Religious people believe that man is inately good, instilled with God's divine spirit. I am inclined to believe that we are a product of our genes and our experience; the latter includes the influence of our families, our friends and our enemies alike.
One disturbing aspect of human culture is our fascination with suffering. Like the Romans and their Colisseum, modern societies exploit the misfortunes of others, offering entertainment that focuses on their pain. Cage fighting, "cop shows," reality series and the obsession with the dysfunctional lives of celebrities are just a few examples. Cable news websites invite you to "listen to the 911 call" or "watch as the parents plead for their son's life."
Whether man has a divinity that other animals lack is a matter of faith and speculation. All I know is that other creatures are not nearly as mean, vindictive and intolerant.
