In my U.
S.
History Classes, we usually discuss two different religious groups in early U.
S.
History-the Puritans and the Quakers.
The Puritans emphasized the evil nature of man, and somehow tended to find that nature-both within themselves and others.
The Quakers, on the other hand, emphasized the light of God that was in all men- that even the most evil of men had goodness in them.
The Quakers seemed to find that goodness within themselves and others.
While the Puritans were executing people of opposing beliefs, fighting in bloody wars against the Native Americans, and preaching the evil of man, the Quakers were extending tolerance to people of all religious beliefs, creating peace with the Native Americans, fighting to end slavery, and preaching the love of God to all.
Perhaps, one of the greatest steps to implementing goodness in our own lives is choosing to find goodness in others, including our enemies.
It is easy to label our enemies as pure evil; however, we have to realize that there is the image of God in all men.
Man is neither pure good nor pure evil; it is always a mixture of the two.
Every human being has that own conflict within their being.
A huge step to becoming more like God and growing in goodness is to purposely try to find that goodness within people.
A good activity which I like to do with my students for this is to have them right out the positive attributes of someone they do not particularly like, or even strongly dislike.
It is often hard for them to do, but if they allow themselves to engage in this way of thinking-they can find their own lives being changed into individuals who are more caring, loving, and peaceful.
Somehow in the mist of finding goodness in others, we find ourselves becoming better human beings.
As we learn to find goodness in our neighbor, friend, or enemy, we are allowing the goodness of God to overcome our own spirit.