I don't believe people are born evil.

I think that better education, more tolerance and a better understanding of history and others would go a long way to reducing the 'Evil' we see in today's world.

That being said, can we eradicate evil completely? I'd have to say, not absolutely, no.

Though we must try to reduce it :)

Well there are cases where some people are monogamous and also cases where some people aren't. So I wouldn't say that nobody can be or that everyone can be.

I just wonder is there an alternative to monogamy that suits humans better, and why our attitudes towards it are so fixed.

I recently read a very interesting book, putting across the point that absolute monogamy is a very recent state of affairs for our species.

That pre-farming when our ancestors were hunter gatherers, they used to live in small groups or tribes. In these tribes the author argued that they weren't monogamous at all. That females regularly had sex with different members of the tribe, and despite this, the males weren't aggressive towards each other. This was because there wasn't a need to compete for mating privileges, and also because parental certainty wasn't important.

So I suppose basically what I'm curious about, are your and others opinions on wether monogamy goes against our nature? Cheers

I'd like to start the proceedings by saying, I personally think fully monogamous relationships are very hard to come by this day and age.

I live in Britain and am an Atheist. I have found myself asking the question, with the decline of religion and the adherence to religious attitudes, is this having an impact on our society and the concept of monogamy?

Also with the brilliant and fast paced advances in women's rights and the new attitudes this has brought about, is it possible that people are thinking differently about monogamy than our elders before us?

Of course I, perhaps like most people, believe cheating to be wrong. But I must admit, even within my own circle of friends, the attitude towards relationships is a negative one and very cynical.

I'm very interested in other peoples thoughts on this subject, cheers :)

I think one of the main threats they pose on our society of today, is their views on contraception. Particularly the damage they afflict and continue to afflict, on various African countries for example.

To ban artificial means of contraception, with so many sexually transmitted diseases and infections still prevalent, is disgusting and immoral in my opinion.

So yes, in my opinion, quite obviously, they're teachings do threaten safety and health in today's society.

I am an atheist.

However for all you theists or fence sitters out there, I'd imagine the question in the title, is a question you have already asked yourselves before, though perhaps not in that exact fashion.

If there is a god, why did he create mental illness? Or any illness for that matter? Why are these inflictions visited upon the innocent, the young and the vulnerable?

In my mind, such things could only be the creation of a particularly vile and twisted individual.

I'm afraid the argument 'God moves in mysterious ways' just doesn't cut it in the face of such a debilitating and horrific condition.

For further proof of gods cruelty, I would suggest a good read of the Old Testament.

God telling Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac, just to satisfy gods curiosity, as to wether or not Abraham had faith in him is but one example. Rather sick and cruel of god if you ask me.

I am myself British, and I was surprised to see this question as a topic.

Let me firmly weigh in on the side of no, the majority of Brits I'm guessing, are not jealous of America, myself being one of them.

Though please don't get me wrong, I do love America. I enjoy American movies, eat American food and go out drinking on nights out with my American friends. I like the idea of America, the vastness and diversity of your land and wildlife. The beautiful beaches of California and Florida. Your constitution, and the passion to which it is both adhered and protected. The idea that freedom and liberty are at the heart of everything you hold dear, is very admirable and most my fellow Brits I'm sure would agree to their importance to ourselves as well.

Our two countries, as has already been said, are allies. We have a lot in common financially, politically and militarily.

All this being said, please realise, Britain too has a proud history, culture and place in the world.

Please don't forget this very forum is possible due to a British inventor, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the internet.

Other British inventions include Carbon Fibre, the steam engine, the reflecting telescope (Isaac Newton), the telephone, the steam turbine, television, passenger railway, the military tank, the jet engine, cement, stainless steel, the electric motor, photography, ATMs.... The list goes on.

Not to mention our musical legends such as Led Lepplin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, The sex pistols, Elton John, The Who, Pink Floyd, Black sabbath, Status Quo, Duran Duran, Iron Maiden ect.... The list again goes on.

I could mention literally thousands of things which make me proud to be British. The NHS, Shakespeare, The Royal Family, The white cliffs of Dover, the Angel of the north, Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament...

The point I'm trying to get at is, don't underestimate how glad and content most of us Brits are to be British.

The question 'are Brits just jealous of America' is silly in my opinion. Our nations each have things to be proud of. To be envious of even.

But in the scheme of things, looking across the water, as much as I like and respect the American people, I'd much rather remain on this side of the ocean.