship and tears people appart!!!... dont let it get to u!!!....

Answer 4

Not in my opinion. Sometimes confidence is mistaken as egotism.  

Answer 5

Wrong self deceit is the roof of all evil.

Answer 6

Yes, that is true. Ego can be evil if it's too high, which is why most people become Atheists. However, if you keep in touch with God and your spiritual side, that won't be a problem:-)

Answer 7

Yeah, but some good, too.

Answer 8

If it is, you can see it in nature. I like to think of nature as neither good or evil. It's more about function. Without pride you haven't got much.

I don't really believe in evil. It's just another way of saying something is highly disfavored.

Answer 9

If your an atheist: Yep

Not an atheist: Nope.

Answer 10

You mean George Bush?

Answer 11

Yes, totally.

Answer 12

NICE QUESTION.

Maybe?

Answer 13

I do believe you are right.  If it wasn't for ego, no one would have to fight, or make war, or prove their god is better than yours

Answer 14

YES, THE EGO IS AT THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.  HOWEVER, THE EGO CAN BE POLISHED UP, TRAINED, OR AT LEAST TOLD TO LISTEN TO THE SOUL.  THE EGO CAN BE THE PASSENGER, NOT THE DRIVER, SORT OF SPEAK.  BUT, OFTEN THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN..SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS SIMPLY YES.

Answer 15

yah!

Answer 16

I think selfishness is the root of all evil.  Money would get a strong vote as the root of all evil also.

Answer 17

yep.

Answer 18

Not ego, but clinging to ego and wanting to escape from ego.

Answer 19

Yes, I should think so. And who is the worst sinner? The bloke* with the biggest EGO.

*...of course it could be a woman, but it wouldn't be very PC to suggest that nowadays, would it?

Answer 20

Satan  

Answer 21

Great question. The answer is YES! But first we have to understand what ego actually is. It is, and always has been, and always will be, our wanting to receive for ourselves in order to make us happy. If you think about it, that very thing is what causes ALL the evil in this world to begin with. People want what they want and they want it now and they will do whatever it takes to get it.

At our very root level we are only interested in getting our own needs and usually most of our wants met. I know it seems a bit harsh to say that, but honestly it is what motivates us to do every single action we do. There is always something in it for us.

I know some say that they are capable of doing for others with an uncondtional love, if you will, for people but really it is never the case. We do only what will bring us a sense of satisfation or we don't do it. Period. It takes some time to think about the reality of this but until one does, and sees that we do not lift a finger unless we get something out of the deal, our finger stays right where it is, and we just keep on wondering why nothing gets any better.

But, there is nothing wrong with how are. It is actually how we were created and for a very specific reason. To learn to overcome this thing we are calling ego, evil, the need to have satisfaction in our every move. Until we understand this, and learn the method that will allow us to correct it, the world will indeed continue on as it is and will be faced with even greater amounts of evil in the future.

It took me a long time to see this as the way we really are. I wanted to believe that we were capable of doing better than that LOL. But when you think about it, even the stuff we claim we do for others, always makes us feel good about doing it and at best, makes us feel as if we did the right thing even if we really did not want to. I still get the pleasure of feeling that I did what was right. I receive for myself every time.

I linked a site here for you if you are interested in learning more. You can learn the reality of why we were created the why we are, the need for us to change in order to end all the suffering and evil in this world, and the method that will allow us to do it. Good luck on your search for answers. Best wishes.

Answer 22

the root of all evil is love for money your ego can be good or bad it's what you make it