Religion and the evils of man?

Question

I know that Christianity has the devil, but what is the symbol of evil in other religions? Also, would these other religions think that these evils/devils/demons be responsible for the violent nature of man in recent years. A good example is the very recent VA Tech shootings. Would other religions think that maybe something like a devil/demon/evil be influencing others to do these things?

My heart goes out to the victims and their families.

Answer 1

In Islam, shaytaan is a whisperer. This jinn is concerned with provoking mankind into doing violent, sinful acts. The individual is the one responsible for giving in to these suggestions.

Praying for those people killed at Virginia Tech.

Answer 2

Judeo-Christianity says there is a "Satan."

Hinduism has a pantheon of evil deities, but only one true creator.

Buddhism, Taoism and the other eastern religions do not acknowledge a god as much as "enlightenment." So therefore there would be no evil entity either.

Personally, I don't think evil as an entity exists. I think PEOPLE make terrible decisions that affect others negatively and are perceived as evil. And since that behavior is very difficult to explain, "we" call it "Satan."

Right up there with the fire god on top of the mountain.

Answer 3

People are responsible for their own actions. I do not believe in a "Devil"; I believe the Devil is a scapegoat for the wrong actions of individuals who like someone to blame other than themselves. By no means am I saying anyone is to blame for what happened in Virginia other than the shooter themselves, but the Devil certainly wasn't responsible for it either.

Answer 4

First of all my sympathies as well to all victims, secondly . islam does have the devil as well, but also what we call (the soul that temptes one into evil, which is fueled by the devil)
meaning, that people tend to justify thier mistakes and deeds. and its not true that (the devil made me do it) its more of the devil helped me do it, encouraged me to do it, which leads us to the fact that the idea was already there, but it needed a little push!

Answer 5

I'm sorry to be so absolutely blunt, but no outside force is responsible for anyone's actions. What you call "evil" is nothing more than a man-made concept. And those actions to which we refer to as "evil" come from within the man and nowhere else. Decisions were made, and those decisions resulted in death. It is sad, but it is still human.

Answer 6

I believe what Halfadan is pronouncing is that Religious Leaders and God are 2 VERY special matters. I've certainly not met one and even learn approximately person who honestly did the desire of God. I will believe you that 'well' guys do evil deeds Thinking they're doing the desire of God for they're misled.

Answer 7

All things either come from G-d or you are not a monotheists. Atrocities such as the horror at Virginia Tech are the deeds of man not some supernatural Bogey man.

Answer 8

I think it's just Christians and Muslims who believe in Satan. I don't think that even the Jews feel this way.

But either way, if the Middle Eastern God made Satan then I think He should carry some of the blame. If I made something that was harming my children, I'd destroy it.

Answer 9

I don't think that the actions of an emotionally disturbed person has anything to do with religion . . . there are people in the world that are mentally unable to cope with some part of their life . . that's not evil it's illness . .

Answer 10

They all coinside with eachother. Devil represents anything bad