Origin of Evil

[hotcolaut]

This is more of a question than anything... im curious of the Christian idea for the original of evil. I've been looking through the Catholic Catechism trying to find an answer, but i was unable to come up with any. I realize the original idea was that Lucifer, an angel, went against God's plan for humanity, and was therefore cast down into hell for eternal suffering Thus, the first act of evil.

But how could lucifer have CHOSEN evil, if it hadn't existed yet? By saying "the first act of evil" are we not presupposing that evil exists before this? And, if evil existed before lucifer, then evil must have existed indefinitely, thus implying God cannot be either all-loving (if he created evil) or all-powerful (if he dind't create evil).

Anyway, i'm just curious what the Christian standpoint on the origin of evil is....Any input would be appreciate.

 

[sojourner]

Darkness only exists in the absence of light.

Evil only exists in the absence of God -- when one turns away from God.

 

[Halcyon]

Darkness only exists in the absence of light.

Evil only exists in the absence of God -- when one turns away from God.

What about the evil done by holy men in the past, like the torture and killing of heretics?
These men thought they were the closest to God that they could be, that they were doing God's will. They prayed everyday and their goal was to save souls. Yet their methods were truly evil.

 

[may]

What about the evil done by holy men in the past, like the torture and killing of heretics?
These men thought they were the closest to God that they could be, that they were doing God's will. They prayed everyday and their goal was to save souls. Yet their methods were truly evil.

yes it speaks volumes ,would you not agree? seems to me that they were doing the work of the wicked one instead of Gods will. and i am quite sure that the true God did not listen to their prayers
When you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed your very hands have become filled."—Isaiah 1:1, 15............... ohhh dear seems that they called them selfs holy but they are not in Gods eyes

 

[sojourner]

What about the evil done by holy men in the past, like the torture and killing of heretics?
These men thought they were the closest to God that they could be, that they were doing God's will. They prayed everyday and their goal was to save souls. Yet their methods were truly evil.

Well, I guess they were mistaken, weren't they?

 

[jeffrey]

IMO, evil comes from within man himself. There are 'Godly' people that are evil. There are Atheists that are extremely good people. It's born from within, not external.

 

[gnostic]

The thing people must remember is that a person can be good and pious, and yet still be as intolerant as those who are evil. Good and evil is not just two opposites or two extreme ends. Good and evil can be relatives as they are absolutes.

Jesus told his disciples not to persecute others, because he knew they would be persecuted as he had been before his crucifixion. Most of his early followers were indeed persecuted. However, centuries had passed, and Jesus' teaching of tolerance and compassionate had been ignored. They vigorously persecuted those the heretics and non-believers once they had the powers.

Being pious doesn't necessarily mean that you are tolerant of those who follow other religions or other sects (or no religion). Even today, some Christian leaders have the tendency to persecute or discriminate against gay and lesbians, those who seek either the pills or abortions, euthanasia, those who favored evolution or the Big Bang, etc.

But getting back to the topic.

As to the origin of evil. Without human, who think in term of abstract, there are no such thing as good and evil in the physical world or in the law of nature. Since I don't believe in Satan, then it is human who sought either good or evil, and it is him (or her) who are solely responsible for his or her action.

I think it is irresponsible or immature for people to blame God, Satan, angels, demons or the pixie for whatever evil deed or action he had taken.

I am not saying that good and evil don't exist; it is just that without human, there would be none. What Hitler and his associates did to the Jews, are evil. What some Christians did during the Inquistion, using tortures, are evil too.

As to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Was it really Satan in the form of the serpent? Had anyone thought that it could have been God himself who was responsible for tempting Adam and Eve, in order to test them?

The linkage between Satan and the serpent is only an (universal) assumption. A lot of thing about the Creation, particularly of the Fall of Man, doesn't ring true. There are too many assumptions.

 

[Quiddity]

IMO, evil comes from within man himself. There are 'Godly' people that are evil. There are Atheists that are extremely good people. It's born from within, not external.

Well said Jeff. :clap

 

[Mike182]

IMO, evil comes from within man himself. There are 'Godly' people that are evil. There are Atheists that are extremely good people. It's born from within, not external.

i agree with jeff, but if i may take it further

i believe the first human lifeform had freewill, humanity has always been able to select its own morality. in short, yes God did create evil, because he created us with the ability to choose to step away from what is good.

 

[standing_alone]

IMO, evil comes from within man himself.

The one thing that always confuses me about this topic, though, is this:

If God isn't evil and didn't create evil, but created man that had evil in them, doesn't this mean God created evil?

 

[sojourner]

The one thing that always confuses me about this topic, though, is this:

If God isn't evil and didn't create evil, but created man that had evil in them, doesn't this mean God created evil?

Humanity is not inherently evil. We don't contain evil "in us," because we are created in the image of God. But, when we choose to turn away from God, evil comes about to fill the void.

 

[Quiddity]

i agree with jeff, but if i may take it further

i believe the first human lifeform had freewill, humanity has always been able to select its own morality. in short, yes God did create evil, because he created us with the ability to choose to step away from what is good.

That just means he created the ability knowing the results.

 

[gnostic]

If God isn't evil and didn't create evil, but created man that had evil in them, doesn't this mean God created evil?

If you are to believe in God and in a religion, then I would say yes, from my perspective.

I have brought up this same question myself. Had evil really originated from God?

Read the topic Evil Spirits, standing_alone, of some of the evidences that indicate God had agents of evil, working for him.

 

[standing_alone]

But, when we choose to turn away from God, evil comes about to fill the void.

But if man was created in God's image (and God isn't evil, nor created evil), how did man choose evil? Wouldn't God have to have given man the capability to be evil - thus creating evil?

Read the topic Evil Spirits, standing_alone, of some of the evidences that indicate God had agents of evil, working for him.

Thanks, I'll have to check that out.

 

[Buttons*]

men created evil when they created a standard

 

[Quiddity]

men created evil when they created a standard

:biglaugh: Those pesky standards that keep things in order. Gotta hate em.

 

[Buttons*]

:biglaugh: Those pesky standards that keep things in order. Gotta hate em.

i know what i mean

 

[standing_alone]

But if man was created in God's image (and God isn't evil, nor created evil), how did man choose evil? Wouldn't God have to have given man the capability to be evil - thus creating evil?

Is anyone going to answer my question?

 

[Quiddity]

Is anyone going to answer my question?

There is no "thus". He created the capability knowing the results. The choice was still ours.

 

[sojourner]

Is anyone going to answer my question?

People are shortsighted. They do what's best for them, or they do what they think is best (which may or may not be the right thing), or they just don't think at all...