Is evil actually the negation of good rather than an existing force?

Question

Is it possible that evil was never created? Rather evil is simply the lack of good?

Here is an anology:

With good, the glass is full

With evil, the glass is empty

Answer 1

Moral evil results from humankind's free choice to sin.

Sin is a deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the eternal law of God.

The seven Deadly Sins are:
- Lust (inappropriate desire)
- Gluttony (over-indulgence)
- Greed (avarice)
- Sloth (laziness)
- Wrath (anger)
- Envy (jealousy)
- Pride (vanity)

The opposing seven Holy Virtues are:
+ Chastity (purity)
+ Moderation (self-restraint)
+ Generosity (vigilance)
+ Zeal (enthusiasm)
+ Meekness (composure)
+ Charity (giving)
+ Humility (humbleness)

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I believe that evil is a very real force that must be reckoned with. We all have sensed evil around us, and even evil people can use what is percieved to be good to fulfill their evil purposes. There are people who act so Great and so Good, and yet they are really really evil because they put down people who are not like them. I believe that that is a force to be reckoned with. I've seen evil people do some good with their lives and yet they are still evil. I think that we all battle evil, and forces that are within us that try to hurt and destroy others with our mouth's for example. That is evil, and something that we must always work on to keep in check. When we are born we are not born good. We are really born into a sinful nature and world. It is up to us to try to do what is right and good, and to bring about change and hope for our future. Therefore, it seems we are always battling some opposing force to keep us on the right path.

Answer 3

Plain and simple: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. That way there is always balance. There is always good. There is always evil. They do not fight against each other, they simply are. One is yin. The other, yang. Our interpretation of facts don't negate facts. They are what they are. Inaction requires action. The act of sitting still and doing nothing is an action. Therefore evil and good are opposite sides of two coins. One has to exist to provide room for the other.

Answer 4

I think you are right. There was a story told that Albert Einstein (possibly true, I don't know, but the analogy is good) was in class and the professor said something about evil. Albert said that evil could not be measured. The professor argued that it could.
Albert told him that the only way to measure cold was through measuring heat,the only way to measure darkness was to measure the light and the only way to measure evil was to measure the absence of God. That cold is the absence of heat, dark the absence of light and evil the absence of God. There is no other way to measure such things, and whether or not the story is true, the analogy is.

Answer 5

Darkness is the abscense of Light.

Darkness is not actually a force. It is void of any power... it just is. When Light...a power or energy... comes into play it will always overcome the darkness. Darkness can never be dark enough to smother out light.

God did not create evil. Evil is the lack of God and His goodness.

Answer 6

Evil is actually an existing force that is constantly attempting to bring about the negation of good. To everything there is a season. Evil power is loosed on this earth until it will be bound for all time. Its purpose is to turn those who would seek to do good away from so doing and entice them into doing wrong. I believe it all began when God threw Lucifer, the Devil, out of Heaven because he attempted to rise above God out of pride. His mutinous pride continues today and roams about like a lion seeking whom it may devour. When God returns and the new Heaven and earth begin, God will contain Satan in Hell with all who would follow him in his evil ways. Do not be fooled! Evil is real and will devour all who partake in it. It is a strong power and is very deceiving to all. That is why we need to know God and receive His salvation from death, its evils and the grave. To live eternally with God in Paradise.

Answer 7

Evil and good will always exist side by side. Its just the nature of our existence. They are opposites of the same coin. But that doesn't mean you have to give into evil. Life entails undergoing a never ending battle between good and evil, both inside and outside. Evil is like a constant nagging voice, a negativity always trying to destroy the good in you. You don't have to listen to it. If you battle against your evil (or fundamental darkness) the enlightened side will become stronger. All people have both inside. This is the benefit of evil and why it will always exist. Negativity is another name for evil. Without the weights of life (negativity) we cannot develop the muscles of enlightenment.

Answer 8

I would have to disagree, If you don't do good you are not necessarily doing evil, you could be doing nothing. For evil you actually have to DO an action that is considered evil. Not just not doing good.

Answer 9

No. Whithout the other neither has any meaning. To understand the concept of either something is needed to measure it against. What is good and what is evil differs, as everyone has their own beliefs as to what they consider good and evil.

Answer 10

There is very active evil, which is not just the absence of good. Is it simply an absence of good when a child is raped, tortured, and murdered? No. It is the act of true evil.

Peace