What is "evil"?

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

... What if we are fragments of God? Does that change what is "good" or "evil"?

It complicates things if God is all good, because that would make us all good too...

However, if we assume that what God commands or does is good simply because God commands or does it (i.e. God's word or action is good by definition - perhaps because they are consistent with His eternal, unchanging nature) then this makes good and evil seems somewhat arbitrary - if God does or commands something that causes harm or suffering to people, that is - by definition - good. There are many instances in the bible where this can be seen. However, God also forbids man from doing some things that cause harm or suffering to other people - things that God has done, but man may not. So there seems to be two forms of good - one for God and one for man; and some of the good things God does are evil if done by man... it could get very confusing

Syllogistically:
P1: actions consistent with God's nature are good (morally right) and actions inconsistent with God's nature are evil (morally wrong).
P2: God's actions are always consistent with God's nature.
P3: therefore (p1, p2) God's actions are always good.
P4: God has caused harm and suffering (e.g., killing people) according to the Bible.
C: therefore (P3, P4) if the Bible is valid, causing harm and suffering (e.g., killing people) is good.

If C is not valid for mankind, then we must logically reject the idea that God's nature and actions provide a moral standard for mankind...

 

[Eudaimonist]

So would you say that "evil" is all relative, then, dependent on the perceiver?

It's not so much about perception as it is about context. It's not the perception of the dying child (who might not even grasp what death is) that is at issue, but what is actually being lost to the child.

But, yes, what is evil is evil for someone, just as what is good is good for someone.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

How do you define "evil"?

Anything that is in opposition to God , his nature, his character, his person and a willingness to disregard absolute moral laws for the reason of self centeredness .

 

[KimT]

I believe evil is anything that goes against the will of God. This is because the will of God is 100% pure good.

 

[Colter]

The text you quoted stated "Evil is a relativity concept." If "evil" isn't absolute, then it is relative to the degree one is closer to or further away from the Highest.

I see. Absolute evil in the finite sense would be absolute dedication to godless ideals within the creation of God.

 

[ananda]

God IS. He IS before creation. The human concept of "God limited" or "God absent" is an oxymoron. It is a Spiritual impossibility.

Is your god separate from his creation?

 

[ananda]

An act within an insidious agenda, meant to cause harm or distress.

So you would say that "evil" is intent?

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

So you would say that "evil" is intent?

The word 'insidious' is very useful within this subject. It means 'causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed'.
This is the exact nature of Satan and demons, who are incarnate evil.

In an interesting way, to be 100% evil is to be insidious by the archaic, biblical perspective.

 

[ob77]

How do you define "evil"?

Evil is anything in opposition to God.

 

[ob77]

What prevents you from going to the heavens?

Buddhism has nothing to do with God or God's word, it is a "me too" religion, and those who subscribe to it shall gain nothing in the end, for Buddha is not Yahveh. Never was, never will be.

 

[ananda]

It complicates things if God is all good, because that would make us all good too...

However, if we assume that what God commands or does is good simply because God commands or does it (i.e. God's word or action is good by definition - perhaps because they are consistent with His eternal, unchanging nature) then this makes good and evil seems somewhat arbitrary - if God does or commands something that causes harm or suffering to people, that is - by definition - good. There are many instances in the bible where this can be seen. However, God also forbids man from doing some things that cause harm or suffering to other people - things that God has done, but man may not. So there seems to be two forms of good - one for God and one for man; and some of the good things God does are evil if done by man... it could get very confusing

Syllogistically:
P1: actions consistent with God's nature are good (morally right) and actions inconsistent with God's nature are evil (morally wrong).
P2: God's actions are always consistent with God's nature.
P3: therefore (p1, p2) God's actions are always good.
P4: God has caused harm and suffering (e.g., killing people) according to the Bible.
C: therefore (P3, P4) if the Bible is valid, causing harm and suffering (e.g., killing people) is good.

If C is not valid for mankind, then we must logically reject the idea that God's nature and actions provide a moral standard for mankind...

What is the basis for thinking that God is "all good"?

 

[ananda]

Buddhism has nothing to do with God or God's word, it is a "me too" religion, and those who subscribe to it shall gain nothing in the end, for Buddha is not Yahveh. Never was, never will be.

How is this relevant to the thread?

Buddha is not YHWH. Buddha claimed to be superior to all gods.

 

[Winken]

What is the basis for thinking that God is "all good"?

Jesus.

 

[Winken]

Is your god separate from his creation?

"God separate" is an oxymoron.

 

[Jeshu]

to believe lies leads to evil and to believe the truth leads to good. Lies have their origin in evil spirituality, while the truth proceeds from Good Spirituality.
Lies kill, oppress, enslave and distort The Truth, while The Truth exposes the darkness of the lie and sets free those bondaged by lies. Evil is - anti-Christ - and anti life - within our hearts and minds - and kills us physically and spiritually.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Travel in the land and see what was the end of those
who rejected truth - koran.

For me truth (haq) is - at a mystic level - being, intelligent adherence to being, and respect for life, truth and beauty.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Good and evil appears to be good and evil due to a bioelectrical transmitter anomaly, but good and evil doesn't actually exist.

We made it up.

What are you calling good and evil here?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Eudaimonist]

Nothing, I'm stating a principle not truth and not good or evil.

Please answer my question. What do you have in mind regarding "good" and "evil" when you made that statement?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Colter]

My religion:

“Evil is the unconscious or unintended transgression of the divine law, the Father's will. Evil is likewise the measure of the imperfectness of obedience to the Father's will.

“Sin is the conscious, knowing, and deliberate transgression of the divine law, the Father's will. Sin is the measure of unwillingness to be divinely led and spiritually directed.

“Iniquity is the willful, determined, and persistent transgression of the divine law, the Father's will. Iniquity is the measure of the continued rejection of the Father's loving plan of personality survival and the Sons' merciful ministry of salvation.​

 

[Colter]

That's some pretty cool religion.

Those quotes come from the Urantia Book. They have always made sense to me.