[HarleyD]

This is a most excellent piece. One should reflect on this statement:

The idea was that everyone, no matter how incorrigible, had a spark of the divine within his soul. Complete solitude would enable even inveterate criminals to ignite that inner spark of the divine, which in turn would enable rehabilitation and re-entry into normal society. In reality, the system’s radical enforcement...meant that some inmates went stark, raving mad.

This concept came from the Renaissance when people switched their thinking from man was basically corrupt to man was basically good. A consequent of this that we see being acted out in society is there are no moral laws. There is no sin-so some believe. It is sad to think that much of our post-Renaissance theology is built around this concept. The Quakers were not alone.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes, the notion of evil is conveniently tossed aside, despite the world around us telling us the opposite.