Do you believe in 'evil' people?

Question

There are people who are mentally troubled, people who have made mistakes, people who are arrogant and self-righteous, people who cannot empathise with others... but there is no 'evil' for me.

There can be evil deeds, sure, but no evil people.

Plus, a lot of so-called 'evil' people have also has atrocities committed against them... Many people who become rapists/paedophiles etc have been sexually abused as children, for example.

And, how can we be any 'better' than them, just because we have not been in that situation and so have never been led to commit such atrocities?

'fireball2' - we all have problems and then we grow up still - all well and good if your problems are small, but some things do leave permenant psychological scars on people. I cannot possibly accept that someone raped as a child or who had their parents murdered should 'grow out of it.'

And I think that people who are genuinely just as mentally ill as those who've committed crimes, and yet have not committed crimes are amazing people. But that does not make the people who have done evil deeds because of their past any worse.

This is in no way an attempt to say 'people can do what they want' etc. I am responsible for all my actions, and I know that. But some people have been through awful ordeals, and I don't believe it is right to judge anyone unless you have been in the EXACT same situation.

Answer 1

Your equanimity toward others is admirable, but sadly, primarily because it is not common.

In general, I find the concept of "good" and "evil" to be detrimental to problem solving. I much prefer to discuss helpful or harmful behavior (and these may be mixed).

Western philosophy has put forward "the problem of evil" as if good and evil are things that exist on their own. In truth, these issues only have relevance in context. Something is either good or evil in the eyes of the community. To a bird, a cat is evil. To its human companion, it is good. To a parent, a drug dealer is evil. To his customers, he is good.

If instead you consider whether the action is helpful or harmful, it allows you to work on reducing harm. Cats are only harmful if allowed to kill birds. It is helpful to have them remain inside. Drug dealers inflict harm on those customers who become addicted, and in conversation with parents they may consider take on other work that benefits them without harming others. (Far flung, I admit, but nonetheless, these conversations are happening and having an impact.) It also may be useful to discuss the harm they themselves have endured from the system.

I hope that you receive very helpful answers, and none that you find harmful. ;-)

.

Answer 2

Evil men and women always attempt to gain prosperity through negative decisions. That’s why; they commit sins and break the law__ of course, all wrong. The book of their deeds is the record of their life___ and is nothing but evil and evilish (devilish) acts. These men and women will gain nothing but loss here and hereafter.

Righteous men and women always attempt to gain prosperity through positive decisions. That’s why they commit good deeds, follow all kind of laws of humanity and are not a hindrance for anyone. The book of their deeds is the record of their life___ by the will of the Lord___ good deeds. These men and women will gain prosperity by the will of the God__ Our Lord, here and hereafter.
God created everything, the whole universe and then created ‘you’ and gave you the knowledge of good and bad. So do good, because God wants you to do good to meet the good of God.

Answer 3

Contrary to opinion, God does not cause evil. It is the result of two major forces: Satan and the human heart.

Satan is the enemy of mankind. He is full of ill will, powerful, and wants to destroy God, so he seeks to destroy men and women, who are made in the image of God.

Because of the evil in the human heart, there is war, crime, injustice, racism, and all sorts of pain and heartbreak.

There is evil because of Satan and because of man's nature--and evil has a tendency to multiply itself. The more evil men there are, the more society as a whole begins to take on an evil nature. If God did not give men the chance to be evil, there would be no freedom. God is not a dictator. He wants men to choose to love and serve Him and to do what is good. Giving man the freedom to choose between good and evil has been God's policy since He created the first man, Adam.

Adam's decision to disobey God affected all of us. Death came to humanity, to the animals, the plants, and the earth as a whole.

We are now more susceptible toward sin and evil; but we can turn away from sin. We can turn toward God. God wants us to resist evil. He is willing to help us in the battle. But it is a hard one. Even Jesus was tempted to sin.

So, yeah, I believe there are evil people.

Answer 4

No don't agree.Adolph Hitler is a prime example or if you want someone from the present,Robert Mugabe fits the bill.
Your premise is that anyone who is evil is NOT evil because they are "mentally troubled" as you put it.There are many people who are mentally troubled but don't commit evil deeds.

Answer 5

I think actually very few people really want to be the scuzballs they are. Not that I am calling anyone here that. I know for a fact that some disorders prevent some people from even being aware that they are obnoxious.

Answer 6

I agree with you to a certain extent, but I believe there are some people who are inherently evil. They do evil things, just for the sake of making others suffer, and have no remorse.

Answer 7

I believe everyone is both good and evil! Usually good for one is evil for another. For example, imperialists believe colonizing is great for their economy but in reality it is evil to the occupied.Depending where you are, it could either be good or bad!

Answer 8

Agreed.

Answer 9

No I don't believe in evil people, I do believe in the flying monkey people because they're nice; but not the evil people; they're evil!!!.

Answer 10

Yes there are posessed ppl and background is no excuse...we all have problems and then we grow up still