Evil

[InChrist]

What are your thoughts/ Do you think is evil the corruption of something good which already exists?


What is evil?

Evil is not something that has an existence of its own; rather it is a corruption of that which already exists. EVIL IS THE ABSENCE OR PRIVATION OF SOMETHING GOOD. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can only exist as long as the tooth exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself. Norman Geisler tells us, "Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself."
Notes on the Problem of Evil, by Ron Rhodes

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

What are your thoughts, is evil is the corruption of something good which already exists?

Of course not.

The idea that evil is just "the absence of good" implies that there's no difference between apathy and ill will. This is nonsense.

The idea that evil is merely the absence or corruption of good is grounded in theology, not ethics or morality. It's an attempt to resolve the apparent contradiction between three specific beliefs:

- God is entirely good.
- God is the ultimate source of everything.
- Nonetheless, evil exists.

If a person doesn't feel a particular need to accept all three of these premises, there's no real reason for them to jump to the bizarre conclusion that evil is literally nothing.

 

[Enoch07]

I don't think evil is the absence of good.

The absence of good is pain though.

I believe that evil is the perversion of good though. I've seen it enough times to feel comfortable making that claim.

 

[InChrist]

Of course not.

The idea that evil is just "the absence of good" implies that there's no difference between apathy and ill will. This is nonsense.

The idea that evil is merely the absence or corruption of good is grounded in theology, not ethics or morality. It's an attempt to resolve the apparent contradiction between three specific beliefs:

- God is entirely good.
- God is the ultimate source of everything.
- Nonetheless, evil exists.

If a person doesn't feel a particular need to accept all three of these premises, there's no real reason for them to jump to the bizarre conclusion that evil is literally nothing.

I was not implying that evil is "the absence of good" or nothing. I said the corruption of something good and the linked article elaborated on this point and gave examples which are not grounded only in theology, but physical reality.

 

[Ellen Brown]

What are your thoughts/ Do you think is evil the corruption of something good which already exists?


What is evil?

Evil is not something that has an existence of its own; rather it is a corruption of that which already exists. EVIL IS THE ABSENCE OR PRIVATION OF SOMETHING GOOD. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can only exist as long as the tooth exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself. Norman Geisler tells us, "Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself."
Notes on the Problem of Evil, by Ron Rhodes

Ron Rhodes is from the Dallas Theological Seminary. So, does that mean you are a mainstream Evangelical? I wish you people would just show your cards at the beginning. Not that there is a thing wrong with your position.

I try to explain who I am from the outset so people will perhaps understand my point of view. These days I only admit to being an Abrahamic Religionist, and that because most Christian churches would see me as deeply in sin with no hope of redemption and that after disavowing what happened and complete contriteness. It is doubtful that anyone would agree on what repentance would be.

So, I believe in The One God, his creation, judgment, and Heaven. Christians spout about who Jesus the Christ is but few actually follow his words. Micah 6:8 sums up God's desire for us. Of course the 23rd Psalm, the Lord's Prayer, all give us direction. I'm a simple Non-Trinitarian. The Christ said, "I came to bring war not peace". We are to work out our own salvation, not to criticise others in their labor.

As to Ron's words, I find them to be fairly empty, but if his words speak to you ...

 

[Spirit of Light]

Evil can be in the words, actions or thoughts toward one self or others. All evil leads to suffering, all good lead to compassion and love for everything around us.

When we remove the evil from our mind we will understand it was what made us suffer

 

[mistoftime]

The god featured in the Bible is the epitome of evil, imo.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

What are your thoughts/ Do you think is evil the corruption of something good which already exists?


What is evil?

Evil is not something that has an existence of its own; rather it is a corruption of that which already exists. EVIL IS THE ABSENCE OR PRIVATION OF SOMETHING GOOD. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can only exist as long as the tooth exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself. Norman Geisler tells us, "Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself."
Notes on the Problem of Evil, by Ron Rhodes

Evil is an adjective. A qualifier of an action with undesireable consequences or outcomes. Evil is not a noun. It is not something that exists by itself.

 

[Skwim]

What are your thoughts/ Do you think is evil the corruption of something good which already exists?

What is evil?

Evil is not something that has an existence of its own; rather it is a corruption of that which already exists.

Stupid rhetoric. As a corruption of something, by definition it is a condition of existence in of its self.

EVIL IS THE ABSENCE OR OF SOMETHING GOOD. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can only exist as long as the tooth exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point.

