Hey guys! This is my first essay that I dare post. If you have different opinions on the issues stated, please, review and comment. You can get mad alright, but no ridiculous reviews. They will be removed and you'll be blocked from reviewing the story (i think). This is solely my opinion. If you have a different one: great. So without further ado:

Of the Balance of Right and Wrong; Black and White

The balance and the line separating right from wrong; black from white, is delicate and thin. This can be seen by anyone with eyes to observe. Different situations call for different answers; different actions that could very well be justified as right and wrong. The fact of the matter is that very few things are as clear and definable as black and white. Many of our thoughts, our actions, and our justifications for them are mingled and confused, having become a dismal and dreary gray.

For example: A lie is considered poison by multitudes of people. Those of the Christian, Judean, and multiple of other religions and colts believe that it is a sin to be avoided. However, all would agree that to avoid telling a falsehood in all situations can rightfully be declared absurd. The prophet Mohammad (my dearest apologies for any spelling issues) and those that follow the Muslim faith believe "Lying is wrong, except in three things: the lying of a man to his wife to make her content with him; a lie to an enemy, for war is deception; or a lie to settle trouble between people" [Ahmad, 6.459. H]. Here lies a great controversy. The Holy Bible, the holy book of the Christian and Judean beliefs states: "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue…etc." [Proverbs 6: 16-19]. The prophet Mohammad says that lying is wrong, except in case of… etc, etc, while the God of the Bible declares that lying is wrong, period. Albeit, there are cases such as in war, where lying is necessary, if not completely 'right', according to religion and morality. It is the same in many other cases. So is lying to an enemy to protect a greater good right or wrong? We have all done it; I myself have done it one more than one occasion. There are none among us who have not told a falsehood. Be it to cover up a surprise, to keep a secret, or a completely trivial matter, a lie is a lie, white or not. The question still remains whether telling a falsehood is wrong in any case. The world would say that there is no set answer; that all of our opinions are our own truths on the matter. Black and white have been mixed and presented to the world as a confusing gray; left to the people to sort out.

A very popular topic today in my life as well as the lives of many in the world is the vast spread of terrorism. Since the sabotage and destruction of the twin towers on 9/11, the world has turned its eyes to the dangers brewing within the hostile Middle East. People have died, both here in America and in other countries, from this 'crusade' so to speak. The terrorists claim to be Muslim, and they kill others and themselves in the name of their god. They see their actions as justified and right. We see them as disrespect and disregard of the human life. I have spoken with many on this complex topic, and have also had the distinct privilege of speaking face to face with a few American-Muslims. They insist that the ones who destroyed the World Trade Center could not possibly have truly been Muslim, because Islam is a loving, peaceful religion. Believe what you may, but it is yet to be decided whether or not the killing of hundreds upon thousands of people can be justified as 'right' in any case. First, we must realize that life is precious, yet not all would agree. Standard facts as such cannot be laid down and agreed to by all. There will always be two sides, arguing two opposites. Was the destruction of the towers 'right' because it was done in the name of a god, or was it wrong because it ended innocent lives? Our opinions are our own, and what should bare stark contrast like black and white, are still sadly gray.

Where does it end? Does it end? Can the world ever truly agree on a right and wrong; a black and white? The answer is simple: No. It cannot and will not. Morality has been all but destroyed, leaving people to create their own sense of justice. For ages people have tried to obliterate all sense of right and wrong; trying to opinionate them both. When are we going to realize that there is one right, and one wrong, and we do not decide either one? Erasing basic morality is tearing the world apart. She thinks its fine to abort her child, while another thinks considers it murder. Who is to say that aborting a child isn't the greatest thing the world has ever seen? The way the world treats right and wrong, it might as well be true. If we can tell the difference between black and white in a heartbeat, why can we not see right and wrong the same way? If we do not have a truth, a divine right, then how are we to learn; to grow as a world? We cannot; we will not.

There is hardly a desire so deep within my heart as my desire to see this world brighten. I dearly wish that I could say the world is black and white. But do you sincerely wish to know the bare truth of the matter? Well here it is: Despite the fact that there is a true black and a true white, the world is all but blind to it. We have not set the boundaries; we do not see and acknowledge the truth. And for our fault in that regard, the world remains a solid gray.