Why are there Evil People?

[KeithCristian]

I'm not a member of the Catholic church although I'm considering joining. I did speak with a Catholic Priest a few days ago.

I want to know - why are there evil people? Why are there so many jerks in the world? I meet lots of people who I would not trust with a dime and I feel would steal from me in an instant. I told the Father those are the people who I would like to bash upside the head with a ball bat. I asked him how should we deal with these people. He said stay clear of them, stay clear of evil.

He didn't answer my question on who's fault it is for evil people. Is this free will? Does Satan cause people to do evil? Did God make some people evil?

Also, what about gays? I see some gays and to me it looks like they were born that away. Did God make them that way or is this free will or is it Satan again?

The Father asked me what I thought where evil people come from. I told him I did not know. However, now that I have time to think about it - We are all brothers and sisters. God only makes good things. I have to think God made those evil people good at the beginning. Somewhere along the line they got corrupted, and that's not Gods fault.

 

[Jordan St. Francis]

I have to think God made those evil people good at the beginning. Somewhere along the line they got corrupted, and that's not Gods fault.

This is what we believe. God made creation good. But human beings choose to live independtly of God's grace, by nature alone, and since nature is uplifted and borne up on the wings of grace, without it, nature fell.

Human beings are a fallen species, and the world is a corrputed world. God did not desire that this happen, but he gives human beings free will. Part of being free means that you deal with the consequences of your actions.

The result of the Fall is that every body has tendencies towards evil. Some have them stronger than others and some are more able to resist them than others. But in the end, we all need God's grace in order to put our nature back on track.

Hope that helps.

 

[DallasApple]

Because they are big fat whiny babies.

Love

Dallas

 

[Onkara]

This is what we believe. God made creation good. But human beings choose to live independtly of God's grace, by nature alone, and since nature is uplifted and borne up on the wings of grace, without it, nature fell.

Human beings are a fallen species, and the world is a corrputed world. God did not desire that this happen, but he gives human beings free will. Part of being free means that you deal with the consequences of your actions.

The result of the Fall is that every body has tendencies towards evil. Some have them stronger than others and some are more able to resist them than others. But in the end, we all need God's grace in order to put our nature back on track.

Hope that helps.

Useful answer is there an explanation as to what prompts the evil or selfish thoughts, from a Catholic perspective? Is it something external or is a product of our inner will, which God created?

 

[KeithCristian]

I am a believer in - if men were angels there would be no need or laws. I do think, for the most part, man has a tenancy to do evil.

 

[Onkara]

I am a believer in - if men were angels there would be no need or laws. I do think, for the most part, man has a tenancy to do evil.

Hi KeithCristian
Yes, it appears that this tenancy is what we should strive to overcome in Catholicism is it not? Isn't this partly the explanation of Original Sin, we must deal with the fact that we are "born sinners" and this life is to correct that. I undestand the way to correct that is to adjust our thoughts and actions. We can do this by attending mass and confession. Is this the reason why one may be provied Hail Marry Prayers to repent our tenancy of bad actions or thoughts?

It appears to be a core part of Catholicism and one which some find trouble accepting. I don't want to enter debate, but I would like to learn about Catholicism so please, any reader who is knowledgable in Catholicism, add to this if you think there is more to learn from this OP and my questions.

 

[Sunstone]

Most people, I think, who do evil don't know or understand that it's evil they do. Not all, but most.

 

[Charity]

Evil starts in the heart of humans and happens when we are consumed by our own lusts and desires......

I also agree that some people aren't aware of the fact that they are doing evil, at least it may not have been intentional evil.....But maybe still could be seen as evil.....

 

[KeithCristian]

Now what do we do with those evil people when we encounter them? I talked with a Father last week and asked him the same question - what do we do with those people who seem to lack common sense or need a ball bat upside the head? He basically said to stay clear of those people. I'm sure he meant we should also pray for them and all that, but stay clear of evil. I guess he was saying don't put yourself in places that you know holds evil temptations.

 

[xkatz]

Because of this recession were in...

 

[freeman bricklayer]

It is my experience that evil is simply god's way of making men see how good he is.
he is the great host of hosts, and this is his show. Play your role, and fulfill your destiny whichever that may be.
That is my perspective.
It may be that what we call evil is actually good, and we dont even know it, because we are preconditioned to think it evil.

billy

 

[WayFarer]

I want to know - why are there evil people? Why are there so many jerks in the world?
Is this free will? Does Satan cause people to do evil? Did God make some people evil?
...
God only makes good things. I have to think God made those evil people good at the beginning. Somewhere along the line they got corrupted, and that's not Gods fault.

If I may KeithCristian, I would like to give some of my thoughts on some of your questions. I have grouped up a bit. I hope you don't mind.

Why are people evil and did Satan do it. People can be evil because they turn away from the light of God and fill themselves with the darkness of their own shadows which are cast before them. By that I mean in turning from God they turn towards themselves and replace God their own wants/desires. Did Satan do this? Well I would say "yes" but you would have to indulge who Satan is from my perspective. When Jesus was tempted by Satan: was Satan there (in person) or was Satan all the possibilities that Jesus was tempted by? When Jesus said to Pete "Get thee behind me Satan!" Did Jesus think Peter turned into (or was possessed by) Satan. No, Peter's words were a temptation and the temptation was Satan. (Satan from "Ah-Satan" meaning "adversary" in these cases an adversary of what needed to be done.)

As to the second grouping I would say God makes all things. People make choices. Some choose to move closer to God, others choose things that move them farther away from God.

I hope this perspective was of some help to you in your quest.

 

[Doodlebug02]

Because of free will.

 

[SERVANTOFSET]

People are evil because some of them think they have something to gain from doing evil things. It's a no-brainer really.

 

[enchanted_one1975]

He didn't answer my question on who's fault it is for evil people. Is this free will? Does Satan cause people to do evil? Did God make some people evil?

Also, what about gays? I see some gays and to me it looks like they were born that away. Did God make them that way or is this free will or is it Satan again?

Evil has nothing to do with religion. It is a matter of ethics and morality. Sexuality is in no way related to religion or anything evil either. Some religions choose to point the finger and call people unlike them "evil" because it takes attention away from the way they like to play with altar boys. Why don't you ask the "Father" about that type of evil deed?

 

[John D]

Man are Evil and are only "good" by choice - till provoked.
There is a Killer,Rapist and thief an all of us.
You must choose to grow away from it and then work on this every day of your life.
That is why we need God and His Wisdom in our Spirits - to lead the way out of this Hell. If you don't - you stay and be burned by your evil desires which we like to call "rights".