So rot, tooth decay, and rust are evils. Okay, but the condition certainly doesn't comport with any definition of "evil" I've ever heard of.

e·vil
/ˈēvəl/
adjective
adjective: evil

1. profoundly immoral and wicked.
   "his evil deeds"
   synonyms: wicked, bad, wrong, morally wrong, wrongful, immoral, sinful, ungodly, unholy, foul, vile, base, ignoble, dishonorable, corrupt, iniquitous, depraved, degenerate, villainous, nefarious, sinister, vicious, malicious, malevolent, demonic, devilish, diabolic, diabolical, fiendish, dark, black-hearted; More
   monstrous, shocking, despicable, atrocious, heinous, odious, contemptible, horrible, execrable;
   informallowdown, stinking, dirty, shady, warped, bent, crooked;
   archaicdastardly, black;
   rareegregious, flagitious, peccable
   "an evil deed"

noun
noun: evil

1.
profound immorality and wickedness, especially when regarded as a supernatural force.
"the world is stalked by relentless evil"
synonyms: wickedness, bad, badness, wrong, wrongdoing, sin, sinfulness, ungodliness, immorality, vice, iniquity, turpitude, degeneracy, vileness, baseness, perversion, corruption, depravity, villainy, nefariousness, atrocity, malevolence, devilishness;
​

Please note that the overriding condition of evil is profound immorality and wickedness, so evidently your rather goofy Ron Rhodes feels that trees, teeth, and cars can be profoundly immoral and wicked. Okay, but I sure don't buy it.

.

 

[Skwim]

The god featured in the Bible is the epitome of evil, imo.

Being the ongoing creator of it

Isaiah 45:7
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
​

it certainly stands to reason.

.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I was not implying that evil is "the absence of good" or nothing. I said the corruption of something good and the linked article elaborated on this point and gave examples which are not grounded only in theology, but physical reality.

From the quote in your OP:

"Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself."

"Privation" is the lack of something.

 

[Estro Felino]

The god featured in the Bible is the epitome of evil, imo.

That is true, because it's a Zeus-like deity...
this means the Bible is similar to Homer's poems

 

[Quintessence]

I'm not a dualist, so I don't tend to conceptualize the world in terms of "good" and "evil." It's a common enough map in my culture, though, that I can pull it out and navigate by it when need be. My default map observes that there are many states of being, which subjects react to in different ways based on how pleasant or unpleasant they find it. This in turn is impacted by their life experiences and personal/cultural values. The subjects do not need to be human either, as I'm an animist.

 

[Vinayaka]

Since I don't believe there is really such a thing as evil, as portrayed in Abrahamism, it can't be defined, as something non-existent, by extension, has no definition.

The universe dances on. Stuff happens. Other stuff happens. None of it is good or evil, it's just stuff. From outside the good/evil paradigm, it seems so influenced by anava. "If you disagree with me, you're evil."

 

[Jainarayan]

I don't believe in evil in the Abrahamic sense either. There is only action and reaction. Even the ideas of good and bad, which I concede to, are relative.

 

[ChristineM]

What are your thoughts/ Do you think is evil the corruption of something good which already exists?


What is evil?

Evil is not something that has an existence of its own; rather it is a corruption of that which already exists. EVIL IS THE ABSENCE OR PRIVATION OF SOMETHING GOOD. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can only exist as long as the tooth exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself. Norman Geisler tells us, "Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself."
Notes on the Problem of Evil, by Ron Rhodes

Evil, like sin is a religious concept. Most people know what is wrong and right, what is immoral and moral. Those that dont show mental abnormalities, a sociopath for example.


BTW, the definition of evil is
Profound immorality and wickedness, especially when regarded as a supernatural force.

 

[Milton Platt]

What are your thoughts/ Do you think is evil the corruption of something good which already exists?


What is evil?

Evil is not something that has an existence of its own; rather it is a corruption of that which already exists. EVIL IS THE ABSENCE OR PRIVATION OF SOMETHING GOOD. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can only exist as long as the tooth exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself. Norman Geisler tells us, "Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself."
Notes on the Problem of Evil, by Ron Rhodes

Then why does the god of the bible say that he creates evil? He is corrupting his own perfection, then?

 

[Ellen Brown]

Then why does the god of the bible say that he creates evil? He is corrupting his own perfection, then?

I would like to know chapter and verse on that statement please?

 

[sealchan]

What are your thoughts/ Do you think is evil the corruption of something good which already exists?


What is evil?

Evil is not something that has an existence of its own; rather it is a corruption of that which already exists. EVIL IS THE ABSENCE OR PRIVATION OF SOMETHING GOOD. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Tooth decay can only exist as long as the tooth exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself. Norman Geisler tells us, "Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself."
Notes on the Problem of Evil, by Ron Rhodes

Evil requires a judgment of purpose. That which inhibits or blocks the fulfillment of a purpose can be seen as evil.

But there is no perfect objective perspective from which one can define what is purely evil IMO. We see all the time that what is evil to one person is good for another. But the evil see-er usually is projecting their own personal sense of purpose into something.

And in nature nothing is perfectly purposeful, things are always adaptable and multi-purposive.

Our personal feelings often lack knowledge of the full context for that which is judged as evil. Usually learning more about the evil reveals the more complex situation and we can relate to the ignorance or confusion which "caused" the evil to occur.

 

[ChristineM]

I would like to know chapter and verse on that statement please?

Isaiah 45:7 KJV