Why are People so Mean?
By roberten
@roberten (3128)
United States
August 6, 2012 5:32am CST
A Sikh temple in Wisconsin is the latest tragedy for senseless loss of life. There is no good reason for such cruelty. Why does this keep happening? What can we do to help curtail events like this from happening? I am at a loss. 
http://news.yahoo.com/shooting-breaks-sikh-temple-wisconsin-witnesses-171142261.html
(This is NOT a referral link.)2 people like this
7 responses
@else22 (4317)
• India
6 Aug 12
Yes,you have rightly dubbed it mean-mindedness.Only those who are mean minded can resort to intolerance and cruelty.They turn extremely selfish and unable to feel the pain caused by them to others.I have just heard of the firing at a Gurudwara in the USA.The police has been unable to find out the motive behind the massacre.Till now everything is murky.Nobody knows who are the perpetrators and why they opened fire on innocent devotees who had done no harm to them.I,for one,don't think that such incidents are going to end in near future.
@roberten (3128)
• United States
6 Aug 12
else22, if you are right, then what are we to do? How can we protect ourselves from harm? Do we shut ourselves away in our homes and hope for the best? Surely, there must be something we can do. Can this genie be put back inside its bottle? Let's hope so, for the good of mankind, the least we can do is hope.
@else22 (4317)
• India
6 Aug 12
Hi roberten,following our faith is our birth right.I would not like to force others to follow my faith and give up following theirs,but the same I would expect from them.If someone tries to impose his faith on me,I would not give in and fight him till my last breath and the last drop of my blood.For the sake of my faith and my right to follow it,I am ready to kill and get killed.
Please don't take me else.Why should I give up my right and why should I give in to tyrants?I respect all religions and the right of their followers to follow them.
@hsofyan (3446)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
6 Aug 12
I can only pray for peace on earth.
The use of weapons freely, so the potential occurrence of such incidents. The police can't monitor every corner of the city and take reasonable precautions in every case.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
6 Aug 12
Sadly, since the beginning of time, people have been mean. And sadly, I believe that people will continue to be mean until the end of time.
One thing that you can do to help stop the meanness of others is to be kind yourself. Make up for the meanness by being nicer and kinder. Do good when others do bad or worse, evil.
What happened at the Sikh Temple is beyond mean. It is evil. Interestingly, I believe that the Sikhs are a very pacifistic people who engage in non-violence and try to live peaceful lives.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
6 Aug 12
I don't know if I would say they were 'mean", but I think its
a terrible situtation...Its just sad whats going on in then world
today...But somewhere in the bible I understand it speaks of times
like this ...
Lord I just try to live right and be kind to everyone,,,now its
not always easy but I think we must all try... we can not control
others just ourselves....
My heart goes out to all those effective by this senseless killing
both directly and indirectly...I pray everyday for God to take care
of my family.
@roberten (3128)
• United States
6 Aug 12
We are only able to control our own behavior, that is true, but I feel we can influence the behavior of others through example. We must show love to receive it, even in the face of adversity. We must show mercy and understanding even in the face of evil. Change begins with the act of one person and spreads from there.
@hanizaidi (4)
•
6 Aug 12
People today in this 21st century still live with the worst form of stereotypes. Muslims, Sikhs and Jews are persecuted with no reason throughout the world (I just mentioned these sects as they came in my mind not any hardcore reason). It's rightful to say that Sciences have seen evolution but man's soul is till trapped.
@velentina (891)
• Mauritius
6 Aug 12
Some people are pitiless. I wonder what kind of heart they have, to kill people in a temple. Are they not afraid of God. These people must be hanged. Cruelty must be punished with cruelty.
