Devotional Poetry

Variations on the Theme: The Nature of Man

Variations on the Theme:
The Nature of Man

Judaism

Man stamps coins in his image
And they are all alike;
God stamps humankind in His image
And they are unlike one another.
Jewish Saying

Human nature
isn't necessarily good or evil;
each individual has good inclinations
and has evil inclinations:
Each must be balanced.

Humanity has more then a passive roll
in its own evolution;
evil thought must be channeled
into productivity.

Eating of the Tree of Good and Evil
was the results of natural curiosity.

The world is imperfect
humanity must make it whole;
each covenant helps mankind make the world perfect.

No one is inherently evil,
each individual has
the capacity to channel
evil into good.

Christanity

Humanity has the capacity to choose
Great good or great evil.
Christian Clergyman

Humanity is given the image of God,
and the attributes of humanity include free will.

Great good is not possible without evil,
human beings have the ability to choose.

Latter Day Saints

Humanity has infinite potential capacity.
Latter Day Saint Educator

Humanity
is the family of God;
God aids in its protection and preservation.

The human being
is the child of God.
God's perfection
Helps overcome self's imperfection:
The command is to be perfect.

Human nature
contains frailties:
The choice
between good and evil
is part of the maturing process.

Buddhism

Reality is the same,
People call it by different names.
Buddhist Saying

Humanity
creates its own bondage!
The goal is to achieve nirvana...
Total liberation.

Humankind
was born divine:
All can achieve freedom!

The human being
is divine.
Self realization is achieved
through the realization of God.
God is here to help:
To help the human race realize God;
To help the individual realize itself.

Islam

Humanity's origin one of excellence.
Islamic Holy Man

Humanity is given the choice
Between good and evil

Humanity was created
Has a single origin
Brotherhood applies to both male and female

Life is serious
Evolutionary in nature

Humans are moral beings
Supreme in nature
Worshiping creatures
Finite in essence
Dependent upon a creation
Social creatures

The challenge is to choose good
Freewill makes the choice
Shown right from wrong
Struggle between good and evil

Baha'i

Divine virtues reflected in humanity.
Baha'i Teacher

Humanity was created by God
Created in the image of God
Knowledge of self directs humanity toward God

The human being
Is the most noble of God's creatures

Human virtues - Potential
Divine virtues - Perfection

Spirit and intelligence are essential characteristics
An essential characteristic is purity of heart

Poet's Note: ▼

This poem was inspired by a panel discussion I attended, which was hosted by the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada. I wrote it in 149 B.E.