GrowingSmaller

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False dilemma.

The answer is it results from both.

God created the structure of the universe, and therefore human experience, and therefore he created good and evil as parts of human existence. So things like good and evil, as well as light and dark, hot and cold, massive or light weight etc all result from the command of God.


But he also commands we do that which is good for us, so in that sense God commands it because it is good also.

The structure of experience (involving dualities) came first, and then the command to act on it appropriately is derived from that.

A quote from sikh scripture:

Japji in English - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia.

Hymn 2

  • By Your Command entities are formed. Your Command cannot be predicted.
  • With your Command one obtains respect and is praised.
  • By Your Command Ups & Downs occur. With Your Command is written suffering and happiness.
  • Without Your Command no one is blessed. With your Command one lives in perpetual migrations.
  • Everyone in Within Your Command, None is outside God's Order.
  • Says Nanak, “Whosoever realizes Your Command, Never speaks in ego.” ||2||
 
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ToddNotTodd

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God created the structure of the universe, and therefore human experience, and therefore he created good and evil as parts of human existence. So things like good and evil, as well as light and dark, hot and cold, massive or light weight etc all result from the command of God.

The phrase "created good and evil" seems nonsensical to me, since we use those two words to describe actions. "Good" and "evil" aren't traits like "red" or "salty".

What does creating good look like?
 
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GrowingSmaller

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God created the capacity for mental states of happiness and suffering, basically put, and the human framework or using language to organise and influence them like "good work sonny".

Without an ontological basis, what are we trying to influence (accumulate etc.) with ethical regulations? It would be like having monetary regulations without money.
 
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