what is true evil. It's an assignment for someone's class. She has to name something that is true evil, but if it was destroyed a lot of people would be outraged. The two evils I mentioned were gambling and alcohol. They both destroy people's lives (I've seen it first hand) but you can bet many would be outraged if they were destroyed. Boy did I get thumbs down on that one! One person said if something were truly evil, no one would be outraged if it were destroyed. That is totally wrong in my opinion. What would be your answer - What evil would bring outrage if it were destroyed? (Sorry for the long question)
2007-10-22 13:59:05 · 16 answers · asked by Starscape 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Just to let you know, any thumbs down you may get are NOT from me.
2007-10-22 14:12:30 · update #1
Flowerchild; many people describe evil as anything that causes suffering-and your responses certainly fit that description. I guess that the thumbs down that you received came from people who define evil differently than you do. I think it is counterproductive to give a thumbs down to answers when there are so many ways to describe or define the topic being discussed. hmmmmm, can anonymous bullying (thumbs down) be a type of evil? ....;)
It seems to me that life itself can be a journey where we navigate among evils of greater or lesser magnitude. I've often wondered if anything can be purely good or purely evil. For those who practice a Judeo-Christian religion....God created our existence that includes both good and evil....and so my assumption is that both serve some purpose. For those who have other philosophies, where good and evil come from isn't important...they simply exist....and we either have free will to chose or we are powerless. I tend to think that evil will always be present, where ever it comes from....it may even serve a purpose, we are not powerless, but we are not perfect at predicting all possible consequences either...that is why the questions you've posted are fascinating!
Here is an example that may stir things up a bit. I think most people will agree that Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator. He has been removed, but there are plenty of people who have objected to the way he was removed...people have been outraged by the way he was removed. I'm not saying that I support one side or the other....only that simply removing an evil may not be good enough.
2007-10-22 22:45:05 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well the thumbsdowns goes to prove just how much some people would be outraged if alcohol and gambling were destroyed!! But I would not call alcohol or even gambling true evil as such, because as others have indicated, it is the abuse of these that can be evil even though I too have seen first hand the damage they cause. It was as good an answer as any though because the other evils I can think of, would not bring outrage if they were destroyed. If it was an assignment for a religious school, perhaps the answer they wanted was "rejection of God". It is a very thought provoking question though because I can't think of an answer.
2007-10-23 09:52:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way I can answer your question is to let you know what I believe. I do not want you to change your beliefs, but I feel different than you do. For one thing I do not believe in "true evil". We have freedom of choice, and we choose our behaviour. That does not make us "evil" it helps us to grow. Yes the two addictions are serious but they are chosen acts by individuals. There are many, many people who have been through such addictions and have turned around and spent the rest of their lives helping others with the same addiction. If they had NOT gone through that themselves, they would not be in the position to know how to assist others with the same problem.
We have to look to ourselves, for our choices, and see if we have learned anything from our mistakes. Unconditional love is a very., very important part of these choices, by those that are close to such an addiction. Here we must learn forgiveness, compassion, non-judgement and understanding.
Turn the word EVIL around and what do you have LIVE.
Nobody is "evil" as far as I am concerned. Some people choose to do terrible things, but they will have to answer in some way and I feel sorry for them. I do believe in the statement "what goes around comes around." I would rather look to the good, that is in everyone, somewhere and not judge anybody or anything as "evil".
2007-10-22 16:34:43 · answer #3 · answered by Maureen S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think things can be evil, they can be used for evil or over used to cause pain, but I would not consider a thing evil in and of it self. Alcoholism or addiction to gambling may be evil, but perhaps evil is more along the lines of running the casino knowing you're profiting off of ruined lives and not trying to stop people before they lose everything.
I'd be tempted to say that child molesting, or killing humans for the joy of it are more along the lines of true evil.
2007-10-22 14:07:41 · answer #4 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Greed, however, if a true evil is destroyed there would be no outrage -- evil is what causes outrage, a real pair of docks.
2007-10-23 05:52:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say sarcasm because it is much too prevalent today. It is usually used by a bitter person and can injure a soul by taunting or caustic remarks. People would be outraged because we have become a country who loves being sarcastic. It is from an evil mind to do harm.
2007-10-22 14:47:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
For the same reason atheist's ask science questions in the religious section they have facts they believe are correct also.
2016-05-24 21:42:49 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thought about this, alochol and gambling are not evil all on their own, they become something evil when mankind decides to abuse them. IMO
So after a great deal of thought, IMO something this is TRUE EVIL is a religion that seeks to oppress others, take away the rights of people who dont belong to the same religion, professes to speak for God and to be the one, the only TRUE religion in the world, and which is more a worship of a sense of superiority and righteousness than anything else, and is completely intolerant, and violates ALL the analects of Christianity, and the teachings of Jesus, or any other benevolant prophet. And teaches only hate and bigotry instead.
Anyone, any religion, any church, who/that professes to believe in and follow the word of God and does everything BUT - in the name of God. THAT is pure evil.
2007-10-22 16:23:33 · answer #8 · answered by isotope2007 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
The obvious answer would be tobacco. Gluttony, or food restriction would outrage people.R Rated and XXX rated movies as well! Over-indulgence of anything is a sin.
Blessings- Juju
2007-10-22 14:10:59 · answer #9 · answered by Ju ju 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think 'hatefullness' is pure evil, yet there are so many that would be outraged if they couldn't treat others badly. It makes them feel as if they are superior, when they are being mean to those who may be weaker, tender hearted, or less fortunate.
2007-10-22 15:31:45 · answer #10 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