This is actually several questions on the nature of the “entities” and of Richard, and some reasons for the questions.

How could Jacob Be Good If:
He was instructing the “Others” to kidnap children, or to do any number of other evil things, like mass murder etc.

Was Jacob instructing the “Other’s” at all?

Perhaps Ben had always been unwittingly receiving instructions from the ImpostorOfTheDead.

Richard was the only one with access to Jacob, and forwarded messages and instructions to Ben. Did Richard know who the messages came from?

If Richard knows the messages are from the ImposterOfTheDead, why does he have such easy access to Jacob?

It seems that Richard Is very stupid, or a dupe of the “entities” or perhaps he’s brilliant strategist, or maybe he’s one of the few “innocent” people on the island.
Or maybe he’s one of the same kind of beings as Jacob and the Impostor who knows them both, but doesn’t want to take a side in their fight.

Did Richard ever kill anyone? I never saw him personally do anything evil, but he actually seemed shocked when others did. But he’s an “advisor” to many people who seem very evil.

Did Richard actually give Ben messages from Jacob or the Impostor, or did he merely lead Ben to where they would be found, never knowing who the messages were actually from?

Some theories point to Biblical concepts. I don’t think, by any means, that this is what Lost is about, but maybe the writers are incorporating some of this in the story.

In Genesis the name Jacob means “deceiver”… However God chose the “deceiver” instead of Esau (the dupe) to be the father of His people.
Another thing said in that old book is that Satan (also called deceiver) can present himself to man as an “angel of light” meaning he will seem attractive, trustworthy, noble, etc.
Exact quote “12And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” – Paul of Tarsus

Another name for Satan is The Accuser meaning he’s always accusing man before God “for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.’ “… as he did Job…. and as in Lost, the ImpostorOfTheDead did to Jacob.

Which theories are closest to the truth of this story?
Who is good and who is evil?
What’s going on the island and the world in general?
I think these and most other questions will not be answered until 2010.

….but i’m certainly interested to see any thoughts on these questions/ideas…