Are people truly evil in nature

It is interesting how the words "evil" and "God" are so confusing to so many people. Actually they are the two most easy words to understand, Because they represent bad and good. What the Bible means by "evil" might not be our definition of evil. Just maybe what it is referring to is the evil lurking from our choices, Let alone our nature. The Bible talks about how bad people are (how evil they are, ) but the part we miss is what we intentionally ignore, Because we do not want to acknowledge it. No matter what you call it, Sin, Wickedness, Error, Corruptness, Immorality, Etc. It all boils down to one thing, A choice, The equivalent definition of the word evil. The reason I used the Bible in my initial post, Was because, Regardless if you believe the Bible is God's word or not, It is a REALLY old book, So the writers of it should know what "bad" and "good" is, At least, I think. However, Contrary to your statement about God not being just, God just allows what corrupted humans put in place. You say that children are born with instincts. My point is, That yes, Children are born with instincts, But if you take out the equation of a child stealing out of need or doing something else out of "need, " then we can get back on subject. What we are talking about here is, A child that grows up in an ordinary environment. Unfortunately, The absence of parents in today's society does not help our juveniles to be successful, Productive citizens. It is not that I do not like humans, But I believe that they have to be taught right from wrong: a thought that is neglected by modern society. It is obvious that children are. . . Brats without someone teaching them right from wrong. Looking at pure evil, People like Jeffrey Dahmer might not have been the serial killer he was if he had been raised right. While it is true that there are just some "bad apples" that cannot be helped, No matter what the parents do, Still, That is an "out of ordinary"case. As someone who knows children, Very well, I know that children have to be taught, Punished, And raised well to turn out well. I do think we might be better off sticking to examples of "normal" childhoods, That way we can present a very good, Valid argument. The Bible defines evil as anything that is bad, Anything that is in a person's nature that is contrary to good, And I think we all know what that means, Against moral code, Against the law, Against parent's wishes, Etc. There is a great deal of rebellion in children nowadays, Something that the older generation did not teach them, And the most of the older generation is ashamed of. Where did they get all this stuff? When did a child decide to walk into a school and blow people away? Who taught them that? Who taught mankind to war against each other? Who teaches men to do any of the bad things they do? Their nature? YES EXACTLY! That could be nature from God, From satan, Evolutionary, Whatever you want to call it. All I am saying is that there is some kind of problem with mankind, If not his plain evil nature, Then his genes, Environment, Or whatever else. If you want to say that children are born with "survival" instincts, That cause them to do all the bad things they do, Then fine, I am good with that, But in saying that, You are admitting that there is a problem, Which is the only real point I am trying to make. Great debate! Glad you took it up!